The Newest Class (And We Mean Class)

THE CLASS OF 1995 BOASTS MORE VALEDIC torians, females, and minority students than any Other class to date. But that is not its only impressive characteristic. The group includes an Alaskan fluent in the Siberian laitguage Yu'Pik, a rancher who speaks two Native-American languages in Montana, and a home-schooled Vermonter. One Massachusetts high school lost its weather watch service when its meteorologist came to Hanover. Globe-trotters include an Austrian alpine skier and the winner of a scholarship granted by a national Bulgarian television competition. Another Bulgarian student comes earmarked by his country as a political prodigy.

The average SAT score sits at 1340 (a median 700 math and 640 English), and the valedictorian rate keeps climbing. A record 168 are slated to matriculate this fall, up from 122 last year and 110 the year before. One valedictorian who outruns the crowd is a three time state track champ with awards in numerous New Hampshire women's cross-country races.

Females constitute 46 percent of the class this year, up from 43 percent in the previous class. And racial minorities compose 23 percent another all-time high.