Kenston Forest School announced its valedictorian, salutatorian and historian for the Class of 2016, during the National Honor Society induction ceremony on Friday, March 4 in the Kenston Forest School gymnasium.

Lauren Scott Burnette was named valedictorian.She is the daughter of Scott and Deb Burnette, of South Hill. Lauren joined Kenston Forest School in the eighth grade. She currently serves as secretary of Kenston Forest School’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Burnette served as a delegate at the Virginia Girls State program last summer.

She has participated in the Association of Virginia Academies (AVA) Forensics and Scholastic Bowl competitions. She will attend the College of William and Mary in the fall. She plans to study psychology and human behavior with the intent to pursue a medical degree in psychiatry or a PsyD in clinical psychology.

Burnette will receive an associate in arts and science degree in May from Southside Virginia Community College.

Robert Todd Kirks was named salutatorian. He is the son of Herbert and Kristi Kirks, of North Dinwiddie. Kirks has attended Kenston Forest School since fifth grade.

He currently serves as the president of Kenston Forest School’s chapter of the National Honor Society. Kirks served as a delegate at the Virginia Boys State program last summer.

He has participated in the Association of Virginia Academies (AVA) Forensics and Scholastic Bowl competitions.

He was a member of the Kenston Forest Cross Country team for the past five years. He has been accepted to the College of William and Mary, University of Virginia, Virginia Tech and North Carolina State University.

Kirks plans to major in biology and animal science and minor in French. Ultimately, he will would like to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Kirks will receive an associate in arts and science degree in May from Southside Virginia Community College.

Elizabeth Lee Hawthorne was named historian. She is the daughter of Robert and Nicole Hawthorne, of Lunenburg.

Hawthorne serves as vice president of Kenston Forest School’s Chapter of the National Honor Society. She has participated in the Association of Virginia Academies (AVA) Forensics and Scholastic Bowl competitions and served as a delegate at the Virginia Girls State program last summer.

Hawthorne is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. She entered Kenston Forest School as a pre-school student. She has been accepted to James Madison University and the University of Virginia, where she will attend in the fall. Hawthorne plans to major in English and later attend law school to pursue a career in legal counseling. She will receive an associate in arts and science degree in May from Southside Virginia Community College.

Kenston Forest School graduation ceremonies will begin with the Baccalaureate Service at Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Blackstone on Thursday, June 2.

Burnette and Kirks will deliver their speeches and Hawthorne will deliver the history of the Class of 2016 during Commencement Exercises on Friday, June 3, at Kenston Forest School.  Retired Adm. Steve Israel will address the Kenston Forest School Class of 2016 graduates.