Here are Wilson Central High School's Class of 2022 valedictorian and salutatorian

Wilson Central High School will graduate about 385 students this year. Graduation is scheduled for 2 p.m., May 21, at the school.

"This is a high achieving group, probably the highest achieving I have advised so far," Wilson Central Guidance Counselor Jennifer Ankney said. "They are also the most giving group. They band together to help their peers in need, and they also take up for one another."

Valedictorian

Parker Lovin

College or career plans: "I will be attending Vanderbilt University to major in biology. I hope to become a surgical oncologist; cancer is a brutal enemy that can sabotage every element of patients' lives, so I would like to gain the opportunity to support those who are faced with this situation."

Favorite high school memory: "My favorite high school memory is leading a Bible study with my FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) group during quarantine. The study lasted from March to August of 2020, and the other members of the study group were an enormous source of support to me. We were studying from the book of Acts, which starts with the disciples being afraid and uncertain, and that is just how we were all feeling during quarantine. Reading from a section featuring such relatable people was a reminder to me that it's okay to not always have all of the answers, and both my fellow study group members and the lessons I learned were an enormous bright spot for me during that time."

Faculty member that influenced you the most and why: "Mr. Jeff Long and Mrs. Kaci Long have had the greatest influence on me; I don't think I could choose between the two of them. They were my Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsors for two years, and they taught me to be more confident as a public speaker and as a leader. While they are no longer at Wilson Central, they continue to keep in touch with me, and they are two of my greatest mentors."

COVID-19's impact on your high school experience: "Overall, the pandemic has helped me to learn greater empathy toward others, particularly with regards to being intentional about checking on my classmates' mental health. During the pandemic, a lot of people went from saying, 'what's up?' to 'how are you feeling?' or 'how are you coping?' and I feel that this was one positive that came out of a major trial. To this day, I try to be more intentional about checking on people's stress and being invested in others' trials, and my friendships have been strengthened through that. I have also learned to put more trust in God, as he has put many amazing people in my life who supported me and helped me to grow as a person during that time."

Assistant Principal Jennifer Ankney on Parker: “Parker takes the most challenging courses offered here at Wilson Central High School, and in those courses, he has obtained A’s. When Parker was a sophomore, he took the ACT and scored a 36. Parker has been involved in many clubs and organizations at Wilson Central High School … His maturity is beyond his years and his tireless work ethic, attention to his education, and his heart for others make him an outstanding young man.”

Salutatorian

Will Stride

College or career plans: "I will be attending the Honors College at Boston University and hope to double major in physics and economics."

Favorite high school memory: "My favorite high school memory was achieving a 5-minute mile during a track time trial my sophomore year. This may not be that impressive of a feat for a seasoned track athlete, but I worked hard to get to that point and being able to see my hard work pay off was extremely satisfying."

Faculty member that influenced you the most and why: "The faculty member that has influenced me the most is Mrs. (Kelly) Esslinger, my physics teacher, because she acknowledged my hard work and continued to push me. Taking AP Physics 1 with her cemented my desire to study physics in college. Mrs. (Marcie) Polk, my calculus teacher, and Mrs. Esslinger went out of their way to offer me AP Physics C, which was not offered at the school, because I ran out of math classes to take."

How did COVID-19 impact your high school experience: "COVID-19 taught me to work on my own and made me more self-motivated. I am an introvert, so staying home during COVID did not bother me. I actually came out of it feeling more prepared for college than I otherwise would have been."

Ankney on Stride: "He stands out above his peers for his drive and hardworking nature. Will is dedicated to his studies and is committed to learning and understanding everything he can. His dedication to his education is also evident in his class selections and sacrifices. Will takes the most challenging courses offered here at Wilson Central High School, and in those courses, he has obtained A’s.”

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

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This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson Central's 2022 valedictorian Parker Lovin and salutatorian Will Stride