Governor Sonny Perdue Recognizes Valedictorians 

Saturday, May 29, 2004, is Valedictorian Day at the Governor’s Mansion. Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue will welcome Georgia’s Valedictorian Class of 2004 to the Mansion for a reception and recognition program. Students and parents from hundreds of Georgia public and private high schools have been invited. 

Every year, each high school honors a Valedictorian, the graduating senior recognized as the school’s top student, academically, in the senior class. Former Governor Zell Miller started Valedictorian Day in 1993. Since then, the event has become an annual tradition. 

“Valedictorian Day is a wonderful opportunity to recognize some of Georgia’s highest achieving students,” said Shelley Nickel, president of the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC), which co-sponsors the reception. “These students are smart, motivated, and hard working. This is also an occasion to honor the students’ parents, who have supported their children with guidance and encouragement.” 

On the day of the reception, Nickel will welcome the students and parents and introduce Governor Perdue, who is the featured speaker. Because of the number of students invited, Valedictorian Day is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. Students from north Georgia and the Atlanta metro area are recognized in the morning. Students from middle and south Georgia are recognized in the afternoon. Throughout the day, the Governor meets with students, and a photographer takes pictures of the Governor with individual students. 

Valedictorians who attend college in Georgia are eligible to receive the HOPE Scholarship and the Governor’s Scholarship. Both award programs are administered by GSFC. “The scholarships and the Valedictorian reception demonstrate our state’s commitment to encourage and reward academic excellence,” Nickel said. 

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