Katherine Lyon has earned valedictorian honors at Stone Memorial High School in the Class of 2012, while Anna Smith is the salutatorian.
The announcement was made by SMHS guidance counselor Andrea Simmons during a special breakfast Friday at the school. Students and their parents waited eagerly for the announcement of final rankings.
Principal Scott Maddox said, "We're proud of all of you. And thank you, parents, for being supportive."
Simmons then called the students forward in ascending order. There were four students tied for seventh place. They were Dalton Delk, Haley Dillard, Lucas Edmonds and Kyleigh Shepherd. At sixth place was Kayla Walker. Cameron Thompson was fifth, followed by Josie Lyon at fourth. Josie Lyon is the twin sister of Katherine Lyon. Mark McDonald was the third ranked student.
Katherine Lyon has not yet decided where she will attend college, though she plans to study genetic engineering. Being valedictorian was a goal she set for herself in the fourth grade. With this goal accomplished, she's looking forward to continuing her education.
"I'll be in school eight more years or so," she said. "I'm happy to be moving forward."
Smith said she plans to attend East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, studying a pre-medicine curriculum before attending medical school.


