Live Oak High School announced, with pleasure, the valedictorian
and salutatorian for the 2004 graduating class. Emile Pinarbasi,
daughter of Peggy and Mustafa Pinarbasi, will be honored as the
class valedictorian and Sarah Markham, daughter of Gail and David
Markham, will be honored as the class salutatorian.
Live Oak High School announced, with pleasure, the valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2004 graduating class.
Emile Pinarbasi, daughter of Peggy and Mustafa Pinarbasi, will be honored as the class valedictorian and Sarah Markham, daughter of Gail and David Markham, will be honored as the class salutatorian.
Pinarbasi, who describes herself as intelligent, inquisitive and indecisive, plans to study applied mathematics at the University of California at Berkeley. She is thinking about having a double major in neurobiology and is also interested in artificial intelligence.
Pinarbasi received scholarships from several local and private organizations as well as benefits given UC Berkeley honor students. She was an active member of the drama club, water polo and tutored other students in all subjects, including French.
Markham, who describes herself as unique, smart and ambitious, plans to study neurobiology and physiology at the University of California at Davis.
She said that she has always known that she was interested in something human-related.
“I want to be an ER doctor,” said Markham.
After school, Markham volunteers in the emergency room of Saint Louise Regional Hospital in Gilroy.
She plans to continue volunteering at the hospital until school starts in the fall. Markham said that she likes building good relationships that last a long time with friends and family.
“I want to travel to different countries, too,” she added.
The valedictorian and salutatorian selections are based on grade point average, with valedictorian having the higher marks. Markham said she thought her GPA was 4.25. Live Oak does not release GPAs as a matter of policy.
Role models have been important to both girls. Pinarbasi said that her role model is Isaac Asimov, the quintessential author who, according to Live Oak Principal Nancy Serigstad, “is a dreamer.”
Markham said that her mother is her role model.
“She taught me a lot and has always been there to help me. She always gives me great advice,” said Markham.
During the graduation ceremony, both girls will speak to the class of approximately 540 seniors. The Associate Student Body chose personal growth as the topic for the speech.
They both admitted that they are a little nervous and that their classmates and friends have been making special requests to include them in the graduation speech.
Pinarbasi said that writing the speech is an honor even though everyone wants her to thank them.
Markham said that the hardest part about writing the speech is including everything that you want to say in 2-3 minutes.
Smiling, Markham said that the staff at Saint Louise Hospital said they would all show up for the graduation if she mentions them.
“They’ve got to feel pretty great about all of the attention, though,” said Serigstad.
“These girls are very well-rounded,” she added.
Pinarbasi said that she likes to read and that her favorite book is “Death is a Lonely Business,” by Ray Bradbury.
Markham said her favorite book is “Candide,” by author and philosopher Voltaire.
Both had advice for students when it comes to studying.
“Prioritizing is big in studying. Try not to do too much at the same time,” said Pinarbasi. “Spend one hour on one subject, then switch.”
Markham agrees.
“Don’t leave everything until the last minute and if you do procrastinate, don’t panic,” said Markham.
Both girls are excited about moving into their dormitories and are happy they will not be too far away from home.
