Anna Catherine Falls was named salutatorian at Ashland University’s winter commencement ceremony held on Dec. 14.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Biochemistry at the ceremony held in Kates Gymnasium. Falls graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors.
Falls is the daughter of John and Cynthia Falls of Mansfield and is a 2010 graduate of Mansfield Christian High School (MCS).
During high school, Falls helped initiate Mansfield Christian’s first Academic Challenge team, noted teacher Rick Petersen. “She was one of the lead players,” he said. “In addition to math and science, she had an interest in geography, so if there was ever a question regarding that subject she could answer it.”
“Just to give you an idea of how excellent a student she was,” stated teacher Mike Sutter, “she built a Fullerene molecule out of tooth picks and Styrofoam balls. I still have that model and it took her an awful long time. Also, over Christmas break, she took the time to study and define 10 chapters of vocabulary from a chemistry book.”
Regarding her achievement, MCS Superintendent Dr. Cy Smith stated, “Obviously we’re very proud of Anna and not surprised, since this is in line with who she was here. She was a very conscientious student, a hard worker, diligent, respectful, and certainly determined. She seemed to have a mature sense about her in terms of where she wanted to go and how she was going to get there.”
