SDOC Class of 2020 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

Seneca High School Valedictorian – Ellie Cannon
Ellie is the daughter of Phil and Rachel Cannon, and sister to Sally. As a student at SHS,
she was involved in Band, Chorus, Beta Club, National Honors Society, and Future Farmers
of America. Ellie was named a Palmetto Fellows Scholarship recipient, and she was named
a Rotary Scholar every year of middle and high school. Next year, Ellie plans to attend
Clemson University to study Communication.

Walhalla High School Valedictorian – Adam Thorsland
Adam is the son of Michael and Denise Thorsland and brother to John, Abby, and Emma.
While at WHS, Adam lettered in football, basketball, and soccer. He was president of Mu
Alpha Theta and an active member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National
Honor Society. He was named a South Carolina High School League scholar, a four-year
Rotary Scholar, a South Carolina High Honor Graduate, a recipient of the South Carolina
Academic Honor Diploma, and a Palmetto Fellows Scholar. Adam was also named a
National Merit Scholar Finalist. Adam will be attending the University of Alabama and is
planning to major in engineering.

West-Oak High School Valedictorian – Cooper Ratliff
Cooper is the son of Jay and Carrie Ratliff, and brother to Price and Cade. He is a Palmetto
Fellows and Rotary Scholarship recipient. Cooper is the Student Body President and is on
the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council. He received the Warrior Leadership,
Principal’s Leadership, West Point Leadership, and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Scholastic
Excellence Awards. Cooper attended Palmetto Boys State and was a High School
Heisman school winner. He served as treasurer of BETA Club and National Spanish Honor
Society. He is a member of Interact and National Honor Society. Cooper played football,
basketball, and tennis. He was a varsity basketball captain and received the Tri-County
Tip-Off Club Academic, Academic-All Region, Basketball Scholar, and the Tennis “All-In”
Awards. Cooper is a member of Earle’s Grove Baptist Church and is active in Young Life. In
the fall, Cooper will attend Clemson University and major in Engineering.

Seneca High School Salutatorian – Tyson Gentry
Tyson is the son of Jason and Stephanie Gentry. During high school, Tyson has received the Rotary Scholars award 7th-12th grade, has been recognized as an AP Scholar with Honor, and has maintained all A’s each year. Tyson has also played varsity golf since the 7th grade. He was the 2019 Region Player of the Year, a 2019 State Championship Qualifier, and the Bobcats’ Golf MVP in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 seasons. Tyson has been a part of National Honors Society, Beta Club, and Student Government throughout his time at Seneca High. Tyson is also very proud and fond of his participation in the AP Capstone program, as well as his participation in two AP visual arts classes.

Walhalla High School Salutatorian – Savannah Rex
Savannah is the daughter of Tyler and Heidi Rex and sister to Mackenzie, Christian, and
Jackson. While at WHS, Savannah lettered in cross country and track and was a member of the 2019 State Champion 4×800 relay team. She was student body vice-president and
treasurer of the Anchor Club. Savannah was an active member of Mu Alpha Theta, the Beta Club, and the National Honor Society. She was named a South Carolina High School League scholar, a four-year Rotary Scholar, a South Carolina High Honor Graduate, a recipient of the South Carolina Academic Honor Diploma, and a Palmetto Fellows Scholar. Savannah will be attending Brigham Young University and is planning to major in Physiology and Developmental Biology in order to attend medical school.

West-Oak High School Salutatorian – Linley Nelson
Linley is the daughter of Mark and Natalie Nelson. Linley has been recognized as a Rotary
Scholar six times during her middle and high school years. She was a 2019 delegate to
Palmetto Girls State and the recipient of a Girls State Scholarship. Linley also participated in the 2018-2019 Junior Leadership Oconee program. She has participated in the National Honor Society, National Beta Club, Key Club, and student council during her time at West-Oak. Linley plays the alto saxophone and has been very active in the West-Oak band program since sixth grade. She has been recognized as a member of the All-County Band and has participated in the award-winning Marching Warriors for the past four years. Linley is looking forward to furthering her education at North Greenville University.

652 Oconee County high school seniors will graduate in three separate ceremonies that are planned for Saturday, June 20th. 254 graduates are from Walhalla High School, Seneca High School is graduating 224 seniors, and West-Oak High is graduating 174.