The Enquirer salutes the more than 300 Tristate students who reached the pinnacle of academic achievement this year, being named valedictorian, salutatorian or "top student."

From tragedy to success The two top students at Western Hills transformed personal tragedies - the deaths of a mother and a boyfriend - into a steely determination to succeed.

An amazing turnaround One-time fashionista Porscha Jefferson is proof, her teachers say, of the teenage gift for self-transformation. She's this year's Holmes High salutatorian and a graduate of the International Baccalaureate program.

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Outstanding seniors These students were chosen by the Enquirer as representative of the outstanding accomplishments of the Class of 2004's top scholars.   • THE BELIEVER: Joseph Bataille, Felicity-Franklin   • THE DANCER: Rachel Rhyne, Heritage Academy   • THE DOCTOR: Chensi Ouyang, Mason   • THE ENGINEER: Tim Broering, Newport Central Catholic   • THE MUSICIAN: Josh Nohle, Elder   • THE PILOT: Brent Watson, East Central   • THE PIONEER: Kristal Dobbins, Lakota West   • THE POLITICIAN: Liz Fossett, Holmes   • THE PSYCHOLOGIST: Cassie Diesel, Deer Park   • THE TEACHER: Amanda Stevenson, Bellevue

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ENQUIRER COLUMNS
Bronson: Answerman in the know on Huggs, others
Pitchon Lev helps the poor in Israel

TOP LOCAL HEADLINES
Norwood can seize properties
Paper maze frustrating
Teens' aching heads keep on
'Verb' program works to get kids moving
Log says Huggins stop not his first
• Peters new UC decision maker
• Kennedy: It's Huggins' program
Ohio mall terror plot charged
Brother insists Ohio suspect hated terror
Witnesses describe killer's tortured life
Mayor wants spending at English Woods studied
Group of young people visits to do politics hip-hop style
Library nears completion of $1M computer system
Customer charged in vendor's death
Public safety notebook
Local news briefs

KENTUCKY HEADLINES
Bunning boosts local charities via autographs
Three receivers protect center
Knox Co. porn store owner will challenge obscenity law
Newport water bills to rise

EDUCATION HEADLINES
SPECIAL SECTION: Salute to scholars
• Grads have steel wills
• After an amazing turnaround, scholar leaves them cheering
• More Tristate scholars
Proposed closings draw fire
Groups won't endorse levy if schools ignore advice
Schools proceed with new buildings
Notes: In the schools

NEIGHBORS
Web site tracks sections of city
Halt called to home building
Lakota gets compensation
Neighbors digest

LIVES REMEMBERED
Bill Hunsberger was former VP for Enquirer
Joseph Cappel served Chile as missionary