Close friends share Valedictorian honor
Published 12:00 am Sunday, June 3, 2001
A close friendship and a little mild competition took two Albert Lea High School graduates all the way to the top of their class.
Sunday, June 03, 2001
A close friendship and a little mild competition took two Albert Lea High School graduates all the way to the top of their class.
Angie Olsen and Tara Boyer, the co-valedictorians of the ALHS class of 2001, have been friends since middle school. United by similar interests and excellence in the classroom, both graduates acknowledge their friendship as an inspiration throughout their high school careers.
&uot;I don’t know how Angie has done it,&uot; Boyer said about her friend. &uot;She has managed to balance so much and be good as so many different things. It’s amazing.&uot;
Olsen has the same opinion about Boyer.
&uot;She’s been such a good friend. She’s really supported me over the last four years,&uot; she said.
Boyer has been active in choir, orchestra, theater and Youth in Government in high school. She’s considering studying history or political science in college.
Olsen, a four year track and field competitor, was also involved in Business Professionals of America along with Girls’ State and Youth in Government. Both girls have also maintained part-time jobs during high school.
The graduates finished with perfect 4.0 grade point averages, and both are headed to Minnesota private colleges. Boyer will attend the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, and Olsen heads to Concordia College in Moorhead as the recipient of the prestigious Faculty Scholarship.
Boyer and Olsen hope to maintain their friendships during their college years.
&uot;We’re definitely going to talk often,&uot; said Boyer. &uot;I have to keep her informed about my life.&uot;
Olsen says the two will always have holidays and summers to spend time together.
&uot;We’ve been friends for so long, it’s going to be strange not seeing her in the hallways and in my classes anymore,&uot; she said.