Po-Hi 2018 valedictorians and salutatorian named

From left are Areli Villalobos, Kyle Shepard, and Abigail Spiers

The Ponca City High School 2018 graduating class announces Abigail Jeanette Spiers and Kyle Allen Shepard as the valedictorians and Arieli Madai Villalobos as the salutatorian.

Po-Hi graduation is at 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Sullins Stadium. Ceremonies will be held at Robson Fieldhouse in case of inclement weather. Graduation will be livestreamed this year on the Ponca City Public School Facebook page for friends and family who are unable to attend.

Baccalaureate is at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 24, in Howell Auditorium.

Valedictorian Abigail Jeanette Spiers

Abigail Jeanette Spiers is the daughter of Jacey Hopkins and the granddaughter of Jack and Jeanette Stone of Clinton, OK. Abigail is one of five children. Her older brother, Joshua Spiers, was named valedictorian as well in 2016. Abigail works at the children’s museum Exploration Destination. She plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma to become either an orthodontist or pediatric dentist.

Valedictorian Kyle Allen Shepard

Kyle Allen Shepard is the son of Mark and Andrea Shepard and the grandson of Gary and Nancy Shepard of Ponca City, Sharon Shepard and Kim Mercer of Winfield, Kansas, and Don and Brenda Warden (and the late Rick Goode) of Tecumseh, OK. Kyle is the younger brother of the late Po-Hi 2015 graduate Blake Shepard. He works at Frontier Siding & Window and owns his own lawn service. He is also a student intern for Lewis Associates Architects in Ponca City. Kyle plans to attend Oklahoma State University and double major in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering.

Salutatorian Areli Villalobos

Areli Villalobos is the daughter of Javier and Lucy Villalobos. She attends the First Hispanic Baptist Church in Ponca City. She plans to attend Oklahoma State University to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in hopes of becoming a doctor.

Abigail Spiers – Awards/Honors/Clubs/Activities

• Class of 2018 Valedictorian
• Superintendent’s Honor Roll (9^th-12^th)
• Oklahoma Girls State Delegate
• Oklahoma Girls State Delegate Camp (11^th)
• Pre-AP Chemistry Award (10^th)
• Po-Hi Stepper (9^th-12^th)
• Po-Hi Stepper Lieutenant Officer (12^th)
• Po-Hi Stepper – National Dance Competitions Winner
• National Honor Society (3 years)
• National Honor Society Secretary (12^th)
• DECA (9^th-12^th)
• Placed 1^st in DECA State Competition in 2016
• Attended DECA National Convention in Nashville, TN in 2016
• Student Council Representative (3 years)
• Student Council Summer Basic Leadership Workshop (11^th)
• Chosen to Attend Student Council State Convention 2017
• 2M2L (Too Much To Lose) Club
• Football Homecoming Queen 2017

Kyle Shepard – Awards/Honors/Clubs/Activities

• Class of 2018 Valedictorian
• Superintendent’s Honor Roll (9^th–12^th)
• Academic All-State Nominee
• Certificate of Distinction
• Oklahoma Boys State Delegate
• Academic letter & Pin (10^th)
• Academic Bar & Pin (11^th & 12^th)
• OBEC (Oklahoma Business & Education Coalition)
• Community Service Award (Over 150 Hours Community Service)
• Blake Shepard Memorial Fund
• Outstanding Sophomore Boy
• Foreign Language Academic Award
• PAP English Academic Award (9^th)
• AP Geography Award (9^th)
• Foreign Language Award (11^th)
• Student Council GPA Award (11^th)
• Student Council Member (3 years)

Areli Villalobos – Awards/Honors/Clubs/Activities

• Class of 2018 Salutatorian
• Superintendent’s Honor Roll (9^th-12^th)
• National Honor Society
• Vice President of National Honor Society (12^th)
• Oklahoma Academic All-State (12^th)
• Oklahoma Girls State Delegate (11^th)
• Student Council Representative (11^th & 12^th)
• Students Standing Strong Leadership Team
• National Hispanic Scholar (12^th)