When Beverly (Curtis) Young watches her son Corey Young graduate from Oxford High School this Sunday, she’ll be filled with a tremendous sense of pride and experience a fair amount of d’j? vu.
You see when Beverly graduated from OHS in 1974, she was co-valedictorian of her class just as Corey is one of three valedictorians for the Class of 2010 (see page 8).
Both achieved 4.0 Grade Point Averages and received scholarships from the Oxford Women’s Club.
As if that wasn’t enough of a coincidence, Beverly graduated on June 13, 1974 ? 36 years ago to the day her son will be receiving his diploma.
‘I just thought it was very unique,? she said. ‘A lot of kids that go to school here, their parents are transplants ? they didn’t grow up here. I’m extremely proud of him.?
‘It’s a great honor knowing my mom was valedictorian as well,? Corey said. ‘It makes it all that more special now that it’s a family thing. A lot of hard work finally paid off.?
Graduating from OHS is a family tradition that includes Corey’s grandparents, Arthur and Carol Curtis; his uncle Dan Curtis (1972) and aunt Susan Curtis (1978); and his older sisters Tiffany Nieuwkoop (1997) and Lindsey Nieuwkoop (2000).
‘A lot of people don’t stay in the area anymore, but we’ve got kind of a long line here,? Beverly said.
Following his graduation Sunday, Corey plans to attend Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. His career goal is to become an aerospace engineer.