The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Brian Kelley, son of Gary and Denise Kelley, was named the 2011 Orangefield High School Valedictorian. Ashlyn Lopez, daughter of Mike Lopez and Janois and Rob Strause, was named the 2011 Orangefield High School Salutatorian.

The Orangefield High School Graduation for the 2011 Senior Class will be held at the Orangefield High School Football field at 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Brian Kelley, who holds a 4.84 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society, UIL Current Events Team, the UIL Science Team, Band, the UIL Literary Criticism team and the Tennis Team. He was also junior class vice president.

Kelley’s hard work earned him the following awards: he was chosen to represent OHS for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Camp; he was chosen to represent OHS for Kiwana’s Citizenship Day; he received merit awards, called Big O Award at OHS, in honors geometry, honors IPC, pre-AP biology, pre-AP chemistry, pre-AP English I and pre-AP English II, Spanish I and II, and Band; he received the Outstanding Performing Awards at the UIL Piano Solo Competition in the ninth and 11th grades; and he received the Chemistry Award from the Sabine Neches Chapter of the American Chemistry Society.

He also volunteered his time to the following community service projects: he participated in the Adams Bayou Trash Off and the Hurricane Ike Clean up; he volunteered for the Symphony of South East Texas; he helped with the Christmas food drive at the Salvation Army; and he plays the organ for the St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.

Brian plans to attend the University of Michigan where he will work on a degree in sound engineering in the school of music.

Ashlyn Lopez, who holds a 4.77 GPA, was a member of the National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Spanish Club, BADD Club, and was involved in her church youth group. She was also a member of the basketball team, cross country team and the volleyball, where she was the Senior Team Captain and was named All-District for 2010.

Her hard work earned her the following awards: National Merit Scholar, 2010-2011 National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholar, Rotary Club Scholastic Excellence, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, National Honor Society Scholar, and the Cardinal Pride and Heart Award. She also received several Merit Awards; was named All-District in Volleyball, Basketball and Track; and was selected to attend the National Leadership Conference.

She also volunteered her time to the following community service projects: Hurricane Ike Clean-up, Buckner’s Children Village, The Meadow’s Nursing Home, Salvation Army Toy Drive; Relay for Life, BC/OF Ministerial Alliance Can Drives, Blue Santa and Cops-N-Kids.

Ashlyn plans to attend a four-year university to work towards a major in accounting and a minor in criminal justice.