Potter-Dix graduation: Ryley Hicks named valedictorian, Cooper Hicks is salutatorian at Potter-Dix

Potter-Dix guidance counselor Paula Wolff worked the figures several times to determine who would be valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2015 graduating class.

Regardless of the number of tries, she came up with the same answer by the slimmest of margins. Ryley Hicks was named valedictorian by six thousandths of a point. Her nearest competitor was her cousin, Cooper Hicks, who was named salutatorian.

Ryley, daughter of Brad and Robyn Hicks, began attending Potter-Dix schools in the third grade.

"I think the school is really welcoming," she said. "The teachers are great and it is such a small town, you get to know everybody really quickly and make great friends."

Ryley, who could not decide if English or math was her favorite subject, remained busy throughout high school.

She participated in volleyball, basketball, track, choir, band, speech and one-act plays, as well as being active in the letterman's club, the National Honor Society and her church youth group.

Ryley said the teacher who was most influential for her throughout high school was her science teacher, Joette Wells.

"She is a great person and she's a hands-on teacher," Ryley said. "Even outside of school you could come to her with anything you needed."

Ryley plans to attend the University of Wyoming and will study elementary education, with no further plans of where she would like to end up teaching.

Cooper, son of Todd and Amee Hicks, has attended Potter-Dix his entire school life, and prefers math, he said.

"My favorite class was probably calculus, of any of my math classes," Cooper said.

Active in band, choir, swing choir, football, basketball, track, speech, and one-act plays, Cooper was also part of the letterman's club, National Honor Society and his church youth group.

Cooper agreed with Ryley about the openness of Potter-Dix schools.

"The best thing about Potter-Dix schools is how welcoming it is," Cooper agreed.

Cooper's football coach, Dale Frerichs, who also teaches junior high science and health, was most influential for him.

"He really understands kids and he cares for everybody," Cooper said. "You can come to him with anything. And he is a really awesome coach."

Cooper will attend the University of Nebraska in Lincoln to study civil engineering and he hopes to one day have his own firm.

The cousins agreed on their favorite memory from high school – attending the state track meet their junior year.

Although the track team has gone to state each year since seventh grade, according to Ryley, junior year was the first time she qualified.

Cooper added that it was that same year his 800 meter relay team placed at state.

Ryley and Cooper both experienced an acceptance at home, in school and in their community that almost certainly drove them to be the successful students they are.

"The community is small and tight-knit, so growing up here is nice," Cooper added. "You become close to all the people and they watch you grow up, so you try your best at everything."