Westfield Names the Class of 2026 Valedictorian and Salutatorian

The Westfield School is pleased to award Sophie Marie Walker as the Valedictorian and  Kate Elizabeth Lane as the Salutatorian for the Class of 2026. 

Sophie Marie Walker, Valedictorian, is a High Honor Graduate with Distinction and the top average earner in a variety of both Honors and AP courses.

Sophie is Westfield’s 2026 STAR Student and a 2025 Governor’s Honors finalist in biology and environmental science. She has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, earning top scores on her AP Environmental Science and AP Pre-Calculus exams. Her many academic honors include The University of Georgia Certificate of Merit, Bausch + Lomb Honorary Science Award, Clarkson University High School Achievement Award, Future Baron Scholars Nominee Award, and the Rensselaer Scholarship Medal. She has also been recognized as a Furman Scholar, Wofford Scholar, and Presbyterian Junior Fellow.

Sophie has served as class secretary on the Student Council and a member of the literary team. She is also a member of Westfield’s Foreign Language Club, Book Club, Tri-Hi-Y Club, and FCA. She is a member of Perry Methodist Church, where she has served on the Youth Leadership Board, volunteered with Vacation Bible School, and worked as a summer camp counselor.

Sophie is also an accomplished dancer and artist. Sophie has trained at Peacock’s Performing Arts Center since 2016. She continued to pursue her passion by attending Steps on Broadway’s Summer Dance Intensive in New York City. She has received multiple artistic awards, including Excellence in Art and was nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program in Dance.

Sophie is the daughter of John Gray and Sharon Walker. Upon graduation, she will attend Wake Forest University.

Kate Elizabeth Lane, Salutatorian, is graduating with High Honors with Distinction and is an AP Scholar with Honor.

Kate has been awarded many academic honors, including but not limited to distinguished awards such as Wofford Scholar, Presbyterian College Fellows Award, and Georgia Certificate of Merit. She was nominated in eleventh grade to the Governor’s Honors Program in English Literature. She is also a University of Rochester Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award recipient.

She is an active member of the community and was selected for and attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Program and participated in the Perry Youth Leadership Program. She is very involved at The Grove Church where she has been a member of the Student Leadership Team and served on multiple mission trips to Honduras.

Kate has been an integral part of Westfield’s student community and has served as chaplain of the senior class on the Student Council and as secretary of Tri-Hi-Y service organization. She has been an active member of the varsity basketball and varsity golf teams, Book Club, Beta Club, Foreign Language Club, Key Club, and Agriculture Club.

Kate is the daughter of Duke and Beth Ann Lane. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Samford University. 

Congratulations, Sophie and Kate!