Top honors announced for Pike County H.S.

Thanks to hard work, diligence, discipline, and exceptional grade point averages, Olivia Swint and Catherine Lovin are at the top of the class. Swint was named the Class of 2009 valedictorian and Lovin was named salutatorian.This is the second year the high school has announced the highest achievers in February. In previous years it was not learned until three days before graduation who received top honors.”Both are outstanding young ladies and excelled in AP and gifted honors classes,” said principal Scott John. “They put the rubber to the road.”Swint is the daughter of Kathy and Roger Swint and has been the drum major of the Regiment Marching Band for two years. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the golf team.She works on Saturdays and during school breaks at her dad’s store in Jonesboro.”Usually I’m just pretty busy doing school stuff,” she said.Her favorite activity during high school has been participation in marching band, which she started in eighth grade. She plays the flute and oboe though she plans to study oboe in college.She will attend the University of Georgia School of Music and major in music therapy. Her desire is to work with autistic children.”It’s really close to my heart,” she said, noting one of her cousins is afflicted with autism.Family is an important part of her life.”Both of my parents have been a really big influence,” she said, adding they gave her encouragement and instilled in her the drive to succeed.Lovin is the daughter of Eddie and Lisa Lovin and has been actively involved in basketball and soccer during high school. She is captain of both ladies’ teams and is a member of the National Honor Society.”Sports takes up most of my time,” she said.Her favorite subjects are government and history.She plans to attend Columbus State University and major in history education. She would like to teach history in high school.”I’d like to be a teacher to influence others and help (students) decide what they want to do with their lives,” she said.Playing soccer and basketball have been her favorite high school experiences.She has attended Pike County schools since kindergarten.Lovin said her family has been most influential in her life. ”They’re always supportive. They come to my games and want me to do my best,” she said.Swint and Lovin took seven advanced placement courses and will take part in the graduation program May 29.