Alcovy High School wraps up its second year in existence this week and its graduating seniors will take the stage during Saturday's commencement ceremony. Plenty of students had memorable careers and scholastic performances. But two students, valedictorian Joseph Guthrie and salutatorian Morgan Edwards stand above the rest.

Guthrie started his high school career at Newton High. He finished his four years earning a perfect 4.0 G.P.A.

 Guthrie parlayed that cumulative effort into a full ride to Auburn University beginning this fall. In fact, he received two scholarships totaling $97,000 to Auburn and said that played a significant role in his decision to become a Tiger.

 "I really didn't expect to go there," Guthrie said about his decision to attend Auburn. "I really liked it when I visited, plus they gave me more money than UGA."

 Guthrie said he narrowed his choices down to the two Southeastern Conference schools early on, but the money played a big role.

 "I liked them both a lot, and it was a tough decision," he added. "The money just really helped out."

 Guthrie's utilitarian approach bodes well for his upcoming college curriculum. He plans to major in business administration.

 Academics come naturally to Guthrie. He said his memory helps him retain information, something that helped him while taking college entrance exams. He topped every Newton County student who took the ACT with a perfect 36.

 "I just have a very good memory about things that I read," he said. "I don't know why; it just sticks. Sometimes I scare my self."

 In the classroom, Guthrie said he enjoyed history the most and credits social studies teacher Ryan Denison, who followed him over from Newton, with challenging him throughout high school. He took advanced placement history for three years from Denison, two at Newton and one at Alcovy.

 "Mr. Denison was one teacher who had a large influence on me in school," Guthrie said. "He has fun classes and he challenges the students to think, and I really enjoyed that.

 "I liked learning about the past and different events that shaped our world and how they relate to the future too."

 Guthrie is excited about his opportunities at Auburn and said 10 years down the road he hopes he's well on his way to a successful business career and maybe even starting a family.

 While he scored straight A's throughout school and made the A honor roll, which rewards students for seven semesters of straight A's, Guthrie said he almost slipped once.

 "I came close to getting a B in psychology last semester but I pulled it out," he said.

 Guthrie hopes to take a vacation over the summer and said he knows he'll miss his classmates when he goes off to Auburn.

 "Mr. Haymore is going to kill me," Guthrie said as he burst into laughter while recalling his favorite high school memory. "During an assembly this year, he tripped up the stairs while walking on the stage. Everybody busted out laughing."

It is easy to see why Alcovy salutatorian Morgan Edwards is so successful. It is clear - she's ready for her future.

 While Guthrie set a high standard in 2007-2008, Edwards made plenty of academic noise herself. Balancing her studies with cheerleading, she also garnered a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. and finished just behind Guthrie in overall average.

Edwards plans to attend the University of Georgia in the fall even though she says she had hoped to attend colleges out of state.

"I originally was planning on going to University of Southern California," she said. "But with the out-of-state tuition and distance and the fact that UGA is a great school and it's not far away, I decided to go there."

The decision to attend UGA worked well for Edwards, who said they offer a program that fits her needs.

"I'm going to major in biology for pre-dentistry," Edwards said. "Hopefully after that I'll be able to go to medical school at Georgia."

Like so many gifted students, Edwards said she enjoyed studying human anatomy, a good thing if she plans to become a dentist.

She doesn't rule out the possibility of leaving home for her education as she says she could still possibly attend dental school in California.

Before hitting the books this fall, Edwards plans to visit family in California, where she's originally from. But the summer won't be all play as she hopes to work an internship before heading to Athens.

Since Edwards plans to become a dentist, she understands she'll be busy in school for quite a while. But plans after school include a family and maybe starting her own practice.

"I could see myself partnering with another dentist who doesn't want to work with children," Edwards said. "I can definitely see myself living by the beach maybe in Florida or California even though I may have to save up a little bit to live in California again."

Like Guthrie, Edwards enjoyed AP history and especially Denison's AP classes.

"I remember during the first week of class he told me it was going to be hard and I got really scared," recalled Edwards. "I remember I just wanted to get out and I was so nervous, but he told me if I stuck with it, it would pay off in the end and I got credit for college history at the end."

As an all-star cheerleader, Edwards traveled for various competitions during her high school career. It's these trips that she says will remain some of her fondest memories .

Believe it or not, Edwards says she didn't take her studies as serious early on in high school. But that never prevented her from obtaining straight A's throughout school. Edwards said her parents supported her throughout school and that made all the difference.

"My parents were great," she said. "They supported me and never expected me to do anything I wasn't capable of. They told me as long as I did my best, that's all they asked of me. They didn't expect me to get straight A's, but I'm a perfectionist. I strive to be the best."