The following students were among the 37 George Rogers Clark High School juniors who were selected to the National Council on Youth Leadership Youth Salute.
The students were recognized at a banquet and awards ceremony at Georgetown College in May.
Peri Drury
Peri is a dedicated student who maintains more than a 4.0 GPA with many commitments inside and outside school. She is the founder and president of the GRC Reading and Book Club and secretary of the French Club.
She also is an active member of Beta Club, National Honor Society and a participant in school musicals.
She also participates in her church youth program which includes youth choir and youth group.
She is an active member of Feed the Sheep, a volunteer program that brings sack lunches to government housing projects.
She participates in the ice skating program at the Lexington Ice Center.
In her free time Peri enjoys playing piano singing, writing music, reading, drawing, ice skating and travel.
Peri plans to pursue a career in biomedical research but is undecided about a specific college.
Rachel Wade
Rachel is a strong leader in many areas in her life. She is an active member of her church and very passionate in music. She leads people in her music and loves to inspire.
She is a member of the GRC marching band color guard. She loves color guard and tries to improve every day.
Rachel hopes to become captain next year to lead the color guard and keep its legacy alive.
She tutors young children in reading every Wednesday. She also participates in FCA, Toms Club, First Priority and participates in school musicals.
Her active placement in her school has pulled her up to the higher expectations of herself and her loved ones around her.
She also loves to get active and connect with the community around her. She has participated in the Morehead State University choral festival as a first soprano.
She loves music and enjoys it as an extra curricular activity. She also holds a part-time job at Movies Nine in Winchester.
Rachel hopes to attend Morehead State University and become a high school music teacher.
This has been her dream for a long time and she hopes to pursue it. Her goal has been set and she hopes to keep it high.
Ryan Frye
Ryan is involved in many organizations. He is a member of the GRC Beta Club and National Honor Society. He also is a member of the varsity baseball team.
Besides his many involvements, Ryan is a volunteer with the Winchester Little League, Conkwright Middle School baseball team and Providence Elementary School.
Ryan plans to attend the University of Tennessee, study sports management and become a player development agent.
Samantha Pettus
Samantha has been a leader in different organizations. She was the FFA reporter her freshman year and is a fourth grade youth leader at Central Baptist Church.
She has helped with the Clark County FFA corn maze for the last two years and volunteers at the Winchester Day Care and with her youth group. Samantha has maintained a 3.75 GPA in high school and plans on becoming an equine veterinarian.
Her school choices are University of Kentucky and Auburn University.
Sam Crankshaw
Sam is involved in many organizations. He is Beta Club treasurer, French Club president, Front Ensemble captain in both marching band and Winterguard International Indoor Percussion.
He also is a member of National Honor Society, co-chair of the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington’s Diocesan Youth Commission and co-youth representative of Province IV of the Episcopal National Church.
He uses his free time to volunteer through his church and at Lower Howard’s Creek State Nature Preserve as well as playing tennis and traveling.
Sam is currently shadowing an orthopedic surgeon to learn about a potential career. He participated in a summer exchange to Deauville, France in 2011 and plans to study French along with medicine and pubic health at George Washington University.
Sarah Banks
Sarah is an active member of many organizations. She participates in Beta Club and is a member of Health Occupation Students of America. She is also involved in the school’s French Club.
Her leadership positions include secretary for a new book club and an Ambassador in the Girl Scout Council.
Her involvements in the community include being camp counselor for various camps such as vacation Bible school at her church, Camp Intervention and Girl Scout camp.
This year Sarah expects to expand her community efforts by starting to volunteer at the local hospital and teaching youth group at church.
Sarah’s college plans include attending Transylvania University, then medical school at the University of Kentucky. Her career goal is to become a trauma surgeon.
Victoria Pelphrey
Victoria is involved in many community service organizations. She is actively involved in many of the Clark County 4-H clubs including, Teen Leadership Club and photography club as well as previously participating in shooting sports.
She has served in many leadership roles such as serving as a junior camp counselor at 4-H camp last summer.
She also was chosen to the Teen Board at Cardinal Hill Hospital.
She is a member of Beta Club and the Clark County Teen Court.
In her spare time, she loves to sing and serves as a Civil War reenactor with the Kentucky Soldiers Aide Society. Victoria is an avid reader who loves to write.
She looks forward to furthering her education in either the health science or law enforcement fields.
Zach Sharp
Zach is an active member of his youth group at Calvary Christian Church in Winchester. He is a member of Future Farmers of America, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Beta Club. He is on the varsity football team at GRC.
He enjoys volunteering through his church. Zach also enjoys deep sea fishing and scuba diving.
He plans to attend the University of Kentucky and major in physical therapy or sports medicine.
