Tokay valedictorian bound for Harvard

By Julie Zuber Giese
News-Sentinel staff writer

Gregory Westin, 18, said he never aimed to be the top student at Tokay High School.

“It wasn’t necessarily a goal of mine,” he said.

With a 4.448 grade point average, Westin bested several other students to become the school’s valedictorian.

His lowest grade during high school was a “B” in Advanced Placement World Literature class.
Westin attributed his high achievement to a desire to learn and support from his parents.

His parents, George and Mary Westin, pushed for learning rather than grades, he said. “My parents have always said my grades are not what’s important.”

Westin said he’ll remember high school with fond memories including the 11 months he spent as an exchange student in Japan between his sophomore and junior years.

After studying Japanese since the seventh grade, Westin had the opportunity to test his skills.

“I spent the summer abroad and just had a blast,” he said.

His host family spoke limited English, but he managed. Saturday mornings were designated as the time to practice English, but after saying “Good morning,” those gathered around the table sat quietly.

Westin said one of the daughters finally gained courage to practice her English toward the end of his stay.

When he left, his host family and friends showered him with a variety of Japanese dolls, because it was “Girl’s Day” in Japan, he said.

The dolls have also come in handy for schoolwork. He’s used them like puppets to film a Japanese folk tale for Japanese class.

Another passion of Westin’s is Aikido, nonviolent martial arts. Westin also plays in two youth jazz bands and participated in the school’s speech and debate team.

He plans to spend six weeks back in Japan, studying at the International Christian University in Tokyo.

In the fall, Westin heads to Harvard University in Boston. He said he’s unsure what he’ll major in.

“It’s just so hard to say as a high school graduate, ‘This is what I love,’ “ he said. “I want to do something I enjoy and which helps others.”