The following has been released by the Clarke County School District:

The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce the Class of 2025

valedictorians and salutatorians for Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central, and Classic City high schools. The

district commends these students for finishing with the highest and second-highest grade-point averages, respectively, in their graduating classes.

CEDAR SHOALS HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian – Sebastian Caillault

Sebastian Caillault has been president of the Cedar Shoals Chess Club and has been a member of both

the Math Team and varsity boys’ tennis team. This year, he was named the Cedar Shoals STAR student

for having the highest SAT score in his graduating class and the Clarke County “system” winner for

having the highest SAT score among all high school students in both public and private schools within

the county.

Caillault was also named a Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholar for his research in geometric knot

theory. The Regeneron Science Talent Search is regarded as the nation’s oldest and most prestigious

science and math competition for high school seniors, and Caillault was one of only 300 students out of more than 2,500 applicants across the U.S., its territories, and 14 other countries chosen for the

recognition this year.

Caillault will attend Yale University in the fall and plans to major in Mathematics.

“(Sebastian is) a model student and a joy to teach,

” said retired Cedar Shoals math teacher Greg

Huberty, whom Caillault named his STAR Teacher.

“He was always quick with an insight or another

method and was not afraid to put himself out there with what he believed was the best way to solve a

problem. Sebastian has been one of the most gifted mathematics students I have ever had the privilege

of teaching. And more so than that, he has been one of the best people I have had the pleasure of getting to know.

Salutatorian – Ryan Xiao

Ryan Xiao is a dual-enrollment student at the University of Georgia, UGA Merit Scholar, and National Merit Scholarship finalist. He is a member of the Beta Club and was a multi-sport student-athlete at Cedar Shoals. He was a four-year varsity participant on the Aqua Jags swim team — qualifying for the state meet and serving as a team captain while also swimming for the past 13 years with the Athens Bulldog Swim Club — and played on the varsity boys’ tennis team. He was also principal French horn in the Cedar Shoals Wind Ensemble.

Xiao will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall with plans to major in Biomedical

Engineering. As a Type 1 diabetic, he hopes to enhance medical devices and make them more

accessible to all people living with diabetes.

“My four years at Cedar Shoals have been integral to the development of my character today,” said Xiao.

“Thank you to all the teachers, staff, and friends who I have crossed paths with. Your impact will be felt

every day long after graduation. One Cedar!”

CLARKE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian – Wyatt J. Meyer

At the beginning of his high school career, Wyatt Meyer joined the Clarke Central student journalism

program, where he set out to become the best writer and communicator he could be. Over four years, he

rose through the ranks to become Editor-in-Chief of the ODYSSEY Media Group and won over 80

international, national, regional, and state scholastic journalism awards. Meyer was recognized as a

Georgia Champion Journalist, won the Wikhoff Scholarship for Educational Leadership from the National Scholastic Press Association, and was a finalist for National Journalist of the Year. He is a National Merit

Scholar, Clarke Central’s STAR Student, and was a varsity soccer goalkeeper, serving for two years as

team captain.

Meyer will attend Harvard University in the fall and plans to major in either English or History.

“Wyatt's recognition as valedictorian isn’t surprising due to his pursuit of academic excellence, but his

achievements extend beyond the classroom,

” said Clarke Central principal Dr. Swade Huff.

“His leadership has elevated the ODYSSEY Media Group and inspired his peers to optimize their talents in the school community. The legacy he created during his tenure at Central will have an everlasting impact, and I wish him well at Harvard.”

Salutatorian – Avery D. “Kai” Menke

Kai Menke is a dual-enrollment student at the University of North Georgia and received the AP Scholarwith Distinction Award. Aside from academics, Menke has also excelled in the arts, taking both ceramics and 2D classes at Clarke Central and serving as secretary of the school’s National Art Honor Society(NAHS) chapter. Through NAHS, Menke helped make bowls for the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and paint a mural for CCHS. In addition, Menke’s submission to the 2025 iliad Literary-Art Magazine received the Lorien Award. Outside of school, Menke has been a student at Canopy Studio for nearly 12 years.

Menke will be attending Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts, and will participate in the

university’s dual-degree program with plans to earn bachelor’s degrees in Book Arts and Applied

Mathematics.

“Kai is more than deserving of being recognized as the salutatorian due to academic performance but

should also be commended for having a passion for the arts,” said Dr. Huff. “During the past four years, Kai balanced a demanding academic load with creative pursuits and excelled in both areas. Kai will be a great ambassador at Tufts University.

CLASSIC CITY HIGH SCHOOL

Valedictorian – NiKaya T. Lanier

NiKaya Lanier plans to attend Gwinnett Technical College to pursue a certification in Cosmetology. She

says attending Classic City helped her feel a sense of belonging and develop a vision for her future.

“Even with knowledge and understanding of things around me, my teachers helped me get to where I am

today,” Lanier said. “They inspired me to be who I want, when I want. They also helped me understand that this is what working hard does when you put in the effort and want something. Classic City has been so good to me. I started to believe in myself twice as hard as I did before, and I’m forever grateful because it was a long ride to get here.”

“NiKaya has demonstrated perseverance through life’s challenges and thrived at Classic City High

School,” said Classic City director Jessie Draper.

“Even though she was with us for just one school year,

NiKaya earned the credits she needed to graduate. We could not be more proud of her

accomplishments.”

Salutatorian – Kyrmiah N. Baughns

Kyrmiah Baughns will be graduating high school a year early. She plans to enlist in the National Guard

and pursue postsecondary options in the spring of 2026.

“Overall, my year was amazing,” said Baughns.

“Classic City High School has the best support system. They pushed me to be nothing but great. I learned a lot and met a lot of different people. I had one of my

best school years.“

“Research indicates transitions take 6-12 months to adjust and Kyrmiah is no stranger to transitions,” said Classic City assistant director Sharon Sellers.

“I am proud of her for embracing the challenge and

graduating a year early. This accomplishment reflects her exceptional drive and maturity. She is beyond ready for the journey ahead.“