Wendell — That Amanda Driver is valedictorian of the East Wake School of Arts, Education and Global Studies comes as no surprise to people who know her.

In fact, her classmates new as early as fifth grade that academic greatness was in her future.

That was the year she won a class superlative for Most Likely to Become Valedictorian.

The Appalachian State University-bound Driver plans to study Psychology in college. An introductory course in the subject in high school piqued her interest in the topic and she’ll pursue another long-time interest on the Boone campus: band.

“I’ve been part of the marching band at East Wake, which is something I’m really proud of,” Driver said. “There was always a sense of support. It has been the best group of people to be around.”

With a 4.52 grade-point-average in her hip pocket, Driver is looking forward to the challenges posed by a college career.

“If you have the academics down, you have a whole toolbox to use,” Driver said. There have been times, even in high school, Driver says, she’s had to dig into that tool box.

“The AP courses have been a challege. We worked our butts off all semester long, but I felt like I would be prepared once I finished them,” Driver said.

The daughter of Alice and Andy Driver of Zebulon, Amanda Driver points to her band experience as a highlight of her schooling.

“There were a lot of life lessons, like if you work hard, there will be results. But you have to work for them,” Driver said.

The profs at App. State will surely appreciate that kind of work ethic.