Editor’s note: The Auburn Reporter salutes some of the best graduating seniors from each of the school district’s four high schools. The top boy and girl graduates were selected by their respective schools.

Dhavan Vengadasalam

Plan firmly in place, a focused Dhavan Vengadasalam surrounded himself with the right people – at home and school. In turn, the bright student delivered the right stuff.

“My parents provided me with a whole lot of support,” he said. “And there’s a whole lot of good people to work with around here.”

For Vengadasalam, the experience at Auburn Mountainview High School has been wonderful and worthwhile. Its classrooms helped shape a sharp 3.82 student who has thoughts of one day becoming a research scientist or doctor.

Such passion stems from his upbringing. His mother, Maya, came to the United States from India when she was young; his father, Raja, arrived here from Malaysia. Both built successful careers. Today, Maya works in information technology, Raja is an aerospace engineer for Boeing.

“I’m highly competitive,” said Vengadasalam, 18, an only child. “I like to do well in whatever I do – and that comes from a strong work ethic.”

Vengadasalam, an AP scholar, is considering to attend Whitman College – a nationally recognized, highly selective, residential liberal arts college in Walla Walla – in the fall on several scholarships, including a prestigious one he earned from the Washington Masonic Lodge. He intends to study the sciences and eventually explore the medical field.

Outside the classroom, Vengadasalam is gifted on the soccer pitch and with the music pitch. He a senior captain of the soccer team, helping guide the Lions to their first-ever state 3A playoff berth. He has played club soccer for 12 years.

Vengadasalam was a section leader for Auburn Mountainview’s jazz and wind ensemble. He has played the trombone for 10 years.

Vengadasalam also served as captain on the Lions’ tennis team.

In the community, Vengadasalam also shined. He won the Governor Gregoire’s Volunteer Service Award for his work the past three years as a Spanish interpreter and greeter for the United Way of King County Free Tax Preparation services at the Auburn Valley YMCA.

A standout student and noble citizen, Vengadasalam is ready to take the next step. Good people have helped show him the way. He intends to reward them by doing good things.

“I will do good work,” he said.

Kelley Voss

She’s up for just about any task, anything that will test her quick and nimble mind.

That’s why a career in engineering is a good fit for the senior class sensation who comes from a family of engineers.

“I like a field that’s constantly changing,” Voss said. “I like a field that presents new challenges where you’re constantly learning.”

A quick study, Voss flourished at Mountainview, posting a 4.0 GPA – one of only eight seniors to do so – and earned the top ranking in the school’s departing class of ’09.

Voss, 18, plans to take her act to Iowa State University to study electrical or mechanical engineering. Ames, Iowa, is a far cry from Auburn, but having some family close by certainly will help. Her parents came from the Midwest.

Peter and Lynda have been Voss’ guiding lights. Dad is a systems safety engineer for Boeing; mom is working to be an accountant. Her older brother, Kevin, is part of a the nuclear engineering program with the U.S. Navy.

And soon, Voss hopes to be an engineer of her own.

At Mountainview, Voss excelled in whatever she tried – on and off the field.

She took to calculus and physics, but made time for other activities. She was a senior class senator and successfully competed in sports – volleyball for two years before switching to softball, where she was a hit at the plate and a good glove in the field.

She also enjoys snowboarding, drawing, the movies and hanging out with friends.

And doing thing great things.

“I like knowing that I’m doing my best,” she said.

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COMMENCEMENT

• Auburn Mountainview High School, 11 a.m., Saturday, Auburn Memorial Stadium

• Graduation class: 345