BEDFORD – Bedford North Lawrence High School has named the class of 2023’s salutatorian, with two students sharing the honor: Faith Ritter and Kallista Sykes.
Ritter, the daughter of Jeff and Summer Ritter, finished her time in high school with a GPA of 4.39.
During her time at BNL, she was a member of the Impact Club, National Honors Society, National Beta Club, Renaissance, Disney Club, and Spanish Club.
While there were many things Ritter enjoyed about her time at the school, she most enjoyed getting to know her teachers.
“While there are many memories from BNL that I will always cherish, what I enjoyed most about the past four years was getting to know my teachers. I had the privilege of getting to know some of the most well-informed and kind-hearted people I will ever have the honor of knowing,” she said.
After graduating she plans to attend Indiana University in the fall for premedical and biology, with her goal being to eventually become a family doctor with a practice in Bedford.
Though she looks forward to what the future may hold for her and those around her, she is saddened to be saying goodbye to BNL.
“Leaving BNL is undoubtedly a bittersweet feeling, as I leave the educators and peers I have come to know as true friends. However, the future presents immense possibilities and I cannot wait to see what God does in my life as well as in the lives of those around me,” said Ritter.
Sykes is the daughter of Chris and Deanna Sykes. She finished high school at BNL with a GPA of 4.035.
A member of HOSA (health occupations students of America), SODA (student organ donation advocates), Beta Club, National Honors Society, Renaissance, and Orchestra while in school, she will attend IUPUI after graduating to study Health Sciences and ASL Interpreting, with the goal of working in geriatrics.
“I know I want to work in geriatrics, but I’m not exactly sure what occupation I want,” she said.
Like Ritter, Sykes’ favorite thing about BNL was the teachers she encountered while there, who she said helped her find the fun in education.
“The thing I enjoyed most about attending BNL was the amazing teachers I had along the way. All of my teachers stood out in their own way, and I am grateful for them. They worked hard and definitely do not get the credit they deserve. Thanks to my teachers, I enjoyed school and am excited to pursue learning at a post-secondary level,” she said.
She is sad to leave behind those teachers, as well as others she met at the school, but looks forward to where life will take her next, though such a big change can be intimidating.
“It’s exciting to see what life has in store for me next, but it’s tough to say goodbye to what I had the last four years,” said Sykes. “Life is going to change a lot come August, which is sad and scary and thrilling all at the same time.”
