2015 Walter Harrison Student Information*
Kristoffer Clark, Hart EMC
Clark is the son of Larry and Melissa Clark of Toccoa. He will attend the Georgia
Institute of Technology this fall and pursue a degree in chemical engineering.
Clark is a member of a number of esteemed organizations such as Science Olympiad,
Academic Bowl, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and Jobs for Georgia, among
others.
He has earned a number of academic honors such as Star Student, Second Honors at
State Science Fair, two-time invitee for National Academic Quiz Tournament
Championship and six-time Top Five Student. He also has been awarded an academic
letter in each of his three upperclassman years.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Clark has served in leadership positions within the
Thespian Club, Academic Bowl and JV Envirothon. His contributions extend to his
community as well, with involvement in his church youth group and visiting with patients
and residents in assisted living centers.
John Dyer, Amicalola EMC
Dyer is the son of Allen and Michelle Dyer of Dawsonville. He is set to attend the
Georgia Institute of Technology this fall with plans to pursue mechanical engineering.
He has taken numerous advanced placement courses, never shying away from a
rigorous course schedule. In fact, he will be Salutatorian of his Class of 2015 and will
graduate as an AP Scholar with Distinction and nominee for several content areas to
the Governor’s Honor Program.
In addition, Dyer has been a section leader in the LCHS Band of Gold, Team Captain of
the LCHS Science Club, Student Council representative, and teen leader in Lumpkin
County 4-H. He is also active in Boy Scouts and earned the distinction of Eagle Scout,
scouting’s highest honor.
Julie Luong, Cobb EMC
Long is the daughter of Nheunfong and Nghia Luong of Marietta. She will attend the
Georgia Institute of Technology and will major in materials science and engineering.
One of her primary interests involves advanced studies in the Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math (STEM) program, specifically the robotics team where she serves
as vice president.
Her dedication to learning has earned her an Academic Letter and a spot on the
Principal’s Honor Roll. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club,
Science Honors Society and the National Technical Honors Society, currently serving
as president.
In the summer of 2014, Luong participated in a summer research workshop, a
collaboration of Georgia Tech and the WCHS Center for Advanced Studies. According
to school officials, her involvement was all the more impressive as the research she
helped conduct was at the Georgia Tech post-graduate level.
Tori Mitchell, Walton EMC
Mitchell is the daughter of Joel and Christy Mitchell. She plans to attend the Georgia
Institute of Technology in the fall and study mechanical engineering as a prelude to
specialized study in biomedical robotics.
According to Mitchell, of all the extracurricular activities and clubs to her credit, the
Technology Student Association and the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) Association has made the most impact. In fact, she is in the process of
creating a children’s STEM “camp” at a local elementary school to increase interest in
STEM from an early age.
She is a member of a number of respected organizations such as the Science Olympiad
Team, Anchor Club, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Beta
Club and Future Business Leaders of America.
In addition, she has received more than 20 state and national awards through the
Technology Student Association, PSAT Commended Student, AP Scholar with
Distinction and graduate of the 2014 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.
Chikanna Okonkow, Cobb EMC
Okonkow is the daughter of Isioma and the late (father’s name) Okonkwo of Powder
Springs. She will attend the Georgia Institute of Technology this fall.
She has built a distinguished academic career, taking many AP and Honors classes and
is classified as an AP Scholar. In addition, she is a member in a number of
organizations such as the National Honor Society, Key Club, Latin Club, Science Club
and Senator for Student Council.
Apart from school activities and affiliations, she teaches Sunday school, volunteers at a
local nursing home, works at an education and enrichment center as a tutor, and
participates in Cobb Youth Leadership, an outreach program for juniors that develops
leadership skills.
In addition to her academic success, Okonkow is an avid tennis player and has been a
member of the KMHS varsity tennis team for four years, winning regional
championships every year in a highly competitive 6AAAAAA division. Most recently, she
became one of eight girls in Cobb to make the All-County tennis team.
Megan Oliver, Canoochee EMC
Oliver is the daughter of Ken and Jennifer Oliver of Reidsville. She will attend Georgia
Southern University in the fall and would like to become an environmental engineer.
She is involved in a number of organizations such as National Honor Society, Beta
Club, Math Team, Future Business Leaders of America, 4-H and the Tattnall County
Chamber of Commerce.
Oliver has been a strong supporter and participant in FFA, holding a number of offices
including secretary, vice president and president and has been the recipient of a
number of awards including the Star Greenhand Award and Star Chaper Farmer Award.
She has earned a number of academic accolades including highest academic average
in Computer Applications, Basic AgriScience Technology, Wildlife Management, Honors
10th Grade Literature and Governor’s Honors in the category of Environmental Science.
In addition, Oliver has held a number of leadership positions while serving on the TCHS
Agriculture Advisory Committee, 4-H Portfolio Retreat, Livestock Show and the Juvenile
Diabetes fundraiser.
Janeen Thomas, Coweta-Fayette EMC
Thomas is the daughter of Santosh and Rachel Thomas of Fayetteville. She plans to
attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall and plans to pursue a degree in
biochemistry in preparation for medical school. Ultimately, her goal would be to serve
with Doctors Without Borders or UNICEF to build awareness of health and nutrition.
Thomas has pursued a rigorous academic schedule filled with advanced placement,
accelerated and gifted courses. Thomas has been honored with STAR Student, Georgia
Governor’s Honors Program (Mathematics), High Honor Roll, three-year Academic
Letter recipient, Georgia Certificate of Merit and AP Scholar with Distinction, plus
others.
She is a member of a number of respected academic organizations such as the
National Honor Society, National Beta Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Academic
Team, Speech and Debate Team, Literary Team, Science Olympiad, Math Team and
Interact Club, among others.
In addition to her scholastic contributions, she also volunteers with Piedmont Fayette
Hospital, Operational Mobilization, Relay for Life, Toys for Tots, St. Thomas Evangelical
Church of India, and tutors chemistry and math.
Dalton Touchberry, Oconee EMC
Touchberry is the son of Billy and Michelle Touchberry of Dublin. He will attend the
Georgia Institute of Technology in the fall where he plans to major in engineering.
Touchberry is currently ranked number one in his class and will likely graduate as
Valedictorian and STAR Student. Throughout high school, he chose stringent courses
that included honors level and advanced placement classes.
He is a STAR Student and involved in a number of extracurricular activities at school
and in the community. He is a member of National Honor Society where he currently
serves as president, Y-Club where was elected as Lieutenant Governor of the Y-Club
Youth Assembly, Citizens Bank Advisory Council, Trail Life Troop and Boy Scouts.
In addition, he is a member of Poplar Springs North Baptist Church and active in the
youth group and youth choir, and is an alum of the Washington Youth Tour, an annual
leadership event for teens sponsored by the state’s electric cooperatives, including
Oconee EMC.
Allison Walls, Jackson EMC
Walls is the daughter of Mark and Julie Walls of Buford. She will attend the University of
Georgia in the fall where she will major in biology with plans to become a doctor.
Walls is currently ranked in the top five of her class and though she has satisfied most
requirements, continues to take several AP courses. She has received numerous
honors and recognition including the President’s Volunteer Service Award, Governor’s
Honors Program and Georgia Merit Scholar, among others.
Outside of her academic accomplishments, Allison is involved in a number of
extracurricular activities at school and in the community. She is a member of National
Honor Society where she currently serves as treasurer. She also serves as Yearbook
editor and last year, co-founded her high school’s Young Republicans Club.
In addition, she tutors fellow math students, volunteers at Northeast Georgia Medical
Center and the Hall County Library, and is an alum of the Washington Youth Tour, an
annual leadership event for teens sponsored by the state’s electric cooperatives,
including Jackson EMC.
*Note: The information above was gathered from each student’s Scholarship application.