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Anum Khan Shaikh and Chelsea Cottle are Courtland High School's valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for 2007. Anum Khan Shaikh was born in Larkana, Pakistan, and is the daughter of Nasrullah and Saeeda Shaikh. She moved to the United States in December 2000, and has lived in Spotsylvania County for six years. She attended Courtland High School and Commonwealth Governor's School. Anum was a member of the Senior Class Board, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Peer Mediation Group, 4.0 and Above Club, yearbook staff at both Courtland and Governor's School, and executive board member of the SCA. She has been an active volunteer at the YMCA and Salem Church Library, and helped raise money for the Pakistan Earthquake Relief Fund in October 2005. Her awards include academic letters, recognition in "Who's Who Among American High School Students," National Honor Roll and National Society of High School Scholars, Commonwealth Governor's School Academic Excellence in Mathematics, published poem in hardbound anthology, "A Celebration of Young Poets," division nominee to the statewide Life Sciences and Medicine Summer Residential Governor's School and AP Scholar. Anum's biggest accomplishment was creating a Pakistani cultural awareness event at Salem Church Library last year as part of her final project for Commonwealth Governor's School. Anum will attend the University of Mary Washington in the fall and plans to double-major in chemistry and psychology to prepare for a career in medicine. For medical school she is considering the University of Virginia or Johns Hopkins University. She also would like to create more cultural events in the future, to establish an understanding of Pakistani culture in the United States. Chelsea Cottle graduated with a GPA of 4.25. Her accomplishments include academic letters, 4.0 Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Optimist Student of the Month of January and International Thespian Society. Chelsea was class treasurer, SCA treasurer, Spanish Honor Society treasurer, Thespian Society secretary and president, yearbook editor, and was a member of the Drama Club, Thespian Showcase and Senior Buddy. She had numerous roles in school theatrics, including the lead role in "Radium Girls" and "Beauty and the Beast," was director of "Nero Fiddles," and also performed in "Alice in Wonderland" and "Face Value." Cheslea was also active in Young Life Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vacation Bible School, Theatrical Showcase and numerous Bible studies. She volunteered with the Children's Miracle Network benefit, "Womenspeak" and the Head Trauma Victim Picnic and Fair, and also worked at Chick-fil-A and Gadzooks 21.

Date published: 6/20/2007

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