Riana Dolenz grew up in a family that expected her to be a good student.
Come Sunday, she won’t disappoint. Dolenz is one of eight valedictorians, ending her high school career with straight A’s.
Dolenz’s older brother, Jerrod, was also a valedictorian in his class of 2005.
“I have big shoes to fill,” she said of his leadership.
Dolenz’s parents are professionals. Her father, Tom, is a counselor at Chanute High School. Her mother, Ruth, works at Advantage Computers.
“I guess you wouldn’t say we’re slackers,” she said.
Well, no.
A typical week has Dolenz working 30-40 hours at A&W Family Restaurant in addition to going to school full time and being involved in extra-curricular activities.
“I’ve always worked,” she said. Before A&W, Dolenz worked as a baby sitter for her extended family as well as others.
That exposure to kids helped fuel her desire to study early childhood development.
Her strong work ethic also came from an inner desire for independence.
“I don’t like asking my mom and dad for money,” she said simply.
That attitude will help see her through college, where she expects to carry much of the financial burden.
Her good scores on the ACT exam as well as good grades in school have helped Dolenz secure an all-expenses paid ride through Allen Community College for the first two years.
From there, she expects to attend Pittsburg State University where she’ll complete her degree in early childhood development.
Dolenz said she’d like to run a professional day care center and dabble in her love of photography on the side.
“I took a ton of sports photos this year and loved it,” she said. Dolenz also served as editor of her school’s yearbook.
