King

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Garner Magnet High School Senior Krista King is no stranger to hard work. It paid off and King was named Salutatorian of the 2012 Garner Magnet High School’s graduating class.

While in high school, King served as a part of the Student Senate, the Beta Club and the Drama Club. Along with being named the Salutatorian, Krista was named a distinguished honors graduate, N.C. Scholar, Trojan Club Scholarship recipient, Junior Marshal and honor roll recipient.

However, King was not just successful in the classroom. King also has been active on the athletic field.

She played varsity soccer and varsity tennis. While playing tennis she was named a two-time GNRC conference champion, was named the junior and senior captain, received the Most Valuable Player award, the Trojan Award and the Academic All-Conference title.

King said her days playing tennis at the high school rank as her top high school experience.

“My favorite high school experience has to be being a back-to-back conference champion in women’s tennis,” she said. “Coming into high school without any tennis experience, hitting the winning shot in the conference tournament was an incredible feeling. It concluded four years of hard work and capped off four great seasons with an unforgettable team including my two doubles partners, Michelle Roth and Hannah Hamlin.”

King has grown up in the Wake County School System. She attended Timber Drive Elementary, West Lake Middle and Garner Magnet High.

In the fall, King will head off to N.C. State University where she plans to get a degree in engineering. She said it was the engineering program that made her decide to attend N.C. State.

“N.C. State was the best option for me because of its prestigious engineering school,” King said “Also, I love the school and I felt at home while on the campus.”

King said there are several things she looks forward to when she heads off to college.

“I am looking most forward to new academic challenges, making new friends and cheering on the N.C. State Wolfpack!”

King credits her success at Garner Magnet High School to several things.

“First and foremost I give credit to my Lord, Jesus Christ, who blessed me with supportive and loving parents, patient teachers and enjoyable classmates,” King said. “Also, a critical part in reaching goals is having determination and hard work.”

King said her parents have been extremely supportive as she strived hard for success in academics.

“Brent and Debbie King are the best parents anyone could hope for. God blessed me with an incredible family and parents who understand the time and hard work I put into my studies and are patient with me, always supporting me and picking me up when I fall.”

Although King said her favorite subject in school is math, it was her history teacher Maria Costa that impacted her life the most.

“Mrs. Costa had the biggest impact on me because she gave me a desire to learn more about history, but also because she didn’t ‘baby’ her students like some teachers may, but she let us take an idea and run with it.”

King said she would encourage other students to work hard and reach for their goals.

“I would tell other students that working hard is important because nobody reaches goals without working for them. While academics are not everything in life, they are certainly important.”