Creek Valley Class of 2016 Valedictorian – Keith Everitt

When Keith Everitt learned that he would be the Creek Valley High School Class of 2016 Valedictorian, he wasn't sure exactly what to think. One thing he was sure of, however, was that it was not an easy journey to get there.

"It was something that I worked hard for, so it was good to see all of that work finally pay off," he said.

Keith is the son of Greg and Jeannine Everitt. He is a lifelong resident of Chappell along with two older brothers, Marshall and Will. He is a member of the Creek Valley chapter of the National Honor Society, the FFA, the FBLA and the varsity basketball and track teams.

"My freshman and junior year, I played football, but I had two arm surgeries, so my parents said, 'No more,'" he said.

Keith also found he loved to sing after joining the school's choir in his junior year.

"It was something that my mom had been trying to get me to do," he said. "I always said, 'I don't know,' but she finally got me to do it."

Keith said singing is a lot of fun, and has helped him deal with a lot of the stress in his life.

"It was definitely a big part of my life, especially during my senior year," he said. "I was all over the place. I went to Louisville with the national FFA choir, went to Lincoln for the All-State Choir, and a couple of others."

Keith said with five other honor society members in the running, him being named valedictorian was never a sure thing. Still, he remained hopeful.

"It definitely took a lot of hard work," he said.

Keith said the brunt of his hard work was during his time as an underclassmen. By the time he became a senior, Keith said he finally took some time to relax and enjoy his final year in high school.

"A little more 'going with the flow,'" he said. "That definitely changes as go more forward, though, because you need to get scholarship and college applications done."

Keith said finding balance was the most important thing he learned in his senior year, as well as the importance of sacrifice.

"There were a few times," he said. "Like, our class went to County Government Day over in Sidney, and it was right after I got back from National FFA. I told my social studies teacher that I would really rather just stay back at school while the rest of the seniors are gone and work. It was an eight-period study hall.

"I did that a couple of times this year. I didn't go to the Chadron scholastics contest, either. Scheduling becomes a strength for someone who's that involved and that devoted to their academics, I think."

With graduation just around the corner, Keith said he is ready to close out his high school career. He will be giving a speech during the ceremony, where he said he will be reflecting on the past four years.

"I had to think about what I wanted to tell my classmates before we go our separate ways," he said. "Some of them, I probably won't see them for a long time. It was hard. It definitely took a few hours of work to put together."

As far as speaking in front of friends, family and others at the graduation ceremony, Keith said he is not nervous in the slightest.

"Speaking in front of crowds is not a big deal to me," he said. "Although this will be the biggest crowd that I'll be doing a speech in front of, I feel comfortable with it."

This fall, Keith will attend the University of Nebraska in Kearney to study chemistry education on his path to become a science teacher.

"Kearney has a really good school for education," he said. "That's where my middle brother Marshall went, and that's a another reason that I wanted to go there. He's Spanish education, and he had a really good experience there."

Keith said he is also looking forward to seeing his brother more often.

"He lives in Kearney," he said. "That's another big reason to go there. I'll be able to visit him every once in a while, because I don't get to see him that often these days."

Keith said his ultimate goal is to teach chemistry for middle and high school.

"I really like chemistry is the main thing," he said. "But I really don't want to be in a lab doing research, but I feel that would be boring. I figured something like teaching would be what I'd like to do.

"And by combining chemistry and education, there are a lot of avenues where I can pursue my master's education."

Keith said he is considering attending college for at least five years, so he can also be endorsed to teach physics and biology.

"That way, I can teach the way (Creek Valley science teacher Dave) Howard does," he said.

While he has big plans for his college path, Keith said singing will be something that he will continue to do.

"There's the community choir here in Chappell that I'm in, and I think things like that, I will always be a part of," he said. "It will always be a hobby or pastime for me."

As he gets ready for the next chapter in his life, Keith had some advice for any incoming high school freshmen.

"One of biggest problems that I've actually had my whole high school career is procrastinating," he said. "It's gotten better as a senior, but I want them to know, don't put off what you need to get done.

"That goes for everything. Any extracurriculars, any applications, anything. Just get it done. Don't put it off, because then it builds up and you won't get it done to the best of your ability."