It’s not uncommon for Kyah Streeval and Lily Turner to see one another at events in and around Edinburgh.
This includes family functions.
On Saturday, Streeval, the valedictorian for Edinburgh’s graduating class of 50 students, will speak at commencement. So, too, will Turner, her second cousin, who is salutatorian.
Streeval graduates with a grade-point average of 4.447. Turner finished with a 4.443.
Both students have been at or near the top of Edinburgh’s class rankings since the first time they became available.
“In middle school, we found out our rankings, and I thought it was pretty cool to be No. 1,” Streeval said. “I’ve always been an athlete, and I kind of took it as a competition like it was a sport.
“My parents, even in elementary school, always pushed me to have good grades because sports can only take you so far.”
Streeval accumulated 12 varsity letters in athletics, playing all four seasons for the Lancers’ volleyball, basketball and softball programs.
A setter in the fall, she finished her senior season with 800 assists, 338 digs and 39 kills. In hoops, Streeval averaged 5.4 points and 4.2 rebounds, while softball season resulted in her hitting 15 doubles, six triples and a pair of home runs.
Away from athletics, Streeval was part of National Honor Society, her class’s secretary, vice president of Edinburgh’s student athletic leadership council and involved in the spirit club.
Streeval will attend the University of Evansville where she plans to major in exercise science.
Her goal is to eventually attend grad school to pursue a doctorate in physical therapy so that she can one day open her own practice that focuses on treating injured athletes of all ages.
Streeval appreciates every aspect of her four years at Edinburgh High School.
“It flew by for me. I really loved every second of it, and am blessed with all the people I’ve got to meet and all the things I’ve experienced,” Streeval said. “If I could do it all over again, I would.”
Turner, too, maximized her time there. She plans to construct her commencement speech around thanking family, teachers and friends while mentioning the possibilities that lie ahead for each member of the Class of 2024.
“Everyone always tells you it flies by, and it really did fly by,” Turner said. “I had a real positive experience at Edinburgh. It’s good to just walk into your high school and know everyone’s face.”
She will attend Indiana University, initially going into the school’s exploratory studies program before settling on a major. Nursing and marketing are possibilities at this point, though that’s subject to change.
At Edinburgh, Turner was involved in the student athletic leadership council, National Honor Society, spirit club and Lancers Lend A Hand. She was also a varsity cheerleader and a member of the girl’s tennis program all four years of high school.
The Streeval-Turner connection dates back a couple of generations. Streeval’s maternal grandfather and Turner’s paternal grandmother are siblings.
It’s a family tree that looks all the more impressive come Saturday.
“I would say Kyah and I are pretty close. We participated in sports growing up together,” Turner said. “We’ve been competitive about (class ranking), but there’s also been a respect. At the end of the day, I’m very happy for her, but I would’ve been happy with 1 or 2.”
