Highland County Public Schools

MONTEREY — One wants to return home; the other hopes to live in Europe.

But both value their Highland County upbringing and education at Highland County schools.

Caleb Blagg of McDowell was named valedictorian and Luke Baxter of Mill Gap is salutatorian, both rising to the top in a competitive field of 19 students in the Highland High School Class of 2026.

Blagg, 18, has been immersed in a love of history from a young age. Just recently, he graduated with his associate’s arts degree from Blue Ridge Community College. He plans to complete his undergraduate degree at Bridgewater College, where he will major in history and political science with a minor in pre-law. He hopes to follow that with law school at Washington and Lee University in Lexington. “I hope to be a probate lawyer,” he said, noting his interest in wills and estates, and especially historical research.

Baxter, 17, will head to the University of Virginia this fall to major in computer science — a field that has captured his interest since he was young.

In high school, Blagg served for several years as class vice president; he was a member of the yearbook club this year; a member of the National Honor Society for two years; and a member of the Youth Philanthropy Council.

Baxter enjoyed the Out of Time club, which focuses on environmental issues and recycling, and the National Honor Society. Just this year, he joined the track team, where he has excelled, even qualifying for the state track meet which takes place — of all days — June 6, the day of graduation. He had been running on his own for about three years, but it wasn’t until he became confident in his work and drive for the sport that he decided to join the team, he said.

Both young men have been even more active outside of school activities.

Blagg’s been a member of the Busy Bee 4-H Club, a board member of the Highland Historical Society, a member of the Stonewall Ruritan Club, where he served as vice president last year, and a secretary for the Stonewall Christian Fellowship church, where he also plays piano.

“I hope to be a probate lawyer so I can come back to Highland County,” Blagg said. “My primary goal is to live in Highland County the rest of my life.”

Part of that goal is steeped in his family history. “The Blaggs have been on the same piece of ground here since 1782 … eight generations on my dad’s side. I am deeply rooted here. It’s amazing that my grandparents and great-grandparents belonged to some of the same groups I do,” he said.

“I’ve always had an interest in history,” he said, but getting involved in the Highland Historical Society six years ago really pushed that interest to the next level. He loves genealogy, reading old wills, and researching local history, he said. When his grandmother, Marilyn Blagg, got him involved with the historical society, his love of history grew.

Writing historical articles, such as have been featured in The Recorder from time to time, is one of his favorite projects. “I really like writing; I enjoy that,” he said. “But also, just working in the museum, making the exhibits, getting to touch every piece of history there is fascinating to me.”

For Baxter, computer systems have been his love since he was about eight years old. “My dad gave me an old laptop and then deconstructed it so I could explore the components, and I was invested from right then,” he said. He learned to install operating systems and applications, learned to type long before high school, and has even built five computers on his own. To broaden his horizons in computer work, Baxter worked for HHS for three summers under technology director Gary Lane.

One of his favorite experiences, though, was competition in the Academies of Loudon on teams of three that are challenged to create something in under 28 hours. With Baxter as team leader, the team won for creating the best game one year, and won the entire competition last year with best overall hack.

He also points to an independent study experience with U.Va. grad Mira Kahn, who oversaw his project to create a puzzle game that teaches critical problem-solving skills using different parts of the brain. Baxter will enter U.Va.’s School of Engineering to study computer science.

He also developed his own photography business that he hopes to grow in the coming years.

Cars and dirt bikes have been one of his passions for several years, too. While he really enjoyed dirt bike and trail riding, he had a setback three years ago when he broke his hand. He has moved on more to “drift” racing on a speedway and helping friends and pit crews who operate there.

Both Blagg and Baxter expressed appreciation for those who supported them through their high school careers.

Blagg credits his grandmother, Marilyn, for getting him involved in the historical society and for teaching him how to play piano.

“And both my parents have been very big supporters,” he said of his folks, Tina and Matt Blagg.

“And of course, Lori Botkin has been a big help.” Botkin is the museum director for whom Blagg did research projects, among other tasks.

As class sponsors, Blagg said Montana Hise and Jessa Fowler were really helpful, he said.

“But I really have to thank Ms. (Megan) Obaugh,” he added. “Without her, I couldn’t have gotten my associate’s degree. I did the classes, but it was Ms. Obaugh who really figured out how to make it work out. She was instrumental.”

Baxter listed Kahn; he said she helped him think about people who would use his game developed in independent study. “She helped me make things clear for users, and articulate things better,” he said.

Track coach Colby Jackson, Baxter said, was extremely influential. “He kept my drive for running at an all-time high,” he said. Jackson helped him build inner character in order to perform at high levels, he said, and really understood what it takes to overcome obstacles. “He’s a great coach.”

While he really liked all his teachers, Baxter said Montana Hise, in addition to helping him with math concepts, was key in helping him look beyond himself and be a team player, too. He said when he first applied to the National Honor Society, he didn’t really understand leadership and didn’t make it into the chapter. So, by rejecting him, he said, Hise indirectly taught him more about what it means to be in a community. “By doing that, she really gave me a reality check,” Baxter said.

He also appreciated his father, Jeff Baxter. “He was influential in keeping my love for education alive,” he said. “He taught me to be grateful for my education, and how to stay on task — he was a Marine — and also how to advocate for yourself and stay focused.”

As for his love of Europe, he credits his mother, Susanna, and her blended family with Hungarian roots. “I’ve been all over Europe and to Hungary almost every year. Her influence has really helped me expand my world view … I’ve learned to appreciate other cultures a lot more,” he said.

After college, Baxter hopes to work in computer science to build his resume, but hopes to eventually start his own company, preferably in Europe. “I feel more rooted in that culture,” he said. But he appreciates his small-town roots. “You have much tighter relationships here in Highland with this community … Everyone feels at home; you feel known, heard, and safe … contributing to the common good and helping one another.”

For the classes coming up at HHS, Baxter stresses students should approach their education not as something they’re forced to do, but as a privilege. “Don’t look at it like you’re there to get a good grade; they should see it as being there to better themselves and appreciate the opportunity,” he said.

“Comparison is the thief of joy — compare only to yourself and use motivation to work hard and study; don’t compare yourself to others.”

Blagg agreed. He encouraged students to really look at all the opportunities available at HHS. “There’s lots you can do, like dual enrollment and all the vo-tech stuff. You have opportunities to get ahead, and you have to seize them,” Blagg said. “Don’t take it for granted.”

He said while some people complain about the school’s small size and some of its leaders, “it’s a lot better than some places. I’d even say it’s superior — you have great connections, safety and the knowledge that the entire community supports you, not just the school. That’s what I’d emphasize,” he added. “Don’t take your education for granted.”