All through his senior year at Nansemond River High, Cory Wells knew that his 4.3 grade point average would be among the best in the class. He knew that he’d be higher than hundreds of other 2004-05 graduates. But he also knew that there was one person who’d probably be a step higher – Brian Tucker, who edged Wells by .1 point for the 2004-05 valedictorian honor.

But over the next four years, Wells will get another shot at Tucker – he’ll be joining him at Virginia Tech.

&uot;I knew I’d be second,&uot; Wells said, &uot;just because of the classes we were taking. If you had a calculator, you could figure it out.

&uot;Probably not,&uot; he said when asked if he could finish tops at Tech. &uot;Maybe. If it comes down to it, it just depends on what grades you get.&uot;

Tucker knew he’d be the top-graded Warrior since the year began.

&uot;I’ve known it was coming,&uot; he said. &uot;They already had the grades figured out. I got A’s in every class, and it’s just what happened.&uot;

Aside from being a member of the school’s Academic team, Tucker has spent the past six summers working on homes for the needy with the St. Andrew Presbyterian church youth group.

&uot;I learned construction and team skills,&uot; said Tucker, who also helped out on a few Habitat for Humanity homes.

Aside from playing football, soccer and golf, Wells was a member of the yearbook staff, Key Club and Technology Students Association. He’ll be taking his electrical interests to his next school, as he plans to major in architecture and computer engineering.

&uot;I want to design either houses or video games,&uot; he said.

Tucker said he intended to study mechanical or aerospace engineering, and hadn’t decided on a career choice.

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com