Rhianna Topp Editor's Note: Senior standouts are compiled from questionnaires filled out by the students themselves.

Rhianna Topp, daughter of James and Terrie Topp, is the salutatorian of her class. She earned several awards while at Grace Brethren, including the Laureate Award, the Christian Character Award, GBHS Department Awards and the Association of Christian Schools International Academics Award.

Besides excelling academically, she also kept busy playing volleyball and varsity softball and performing in the school orchestra, chapel band and jazz choir.

She said her favorite subject in school was Bible because each teacher she had helped her to better understand the Bible and prepared her to share the Christian gospel with the world.

Rhianna said her father has had the biggest influence on her life so far.

"He has encouraged me to excel and keep trying harder," she said. "He has wisdom and gives me great advice in everything. He acts as a godly example on how to live a life pleasing to God."

Nate Rushing The 17-year-old plans to attend Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo in the fall, where she hopes to earn her bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In 10 years, Rhianna hopes to have a stable job as an engineer and to have started forming an orphanage in Africa.

Nate Rushing, son of Ken and Suzanne Rushing, was active in student government and served as ASB president his senior year. He also played baseball and football and was named team captain for both squads as a senior. In addition, he worked as the technical director for chapel and was the first Grace Brethren student to be a Ventura County Fire Department Cadet.

With so much on his plate, Nate still made it on the honor roll all four years of high school. He said his favorite class was Foundations of Christian Thought, taught by Scott Nandor.

"He has been my favorite teacher because he has made us think at a higher level and challenged our faith like never before," Nate said.

Victoria Callihan The 18yearold will attend Oxnard College in the fall to obtain his associate's degree in fire technology before transferring to a university to earn his bachelor's. He plans on attending paramedic school and working part-time for an ambulance company while completing his studies.

Nate's ultimate goal is to work for a fire department, and 10 years from now he sees himself having a family and living in a house in Southern California.

Victoria Callihan, daughter of Charles and Dianne Callihan, found herself balancing academics and volleyball throughout high school and she received numerous awards in both.

Victoria played on the Lancers' junior varsity and varsity squads and participated in the Santa Monica Beach Volleyball Club for two years. Her senior year she was named Best Offensive Player and first-team all-league CIF, and she also coached at Grace Brethren's elementary school.

At graduation, she received a medal for achieving academic honors all eight semesters. She said her favorite subjects at Grace Brethren are Bible and anatomy.

Austin Smith Victoria will be attending Master's College on a volleyball scholarship and she plans on majoring in biology (pre-med).

In 10 years, she hopes to have graduated from medical school and be in her second year of residency. Her career goal is to be working at a prominent child research center for oncology.

The 17-year-old cited her mother as the most influential person in her life.

"She is a great example of hard work and determination with the love and compassion only a mother can possess," Victoria said. "She is a great mom and friend."

Austin Smith, son of Daniel and Lisa Smith, received highest honors all four years and 100 percent membership in the California Scholarship Federation. He also received the Visual Art Department Award and Lancer Award for Christian Leadership.

While at GBHS, Austin served as president of the National Thespian Society and vice president of the National Honor Society. He also ran cross country, played junior varsity soccer, performed in choir and drama and was a member of the Creative Writing Club and the National Art Honor Society.

Hannah and Jessicah Gist "My teacher, Ms. (Connie) Zale, gave me freedom to experiment with art and encouraged me to try whatever I'd like regardless of what the original assigned project was," he said.

In the fall, the 18-year-old will attend Cal State Northridge to further his art studies and he hopes to find an art internship soon. In the future, Austin hopes to be a well-established artist in the film industry, drawing original concept designs for characters in a film, sculpting the miniatures and designing latex makeup pieces for characters.

Twins Hannah and Jessicah Gist, daughters of Brad and Mattie Gist, made the honor roll all four years of high school, performed in the spring musical and played junior varsity and varsity volleyball. However, the girls don't do everything alike.

Jessicah, who played libero on the volleyball team, was named best defensive player. She also played varsity soccer her senior year and was deemed the most improved. In addition, Jessicah won third place in the school talent show doing Disney Channel imitations.

Hannah was a member of the Invisible Children Club, helped build houses in Mexico and even put on a basketball camp there. Her favorite class in high school was AP Government because of its lively discussions on politics and the economy.The Gist girls will attend Biola University. Hannah plans on studying nursing. Jessicah wants to be a writer.

Both said they look up to their mom and that she has molded them into the young women they are today.

Ten years from now, the 18year-olds hope to have successful careers and families of their own.

—Carissa Marsh