Hammett, Adams at the top of their class

Sonoma Valley High School Principal Micaela Philpot between
Salutatorian Kylee Adams (left) and Valedictorian Toby Hammett.
Ryan lely/Sonoma Valley Sun

Few honors in life stand for sheer hard work and determination, endless enthusiasm and limitless potential than that of valedictorian and salutatorian. Sonoma Valley High School’s class of 2008 valedictorian Toby Hammett and salutatorian Kylee Adams exemplify the prestige and esteem that come with the titles.
Toby Hammett started his academic career at Prestwood Elementary School, and continued onto St. Francis Solano School before attending Sonoma Valley High School. Poised to graduate, Toby has a cumulative GPA of 4.357. Although he appreciated all his classes and teachers in different ways, Toby felt particularly drawn to his forensics class and advanced English composition class. Outside of his core classes, Toby participated in the forensics club and mock trial, as well as running in track and cross-country. He would like to acknowledge Ken Bystrom, Daniel Alderson and Mick O’Meara as teachers who particularly inspired him, Janet Hansen for her hours spent outside of school with the forensics club and especially Alison Manchester for her energy while teaching. Along with these mentions, Toby wants to thank all of his teachers.
At the Senior Awards ceremony held last week, Sonoma Valley High School Principal Micaela Philpot announced that Toby had earned the top possible composite score on his ACT test, one of only 63 students out of half a million, nationwide. He was also honored personally by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at a dinner in Sacramento, as one of the top 144 students in California. The dinner was attended by Philpot and by Toby’s counselor, Laura Losk.
Next fall, Toby will be attending Pomona College in Claremont, where he plans to study philosophy, politics and economics, a combined major at Pomona. Eventually, he wants to attend law school and become a lawyer. His advice for next year’s freshmen: “I was always doing things at the last minute. Try to plan and manage your time wisely.”
Kylee Adams’ biggest achievement at Sonoma Valley High School was becoming Salutatorian, but that is only one of many. She first attended Valley of the Moon preschool, followed by Sassarini Elementary School and Altimira Middle School. Kylee attained a 4.214 cumulative GPA at Sonoma Valley High, while also participating in varsity soccer and softball. She also participated in several different clubs including mock trial, forensics, The California Scholarship Federation and Interact, of which she was co-president.
She specifically enjoyed English and science, but also photography and the classes taught by Mick O’Meara and David Donnelley. Kylee would like to thank Mrs. Brusa, her third-grade teacher, her family and the community for all the support she received.
Kylee will be attending Brigham Young University in Utah and will study biology. After graduating from college, she wants to take full advantage of her education, be a conscientious voter, start a family and eventually teach others what she has learned. For Kylee, “the sky’s the limit with life.” Her advice for next year’s freshmen: “What you put into your education is what you will get out of it, what you learn will stay with you. But don’t forget to have fun and enjoy growing up.”