Wayne Memorial High School Class of 2024 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

The Class of 2024, Valedictorians and Salutatorians – front row: Ava Williams, Jamesyn Swierzb, Alyssa Fuller, Samuel Han, back row: Crystal Phan, Kimberly Barron, Jayden Myers, and Elizabeth Thomas. Photo by John Rhaesa

Wayne Memorial High School has three valedictorians and five salutatorians this year. Both categories of achievement are determined strictly by cumulative GPA. Valedictorians have GPAs 4.0 and above. Salutatorians have GPAs between 3.93 and 3.99.

Meet the Class of
2024 Valedictorians:
Kimberly Barron – Plans to attend the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Area of study: Nursing
Parent Names:  Maria Barron & Rosalio Barron
Notable High School Accomplishments:  I was honored to be selected for prestigious programs and clubs such as the National Honor Society, Student Senate, and Upward Bound, where I actively contributed to our school community. Additionally, I spent two of my summers conducting research alongside esteemed researchers at the University of Michigan, gaining invaluable experience and insights. At the end of my high school journey, I was nominated and chosen as a legacy student, leaving a positive impact on my school community for future generations to look upon.

Jayden Myers – Plans to study at Eastern Michigan University
Area of study:  Secondary Education in History and Geography
Parent Names:  Christie Myers and Larry Myers
Notable High School Accomplishments:  Although being one of the three valedictorians is a huge accomplishment for me, my biggest accomplishment is how I’ve developed as a person over the last 4 years in high school. Entering high school, I had really bad anxiety, low confidence, and a small number of friends. But overtime, I was able to eliminate my anxiety, raise my confidence, and amass a large friend group as I began to go out of my comfort zone and experiment with my social skills and humor. Being able to change for the better, in my opinion, outweighs any academic accomplishment that I’ve achieved throughout my time in high school.

Crystal Phan – Plans to attend the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Area of study:  Biochemistry or Pharmaceutical Sciences at LSA
Parent Names:  Dang Phan & Toan Do
Notable High School Accomplishments:  Valedictorian, 4 year Honor Roll Student, Upward Bound Acceptance, National Honor Society Acceptance, Received a Gold Key from the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition, 2024 Wayne County High School DIA Exhibition Honor, Member of Operation Opportunity cohort (2024), Completed 3 years of Marching Band, Marching Band Letter, 3 year member of Symphony Orchestra, Solo & Ensemble 2nd Division Rating, Received the Wayne Rotary Foundation Scholarship, Westland Rotary Club Scholarship, and the George and Ruth Bell Memorial Scholarship. Student Senate Class Publicity Historian. National History Academy Scholar, WMHS Legacy Award Recipient.

2024 Salutatorians:
Alyssa Fuller – Plans to use next fall to finish the Early College Program then transfer to Oakland University Fall of 2025
Area of study: Elementary Education
Parents Names: Staci Steffani-Fuller and Johnny Fuller
Notable High School Accomplishments: Cheer Captain, Softball Captain, William D Ford Legacy Student, Student Senator

Samuel Han – Plans to attend the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Area of study:  Not decided yet, maybe law or business
Parent Names:  Jong In Han & So Youn Lee
Notable High School Accomplishments:  High GPA, highest SAT score in my grade, getting accepted to University of Michigan

Jamesyn Swierzb – Plans to attend the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Area of study:  Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Minor in Spanish
Parent Names:  Tina Swierzb
Notable High School Accomplishments:  Founded and is the first President of the WMHS Book Club, conducted research in a Human Genetics Lab centering around sex chromosomes and male infertility at the University of Michigan, taught English to Ukrainian victims of war through ENGin, conducted Breast Cancer research with Cancer Research UK, topical winner of the National Poetry Scholarship, published works in books, Questbridge Finalist, Centralis Finalist, Executive Board on National Honor Society, performed music at Oakland University through their Honors Orchestra, received the MSBOA, award 2, in both years participated (1 is best), Singles Varsity 2 on the tennis team

Elizabeth Thomas – Plans to attend the Eastern Michigan University
Area of study: Cinema Production
Parent Names:  Kelly Thomas-VonLinsowe, Robert VonLinsowe
Notable High School Accomplishments:  2-year NTHS Member, 3-time academic letter recipient, MSVMA Musical Theatre Competition – Division II, Michigan SkillsUSA 2023 – Placed 8th for Digital Cinema, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards – Regional Silver Key
DAFT Film Festival – Honor, DAFT Film Festival – Excellent, and National Technical Honor Society Member

Ava Williams – Plans to attend the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor
Area of study:  Biology
Parent Names:  Jamie Fielhauer
Notable High School Accomplishments:  Class President (2020-2022), Executive Board Vice President (2022-2023), Executive Board President (2023-Current), National Honor Society President, Rotary Interact President 2024, Varsity Soccer, Legacy Award Recipient