Twelve Renton High School seniors were recognized as Outstanding Seniors by Renton School Board members at the Board’s recent meeting.

Renton High Principal Damien Pattenaude introduced the 12 students as an exceptionally talented group of young people who have received numerous individual honors, succeeded in the classroom, served their community and represented Renton High School with poise and honor.

Students were selected based on their academic achievement, leadership, co-curricular involvement, citizenship and character, community service and contributions to their classmates and school.

Pattenaude also recognized Victor Zhang as the “13th Outstanding Senior.” Zhang died on Oct. 31, 2008, at the University of Washington Medical Center from complications of a life-long heart problem. Renton High staff members requested that Zhang be included in the ceremony because they were certain that if he were still a student at the school, he would have been named an Outstanding Senior.

Students spoke briefly during the presentation about what made them successful in school and motivated them in their personal lives. They recognized their parents in attendance, acknowledged friendships with other students, and honored teachers as “Most Inspirational.”

The students recognized the following teachers: Thomas Baugh, Erin Gary-Bell, Nancy Dosch, Keith Eager, David Gardner,Susan Johnson, Lauren Hasson-Katz, Jennifer Meyer, Jennifer O’Roarty, Derek Smith, Linda Pappas-Stallman, Shannon Welch and Lance Winmill.

Other high schools will recognize outstanding seniors at upcoming school board meetings.