Easley High Names Layla Joudeh Valedictorian

Easley High School has named Layla Joudeh as valedictorian, Turner Waddell as salutatorian and Jeannette Freeman as the most improved student of the class of 2013.

Joudeh, who was also this year’s student body president, plans to head to Harvard University in the fall. “As I was entering my junior year, I realized it was a possibility to go somewhere in college to challenge myself,” she said. Joudeh plans to study neuroscience, with the ultimate goal of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

She said she has been friends with Waddell since third grade, and that they have competed in

academics for years. “Since we're close friends, we pushed each other, but it wasn't like brutal competition,” she said.

Waddell plans to attend the University of Alabama to study public relations and later pursue a law degree. She said her career role model is Dana Perino, former White House Press Secretary and current Fox News contributor. “I always watched her on the news, and she inspired me to want to be a successful businesswoman,” Waddell said.

She was also happy with her rank as salutatorian. “It's really just been important to me to always do my best, but it's good to know all my hard work paid off,” she said.

Freeman was stunned when she heard that she had been named Most Improved Student. “My first thought was, ‘What did I do to deserve this?’” she said.

Jenny Norris, the Easley area graduation coach who nominated Freeman for the award, explained. “I think Jeannette is an example of how students can refuse

to allow obstacles to interfere with their success,” Norris said. “She's just an amazing person. Her heart is so good, and she tries very hard to learn from every person she encounters.”

After graduation, Freeman plans to train to become a massage therapist. “I like to make people feel better,” she said.

Easley High's Class of 2013 will graduate at 6pm Saturday, June 1 at Littlejohn Coliseum.

There are 395 members of the Class of 2013.