When Sandy Creek High School students line up in their caps and gowns to the tune of ‘Pomp and Circumstance,’ two students will be at the front of the pack — valedictorian Andre Allen and salutatorian Janae Strother.

Allen leads the pack with his 4.0 GPA and Strother trails closely after with a 3.929.

Being named to their respective distinctions evoked differing emotions in each.

For Allen it signified the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.

“Being the valedictorian is validation for all the effort and work that has gone into my education since kindergarten when I was learning how to read while others had nap time,” said Allen. “I am the valedictorian because my family has always supported me and guided me.”

Strother, although excited about being named salutatorian, was genuinely surprised.

“I thought I’d end up somewhere in the top 10 percent, but I really wasn’t expecting to be salutatorian since I knew there were many competitive students,” she said. “Right now [being named salutatorian] means I’m going to be in front of my whole class and whatever family and friends they bring, but after I get over that, I’m sure the honor will have a more positive meaning to me!”

Both Allen and Strother juggled extracurriculars with their academics throughout their high school careers.

Allen was a member of the Drama and French clubs as well as an active participant in musical theatre, which put on productions such as “Hairspray,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Les Miserables.”

“I have always loved entertaining people, acting and telling a story,” said Allen. “The opportunity that the musical gives me each year to create a vibrant synthesis of these passions cannot be overstated.”

Strother has been heavily involved with the National Honors Society, Japanese Club, Math Team, Academic Bowl and Science Olympiad, but is “most proud” of her involvement with Sandy Creek’s literary magazine, “Metamorphosis.”

In the fall, Allen will attend Yale University where he will study ethics, politics and economics. Allen plans to work for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Strother will attend Beloit College and major in Russian.

Both acknowledged the integral role their education at Sandy Creek will have on the future.

“I’ll miss the classmates and teachers I’ve come to know and appreciate the most,” said Strother. “Sandy Creek High School has taught me the skills that I’ll need to succeed in college.”