McDaniel, Ricks inspire as SHS valedictorian, salutatorian

SANDPOINT — Above a whiteboard where Sandpoint High School's top two students were being honored is a simple word: Inspire.

With a full slate of challenging academic classes, extracurricular activities, and a drive toward excellence, that's just what valedictorian Devin McDaniel and salutatorian Daniel Ricks do — inspire.

The pair were honored in late March by SHS and Lake Pend Oreille School District officials after they were announced as the school's top two students for the Class of 2024.

"They're just great," Jeralyn Mire, SHS secondary transition counselor, said of the pair. "They've worked so hard and they've just done a terrific job, really just taken advantage of their opportunities. It will be exciting to see what they go on to do."

McDaniel is the daughter of Vilma and Luke McDaniel. Ricks is the son of Lillie Ricks and the late Clark Ricks.

McDaniel said she has always been drawn to "the hardest classes" — seeking out Advanced Placement courses, at last count having taken 10 of the challenging courses, ranging from psychology to environmental science to calculus and statistics.

"I've always felt the need to challenge myself and do better in every aspect of my life," said McDaniel. "I have very high standards for myself so I guess that's kind of why."

She said the classes offer a chance to delve deeply into a subject, with the teachers and students alike loving learning.

"I feel like the teachers are just a lot more understanding and they really care about your education because you care about your education," McDaniel said.

The valedictorian said she particularly enjoyed her AP environmental science class, in part because of the hands-on aspect of the class.

"I found that really fun and then, I just like the sciences," she added.

Ricks said he would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite class, saying he likes to take his arts and science classes, with courses ranging everything from pottery and glass works to AP biology and environmental science.

The salutatorian said he was surprised when he was told he earned the honors, saying it was never something he set out to achieve.

"I didn't expect it because if you look at my actual GPA, I'm fifth in the class," Ricks said. "I never had any aspirations to be salutatorian. I just got straight As, took all the hard classes and ended up here."

The pair encouraged students to take their academics seriously, to work hard every day and to give their best in every class.

"I think if you're working toward something, the most important thing is to be consistent," Ricks said. "You can't put all of your work in one class. If you're looking to be valedictorian, you have got to be consistent in every class, making sure you're getting straight As in every class."

A runner, Ricks said he employs the same strategies and training focus that he does when he runs on the cross country and track teams. That means running every day and putting the work in.

"When you're working toward a running goal, you have to run every day," he added. "You can't just show up on race days and expect to be able to do your best."

McDaniel agreed, saying it is more of a mindset of taking your studies seriously, not necessarily aiming to be valedictorian. It's been taking advantage of the different classes offered at Sandpoint High School, working hard, and doing her best.

"It doesn't really matter what your aspirations are," she added. "It's just taking advantage of every opportunity along the way to get there, which I guess is kind of what we both did."

With Sandpoint High School offering everything from Advanced Placement and honors courses to any number of arts and music classes to welding and carpentry, there is something for every student to find and explore all of their interests as well as a strong focus on required classes, the duo said.

"I think there are electives for anyone," Ricks said. "We have a really developed arts program; not many schools offer glassworks but we do, as well as pottery. And then there are electives that I haven't even dabbled in like psychology."

When not in class or studying, Ricks is a member of the SHS cross country and track teams, running the 5K, 800 meter and 3200 meters among other distance races.

"A lot of my time is devoted to running, and I spend hours after school every day running and stretching afterward. That takes up a lot of my time," he said. "Other than that, I try to do as little homework as possible at home as well. I try to relax when I'm at home and not get too stressed about anything, but obviously if there's a big assignment, I'll work on it."

Ricks said running is a sport that blends individual and team achievement, where individual efforts combine at the end toward a team achievement.

"I like the team aspect [of cross country and track,]" Ricks said. "We have a really united team, especially in cross country. I also like the competitive aspect and the feeling of comparing times and see that you've improved."

Like Ricks, McDaniel is a member of the track team, competing as a pole vaulter and in the sprint distances as a runner. A gymnast for 12 years, McDaniel said she's been able to use the skills she learned in the sport toward maneuvering her body over the pole.

"Just like with gymnastics with your body awareness, it transfers into pole vaulting," she added. "And, I guess I just like the idea of flinging myself into the air. I think it's really fun."

She loves the sport and competing with her teammates, whom she described as close-knit and supportive. She loves the feeling of achieving a new personal record, of getting over the bar without knocking it off.

"When you don't see it falling, you're thinking, 'Oh my gosh, this is crazy,'" McDaniel said.

When she isn't in class or studying, McDaniel loves to do anything and everything outdoors, from skiing to hiking and fishing. She loves heading over to the rock gym to climb or over to the rock cliffs near Laclede.

Both McDaniels and Ricks said they love living near Lake Pend Oreille, being able to take advantage of the lake's extensive fisheries.

McDaniel is attending Montana State University to study business and environmental science and continue pole vaulting for the university's track team. She said she's leaning toward a career in environmental law, tapping into her passion for the environment.

"I'd love to do my part for our conservation," she said. "I feel like it's a huge issue in our society right now, where it's talked about but no efforts are really being made."

After graduation, Ricks will go on a two-year mission for his church before heading to the University of Utah to study wildlife biology.

Lake Pend Oreille Superintendent Dr. Becky Meyer thanked the duo for serving as an inspiration to other students. She noted the four-year, comprehensive programs the pair embarked on, as well as doing well on the application process en route to their selections as valedictorian and salutatorian.

"I want to thank them for their dedication to their academics and to their full comprehensive four-year program," Meyer said.

SHS principal Jacki Crossingham said she was proud of McDaniel and Ricks, noting both students intentionally chose the coursework to get to where they are. 

Crossingham said she's enjoyed watching the pair blossom in their academic careers, noting she had Ricks as a middle school student.

"I'm super proud of him," Crossingham said. "It was really fun to see him at the end of the road of his public education in K-12. Devin, too. They're just great, and what amazing representatives of Sandpoint High School students they are."

The SHS principal said the commitment shown by McDaniel and Ricks toward their high academic standards but their intentionality in staying focused when others might have not pushed hard all of the way through graduation.

"Sometimes it's easy as a senior to go, 'I've gotten close,'" Crossingham added. "But they have really seen it all of the way through the second semester of their senior year."