Valedictorians Michaela Conley and Tristin Willey

Valley High School celebrated its commencement exercises May 28 and graduated 55 seniors. The class had two valedictorians: Michaela Conley and Tristin Willey. Garrett Ueltschy was the class salutatorian.

Michaela Conley is the daughter of Michael and Julie Conley of Pine Grove. While a student at Valley High School she was a member of the Breakfast Club and was active in RAZE her freshman and sophomore years. She held the following class offices: Sophomore class secretary, junior class vice president, senior class secretary, and was a Student Council Officer her senior year. Michaela was a member of the National Honor Society and served as the president.

She participated in Math Field Day her freshman, sophomore, and senior years. She also participated in the science quiz bowl her senior year. Michaela was an academic lettermen all four years of high school.

She received honors for having the highest grade point average in Honors Geometry her Sophomore year and the same in Calculus her senior year. Michaela was awarded several other awards her senior year including student of the month, Promise Scholarship, the Mountaineer Scholarship from West Virginia University, and the ACT Top of the Mountain Award.

Tristin Willey is the daughter of Jeffrey and Beth Willey of Pine Grove. While a student at Valley High School Tristin participated in many activities including four years of cheering, track, and concert and marching band lettering in each all four years. She also participated in Steel Drum and Jazz Band for one year and lettered. While cheering she served as the co-captain her senior year and was part of the squad recognized by the WVSSAC for the highest overall grade point average. While participating in track she served as a co-captain her junior and senior years. While a member of the track team she qualified for the state track meet all four years.

Salutatorian Garrett Ueltschy

Tristin served in student council for three years as a representative and one year as an officer. She served for two years as a peer mediator and on the E-Government committee. She was a member of RAZE and Friends of Rachel for three years. In her senior year she served as the class historian. Tristin was an avid musician and participated in the OVAC All-Star Marching Band in 2009, 2010, and 211. She participated in Wetzel County Honor Band every year in high school and also served as clarinet section leader her senior year. She participated in Region One and WVU honor band. Tristin was recognized by the Wetzel County Board of Education for her academic achievement her freshman and sophomore years. She competed in Math Field Day her freshman, junior, and senior years, and competed in regional math field day her freshman and junior years.

Tristin is a member of the National Honor Society. Her sophomore year she was awarded the Danforth “I dare you” Leadership award. In 2010 Tristin attended both Rhododendron Girl’s State and West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy.

Tristin received the Promise, Governor’s Honors Academy, Ruth Ann Johnson, and Mountaineer Scholarships.

Garret Ueltschy is the son of Robert and Rhonda Ueltschy of Pine Grove and has one brother, Coleman. His grandparents are Robert and Bonnie Ueltschy of Porters Falls and Edward and Lorraine Martin of Reader. Garret played football all four years of high school and lettered each year. His senior year he was captain and was named first team OVAC as defensive back. He also played basketball all four years lettering three and serving as co-captain. He played one year of baseball and lettered.

He is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the French National Honor Society, a member of Rachel’s Challenge, a member of the quiz bowl team for three years, and won the WVSSAC sportsmanship award in 2010. He was named student of the month for February 2011. Garrett was also a member of the Jazz Band.

He has earned the Promise Scholarship and plans to attend WVU in the fall where he has been accepted into the School of Business.