Delaware Valley High School names 2009 academic leaders

Rachel Knuth is named graduating class valedictorian as Derek Houseknecht is chosen as class salutatorian WESTFALL — Delaware Valley High School has announced the valedictorian and salutatorian for the Class of 2009. Rachel Knuth, daughter of Victoria and Martin Knuth of Greeley is the class valedictorian. Rachel is an outstanding student, who is actively involved in school activities. She is a member of both the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. Rachel is also in the Foreign Language Club and the Foreign Film Club at DV. She was a member of the group of students who attended the state competition for the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science and won 1st place this year. In her sophomore and juniors years, Rachel won 2nd place (each year) in the PA Junior Academy of Science Regional competition. In addition, Rachel has been a Special Olympics volunteer, a VA Medical Center volunteer and a United Way volunteer. In 11th grade, she received the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award and Scholarship. She has been nominated as the Student of the Month many times throughout her high school career and she won the Statistics Poster Contest (Honorable Mention) in her freshman year. In the fall, Rachel plans to attend the University of Scranton and major in Biochemistry. Derek Houseknecht is the salutatorian for the Class of 2009. He is also involved in many school activities. Derek, the son of Phillip and Eve Houseknecht of Milford, is both an athlete and a scholar. He was captain of both the varsity baseball and varsity soccer teams at DV. In 11th grade, Derek won the 2nd Team All-Lackawanna League Award and he has been a baseball camp counselor, a Babe Ruth Baseball umpire and a referee in the Eastern Pike Soccer League. He is in the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, serving as president for the latter. Derek is also the class vice president. In prior years, Derek won many wards and received many honors. In his freshman year, he won 1st place in the PA Statistics Poster Contest and he received the Mathematics Achievement Award in his freshman, sophomore and junior years. As a junior, he also won the AP Scholar Award. He has been elected to be the Student of the Month for many years throughout his high school career. In addition, to sports and academics, Derek is involved in church related activities. He volunteers for lawn maintenance at the church and he is a member of the Young Life Youth Group. In the fall, Derek plans to attend Boston College and major in Mathematics.