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Samantha Douthitt Named Valedictorian After Calculation Mistake

Last updated on Thursday, August 22, 2013

(SWITZ CITY) - Samantha Douthitt has been named Valedictorian of the White River Valley Class of 2013.

The Greene County Daily World reports, WRV School Board Superintendent Bob Hacker announced the award and explained the grade point averages used to calculate the top awards had been miscalculated.

"Last May there was an unfortunate error that needs to be corrected here this evening," said Hacker.

"Samantha was a member of the White River Valley Class of 2013 and was named the Salutatorian at the graduation ceremony.

"However, it was discovered after the commencement exercises had already taken place, that Samantha had the highest grade point average in the senior class after all the grades were calculated correctly.

"We need to revisit the awarding of the Valedictorian's medal."

With her parents, James and Susie Douthitt, by her side, Douthitt was presented with a Valedictorian's medal and a reissued diploma by WRV High School Principal Lee Ann Engelhardt at the school board meeting last week.

The board decided to allow the student, Jordan Long, who received the Valedictorian award on graduation day, to keep his award because it was through no fault of Long's that he was given the award and it would not be fair to go back on that.

Douthitt plans to attend Indiana State University to major in dietetics with a career in missions in her sights.

Hacker offered an apology to Douthitt and her parents and he and the board wished Samantha well and they were sorry that this happened.

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