By Heather Pilkington, Register Staff Writer
Gainesville Daily Register
Lindsay —
“Flattery” and “honor” are the two words used to describe the feeling that Lindsay High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian share about the final standings.
The final standings for the top ten revealed Christina Mathis as valedictorian and Allison Metzler as salutatorian.
“I was actually second for a really long time,” Mathis said. “Honestly, I was happy being second. We all took a lot of AP (advanced placement) courses that were pretty difficult and I ended up pulling ahead, which is a really great thing, in all; I just wasn’t expecting it.”
Metzler’s thoughts were similar.
“I am honored to be salutatorian because our class is quite smart and has a lot of hard workers,” Metzler said. “Even ending up in the top ten percent is a huge deal. Over the years, I have been third and fourth in our class. So, it is a great feeling to end up second.”
In looking back, the two girls had a small bit of advice for underclassmen.
“I think the best thing anyone can do is to get a goal and to just go for it,” Mathis said. “If you have a dream of being whatever you want, you should just make the most of whatever resources there are, and work hard to achieve it.”
Metzler’s message was geared toward working your hardest.
“I was always taught to work hard, here at Lindsay and from my parents,” Metzler said. “They always told me to strive for the best and work hard for your goals.”
Not only has Mathis achieved the title of being Lindsay’s valedictorian, but she did it after moving across the country. She moved to Lindsay from Alaska at the beginning of her freshman year of high school. Yet, her first day of high school was the most memorable for her.
“When I transferred from Alaska my freshman year, it was my best year because I met a lot of really cool people,” Mathis said. “I really like the class of 2011. I think everyone in it is really cool. So, my freshman year is my favorite memory. Basically, my first day of high school was pretty cool because everyone there was friendly. It’s a very nice environment.”
It isn’t uncommon for freshmen to fear the first day of high school. Mathis said she faced a different fear, but that fear was squashed her first day.
“The people here are a lot more friendly and really welcoming.” Mathis said. “I was afraid there was going to be thick cliques and I wasn’t going to be able to fit in, but everyone wanted to get to know me.”
These two have bright futures ahead of them.
Mathis plans on attending Texas A&M University to major in bio medical science with the dream of becoming a veterinarian.
“It’s kinda what I have been shooting for since I was 12-years-old,” she said.
Metzler’s after-high school plans include attending the University of North Texas to pursue a degree in education. Metzler said she hopes to be a high school math teacher.
Both young ladies have been extremely involved in extracurricular activities, which even involved a little branching out of their comfort zone.
“I actually did FFA this year, and it was my first year to do so,” Mathis said. “It was the most fun because I got to show a sheep.”
Besides FFA, Mathis was involved in other aspects of campus life such as National Honor Society, FCCLA, UIL, One Act Play, science club, Spanish club and Knights of the Round Table, a book club that she founded.
Like Mathis, Metzler was also highly involved. She was active in National Honor Society, FCCLA, UIL, One Act Play, science club, Spanish club and student council. The difference between the two girls is that Metzler was a member of the state-qualifying volleyball team in 2009, and a member of the Lady Knight basketball team.
Metzler stated that some of her favorite memories were of two trips to State. One was for One-Act Play, where Lindsay took home first place. The other was when the volleyball team advanced to state for the first time in school history.
