By Annabeth Miller,
ShowMe Times Editor

The top two students in Dexter High School’s Class of 2011 are two young ladies who are have been neck-and-neck academically throughout their senior year, been involved in a wide variety of activities, received top honors in the school district and state, and just happen to be close friends.

Catherine Kinchen is the Valedictorian of the Class of 2011, graduating Friday evening with a 4.32000 grade point average. Right behind Catherine is Salutatorian Kaycee Dukes with a grade point average of 4.28205.

Catherine is the daughter of Scott Kinchen and Elizabeth Cabel. Her academic honors include Top Ten Percent, Dexter Honor Society, she participated in the Missouri Top 100 and Missouri Scholars Academic. She has been a member of the DHS Tennis Team, Dance Team, attending Missouri Girls State, and was a member of Foreign Language Club, DHS Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Catherine plans to attend Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla and major in engineering.

Kaycee is the daughter of Jeff and Sherry Dukes. Her academic honors include Dexter Honor Society, Top Ten Percent and she received the I Dare You Award. She was a member of the Southeast Missouri All-District Choir all four years in high school, and is one of the only Dexter students to ever be selected for Missouri All-State Choir both years of eligibility (junior and senior years). She was a member of the DHS Dance Team, Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Chamber Choir and the Dexter Show Choir.

Kaycee plans to attend Maryville University and pursue a doctorate degree in physical therapy.

Three Quick Questions

Catherine Kinchen

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: An Engineer

Favorite Word: Stradivarious

Favorite Sound: Caroline Goessling’s laugh

Kaycee Dukes

When She Grows Up She Wants To Be: A famous singing physical therapist

Favorite Word: Loquacious or “any word Mrs. Steuver taught us

Favorite Sound: “The sound of MaryRuth Boone’s voice”

Photo Above: The valedictorian and salutatorian for the DHS Class of 2011 was announced Friday morning. Valedictorian is Catherine Kinchen (right); and Salutatorian is Kaycee Dukes. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)

Editor's Note:Commencement for the Dexter High School Class of 2011 begins at 7:30 p.m., Friday, May 20 at the Bearcat Event Center on Grant Street in Dexter.