‘Make the best of every moment’

High Point Regional High School has named Ashlyn Ritson as valedictorian and Gabriel Reinstein as salutatorian for the Class of 2025.

Ritson’s weighted GPA, along with her 10 advanced placement (AP) courses and several honors classes, played a key role in her designation.

Some of her favorite classes were calculus, physics and chemistry - subjects she appreciates for their real-world applications.

During her speech at graduation Wednesday, June 18, she plans to celebrate and recognize what her classmates haves accomplished, look forward to the future and reflect on their time in high school.

She was inspired by responses from several teachers to her question, “If you could go back in time to when you were graduating and tell yourself one thing, what would it be?” - and has incorporated some into her speech.

Ritson plans to leave her classmates with a meaningful message. “Life is short so we should just make the best of every moment.”

Reflecting on her senior year, she said the senior dinner cruise to New York City was the highlight. “That was kind of like our last dance of high school ... it was a little sad, but it was definitely really fun.”

This fall, Ritson will attend Lipscomb University, where she will study data science. She hopes to become an actuary.

Athlete, volunteer

An active member of the National Honor Society and Math and Science National Honor Society, she enjoyed contributing to volunteer efforts at High Point.

“We got to help with a blood drive and different volunteer work,” she said.

Athletics also played a significant role in her high school years. She plays volleyball and competes on the school’s ski racing team.

She also enjoys reading, water skiing and rock climbing.

Balancing her academics and extracurricular activities requires time management, and Ritson dedicates her weekends to catching up on schoolwork and going to bed early to make sure she stays well-rested.

Guided by her parents’ support, both academically and athletically, Ritson’s Christian faith also motivated her to strive for excellence.

She was named High Point’s Pass it Along Scholar-Athlete, which encompasses volunteer work, athletics and academics. “Those are three things I really put a lot of focus on, so that was really cool to be recognized,” she said.

Passion for learning

Reinstein’s GPA was a significant factor in him being named salutatorian. Throughout high school, he challenged himself by taking various AP classes.

His motivation to strive for academic excellence came from his passion for learning and desire to maximize his potential.

Outside the classroom, he was involved in various activities, including the jazz ensemble.

He enjoys skiing, playing football and watching sports.

Highlights of high school included becoming an Eagle Scout and the High Point football team’s winning season this year, he said.

The formal was one of the moments that stands out most, he added.

Reinstein drew on his experience with stuttering for his speech at graduation. He hopes to convey the message that challenges faced in high school can help guide your future.

He plans to study aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland as well as participate in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.