COPPERAS COVE – Copperas Cove High School has announced the Top 10 graduates in the class of 2024.
The rankings are based on each student’s cumulative GPA throughout their high school careers.
Valedictorian: Samantha Parker
“When I was younger, I had never planned on being valedictorian,” Parker said. “But, when I got to high school, I think it was the first time we got transcripts, I was first and I didn’t realize until then that I wanted it. So, I worked this whole time to maintain it.”
Parker is a member of the Copperettes dance team and Voices of Cove Choir, and was selected to the All-State Choir as a senior. She plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station to study engineering after graduation.
Salutatorian: Hayden Peacock
“I was happy that I got to it, because I haven’t been salutatorian, or even close to the top four until just last year,” Peacock said. “I went from 8th my sophomore year, then I got to second and it was like, ‘Oh, all the hard work I’m putting in is paying off’ and I was glad.”
Peacock is a member of the Pride of Cove Marching Band Drumline and hopes to continue with band in college. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study engineering.
No. 3: Robert Hopko
“My mom always tells me to study and study, do my work and do well,” Hopko said. “If I have any lower grades, she always tells me to go to tutorials and get them up, so I do.”
Hopko plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin after graduation to study computer science.
No. 4: Madison Sims
“It’s been challenging because I took a lot of dual credit, but it paid off, it was worth it,” Sims said. “Now, I only have two more years for my bachelor’s degree. I’m very glad I decided to stay for my senior year, because I almost graduated early last year because I had all my credits, but I’m glad I stayed…It’s been very rewarding. I’m leaving with an associate degree, thanks to the dual credit program, and four medical certifications.”
Sims is a member of the Copperettes dance team. After graduation, Sims plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio to study public health with a pre-medicine focus, with plans to attend medical school and become an anesthesiologist.
No. 5: Joleeanna Hair
“It has been really tough, actually, balancing everything because I’m a student-athlete, as well,” Hair said. “So, coming back from games still having to study, stay on top of my grades, that’s probably been the hardest part.”
Hair is a member of the CCHS softball team and plans to attend New Mexico State University on a softball scholarship. While in Las Cruces, she plans to study either kinesiology or public health with plans to attend medical school after college.
No. 6: Jayden Manyen
“I’ve known that I’ve been among the higher ranks, so it’s just good to hear that I stayed up there,” Manyen said. “And, I’m glad that working hard paid off.”
Manyen plans to attend Texas State University and work toward a degree in computer information systems.
No. 7: Peyton Brewster
“It’s not too late to push through to your goals,” Brewster said. “Because, sophomore year, I thought it was too late because I was, like, 20th and my goal was to be in the top 10. I didn’t give up on that and it worked out for me.”
After graduation, Brewster plans to attend Texas State University to pursue a psychology degree with hopes to attend medical school to become a psychiatrist.
No. 8: Emmett Harrell
“In middle school and elementary school, I never really had a challenge,” Harrell said. “But, once I got to high school, I was finally able to take stuff that challenged me, like college courses. I got to do OnRamps, which was helpful, I got to do pharmacy tech, I got to do things that I feel like will help me pursue my future goal better.”
Harrell earned his pharmacy tech certification through the CTE program. After graduation, he plans to attend the Bush School of Government at Texas A&M University in order to international affairs and become a diplomat.
No. 9: Meagan Hunt
“COVID was, probably, the worst time for me,” Hunt said. “I’d been homeschooled before, like in middle school, but it was different going back to public school, then back to homeschool, again, because I got used to having the teachers in front of me and being able to work 1-on-1 with them…So, I struggled to do that and then come right back to public school the next year.”
Hunt was a member of the Lady Dawg softball team. She plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station to study either forensic science or anthropology to become a forensic artist.
No. 10: Luke Olson
“I moved here my sophomore year,” Olson said. “Before, I lived in Junction City, Kansas, they didn’t have any dual credit or anything, they didn’t have any honors classes, so I started at the bottom in my second year and it was a lot of work. I spent nights going for that 90, going for that 100 in my classes in that dual credit or early college.”
Olson earned two associate degrees and graduated with highest honors from Central Texas College this semester as part of the district’s early college program. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to study political science before attending law school.
Copperas Cove HS graduation is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on May 24th at Cadence Bank Center in Belton.
The facility requires a ticket to attend.