Lovell High School’s four valedictorians and lone salutatorian had two primary pieces of advice for younger students hoping to finish at the top of their class: keep on top of your homework and don’t be afraid to get help.


Valedictorians Emily Long, Bethany Reasch, Amber Savage and Lauren Winterholler, and Salutatorian Ashley Haskell will be honored next Monday, May 19, at the 2008 Lovell Commencement Exercises. They spoke about their experience at LHS during an interview Monday.


Emily Long, the daughter of Pat and Barbara Long, plans to attend the University of Wyoming and major in library science, hoping to work as a children’s librarian in a public library someday.


Asked what her favorite classes have been, she said English classes and band, where she plays the alto saxophone. And along that line, she listed her favorite teachers as Carissa Camp and now retired band director Rick Parmer. She said her mother and father have been her greatest inspirations.


Long’s advice to younger students? “Don’t procrastinate,” she said. “Get on your assignments and get them done.”


Bethany Reasch, the daughter of Brent and Shelly Reasch, plans to attend the University of Wyoming and major in pharmacy, following in her family footsteps.


“I’ve always seen my dad do it, and it’s always been an interest of mine,” she said, noting that various family members have been pharmacists including her grandfather Phil, uncles Randy and Greg and her brother-in-law Jason Bischoff have all been pharmacists.
Asked about her favorite classes, Reasch replied, “Any Mrs. Asay classes,” and she also said she enjoys college prep English and classes taught by Joshua Sanders.


She said Carissa Camp has been her inspiration because “she tells me I can do anything I want to. She helps me with everything if I have any questions.” She also listed her family as her inspiration.


Her advice to younger students: “Remember to work hard that teachers are there to help. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and don’t procrastinate at all.


“Always try your best. Some kids don’t care. I always try to do my best and force myself to do my best work.”
Amber Savage is the third member of the quintet who plans to attend UW. The daughter of Bret and Rhonda Savage, she plans to major in athletic training, working toward a career as a physician’s assistant. She plans to attend medical school in Utah.


Savage said she has always enjoyed English but also had fun in chemistry and civics this year. She said Nancy Dillon has been her inspiration as her Express teacher in elementary and middle school and her Knowledge Bowl coach.


“She always made me push harder in every aspect of school (classroom to standardized tests),” Savage said. “She never let me settle.”


Savage listed as her inspiration her family but also Dr. Jimmie Biles and Kevin Bell, PA-C, of Yellowstone Sports Medicine in Cody, where she job shadowed.
Her advice: “Don’t think teachers are out to get you. You can’t blame problems on everybody else.


Winterholler, the daughter of David and Suzanne Winterholler, plans to attend Northwest College in Powell and major in elementary education with a possible emphasis in elementary music. After NWC, she plans to transfer to Utah State University in Logan.


“I’ve always loved kids. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” she said.


She said she has enjoyed her music classes, college prep English and any class with Josh Sanders.


Asked about her inspiration, she listed her family in general, including her older brothers, as well as Chauna Bischoff, who she said made her want to become a teacher.


Her advice to students: “Work hard and don’t give up, even if it’s hard. And don’t be scared to ask for help.”


Ashley Haskell, the daughter of Brad and Tracey Haskell, plans to attend Northwest College, then perhaps pursue a career in graphic design or dermatology.


Haskell said her favorite classes have been photography and graphic design, and she said Cindy Asay has been her favorite because she “pushed me to use my imagination and grow.”


Asked about her inspiration, she said her parents and older brother Chris, who “pushed me along and supported me to get good grades. Chris was always there to give advice on teachers and other things.”


Her advice: “Don’t get behind and keep track of anything that’s due. Ask for help if you need it.”