Rebecca Kurfess Named Daniel High Valedictorian

Daniel High School has named Rebecca Kurfess as valedictorian, Aniqa Chowdhury as salutatorian and D.J. Greenlee as Most Improved Student for the class of 2013.

Kurfess plans to follow the footsteps of both of her parents and one of her grandparents by attending the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“Growing up with them, I always heard about math and science,” said Kurfess, who plans major in mechanical engineering. “The thing I like about math is that there's always only one right answer, and I like being able to find it.”

She said she is split between pursuing a career in private research or in teaching at the collegiate level.

She said participating in band has helped her prepare for the pressure of delivering her valedictorian address.

“The past few years I've been drum major, so I had to get over being shy,” she said.

Chowdhury said she plans to break from the family tradition of being an engineer to try to become a doctor. She is ready to enroll at Clemson University, although she hasn’t settled on a major.

“I will probably major in bio-engineering or chemical engineering because I think it will be more challenging than going straight for pre-med,” she said. Explaining her desire to go into medicine, she said, “It just seems like a very direct way to help people.”

Like Kurfess, Chowdhury said she was extremely shy when entering high school, but that Kathleen Dickel’s German class helped her come out of her shell. Still, she said prefers to avoid the spotlight.

“I kind of hoped I would be third (in class rank) so I wouldn't have to give a speech,” she joked.

D.J. Greenlee has been a dominant force as a linebacker on the Daniel High School football team throughout high school, but he said he wasn’t expecting to be named as the Most Improved Student of his class.

“I was surprised because I didn't know it was going to be me. I didn't think I was one of the smartest kids at school, so it must have been my attitude,” he said.

Greenlee credited his athletic involvement for his academic achievement. “It was my desire to play football. I had to have the grades to do it,” he said.

He has earned a scholarship to play football at Clemson University, where he plans to major in horticulture and minor in business.

Daniel High School's Class of 2013 graduates at noon on Saturday, June 1. There are 229 members in the graduating class.