Two Valedictorians, Two Different Plans

By Dustin Kass, dustinKass@miconews.com

Jessica French and Mandy Troutman have been side by side on the grade scales at Osawatomie High School for the past four years.

The two maintained their 4.0 grade point averages their entire high school careers and will serve as co-valedictorians during the graduation ceremony this weekend for the class of 2008.

Their career plans, however, are not so similar.

Troutman will continue her education next year at Washburn University in Topeka, where she plans to major in computer science. She hopes to transition from her schooling to a career as a software programmer, she said.

“I just really like computers, but I’m not as creative as like a software designer,” she said.

Meanwhile, French will head to Kansas State University next fall to major in business administration. She said it’s a good place to start as she pursues a career in … well, she’s not sure yet.

“It seemed like a good, kind-of-general place to start,” French said.

The two top scholars have more in common than not, however.

Both kept up their high grades while participating in a range of extracurricular activities.

And both were a little nervous about having to speak at Sunday’s ceremony. French will talk about the class of 2008’s past and present, while Troutman will discuss the students’ future, and the pair intends to take advantage of school officials’ recommendations to keep their speeches short.

“I’m not really looking forward to it,” French said.

French is the daughter of Gary and Janet French of Fontana, and Troutman is the daughter of Gary and Monika Troutman of Osawatomie.