Valedictorian, Salutatorian Have Big Dreams for Future

Central High School’s valedictorian Luke Miles and salutatorian Connor Delaune have a lot in common. Neither made anything but an A in his high school career, and each has  clearly mapped out his future after college.

For Luke Miles, the flood of August 2016 was a real turning point in his life. 

“Before the flood, I wasn’t very engaged in school. Most young people here were preoccupied with labels, friends, grades, and sports. But after the flood, things changed dramatically,” Miles said.

“The flood put everything in perspective. Many close friends and family flooded. It made you realize that everything you have can be taken away. You need to embrace the people around you.”

The flood also influenced Luke’s choice of a career. With sterling grades, he could choose almost any path. His path will be medicine.

“I’d like to attend LSU and study biomedical engineering and psychology in the Honors College. Then medical school. I’m not sure which one. I’d like to be a neurologist or a dermatologist,” he said.

“That’s a way for me to help my community. My mom is a nurse practitioner, and I see the potential to use medicine to help people.”

Luke’s path to valedictorian was one based on hard work. “I was never the smartest student, but I’m a hard worker. When I was young, I had a serious speech impediment, and I had to work hard to overcome it. I also had trouble with math and had to get help. My parents said just do your best. I became a perfectionist. I never really had to study. I just listened in class. I can actively listen, hear, and remember.”

After the flood, Luke got more involved in school activities and was president of the Beta Club. “I learned a lot about being a leader, teamwork, and getting people on the same page. I got involved in Student Council and became an active member of the community. It was good training for the future.”

Salutatorian Conner Delaune went to St. Alphonsus for grades one through eight. Out of 37 in his eighth grade class, he was one of only 10 who chose to go to Central High. “I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect.”

Conner went out for baseball and lettered on last year’s Central High School State Championship team. It was something he will always treasure. This year, he decided not to go out for baseball in order to focus on school and his honors classes.

Like Luke Miles, Conner never made a B in high school.

His best subject is math, and he enjoyed being involved in Mu Alpha Theta national math honor society.

His secret to success in getting A’s was a bit different from Luke’s. He said it is essential to pay close attention in class, but he also takes notes if the teacher says something he doesn’t already know. “I like to study close to the test. Also, I get more out of reading,” he said.

Conner’s goal is to go to Northeast and study atmospheric science and then earn a masters in geo science at Mississippi State. Eventually, he would like to go to work for the National Weather Service.

Why the interest in weather? “I used to go to my grandparents and watch the Weather Channel endlessly. I knew I wanted to be a meteorologist.”

Conner is not a big fan of the notion of global warming. “Climate isn’t really changing. The earth goes through cycles. Right now we are still recovering from the last ice age.” He thinks the Green New Deal is ridiculous. While working for the National Weather Service, Conner hopes to live as close as possible to South Louisiana, because friends and family are what’s important.