Valedictorians, Salutatorians
Laing, Spanier lead BHS Class of 2021 academics
Bearden High School graduating senior Nathanael Laing has earned Class of 2021 valedictorian honors, while Ishani Spanier has been selected salutatorian at BHS.
Being chosen valedictorian “means the world to me because it represents many years of consistent and measured effort, but I know that I’ve always been inspired by my dad (Dr, Geoffrey Laing),” Laing said of his father. “He was the valedictorian of University High School in Tucson, Arizona.
“Because it was — at the time — one of the most competitive schools in the nation, he was never formally recognized for his accomplishment,” said the senior, who also is the son of Heather Laing and brother of Avigail, a BHS freshman. “In earning this title, I’m able to continue his commitment and hard work.
“When my classes were challenging, I always had a goal to live up to that pushed me to work harder. Bearden High School has been a fantastic and challenging environment.
“There is no shortage of opportunities for both personal and academic improvement because of how many talented students there are,” Laing added. “I have especially enjoyed the AP Capstone program because it enabled me to engage in microbiology research at (University of Tennessee) and better my public speaking skills.
“Even though these years have been competitive and sometimes stressful, it’s relieving to know that they have shaped the entire class to be successful later in life.”
After graduation, he plans to major in mechanical engineering in college.
“I know that I’m eager to pursue either aerospace or nuclear engineering, but because most college students change their major, I can’t confidently say that I will land in the original career that I planned for,” Laing said. “Both careers, however, provide me with the opportunity to design and implement new ideas, collaborate with like-minded people and live with purpose and meaning.”
While at BHS, he was part of the Governor’s School for the Scientific Exploration of Tennessee Heritage in 2019 and was one of 25 students admitted to a statewide summer seminar.
Laing anticipates receiving an AP Capstone diploma, is a National AP Scholar and was a recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution Youth Citizenship Award in 2018.
Additionally he is the recipient of the Student Government Association Rising Star Award in 2018, which he was recognized during a state convention; Chancellor’s Honors at UT; the Honors Program at UNC Chapel Hill; Echols Scholar; and a Monroe Scholar at William and Mary College.
He was a semi-finalist for a Jefferson Scholarship and Roberson Scholarship, earned the Charles H. Townes Scholarship at Furman University and a Volunteer Scholarship from UT and received a UConn Merit Award.
Laing is founder of Pens for a Purpose, in which members write cards for unfrequented community members and senior citizens, and he spearheaded a Care Committee initiative at Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge.
About earning her honor, Spanier said, “I am extremely proud to be the salutatorian of the BHS Class of 2021.
“I know how much work I put in over the last four years, but I also know how hard many of my fellow students have worked, so to be chosen truly is an honor,” added Spanier, daughter of Mahalaxmi Krishnamurthy and Stefan Spanier, and sister of Avani Spanier.
“I think that over the last four years at BHS, I and many others became more confident in ourselves and who we might want to be in the future. BHS has been a great place to explore different interests and form new relationships in a relaxed environment.
During her four years at BHS, she has won various awards, both inside and outside of school. They include winning the American Protege International Piano and Strings Competition and the AP Physics award; being chosen a National Merit Commended Scholar, Governor’s School for Science and Engineering Scholar; winning some Science Olympiad first- through third-place medals; and earning AP-related awards, such as AP Capstone and AP Scholar.
Spanier earned several merit scholarships from such universities as Georgia Tech, Purdue, University of Southern California and UTK.
She also was involved in Student Government Association and Key Club, in which she held leadership positions; Robotics Club, for which she represented it at fairs and elementary schools; Science Olympiad; and National Honors Society.
After graduation, she plans to major in industrial engineering for her undergraduate degree.
“I am aspiring to pursue a career either within the high-level finance sector or in a managerial position in a company,” Spanier said.
“These careers drew my attention because I love working with math and money; and through Governor’s School, I found that I love solving corporate efficiency problems,” she added.
Hardin Valley Academy top seniors are Cianciolo, Tran
Hardin Valley Academy has selected Owen Cianciolo as its Class of 2021 valedictorian and Kaylyn Tran as salutatorian.
“I was shocked when I got the call that I was our year’s valedictorian,” Cianciolo said. “Throughout high school, I had taken my high-level classes, but I had also taken several low-level classes as well, like astronomy, either due to scheduling conflicts or just because I was interested in the topic.
“I was not making sacrifices to become valedictorian, so being chosen gave me a sense of validation that my hard work was noticed,” he added.
“Hardin Valley has been a great place to grow both personally and academically. My teachers and counselors have been constant supporters in everything I wish to pursue. I have always believed they would have my back no matter the circumstances.
As for curriculum, “I am so grateful for the amount of electives Hardin Valley has offered,” said Cianciolo, the son of son of Maureen and Vince Cianciolo and brother of Tommy, Charlie and Paul Cianciolo. “It has allowed me to take steps down myriad possible paths, and I have been able to narrow down my interests while being free to explore subjects that interested me.
“Coming out of high school, I feel prepared for anything the real world has in store for me,” he added.
At HVA, Cianciolo has been nominated as a Student of the Month for the Health Science Academy and as a presidential scholar. He received the Hope scholarship and Volunteer scholarship at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he will be attending in the fall, majoring in biological sciences with a concentration in biochemistry and cellular and molecular biology; and a minor in astronomy.
“I may try for a double major in physics, concentrating in astronomy,” Cianciolo said. “… I am not sure where my studies will take me, but I would love to be a part of a science team doing research on the possibility of life on other planets; and if that means traveling outside of our terrestrial home, that would be icing on the cake.
“It was a childhood dream of mine to be an astronaut, and it ironically seems that my career is leading me that way again,” he added. “Astrobiology, to me, is a field where all my interests line up – it invokes geology, biology, astronomy, chemistry and physics, all in a single field.”
For the past three years, Cianciolo has been a member of HVA Science Bowl.
Tran
“Hardin Valley is my second home,” said Tran, daughter of Hiep Tran and Esstela Phan and sister of Ethan and Calvin Tran. “During my time here I have made so many memories and accomplished so much.
“From the first day of freshman year, I had overwhelming support from my teachers,” she added. “I know the next chapter of my life will be exciting, but I am not ready to leave just yet. Go Hawks.”
Learning she earned salutatorian, Tran said, “It was the biggest surprise. I was in the middle of first block when I was called down to the principal’s office. It was a crazy day, and I will never forget it. Everyone was so happy for me.”
Tran was crowned HVA Football Homecoming Queen in October 2020 and also was voted Miss Intellectual.
Since the beginning of her freshman year, she has been involved in several extracurricular pursuits: part of Health Occupations Students of American all four years; She also volunteered with HOSA, competing in Dental Terminology, and was elected class president her junior year.
Tran also has been involved in Student Government Assocation, Science Bowl, Scholar’s Bowl, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society.
She plans to major in chemistry in college and pursue a career in medicine.
“I love learning about health care and enjoy taking care of people,” Tran said. “I have had many opportunities to explore health care.”
She has volunteered at UT Medical Center, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital and NHC Farragut.
“This past summer, I was one of the 12 students accepted into UTK’s Veterinary Summer Experience Program,” Tran said. “I just finished job shadowing an eye doctor.
“Every time I explore something new, I fall in love with that career,” she added. “My goal is to one day be as passionate as everyone I have observed.”
