BERNE — The class of 2005 valedictorian for Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School is Kendall Bunzey, of Berne. The salutatorian is Kristopher Geist, of East Berne.

Kendall Bunzey

Bunzey is headed to Marist College in Poughkeepsie in the fall.
"When I first saw it, I loved the campus," she said.

She isn’t sure what she wants to major in, though she thinks it will probably be in science or math.

Though, she said, she was strongest at math and science in high school, Bunzey’s favorite teachers were both English teachers: Mr. Matthews and Miss Rys.

In high school, Bunzey was a three sport athlete; she played volleyball, basketball, and track. In college, she said, she plans on playing intramural basketball, and will try out for the track team. Marist is a Division-1 school.

In addition to sports, Bunzey was a member of the Natural Helpers, and was her class vice president.

Bunzey spoke fondly of BKW.
"I really loved the people who were there," she said. "It was small. I got to know everybody."

Kristopher Geist

In high school, Geist excelled in academics and sports and hopes to continue in college.

This fall, he will also be attending Marist College, where he received the Marist Presidential Scholarship. He will be running on the cross-country and track teams for the Division-1 school.
"I guess I won’t be too high on the totem pole. I’ll have to kind of work my way up," Geist said.

Geist was a leading member of the BKW cross-country team that won the state championship in its division.

Though he hasn’t decided on a major yet, Geist said he is considering either mathematics or athletic training.
"A lot of people hate math, but I’ve always kind of liked it," Geist said.
As for the athletic training, Geist said, "I’ve always really been into sports."

Geist said he had a lot of fun studying and running at BKW.
"It’s a small school, but it’s good because everybody knows each other," he said.