PORT ANGELES — Dedication shows in everything Port Angeles High School graduating senior John Christian does, one of his teachers said.
Whether practicing trumpet for his wind ensemble class, running in track or in his academics, everything reflects the high work ethic he’s set for himself, said his physics teacher, Derek Johnson.
Christian, who has earned a 4.0 grade-point average, is an example for other students, Johnson said.
“He is a super nice guy and one of the nicest, humblest, super-hard-working students I’ve seen,” he said.
Christian will graduate with about 240 classmates at 8 p.m. today at the Port Angeles High School gymnasium at 304 E. Park Ave. Tickets are required.
Senior speeches will be presented by Shanee Wimberly, Justin Ruddick and Cecilia Stevenson.
‘Really curious about things’
Johnson said that Christian “really takes his education seriously and is really curious about things.
“He has a great mind for science and he is a very dedicated athlete and in the same way he is a very dedicated student.
“He is a great example of what you can achieve with one thing: self discipline.”
Christian said he is considering majoring in physics when he begins college at St. Olaf College in Minnesota, but is keeping his mind open as he starts taking college-level classes.
“I’m going to let that be a decision for my college years,” he said.
He will continue running once he begins college, a tradition he shares with his brother, Thomas, who now runs at Augustana College in Illinois.
Personal best at state
This year Christian made his fifth consecutive appearance at a state event and finished 12th in the 3A boys 3,200 with a personal best of 9:28.79.
“That was pretty amazing to have my personal best at state,” he said.
He had also qualified in swimming and cross country going back to the winter of 2009.
It was a good year for academics as well, with Christian becoming one of the prestigious National Merit Scholarship finalists.
“To become a finalist,” an announcement from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. noted, “a semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by the high school principal, and earn SAT scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.”
Johnson said he sees success in Christian’s future.
When Christian first began in his class, he was wanting to take a special subject exam, and was inquiring about the subject matter.
“Because the class wasn’t an advanced placement, it was not designed to prepare for those topics,” Johnson said.
“I gave him some study materials and he did this all far in advance and made sure to tell me after that he did pretty well.
“I think that is a testament to his discipline and his intelligence and his follow-through.
“He has been the epitome of a dedicated and serious student, but at the same time not arrogant at all, but humble and classy.”
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
