Agoura High grads soar into future

Emerson Wahl Emerson Wahl

Valedictorian Emerson Wahl will attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis after he graduates from Agoura High.

Emerson has earned numerous awards and recognition for academic achievement and has set a standard of superior citizenship at the school.

He won the Harvard Prize Book Award for "outstanding scholarship, leadership, personal character and intellectual promise."

Emerson was also one of two students to attend Pepperdine University's Youth Citizenship seminar and was a Math Honor Society member.

Emerson is grateful to his chemistry teacher, Cathy Prater, because "she brought to life an otherwise dull subject . . . had a passion for science (and) a sense of humor," he said.

A math tutor, sailing instructor and Link Crew leader who helps students transition into high school, Emerson appreciates his parents' guidance.

"My father has inspired and helped me in almost everything I have done," he said, adding that he encouraged him to try new things and not to "be afraid of failure."

Alex Yeh Emerson wants to marry his girlfriend and have children "because I loved my childhood and cannot wait to help my kids enjoy theirs."

Alex Yeh

NP Alex Yeh, a successful student and musician, was accepted at Caltech, where he will pursue a degree in either bioengineering or biology.

Alex was a National Merit Scholarship recipient, a Certificate of Merit panel winner on piano and violin, and a member of the Colburn Chamber Orchestra.

Besides music and rigorous coursework, Alex was president of the Math Honor Society and was a member of the National Honors Society and Junior Statesmen of America and was a California Scholarship Federation Gold Seal Bearer.

Biology and chemistry were Alex's favorite classes. "They opened my eyes to the fundamental workings of the natural world," he said.

Alex says his parents and older sister had the greatest influence on his life. "They have always been there to give me inspiration and to support all of my different endeavors," he said.

Taryn Kurcz Taryn Kurcz

NP Taryn Kurcz's athleticism and skill in soccer has landed her a spot with Harvard University's soccer team.

As a member of the two-time All-Marmonte League First Team, Taryn was named CoOffensive MVP in 2009. She claimed a spot on the All-CIF First Team and All-County First Team for soccer and was team captain for two years.

Soccer isn't Taryn's only athletic strength. As a member of the All-Marmonte League First Team for track for three years, she won first place in 2008 for 300-foot hurdles and was leadoff runner for the school's record-breaking 4x400 relay team the same year. Taryn also played basketball for two years.

Taryn was treasurer of her sophomore class and vice president of the Harry Potter Club.

Mrs. Smith's ceramics course was Taryn's favorite class. "I got to be as creative as I want in art, which is something I usually do not do," she said.

Jessica and Brian Bartlett "My mom . . . inspired and encouraged me to work hard in sports and school, and she never let me take life too seriously," Taryn said.

In 10 years, Taryn sees herself working as an ocean engineer in California with a family and a dog.

Jessica and Brian

Bartlett

NP Jessica and Brian Bartlett are twins who share similar achievements, but they also plan to forge a unique path for themselves in college.

Both Jessica and Brian were members of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation (gold seal bearers) and both will attend Claremont McKenna College, a liberal arts college.

Brian and Jessica also share a passion for helping people. They each received a certificate of achievement for completing more than 100 hours of community service for Buena Vista Hospice.

The twins also point to English as a favorite subject. Brian says that his English teacher, Deb Frank, "greatly improved my writing skills and prepared me for college."

Both Bartlett kids say they are most thankful to their parents for supporting them in so many activities. Jessica said her parents "instilled in me a strong drive to work hard and achieve my goals."

As for differences between the twins, Brian played varsity baseball for Agoura and won the Baseball Coach's Award for his three years with the team. Jessica excelled on the tennis team for four years, served as captain and won numerous awards.

Jessica earned a Certificate of Recognition for Outstanding Academic Excellence for every semester at Agoura High and was active in many philanthropic activities. She was founder and president of Sweet Sleep, a community service organization that makes and donates blankets to terminally ill patients at Buena Vista Hospice, and was secretary for "Spreading Hope, a studentrun community service club.

Brian, a National Honor Society member, won the Academic Excellence Award in 2008, served on Sweet Sleep as vice president and was active with the Spreading Hope club.