FUHS announces Thompson as valedictorian, Schlumpberger as salutatorian

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

Fallbrook Union High School announced Justin Thompson as the Class of 2023 valedictorian and Ashley Schlumpberger as the salutatorian.

The announcements were made May 16. Thompson took a cumulative grade point average exceeding 4.5 into his final semester. Schlumpberger entered her final semester with a grade point average above 4.4.

"It's a great honor," Thompson said.

"It's such an honor. I'm very excited," Schlumpberger said.

"I'm incredibly proud obviously of their academic achievements but also that they are well-rounded outside of the classroom," said Fallbrook High School Principal Lauren Jones.

Thompson has tutored in the school library, been in the school production of "Little Shop of Horrors," been in the school choir for two years, and been part of the student advisory board for four years.

After he pursues a history degree in college, which is expected to be the University of California, San Diego, Thompson would like to engage in archival library studies to enhance his interest in history.

"I've mainly just taken a bunch of APs. Certainly not easy, especially this time of year," Thompson said. "In the end, it worked out well."

Boy Scouts of America became Scouts BSA after girls were admitted to the organization in 2019. The first class of female Eagle Scouts earned that honor in 2021 and Schlumpberger was among them. She built a 100-foot decomposed granite walking path for the Palomares House as her Eagle Scout project.

Schlumpberger has also served as a youth worship pastor for North Coast Church and attended a citizenship leadership seminar.

Schlumpberger will be attending Arizona Christian University, which is in suburban Phoenix. She has a full scholarship and will major in biology.

Both students will speak at the FUHS graduation ceremony, June 6 at 6 p.m.