Douglas High graduation Friday

Until their plans change, the world can expect a doctor and economically minded politician to emerge from Douglas High's 2008 senior class.

Eighteen-year-old David Williams, 2008 Douglas High School valedictorian, plans to attend Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., to major in biology and become a doctor.

"I keep changing my mind about what kind of doctor I want to be," he said. "Right now, I'm thinking of anesthesiology."

Williams, a cross country runner, also wants to minor in Spanish.

"In ninth grade, I took a trip to Mexico to build houses in Tijuana, and I've wanted to be fluent in the language ever since," he said.

Eighteen-year-old JR Stevens, 2008 Douglas High salutatorian, plans to attend Tulane University in New Orleans and double major in political science and economics while minoring in history and mathematics.

"I will probably end up in quantitative economics," said Stevens, who is a delegate for the Nevada Republican Party. "I want to come back to Nevada and run for office at a local level. I want Nevada to remain sustainable while retaining its heritage."

Both students reminisced about their high school experience.

"It's easy in high school to throw your education down the toilet," Williams said, "But younger students should take their education seriously."

Williams' cumulative grade point average is 4.5, but he attributes his success to more than just studying.

"My friends, the people I chose to hang out with, got me through," he said. "I'm worried about leaving some of them."

Stevens, with a grade point average of 4.46, expressed similar gratitude for his comrades.

"My speech and debate team is by far the most eclectic, amazing group of people I've ever met," said Stevens, who is the team captain. "There is no way I could have gotten through high school without friends sticking it out with me."

Stevens' favorite subject in school is history, while Williams prefers biology. The students share favorite teachers: English teachers Phyllis Bateman and Barbara Doherty, history teacher Nicole Daniels, who now teaches at Carson Valley Middle School, and government teacher Randy Green.

Stevens will speak at the Douglas High School graduation ceremony scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday on the softball field.

"Experience comes from bad mistakes. Success comes from experience," he said.

Williams hopes to change the world through medicine.

"Somehow, I want to make an impact," he said.