|
Updated: 7:18 PM May 15, 2008
Huntington Student Notre Dame's Valedictorian
This weekend, all eyes at Notre Dame will be on a young man from Huntington who is nothing short of extraordinary.
Posted: 5:48 PM May 15, 2008Reporter: Carrie Cline Email Address: carrie.cline@wsaz.com |
|
It's the biggest prize you can earn at one of our nation's most prestigious universities. This weekend, all eyes at Notre Dame will be on a young man from Huntington who is nothing short of extraordinary.
Graduation is just days away at Notre Dame University. But, Joshua Hammack has much more on his mind than worrying about when his parents will arrive.
“It's just an incredible honor, not just for me, but for my family, my friends and for all of the people that have supported me along the way--for St. Joe, my high school from back home,” said Joshua.
Log onto Notre Dame's website and you can see why Joshua is gushing. Out of a nearly 12-thousand students, the Huntington native is #1--the 2008 valedictorian!
“West Virginia is a state that sometimes gets a bad reputation for its education system and I think this goes to show we've got a lot of great students and a lot of very smart people that can do really great things,” said Joshua.
In a school where historically, football is a winning tradition, academics can also be very competitive. The pool of valedictorian candidates started with 13 students chosen for their near perfect GPA--it ended with just one after reading and listening to the speech Joshua would give at graduation.
“I think Joshua is a wonderful example of Notre Dame. He’s spectacular in the classroom and also community service. He has taken on creative writing outside of the classroom just because it's something he enjoys doing,” said Dennis Jacobs, a member of the Valedictorian Selection Committee.
“It's kind of surreal. It's amazing what he's been able to do. It's been tough on him the last couple of years with his brother's illness,” said Anne Hammack, Joshua’s mother.
Several years ago, Joshua's younger brother, Sean, was diagnosed with rare, aggressive tumors on his spine. They left him confined to a wheelchair.
“At on point he thought about taking a semester off and we encouraged him to stay in and I'm glad he did. He's had a lot of obstacles to and he persevered--he did it,” said Anne.
Last year, we caught up with Sean again and this time he was walking and even playing a competitive game of tennis with big brother—his constant source of encouragement.
“He always wants to do the best. If he's going to do something, he wants to give it his all and encourage others to do the same,” said Anne.
Case and point--Joshua is a little bummed that he missed a perfect GPA by less than one-one hundredth of a point.
“3.991--I got an A- in Accounting for Federal Taxation. That's the one spot on my record,” said Joshua.
Joshua's next step--not one you'd predict. He's going to do public service through Americorps. He'll teach at an afterschool program in Boston. Joshua says it's the best way he can think of to give back for the wonderful opportunities he's received. After that, he’s headed to law school.
Latest Comments
It would be awesome for WSAZ to post his speech or follow up after the commencement! This is a great and rare story - I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!
U SHOW THE WV AINT DUMB LOL AM HAPPY FOR U DUDE KEEP IT UP
Congrats to you and your parents,,they must have done a wonderful job raising you and your brother. Good Luck
|
Popular Searches Powered by Local.com |
- SeaWorld: Keep death footage private
- Sandbags in place as Red River rises
- NTSB: Wayward pilots awake, distracted
- Driver error in Prius wreck?
- Killer who bragged is executed
- Priest, teen allegedly taped having sex
- Teacher puts Obama effigy in classroom
- 'Daniel Boone' star Fess Parker dies
- Ex-beau sues Lady Gaga for $35 million
- Driver error in 2005 Prius wreck?
- Sandbags in place as Red River rises
- Killer who sent taunting letter executed
- SeaWorld joins fight to keep death video private
- NTSB: Wayward pilots were awake
- Mexican violence scaring off tourists
- U.S. authorities launch inquiry in Mexico killings
- Small U.S. town watches case of accused Irish priest
- Seven years of war and an eternity of remembrance
- Island searched for elusive 'barefoot burglar'
- Mexican violence scaring off tourists
- U.S. investigates Mexico killings
- British Airways, union in last-minute strike talks
- Gaza bank, TV station see U.S. sanctions
- U.S., Israel continue talks over settlement concerns
- Obama delays Asia trip for health care bill
- American took a twisted trail to terror
- Child abuse scandal shatters Irish faith
- Retired general links gays in military, Bosnia killings
- Brazilian priest allegedly taped having sex with teen
- Town eyes case of accused Irish priest
- Lady Gaga being sued by ex-boyfriend
- 'Barefoot burglar' eludes massive search -- again
- Killer who wrote taunting letter is executed
- Casey Anthony goes to court, pleads poverty
- Chicago man pleads guilty to terror plots
- U.S. launches probe of killings in Mexico
- Investigators: Fraud comes at the swipe of a debit card
- 'Jihad Jane' pleads not guilty to alleged terror death plot
- Survivor: Irish priest committed abuse, destroyed family
- Do you want a presidential physical?
- The facts behind hangover remedies
- Paralympics offer a vision of 'what's possible'
- FDA toughens kid-tobacco rules
- Dems: Bill would cost $940 billion
- Health care reform explained
- Student suicides put Cornell on edge
- Key liberal congressman flips to 'yes' on health care
- DNA confirms baby Jenny's identity
- Healthy recipe: Beef & Guinness stew
- Tournament Blog: Day 1 is Utter Madness
- Thomas beats buzzer
- Andy Glockner: Ohio's domination no fluke
- Masters of hypocrisy coming up
- Porn star posts texts she claims are from Tiger
- No. 14 Ohio easily sends No. 3 Georgetown home
- Top-seeded Jayhawks fights past scrappy Lehigh
- Kentucky flexes muscles early, blows out ETSU
- Tennessee survives upset bid from San Diego St.
- Villanova survives scare in OT
- W.Va. Officer Shot Released From Hospital, Search Continues for Gunman
- Ohio Executes Inmate Who Killed Neighbor
- UPDATE: Mother Speaks Out about Arrests in Case of Missing Teen
- Search for Missing Firefighter Continues
- Three Men Arrested in Undercover Drug Buy
- One Man Dead After ATV Accident
- University of Charleston Head Basketball Coach Leaving
- Troopers: Security Guard Arrested After Pulling Gun During Hearing
- Mingo County Woman Admits to Dispensing Drugs for Abuse
- Woman Pleads Guilty to Binding 2-Year-Old Boy with Duct Tape
- UPDATE: Dispatchers Say Warrants to be Issued for Man Involved in Chase
57 Comments - NEW INFO: Pair Sentenced for Killing Endangered Bats at Carter Caves
37 Comments - NEW INFO: More Equipment Recovered in Eastern Kentucky Theft Ring
33 Comments - Power Struggle at Public Hearing
28 Comments - Reducing Jail Overcrowding with Day Report Centers
22 Comments - W.Va. Officer Shot Released From Hospital, Search Continues for Gunman
22 Comments
![]() |
| PHONE IN YOUR YELLS TO: 1-866-616-5354 |
| Healthy Tri-State Cabell Huntington Hospital and the Huntington YMCA are helping you to live a healthier lifestyle |
|
![]() |
Healthy Connections Find a local health professional |
| WV Lottery Nightly drawings and numbers |
|
| SOMC Very good things are happening here |
|
![]() |
A collection of resources here to help Moms weather the daily storms that come along with parenting. |
| Big Sandy For all your furniture and appliance needs |




