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Singh, Wesley leading Ripon High Class of 2015
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Salutatorian Shannon Wesley and valedictorian Gagandip Singh will lead the Class of 2015 at Fridays graduation ceremonies at Stouffer Field. - photo by VINCE REMBULAT

Throw out a question – any question – and chances are that Gagandip Singh and Shannon Wesley might give you a near identical answer.

So much in synch are this year’s Ripon High valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, that they’ve been known to complete each other’s thought process.

“We’ve been known to do that,” said Wesley, who didn’t mind finishing second academically to Singh.

They’ve been best friends since the sixth grade at Colony Oak Elementary School. Singh, who is the daughter Jagjit Singh, took top honors with a 4.27 grade point average.

Wesley came away with a 4.23 GPA. She’s the daughter of John and Danelle Wesley.

“We’ve always been supportive of each other,” said two RHS seniors.

After graduation, Singh and Wesley will soon go their separate ways.

Singh, who is looking to major in Biology with a pre-med track, will attend the University of California, Merced – she liked research opportunities at this UC – while Wesley is going to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo to study Dietetics / Nutrition.

No doubt, they’ll miss each other along with their family, friends and teachers.

“We’ll always have the summers to catch up,” said Singh, who was involved in Link Crew, Girls League (secretary), California Scholastic Federation (secretary), and the Taste Buds Club (treasurer) during her years at RHS.

She also volunteered her time to help out at Doctors Hospital of Manteca, Stone Soup After-school program and Relay for Life.

Wesley was a member of the Lady Indians volleyball squad along with Link Crew, Rotary Youth Leadership Award camp, Taste Buds Club (publicity liaison), Renaissance Club and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (student body representative).

In addition, she founded Cause for Paws, made scarves for those in need at Emmanuel Gospel Mission, and organized fundraisers including Relay for Life.

Wesley and Singh are also looking forward to addressing their classmates at the commencement exercises scheduled at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29, inside Stouffer Field.

This is their chance to talk to the Class of 2015 during this last high school hoorah. They’re looking forward to doing it while avoiding all the clichés.