This series highlights graduating seniors from Covington’s Holmes High School and is written by staff members at Covington Independent Public Schools:

CHRISTIAN VARNEY

Christian Varney has a blueprint for his future. He has already enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He plans to earn a college degree and then go on to law school.

Christian is ranked No. 1 in his graduating class with a weighted grade point average of 4.796. He could go to college first, but decided on a different route. He reports to boot camp on August 19 in South Carolina. 

“I just want to serve my country,’’ Christian said. “It’s a good way to build character.’’

Christian envisions a career as a lawyer and possibly a public servant. He wants to be an economic adviser or a policy writer. He just wants to help people, he said.

Jared Murray, band director at Holmes, said Christian will reach his goals.

“He will be extremely successful in the military and beyond,” Murray said. “Christian doesn’t have the word ‘No’ in his vocabulary. For our students to be ready for what is ahead of them they have to be willing to take chances. That is Christian. He is not afraid to take the setbacks in order to be able to learn from them so that he can be successful.”

That hard work by everyone in the marching band resulted in the group going to the state competition in the fall. That experience was one of Christian’s best memories about Holmes.

In addition to band, Christian has been a part of the school’s academic team. He was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and ran track and cross country at Holmes. He went to the state cross-country competition in 2011. 

Christian has taken a heavy academic load through the International Baccalaureate program. He’s gotten a few Bs during high school, but mostly has maintained As. The IB program, especially with former teacher Micah Burden, taught Christian how to be analytical, he said. Christian also said his mother has always pushed him to do well.

He is just a natural leader, Mr. Murray said. 

“We’ll see him in Washington one day soon, and I’ll definitely be smiling when he gets there,’’ he said.

Photo: Christian Varney

This series highlights graduating seniors from Covington's Holmes High School and is written by staff members at Covington Independent Public Schools:

CHRISTIAN VARNEY

Christian Varney has a blueprint for his future. He has already enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He plans to earn a college degree and then go on to law school.

Christian is ranked No. 1 in his graduating class with a weighted grade point average of 4.796. He could go to college first, but decided on a different route. He reports to boot camp on August 19 in South Carolina. 

“I just want to serve my country,’’ Christian said. “It’s a good way to build character.’’

Christian envisions a career as a lawyer and possibly a public servant. He wants to be an economic adviser or a policy writer. He just wants to help people, he said.

Jared Murray, band director at Holmes, said Christian will reach his goals.

“He will be extremely successful in the military and beyond,” Murray said. “Christian doesn't have the word ‘No’ in his vocabulary. For our students to be ready for what is ahead of them they have to be willing to take chances. That is Christian. He is not afraid to take the setbacks in order to be able to learn from them so that he can be successful.”

That hard work by everyone in the marching band resulted in the group going to the state competition in the fall. That experience was one of Christian’s best memories about Holmes.

In addition to band, Christian has been a part of the school’s academic team. He was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America and ran track and cross country at Holmes. He went to the state cross-country competition in 2011. 

Christian has taken a heavy academic load through the International Baccalaureate program. He’s gotten a few Bs during high school, but mostly has maintained As. The IB program, especially with former teacher Micah Burden, taught Christian how to be analytical, he said. Christian also said his mother has always pushed him to do well.

He is just a natural leader, Mr. Murray said. 

“We'll see him in Washington one day soon, and I'll definitely be smiling when he gets there,’’ he said.

Photo: Christian Varney