Banner County graduation: Jordan named valedictorian, McKown tabbed salutatorian at Banner County

Dalton Jordan has a unique approach to school. His favorite period of the day is lunch.

The Banner County senior was named valedictorian for the Class of 2015, while Michael McKown III was named salutatorian. The two headline the 13-member class whose graduation ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at the BCHS Gym.

Jordan, who was raised by Hope Wurdeman and Gregg Wurdeman, plans to attend the University of Nebraska-Omaha after graduation to study electronic engineering. He has been a student in Banner County schools since kindergarten.

One of the things he most likes about the school and his senior classmates is that it is small and everyone knows each other.

"The majority of us have been here ever since grade school," Jordan said.

One of his favorite memories has been the senior class ski trip to Colorado.

"I think just hanging out with all our classmates, not in school, was pretty fun," he said. "We're a tighter class than most."

Jordan also described his senior classmates as a "good peer group."

In addition to lunch, Jordan enjoys English. He is in the middle of writing a fiction book.

"Actually I'm rewriting it for about the third time," he said.

Jordan has been involved in football, basketball, quiz bowl, one act play, state fair academics and the scholastics contest at Chadron State College during his time in high school.

McKown, the son of Michael and Dawn McKown, came to Banner County schools in the seventh grade. He previously lived in Tennessee. He plans to attend Doane College and major in business or accounting.

The salutatorian also enjoyed the small school atmosphere and said it helped with academics.

We had "great chances for one on one with the teachers for help with stuff," he said.

One of McKown's most fond memories was also the senior class ski trip to Colorado. He also enjoys spending time with his classmates outside of school.

"I hang out more with my classmates outside of school, too, because I know them better," he said.

McKown said his favorite classes at Banner County were math and physical education. He was involved in football, basketball, track, state fair academics, quiz bowl and scholastics at Chadron State College during his time as a BCHS student.