CLARK FORK — While the senior class may be small, there is no shortage of honors to go around as Clark Fork High School announced its 2018 valedictorian and salutatorian team.

T.J. Henderson and Bryant Moore are this year's valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. Moore said the honor is a testament to their hard work over the years.

"We put in a lot of work and it's good to see it finally pay off," Moore said. "Coming from a small school it's not as big an accomplishment, but it's still a nice accomplishment to get some acknowledgment of our hard work."

CFHS Principal Phil Kemink said Henderson and Moore are "great kids," also noting the duo worked hard to get to this point in their academic careers.

"They both have different futures awaiting them, but their work ethic will carry them where they want to go," Kemink said.

Henderson said while he is undecided on what to do after high school, he has been working at a landscape company since the summer following his freshman year.

"I've already gotten pay raises and moved up the ranks, so I think I'm just going to stick with working there for a while and figure out what I want to do," Henderson said, adding he may go to a trade school in the future.

Moore has been taking college classes since his sophomore year. With the goal of becoming a nurse practitioner, Moore said he will get a bachelor's degree in nursing from North Idaho College, and then plans to attend college either in Pocatello or in Oregon to get his nurse practitioner degree.

In addition to being at the top of their class, both have received academic accomplishments including Henderson being named a 2017 Idaho Top Scholar, and Moore was one of three in the state to pass the final for a college-level medical terminology class his sophomore year. The duo will also be awarded next month at the North Idaho Student/Teacher Achievement Recognition program's regional event. The awarded students then choose a teacher who has made an impact in their academic life to make a speech about at the event.

The duo said one of the most interesting things about their class is that one quarter of the 12 seniors went to preschool together. The four of them have always been friends, playing sports and "hanging out" together, the pair said.

"It's nice to have that in Clark Fork with the sense of family and community," Moore said. 

"It feels like last year that we were all in preschool together, now we are all separating and leaving," Henderson added. "But it's good. I'm excited to start the next chapter."

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.