Houlton woman is Husson valedictorian

Michelle Elizabeth Varney, the daughter of Michael and Debbie Varney of Houlton, was named valedictorian of the Class of 2009 at a commencement ceremony held May 9, at Husson University in Bangor. Varney, was also valedictorian of her 2005 graduating class at Houlton High School. She earned a perfect cumulative 4.0 grade point average at Husson receiving her bachelor of science degree in kinesiology with a minor in psychology. She plans to return to Husson in the fall of 2009 to pursue her doctoral degree in physical therapy.
Throughout her entire college career, Varney has been a dean’s list student while staying active in extracurricular activities. Varney was the vice president of the Organization of Physical Therapy Students this year in addition to being an executive board member during her entire college career.
She was a member of the Husson women’s softball team for three years and the team captain when they won the 2009 North Atlantic Conference Championship. Varney was named to the North Atlantic Conference All Academic Team and the Husson Athletics Special Achievements Team. She was a member of the Husson Women’s Soccer Team for two years with the team winning the North Atlantic Conference Championship in 2006. And, she was named to the All Husson Team all four years. The team is comprised of student athletes achieving the highest grade point averages.
She volunteered and played for four years in the annual wheelchair basketball tournament to raise money for Alpha One which helps people with disabilities in the Bangor area. And, this year, she was coordinator of the event.
Varney’s many other activities and volunteer efforts included: physics tutoring; being a residence assistant for two years; and volunteering for the Heart Walk and the blood drive.