Top ten count down until graduation

Moses Lake High School top ten ready for plans post graduation High school

graduation to be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at Big Bend Community College

MOSES LAKE — Being in the top of their high school graduating class is not something 10 students from Moses Lake High School could have expected.

"The fight for the top ten was extremely close," said senior Ashlie Smith.

With more than half of those selected in the top ten preparing to complete their senior year with a 4.0 grade point average, and the remaining students close behind with 3.97 and 3.98 GPAs, these students have much to be proud of.

Their goals are set high for the future, and include attending the Air Force Academy for Ty Payne, also a National Merit Scholar, and enrolling in the University of Washington's NASA Space Program like James Englund and his twin brother David.

The excitement of leaving home has its appeal too.

"It's kind of exciting, doing something new, something you've never done before," Payne said.

"A little exciting, a little bit scary," Smith said.

No matter what these top ten graduates at MLHS do and no matter where they go, memories of band trips, playing miniature golf for prom or spending hours hanging out by the lake will stick with them. The top ten want their families to know they will not soon forget their love and support.

"We appreciate them," David Englund said.

If there are any words of advice these graduates have for future classes, it would be to enjoy high school, but find a balance between having fun and setting high goals for yourself.

"Take it seriously," James Englund said.

"But not too seriously," Smith said.

Reflecting on the class of 2005, Dave Balcom, principal at MLHS, says he knows this group of students will go far and succeed at whatever goals they set for themselves.

"This is a very intelligent class," he said.