With graduation season in full swing, we're highlighting the 2010 class of valedictorians. Here are excerpts from thoughts they shared with their schools. For more, visit wcpss.net/news/2010_ valedic torians .

Apex

Anmol Singh (Drexel University)

Favorite teacher: "Mrs. Barritt, my calculus teacher. She is an exceptional teacher, especially because she teaches us math and the importance of being a good person in the community."

Advice: "Excelling academically does not always mean coming out of class with an 'A.' ... Study hard but never forget that there are so many things to learn outside of school."

Athens Drive

Ryan Douglas Cowles (Duke University)

Favorite teacher: "I've had a lot of GREAT teachers but Mrs. Luana McCamy, my Spanish teacher, is my favorite."

Advice: "Work to forge a close relationship with your teachers. ... they want to help all of us succeed."

Cary High

Thomas Alexander Pendlebury (UNC-Chapel Hill or Duke University)

Advice: "First, avoid trivial distractions. They're everywhere and can be extremely dangerous. Second, work. Work harder than anyone else thinks you should, and work even harder when everyone else is doing nothing."

Fuquay-Varina

Dominic Evan Boccaccio (Davidson College)

Favorite teacher: "Mrs. Nichole Willis taught me last year for AP English Language and I grew as a writer under her tutelage and criticism."

Accomplishments: "This year I had the honor to be the president of both Key Club and National Honor Society. I am most proud of this because it emphasizes my true passion: service, not homework."

Green Hope

Michael Jin (Duke University)

Favorite teacher: "Becky Townsend, for whom I have the utmost respect, instilled within me a stronger love for science and a higher determination to pursue my own goals."

Holly Springs

Elizabeth Windham (Case Western Reserve University)

Advice: "Involve yourself in meaningful relationships and activities outside of the classroom. Being a part of the Cross Country and Soccer teams as well as clubs such as the Backpacking Club, NHS; volunteer service; and fun times with friends has significantly contributed to me being a disciplined, balanced student."

Middle Creek

Heather Newman (Appalachian State University)

Advice: "Grades will be meaningless as soon as schooling has ended. All that remains to equip you to take on the world is the knowledge and wisdom that you have obtained."

Accomplishments: "I have felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment in my tutoring. ... I have now learned how to adapt to the various learning styles of students. Tutoring has become a challenge and a passion for me."

Panther Creek

Salma Azam (UNC-Chapel Hill)

Advice: "Although there are the lucky few who are simply born geniuses, for most people academic success does not come easy. If you want to make the grades and come out on top, you have to make learning and studying always your priority, and you need to always keep the big picture in mind."

Cary Academy

Note: The school does not have valedictorians but they do have two senior speakers.

Alex Rosenthal (McGill University)

Favorite teacher: "Mr. Follet taught my sophomore and senior English literature classes. Mr. Follet has taught me a lust for words and language."

Eric Kofman (Stanford University)

Favorite teacher: "Almost all of my teachers at Cary Academy were passionate about their subject; they were life-long scholars, and their enthusiasm for learning more and sharing their knowledge was inspiring."