Burlington announces valedictorians, salutatorians

Burlington announces valedictorians, salutatorians

by Stephanie Tolman

The Burlington High School Class of 2022 will be graduating next week. Abigail Casey and Joshua Tolman have earned valedictorian honors while Brooke Broederlow and Sophia Mendez share salutatorian honors. 

Abigail Casey is the daughter of Patricia and Trevor Casey and has been involved in volleyball, track and field, National Honor Society, FCCLA, Student Council and swim team, to name a few.

“I wanted to keep good grades so that I could earn scholarships and attend college somewhere along the way,” said Casey, adding “becoming valedictorian became a piece of that.”

 She plans to attend the University of Wyoming and pursuing a degree in speech, language and hearing sciences and eventually becoming a speech pathologist or a doctor. One of Abigail’s biggest accomplishments so far is working hard throughout high school to earn enough money to pay for college. 

Joshua Tolman is the son of Randy and Marcie Tolman and has been working full time while he has attended high school and recently earned his private pilot’s license.

“One of my favorite teachers was Mr. Myers,” he said. “He made learning English fun and he was always upbeat and wanted us to be, too.” Tolman said his favorite subject has been lunch.

He plans on serving a two-year mission for his church and then progressing down the career path of aviation. 

Sophia Mendez is the daughter of Emiliano and Hope Mendez and has been involved in volleyball, basketball and served as the volleyball manager after she tore her ACL and meniscus her junior year.

She served as the National Honor Society president and was involved in FCCLA, Energy Camp from Big Horn Rural Electric and Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. She said, “My parents pushed me to make the most of every opportunity I had and their examples have pushed me to make the most of everything.”

Her favorite subject is math with science being a close second. Mendez plans on attending Northwest College for two years and then transferring to the University of Wyoming and pursuing a degree in either criminal justice or physical therapy. 

Brooke Broederlow is the daughter of Kimberly Broederlow and has been involved in National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, track, cheer, FCCLA and is the student body president. She said, “I’ve had some extremely impactful teachers. Mrs. Berry has been an advisor that has been very fun and supporting of me and my classmates. She’s also taught me a lot and impacted my future plans. I am also super grateful to my Student Resource Officer Nate Kreider; he’s been a huge influence on my senior year.”

Broederlow hopes to go to Northeast College and then transfer to the University of Wyoming and major in animal science or biology and become a veterinarian. 

Commencement exercises will be at 7 p.m Monday, May 23 in the Burlington High School gymnasium.