When the head guidance counselor at Wando High School called graduating seniors Sarah Spires and Eric Powers into her office last May, they were both told “congratulations,” and that they each needed to write a speech: Spires was graduating as Wando’s Valedictorian, Powers as Salutatorian.
Spires had been number-one in class rank at the end of each year of high school.
“Each year they tell you your rank,” she said, “and it’s always been number-one, but there’s always that possibility that it will change.”
Like Spires, Powers had also been in the top percentile of his class during high school.
“There were a lot of smart kids at the top,” he said. “We all knew each other. It was basically your friends competing against each other.”
However, Spires and Powers both said it was never a competition between the two of them to be number-one in the graduating class.
“I didn’t enter high school thinking, ‘I must be Valedictorian,’” Spires said. “Lucky for me, that’s how it ended up, but that’s not what I entered thinking.”
Powers said he figured if he did not come out as one of the top two, then one of his friends would have.
“I didn’t really think it was that big a deal,” he said. “When I graduated it was a lot bigger a deal than I thought it would be.”
Powers said he believes the immense size of Wando impacted how he felt toward being Salutatorian.
“I guess it’s a really big deal because Wando’s such a big school with a lot of students,” he said.
Although Spires and Powers excelled academically throughout their high school careers, they were also able to balance their grades with many extracurricular activities; Spires played the clarinet in the Wando band. She was also in Tri-M (Music Honors Society).
“Being in band I’ve really learned to manage my time and I’ve learned a lot about how hard work pays off in leadership skills,” Spires said. “I really just took it one step at a time.”
Powers played football his sophomore year, participated in track all four years, and ran cross-country his junior and senior years. He was also on the varsity math team.
“My family motivated me,” he said. “They supported me and cheered me on.”
At graduation, Spires and Powers donned cords representing their participation in Mu Alpha Beta, the National Honors Society, and Wando’s AP courses. Spires also wore a sash for being a Board Scholar (maintaining a 4.25 Grade Point Average). She also completed a major in performing arts and math. Powers completed a major in math and science.
Spires said she and Powers are “definitely friends.”
“We both worked very hard and just took our assignments one step at a time,” she said. “We didn’t worry about each other.”
Powers said he knew the two of them were near the top together.
“I was never in competition with anyone,” he said. “[Spires] works so hard and she deserves it.”
Spires will be attending Wake Forest University in the fall, majoring in either business or math. Powers will be attending Georgia Tech and majoring in chemical engineering.


Photos Provided
Sarah Spires is seen here at Wando High School’s graduation. Her cords represent her participation in Mu Alpha Beta, the National Honors Society, Wando’s AP courses, and completing a major in performing arts and math.

Eric Powers donned cords similar to Spires’s; they represent his participation in Mu Alpha Beta, the National Honors Society, Wando’s AP courses, and completing a major in math and science.