Hampton City Schools announces top students in the Class of 2022 at Phoebus High School

 

Samantha Champion - Valedictorian

 

Samantha’s activities include varsity field hockey, varsity soccer, Model United Nations, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Science Honor Society, and volunteering in childcare at Coastal Community Church.

 

She was accepted for early decision at Sweet Briar College and plans to attend in the fall to major in engineering and mathematics. She is undecided at this time which career path she will take.

 

Samantha is a recent HCS ACE Academy graduate from TNCC, receiving her associate degree on May 16, 2022.

 

Fondest high school memory:

“My fondest high memory is 10th grade in AP world history (pre COVID) when we did a mock Columbian Exchange. Everyone in the class brought in food that represented items from the Old World and New World.”

 

A tradition at your school you will miss:

“We didn’t really have traditions, but I will miss the bonds I formed with some of my teachers.”

 

An achievement you are most proud of:

“(I am most proud of) being named 2nd Team All Region/District three years in a row for field hockey after starting in ninth grade.”

 

I am proud to be an HCS graduate because:

“HCS is a constantly growing community that as a whole is trying to reach new levels that haven’t been seen in Hampton for education.”

 

If you could thank a teacher who had the greatest impact on you, who would it be and why?

“I would like to thank my two English teachers: Mrs. Helms and Mrs. LaBeck. Mrs. Helms greatly impacted me in 10th grade after having her for 9th grade. In 9th grade she worked with me on my work ethic and in 10th grade she was there for me as a mentor. She allowed me to talk with her about things happening in my life while I was going through a harder time. Mrs. LaBreck has been my English teacher 10th through 12th grade. She really checked on our mental health during the pandemic and still checks in on us in class. She is helpful with not only school work, but things in life.”

 

Kayla Wiggins – Salutatorian

 

Kayla’s activities include varsity girls soccer, marching band, volunteering at elementary schools, SCA senior class president, National Honor Society, National Society for High School Scholars, tutoring, and English Honor Society.

 

She was accepted to George Mason University, James Madison University, Longwood University, Old Dominion University, Radford University, Seton Hall University, Ohio State University, University of Richmond, University of Virginia, Washington & Lee University, and West Virginia University. Kayla will be attending Old Dominion University where she will major in speech and language pathology and audiology, and world languages and cultures. Upon college graduation she plans to enroll in graduate school to get her masters in speech-language pathology and audiology and eventually enroll in a doctorate program to study neuropsychology.

 

Kayla, who is a recent HCS ACE Academy graduate from TNCC, received the TNCC President’s Award for the Class of 2022. This award is presented in recognition of exceptional academic performance. Criteria for the award includes a high cumulative grade point average, completing at last 60 semester hours of coursework, and receiving an associate degree.

 

Fondest high school memory:

“My fondest high school memory is a moment from my freshman year. The football team made it to state so the marching band had to go as well. The entire band was late. We had to rush on empty stomachs and we lost the game. But the constant togetherness and support that we all showed each other made it so fun.”

 

A tradition at your school you will miss:

“I will miss stomping on the crabs before Hampton vs Phoebus games. It keeps the rivalry alive and I think it is cute.”

 

An achievement you are most proud of:

“My proudest achievement was speaking to another person in their native language for the first time. I spoke to a woman in Korean to thank her for my meal and her service. It felt like my hard work paid off and her appreciation for me learning her language made my heart feel warm.”

 

I am proud to be an HCS graduate because:

“I have seen HCS grow since I was in middle school. I have been a consistent part of that growth and I’m proud to have been a part of that.”

 

If you could thank a teacher who had the greatest impact on you, who would it be and why?

“I would thank my first grade teacher Mrs. Allen. She was a teacher who has always seen greatness in me and pushed me to succeed even from a young age. She instilled the importance of education within me and is one of the reasons I value learning so much.”