HCHS honors valedictorian and salutatorian

Against all the challenges Habersham Central students faced in the 2020-2021 school year, two students rose to the top of their class despite the global pandemic. On Feb. 23, principal Jonathon Stribling and the HCHS staff held a reception for this year’s valedictorian and salutatorian.

This year’s valedictorian, Amber Wojteczko, serves as an HCHS band captain and trumpet section leader, runs track and has been named an AP Scholar by the College Board. Wojteczko plans to attend Georgia Tech, where she plans to look into a future in engineering. She hopes to one day work in artificial intelligence technology.

“It’s definitely been an odd year– or two years, I guess,” Wojteczko says. “I’m really excited [for graduation], I’m sad to leave all my friends, but I’m excited for what I’m going to be doing at Georgia Tech.”

Wojteczko says a Ph. D may be in her future, she says all her math teachers, especially Mr. Mealor, have helped her find her passion.

This year’s Salutatorian, Ege “AJ” Keskin, is the President of the HCHS Academic Bowl, Vice President of the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, Governor’s Honor’s Program finalist and was named to the Georgia State School Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. He has also been named as an AP Scholar by the College Board.

Keskin is the son of Turkish immigrant and HCHS teacher, Gulnur Pendaz. Keskin came to HCHS during his ninth grade year when his mother took a position as an AP Chemistry teacher. He says his favorite memory at HCHS is taking her class, and that her support has been a significant part to his success.

“Even when I was doing badly– I wasn’t the best student in ninth grade– she was still supportive and said to try my best, and I did,” Keskin says. “She’s been very supportive, nice and kind to me.”

While no graduation plans have been announced, Stribling tells Now Habersham that he’s still looking forward to “that time of year.”