WEST VALLEY — The West Valley Central School District has announced its top students for the Class of 2018, led by Cody Keller as valedictorian and Sarah Sheffield as salutatorian.

Cody Keller, son of Glenn and Catherine Keller, is the valedictorian for 2018 with a weighted average of 99.95 percent. Cody has completed sequences in math, science, social studies, English and Spanish.

In addition to the regular coursework at West Valley, Cody has completed the following college courses: calculus, physics, elementary statistics, pre-calculus, economics of personal finance, English composition and literary studies and biology. Cody has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years, the Academic Challenge team for six years, captain of the Academic Challenge team for three years, the Marching Band for six years and was class treasurer for one year. During his senior year on the Academic Challenge team, Cody led the team to a second place finish at the Scholastic Challenge competition to move on to the National Competition in Washington, D.C. He also played five years of baseball and three years of basketball during his high school career.

Cody has volunteered his time at the PARP carnival, the Special Olympics, numerous American Red Cross blood drives and the mentoring program.

In the fall, Cody will attend University at Buffalo to pursue a professional degree in pharmaceutical sciences.

Sarah Sheffield, daughter of Karl and Kelly Sheffield, is the salutatorian for 2018 with a weighted average of 98.16 percent. In addition to the regular and honors coursework at WVCS, Sarah has also taken several college level courses from five different college including: personal finance, physics, statistics, pre-calculus, calculus, biology, psychology, literature and college writing.

She has achieved High Honor Roll or Honor Roll every quarter during her high school years. Sarah was a member of the National Junior Honor Society during her freshman year and has been a member of the National Honor Society for the past three years, holding the position of secretary in her senior year. She has been an active member in chorus, high school band and marching band for four years, has participated in All-County for her flute playing every year and earned a seat at All-State for flute in her senior year.

Each year, Sarah has also been an active member of the Academic Challenge team at West Valley. She has been an active participant in the student body, holding the position of class secretary for the past four years, has participated in the school’s mentoring program, has assisted with the American Red Cross blood drives and has been involved in many of the school plays/drama club.

Sarah has also been involved in athletics during her high school years. She has played three years of varsity soccer and four years of varsity softball. Sarah has received Scholar Athlete awards, Sportsmanship awards, the Roger Crandall Heart and Hustle Award, CCAA 2nd Team League All Star for Softball, Coach’s Award for Softball and was a captain in both soccer and softball. She has always been very active in extracurricular activities including summer soccer, summer and travel softball, 4-H club for several years, 4-H teen council, private flute lessons, softball lessons, singing and the snowmobile club.

Sarah will attend SUNY Geneseo in the fall majoring in political science.

Edward Thiel, son of Dave and Jody Thiel, is third in his class with a weighted average of 96.80 percent. Edward will be pursuing a degree in agricultural engineering in the fall as a John Deere technician at SUNY Cobleskill.

Lauren Olejniczak, daughter of Randolph and Carol Olejniczak, is fourth in her class with a weighted average of 96.31 percent. Lauren plans to attend Erie County Community College and hoping to further her education after her associate’s degree in general studies.

Haven Ford, daughter of Amber Ford and Jason Booth, is fifth in her class with the weighted average of 95.55 percent. After graduation, Haven plans to attend University at Buffalo to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.