The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON-Dayton High School 2019 graduates will receive their diplo- mas in a commencement ceremony on Sat., June 8 at 1 p.m. in the Dayton High School gymnasium.

Neylan Bryan

The Dayton High School Class of 2019 Valedictorian Neylan Bryan said she plans on studying wildlife biology at Montana State University in the fall. Following that, Bryan would like to at- tend Stanford University, where she would pursue a Master's in Wildlife Bi- ology, specifically in Mammology.

"I've always been really passionate about animals," Bryan said. "I feel like wildlife biology is perfect for me be- cause I like science, and I love animals, and I love writing. I can't imagine a sec- ond I wouldn't enjoy."

Bryan said she spent part of the 2017-2018 school year working as an intern at the Dayton Veterinary Clinic where she learned about clinical prac- tice and about the diseases that plague animals.

"It was one of the best experiences I was able to have in Dayton," she said. Bryan has clocked 250 volunteer

hours during her four years at Dayton High School.

She has been an officer in Associat- ed Student Body, FFA, National Honor

Society, and Knowledge Bowl, and she has participated in track, volleyball, basketball, softball, swim team, yoga club, YoungLife, Students Helping Each other, Future Business Leaders of America and served on the prom com- mittee.

Her awards include the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Youth Citizen of the Year 2017. She has been a Na- tional Poetry Contest Winner and has received an Award of Excellence from the National Academy of Future Physi- cians and Medical Scientists.

Bryan said she and her family are planning some fun outdoor activities this summer.

"There is nothing I love more than being out in nature," she said. "We're trying to cram it all in because this is my last summer home."

Her parents are Ginger and Paul Bryan of Dayton.

Tatumn Laughery

The DHS Class of 2019 Salutatorian Tatumn Laughery plans on attending Washington State University in the fall, majoring in data analytics.

Her parents, Ryan and Nancy Laughery, are tremendously supportive of her career choice, she said.

"They both recognized I am very so- cial and I like to help others, but I also am very good with numbers," she said.

Even though she has not yet identified her field of choice in data analytics, Laughery believes she is on the right path for her.

Laughery has held offices in Youth and Government Club, 4-H Swine Club, National Honor Society, the Associated Student Body, 4-H Junior Leadership, American Legion Evergreen Girls State, FFA, has played varsity volleyball, soft- ball, and varsity basketball and she has participated as a leader in Wyldlife.

She has also won the 2018 ALA Ev- ergreen Girls State Governor Award, Best Defensive Player Award in 2018 for volleyball from the Eastern Washing- ton Athletic Conference, and she has clocked 119 hours of volunteer service to the community.

"I never stop going," Laughery said.

Laughery said she had hoped to work the harvest this summer but be- cause school begins in August she will not be able to make a commitment to that. Instead, she has a babysitting job lined up for the summer.