By Lisa Magers/CISD Community Services

Brooke Marie Sartin will lead her 333 fellow graduates onto the field Friday night as valedictorian of Cleburne High School’s Class of 2009.

Sartin finishes her four years at CHS with a grade point average of 5.350, closely followed by classmate and salutatorian Bailey Harrington, who has posted a GPA of 5.300.

The announcement of the valedictorian, salutatorian and the CHS Top 10 Percent took place Friday morning at the Pinnacle Bank Honor Graduates Breakfast, which recognized 33 graduating seniors and their parents.

The top 10 percent of this year’s graduating class also includes, in order of rank, Kelsey Giddens, Shelby Clark, Austin Ash, Kimberly Sisk, Jacquelyn Matthews, Jacob Hite, Chase Burt, Rebecca Anderson, Will Holleman, Maricar Conson, Alexis Lozano, Michael Wilson, Andy Benke, Will Benson, Julianne Gilada, Kimberly Traister, Shanna Lundy, Trace Turner, Joelle Schleicher, Amanda Whitley, Julie Morrison, Courtney Campbell, Marie Gilada, Kaley Ownbey, Jessica Trussell, Katie Boulden, Michael Murray Forrest, Tedi Schmidt, Estefan Jiminez, William Sarradet and Taylor Hayes.

Sartin, who will attend Baylor University to pursue a degree in biochemistry in the hopes of a career as a pediatric surgeon, is a recipient of the $20,000 Ball Scholarship.

She also received endowments from the Cleburne Chamber of Commerce, Exchangettes and Alumni Scholarship programs.

During her four years at CHS she has been a member of Key Club, Junior Pride, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Exchangettes, where she served this year as treasurer.

As a member of Beta Club, she has been a four-year recipient of the summa cum laude award for academic achievement.

As a sophomore she received the Woodmen of the World Award for the highest GPA in social studies, and as a senior she received the Bryan Duff Award for the highest four-year average in English and Language Arts.

Sartin also competed on the JV cross country team and the CHS swim team, including two years as a UIL regional qualifier.

While a student at CHS, Sartin distinguished herself at the college level by being named to the Hill College Spring 2008 Dean’s List.

As an incoming freshman at Baylor, she has been accepted into the university’s Honor College and Interdisciplinary Corps.

Sartin is the daughter of Christopher and Stephanie Sartin. Her twin brother, Chris, is a fellow member of the CHS Class of 2009.

Harrington’s achievements include national recognition as a commended scholar for her performance on the SAT through the National Merit Scholarship program.

As a junior, she was ranked 10th in the nation on the National French Exam for third-year students, conducted by the American Association of Teachers of French. She finished in the 20th percentile on the French II exam as a sophomore.

Her school activities have also included soccer, choir, Beta Club, National Honor Society, Quiz Bowl, Health Occupations Students of America, French club and teen library board.

She is the recipient of the Christa McAuliffe Award for the highest four-year GPA in science.

Harrington was a member of the Golden Pride Band and Wind Ensemble during her years at CHS, serving as pit captain the last three years.

Her achievements in band are reflected in her nomination for Miss Golden Pride and her membership on the Golden Pride’s leadership team.

She was a member of the orchestra for the CHS fine arts department’s productions of “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Bye Bye Birdie.”

She will attend Texas A&M University in the fall to study forensic science. Her parents are Craig and Lisa Harrington.

Graduation exercises will be held at Jacket Stadium tonight, beginning with the processional at 8 p.m.