Connor Reed Collins and Claire Denise Craighead are the Co-Valedictorians of the Bluffton High School Class of 2024.
Connor Collins is the son of Josh and Jenny Collins of Bluffton. He was on the High Honor Roll for all four years of high school. Upon graduation, Collins will receive an Academic Honors Diploma. He is also a member of the National Honor Society.
While in high school, Collins competed in Business Professionals of America. He is a three-time state qualifier in the events of extemporaneous speech and advanced accounting.
Collins has participated in bowling, helping the team win regionals and advance to the state tournament twice. He is currently on the golf team.
Outside of the classroom, Collins is a 10-year 4-H member. He has spent three years showing pigs, seven years showing goats, and has also participated in forestry, models and weather. He has won goat senior showmanship, reserve grand champion dairy goat wether and participated in royal showmanship. He also volunteers with 4-H, teaching bowling and showmanship skills, as well as park cleanup and painting.
Collins will attend Purdue University in West Lafayette, to study applied physics.
Claire Craighead is the daughter of Jason and Gwen Craighead of Bluffton. As the president of the National Honor Society, she will also receive an Academic Honors Diploma.
While in high school, Craighead has been on the High Honor Roll for four years, and has won numerous academic awards in math, science and German.
Craighead participated in student council for four years and is currently the vice president. She has served on the committees for the Food Bank Drive, Riley Children’s Hospital auction, and the Veteran’s Day committee. Craighead has participated in swimming for two years, volleyball for three years, and softball for four years. She has been selected as a team captain for volleyball and softball this year.
In addition to her school achievements, Craighead attends the Bluffton North Apostolic Church, where she is active in the youth group. She has participated in a mission trip to Big Laurel, KY for three years. She also volunteers at the Wells County Food Bank.
Craighead will spend the summer working and traveling in Arizona, while supporting the Apostolic Christian Church in Prescott, Arizona, and then enter the workforce in the fall.
