Two black Arkansas students make school history graduating as valedictorian, salutatorian

Two black female students graduated with the highest academic honors of their senior class this year in a historic first for a school district in Arkansas.

Alexis Peterson and Taykeetria Rogers are the valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, of Junction City High School’s 2019 graduating class.

“This is the first time we have had a black female valedictorian and black female salutatorian,” Joy Mason, the school’s principal, told local NBC affiliate KARK.{mosads}

Peterson, who graduated with a 4.0 grade point average from the school, participated in a number of extracurricular activities as a student, the outlet noted. She was reportedly a member of the cheerleading team and was involved in various community efforts.

Rogers, meanwhile, was also involved in multiple student clubs during her at the school and was a member of the school’s basketball and cheerleading team, the station reported.

“You have to take it day by day so that you won’t become frustrated with it,” Peterson said.

Peterson reportedly plans to attend Northwestern State University later this year and Rogers is going to Louisiana Tech. 

Earlier this month, a high school student in Houston similarly made history when he became the first black valedictorian in his school’s 119-year history.