One family. Three generations. Three valedictorians.
One family. Three generations. Three valedictorians.
Sunday’s graduation was a special event for each Ada High school graduate. But for Jacob Thaxton, a member of the class of 2021, its significance was part three of a very interesting family celebration.
Jacob became the third-generation member of his immediate family named a class valedictorian.
The threesome with Jacob, includes his mother, Julie, a 1996 Allen East graduate, and his grandfather, Jeffrey Anderson a 1971 Ada High School graduate.
Here’s an overview of what the three share:
• Jeffrey Anderson - Ada High School, 1971
Valedictorian 4.0 grade point average
High school activities: National Honor Society, Senior Class President, Mixed Chorus, Latin Club, Class Play, Youth Science Convention, Hi- Y (Methodist Youth Group)
College: Associate Degree in Accounting from Northwest Business College
Profession: Retired from Procter and Gamble - Downy Process Department
• Julie (Anderson) Thaxton - Allen East High School, 1996
Valedictorian 4.0 grade point average
High school activities: National Honor Society, Senior Class Treasurer, Varsity Cheerleading, Choir, Mustang Chorale (Show choir), Marching Band, Jr. and Sr. Class Plays, Musical, Teens for Christ
College: B.S. in Education from Bowling Green State University, 2000
Profession: Math and ELA teacher, grades 7-12. Taught in the Ada District for 13 of my 18 years of teaching.
• Jacob Thaxton - Ada High School, 2021
Valedictorian 4.0 grade point average
High school activities: National Honor Society, Varsity Soccer, Ada Varsity Singers (Show choir), Quiz Bowl, Language Club, Film Club, Musicals (including playing Charlie Brown in You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown), FCA, Praise and Worship Team and Youth Group at The Wapak Church
College: Jacob will attend the University of Toledo and major in Electrical Engineering.
Occasional stumbles along the way:
Jeffrey's answer: The worst grade he remembers is a C on a history test.
Julie's answer: My worst grade was a C on her Calculus final exam. She still received an A for the class.
Jacob’s answer: Worst grade was a 67% on a six-question quiz in 6th grade social studies. He earned a perfect score on the Ohio state test for social studies that year, though.
Stories Posted This Week
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
Monday, July 21, 2025
Sunday, July 20, 2025
Saturday, July 19, 2025
Friday, July 18, 2025
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- John Cavinder worked for Allen Co. Fabrication
- Recap of July 15 Ada Council meeting
- Cooling freeze frame
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