By Keri Luiz
Just a few more days, Benicia High School Class of 2014, and you will walk across the stage, gather your diploma and symbolically step into adulthood.
For most Benicia High grads, the ceremony will be as simple as that. But for the school’s valedictorian, Jared Hanson, and salutatorian, Sierra Rybarczyck, there also will be a chance to connect with their classmates one final time before each goes his or her own way.
Benicia High’s valedictorian is chosen from among the students with the highest grade-point average over seven semesters of high school. Early on, Hanson knew he had a shot at achieving that honor.