Thursday, May 26, 2016
Section C
Oceana area honor students
2c
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Congratulations!
Oceana’s Herald-Journal and area advertisers in this special section salute all area high school graduates — and recognize honor students at each high school. Honor students are recognized based on the criteria each school uses to select honor or “top 10” students. A brief explanation of each school’s criteria is included with the listings.
2016 Shelby
High School
Shelby High School uses a formula for selecting students for top acaBrittany Shellhouse demic honors that has been used in the past to determine Academic GPA: 3.98 All-State candidates. This formula uses a point system that consists Parents: David and Julie Shellhouse of the student’s GPA and ACT score. The formula is the GPA x 250 Activities and honors: Pep Band, Marching Band, Sympoints to equal 1,000 points maximum. Added to this is the ACT score phonic Wind Ensemble, youth group, sideline cheer, competix 27.778 to equal 1,000 points maximum. This creates a total score not tive cheer, JV softball, varsity soccer, piano, Writing Center, to exceed 2,000 points. Those students who qualify are designated National Honor Society, junior class president, peer tutor, All Senior Scholars (no longer Top Ten). Conference Regional and district for competitive cheer. Plans: To attend Calvin College for pre-med to work Sarajane Fortier towards a career in surgical missions in Central or South GPA: 3.99 America. Parents: Phil and Shelly Fortier Activities and honors: Muskegon Student Showcase athAlec Mitteer letic representative and performing arts representative, two GPA: 3.86 years; varsity volleyball, basketball and softball; student counParents: David and Pamela Mitteer cil, National Honor Society, Spanish and math tutor, FellowActivities and honors: Marching Band, Symphonic Wind ship of Christian Athletes, Business Club, Science Olympiad, Writing Center mentor, Barbizon, Prom Committee, Yearbook Ensemble, Pep Band, Christmas Ensemble, Science Olympiad, Oceana County Math Competition, golf, math tutor. business manager, Optimist Girl of the Year, Scholar Athlete, Plans: To attend Michigan Technological University to Academic All-State, Honor Roll, volleyball awards during major in electrical engineering. junior year: All-conference honorable mention, second team all-area, Muskegon Chronicle Fall Frenzy Player of the Week; volleyball awards during senior year: first team all-conference, Kinsey Johnson first team all-area, all region and team captain. GPA: 3.92 Plans: To attend Wayne State University to pursue a Parents: Paula Johnson and Paul Johnson bachelor’s degree in radiologic technology and will also be a Activities and honors: National Honor Society, Marchmember of the Irvin D. Reid Honors College. ing Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Christmas Ensemble, Writing Center, Science Olympiad, cross country, Pep Band, Electric Forest, Library Club, second place team in Science Elizabeth Kelly Olympiad 2016, Division 1 rating in solo and ensemble 2015, GPA: 3.96 Division 2 rating in solo and ensemble 2016, math competiParents: Mark and Natalie Kelly tion: first place individual, fourth year math, fourth place Activities and honors: National Honor Society Officer, team in fourth year math, third place individual and team in Color Guard Captain, cross country, competitive cheer: all Algebra II. conference, first team all district and region, second team all Plans: To attend the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor to state; soccer: captain and defensive MVP; Writing Center mentor, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, scholar athlete, Academic All study astrophysics. State Individual for competitive cheer, Masque & Bauble Club. Plans: To attend Michigan State University to study geRosa Avilez nomics and molecular genetics with the intention of becomGPA: 3.87 ing a pediatrician. Parents: Romelia Avilez and Taurino Avilez Activities and honors: Writing Center, Running Club, Library Club, Business Club, National Honor Society, TOPPC, Jeff Beckman SAHC, written and independently published two books. GPA: 3.92 Plans: To have gone to college and finished with a major in Parents: Brian and Sue Beckman Activities and honors: Optimist Boy of the Year, Academic psychology so as to be around helping people. All-State for basketball, varsity basketball, varsity golf, Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Walker Barrs Plans: To attend Spring Arbor University to study business GPA: 3.97 a sdministration. Parents: Mark Barrs and Kriss Barrs Activities and honors: honor roll for four years, four years of baseball, three years of football. Sarah Huls Plans: To attend Muskegon Community College for one GPA: 4.0 year, then transfer to Grand Valley State University to study Parents: Victor and JoAnn Huls Activities and honors: National Honor Society President, electrical engineering. Student Council, Running Club, Writing Center, Business Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Masque & Bauble Club, Brianna Westmoreland Science Olympiad, 4-H, West Michigan Showcase academic GPA: 3.81 representative, senior class vice president. Parents: Jean Westmoreland and Eric Westmoreland Plans: To take a gap year to New Zealand through Youth Activities and honors: National Honor Society, Academic With A Mission and do missions in surrounding island areas, Banquet for two years, Talent Show duet, three years of varsity and then to attend Grace College in Indiana to pursue a decross country, solo and ensemble, state solo and ensemble, gree in counseling. volunteer at Love INC. and Fountain Hill, Science Olympiad, Running Club, Writing Center, math tutor, peer tutor, select ensemble, National Society of High School Scholars, Educator Academy. Plans: To attend the University of Michigan for a year and then possibly transfer to Michigan State University to work toward’s a master’s degree in music education.
2016 Pentwater
Pentwater School recognizes honor graduates as students with a high school cumulative GPA of 3.3 or more. This GPA score is derived from semester grades achieved from freshman year through first semester of the senior year, plus the third nineweeks marking period grades of the senior year.
GPA: 3.744
GPA: 3.897
Parents: Christopher and Jeni Gebhart Activities and honors: 16 time honor roll student, four time Outstanding Academic Achievement recipient, four time Academic All-Conference Award recipient, 12 time Scholar Athlete, six time Ludington Daily News Athlete of the Week, Lenz Balder Insurance Athlete of the Month. Plans: To attend Grace Bible College and major in elementary education, minor in math and play basketball for the Grace Tigers.
Rachel Herin GPA: 3.94
Parents: Gregg and Deb Herin Activities and honors: basketball, volleyball, softball, National Honor Society, Business Club secretary/treasurer, Academic All-State for volleyball, youth group, math tutor, volunteer at Ladder Community Center. Plans: To attend college to study nursing.
Megan Merrill GPA: 3.86
Parents: Jilline and Kenn Green and Curtis Merrill Activities and honors: sideline and competitive cheer, soccer, track, Student Council, Business Club, Library Club, Prom Committee, Class Secretary, All Conference competitive cheer, Academic All State, Red Cross blood donations/volunteering, Adopt a Highway with the Andre Bosse Center, Pride Day, Big Brothers Big Sisters. Plans: To attend Ferris State University for a two year degree in health information technology, then return to school to pursue a degree in anthropology.
Danny Beckman GPA: 3.99
Parents: Kim and Dave Beckman Activities and honors: All Conference and All District in varsity and JV soccer, All Conference and Honorable Mention All State in varsity and JV basketball, B-Cam Top Shooter, Honorable Mention Dream Team, National Honor Society, Business Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, peer tutor, math tutor, youth group, homecoming King, community service. Plans: To attend a four year college and possibly an academy prior to this and to pursue a degree n engineering.
Courtney Jimison GPA: 3.84
Parents: Heather and Justin Jimison Activities and honors: Marching Tigers, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Masque & Bauble Club, Art Club, ASPIRE, National Honor Society, White Lake Robotics Team, Christmas Ensemble, Division 1 ratings every year in both marching and concert band, Pentwater Arts Council Show, Shelby Spring Art Show. Plans: To attend Muskegon Community College to get an associate’s degree in broadcasting and multimedia/performance then transfer to Grand Valley State University for a film and video production degree. Ultimately plans to move to Hollywood and get a job either at Pixar or another film company.
Chloe Sillman GPA: 3.83
Parents: Michael and Vonda Sillman Activities and honors: Varsity basketball, four years, First Team All-Conference, Team Academic All-State, 2012-2013 district and regional champions and conference championship, 2013-2014 district championship, 2015-2016 district championship; varsity volleyball, three years, First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Area, Team Academic All-State, 2014-2015 district championship; National Honor Society Secretary, Writing Center mentor, Business Club, West Michigan Showcase Performing Arts Representative, two years; Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Plans: To attend Cornerstone University to pursue a degree in ministry and theology and to do mission work overseas, be involved in a non-profit organization and one day to become a youth pastor.
High School
Sophia Nyberg
Emily Gebhart
Honor Students
Parents: Mitchell and Yumiko Nyberg Activities and honors: National Honor Society member, Quiz Bowl, four years; high school band, four years; Hart Rotary Club Student of the Month, Most Improved Athlete for cross country/track & field, Most Improved Female Athlete of the Year, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, four years/jazz band. Plans: To attend Ferris State University and major in pre-med and pharmacy in hopes of becoming a pharmacist.
Rita Panozzo GPA: 3.62
Parents: Michael and Jennifer Panozzo Activities and honors: Senior class president, National Honor Society secretary, varsity cheerleader, student council, Youth
Honor Students
Advisory Council Vice president, DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) Good Citizen of the Year Award 2015. Plans: To attend the University of Las Vegas and earn an English degree.
Hart Rotary Student of the Month, National Honor Society member, AAA Award, student council member. Plans for the future: To attend Grand Valley State University majoring in athletic training.
Steven Peterson
Lillian Knudsen
GPA: 3.444
GPA: 3.366
No information provided
Chyanne Smith GPA: 3.403
Parent: Brenda Smith Activities and honors: Four years of varsity volleyball, four years of varsity basketball, three years at varsity volleyball districts, Second Team All-Conference for varsity volleyball, Honorable Mention Western Michigan D League for varsity volleyball, four years on the honor roll, three years as a TOPPC member,
Parents: Jodi Veine and Jeff Knudsen Activities and honors: honor roll, varsity cheerleader. Plans: To attend Michigan Technological University studying chemical engineering.
Area Graduation Information H art
H esperia
P entwater
S helby
W alkerville
Graduation: Thursday, May 26 at 7 p.m. Location: high school gymnasium Class colors: black and red Class flower: red rose Class song: “See you again” by Wiz Khalifa Class motto: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Graduation: Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. Location: high school gymnasium Class colors: forest green and dark gray Class flower: white rose Class song: “My Wish” by Rascal Flatts Class motto: “Laugther is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.” - Walt Disney
Graduation: Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m. Location: school gymnasium Class color: hot pink Class flower: peony Class song: “Hakuna Matata” Class motto: “Hakuna Matata”
Graduation: Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. Location: high school gymnasium Class colors: turquoise and silver Class flower: Forget-me-not Class song: “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman Class motto:
Graduation: Friday, May 27 at 7 p.m. Location: high school gymnasium Class color: red Class flower: white rose Class song: “Tatoos on this Town” by Jason Aldean Class motto: “How are we going to be old and wise if we are never young and crazy!”
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • May 26, 2016 • 3c
2016 Walkerville
High School Honor Students
Walkerville schools recognizes honor students as those with a 3.0 GPA and above cumulative grade point average, and presents the honor students in alphabetical order.
Nichole Sheehy GPA: 3.4175
Parents: Shannon Sheehy and Richard L. Sheehy Activities and honors: National Honor Society, honor roll, prom queen, designed 2016 senior sweatshirts, drew cover for 2016 yearbook. Plans: Currently attending cosmetology school (2 year program) for a cosmetology license to be able to obtain a dream job as a makeup artist.
2016 Hart
Maia Jonassen
Honor Students Haley Mast
GPA: 4.01
Maria Gonzalez GPA: 3.9
Parents: Dalia Guadarrama Activities and honors: Advanced journalism; yearbook. Plans: To attend Western Michigan University and study education.
Hannah Brown GPA: 4.07
Parents: Meg and Jeff Brown Activities and honors: Basketball, four years; softball, four years; National Honor Society president, missions trips to Guatemala, Belize and Puerto Rico; volunteer at Shelby Road Baptist Church, Medical Care Facility and Blood Drive; waitress at Tabor’s House of Flavors in Pentwater. Plans: To attend Central Michigan University to study biology and Spanish, with the hopes of going on to become a molecular biologist.
GPA: 3.866
Parents: Michael Jonassen and Martha Jonassen Activities and honors: Varsity letters in track for 20132014, competitive cheer for 2013-2016 and sideline cheerleading for 2013-2016; 2015 state competetive cheer finalist, 2015 Hart Competetive Cheer Most Improved Player, 2014 Hart Competitive Cheer Most Dedicted Player, National Honor Society member, President’s Education Award in Outstanding Academic Excellence for 2012 to 2016, high honor roll for 2013 to 2016, 2014 ELA Writer of the Year, 2016 Showcase nominee for literary arts, Hart Rotary Student of the Month for October 2014 and April 2016. Plans: To attend West Shore Community College to complete an associate’s degree in nursing, then transfer to Grand Valley State University to complete a bachelor’s of science in nursing degree with a minor in Spanish to become a registered nurse.
Bayley Lemire GPA: 3.8
Parents: Heather Angell and Vernon Lemire Activities and honors: Hart bands and honor roll Plans: To attend Michigan Technological University to become an electrical engineer.
GPA: 3.86
Parents: Steve and Debbie Hegedus Activities and honors: Soccer, basketball, volleyball, National Honor Society member. Plans: To attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree in psychology and eventually go into mission work.
GPA: 3.2
Parents: Cindy and Ted Wilkinson Activities and honors: volleyball, basketball, CTE: allied health, salutatorian, honor roll, certified CPR, certified first aid. Plans: To attend Ferris State University in the spring of 2017 and get a good paying job to give her son the best life possible.
High School
Hart High School designates its honor students as those students who are summa cum laude — earning a GPA of 3.8 or above and an ACT score of 23 or higher. The school does not rank the summa cum laude students, but presents them in alphabetical order. Hart High School does not designate a valedictorian or salutatorian.
Madison Hegedus
Chelsey Marie Louise Wilkinson
Parents: Craig and Carol Mast Activities and honors: Volleyball, four years with three at the varsity level; basketball, four years; varsity softball, four years and team captain; equestrian team, one year; National Honor Society member, volunteer at Red Cross blood drive, medical care facility, etc.; showing horses in 4-H, 10 years; the 2015-2016 4-H Youth Oceana County ambassador. Plans: To attend Grand Valley University this fall in hopes of becoming a physician assistant and will be taking classes through Grand Valley’s Honors program.
Alyssa Scott GPA: 3.89
Parents: Jeffrey and Rebecca Scott Activities and honors: Cross country, four years; softball, one year; drama club, four years in the cast, student director for two high school shows, assistant director for two middle school shows; National Honor Society member, one year; recognition for sophomore year’s This I Believe essay. Plans: To attend Muskegon Community College for two years and then transfer to a university to study theater directing.
Andrew Wiegand
Claire Marshall
GPA: 3.89
GPA: 3.89
Parents: Susanne and Troy Marshall Activities and honors: Attended Showcase for visual arts, won awards in numerous art competitions, attended a precollege program last summer at Savannah College of Art and Design, member of the National Honor Society, active in high school drama program. Plans: To attend Savannah College of Art and Design to study art history and theater production
s n o i t a l u t a r g Con
Parents: Roger and Melissa Wiegand Activities and honors: Hart Drama Club, since sixth grade; first chair percusion in the band and jazz band, ranked fourth in class, National Honor Society vice president. Plans: To attend Alma College to obtain a bachelor of science in biochemistry, then to attend an accredited medical school to become an opthamologist.
Class of 2016
Walkerville High School Brandy Achterhof
Jason Arellano
Amber Brauer
Calvin Chase
Carson Chase
Casey Dewitt
Austin Perry
Nichole Sheehy
Gage Speer
Courtney Stuhan
Donyai Thomas
Chelsey Wilkinson
Layne Masta
— Sponsored by these Business and Professional People —
Gales Agency, Inc. Hart, Shelby, Pentwater & Whitehall Dad’s Automotive Bob’s Drugs Shelby State Bank The Brown Bear Brock A. Johnsen, D.D.S., P.C. Meyers Chevrolet Beckman Bros., Inc. The Pizza Factory Helena Chemical Heather L. Phares, D.D.S., P.C. & Jessica Sneller, D.D.S. West Michigan Insurance Country Dairy Mike’s Auto Body
Hallack Contracting Chuck’s Plumbing and Heating West Michigan Abbey Carpet Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate Oceana Pharmacy Peter G. Mason - Gentle Dental Hodges Sales & Service PM Collision Kristi’s Pour House Christmann Agency NAPA Auto and Truck Parts - Hart Walkerville Well Hart Dental Depot Insurance Oceana Eyecare HarborLight Credit Union
Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm Hansen Foods Open Hearth Grille Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Gale’s IGA Tanner Plumbing & Heating Boathouse Bar & Grille Klotz Auto - Hart & Shelby Brown Chiropractic Cosmic Candy Company Home of Pentwater Popcorn Windridge- Textile Printing Dr. Rick & Jill Williams BC Pizza Oceana’s Herald-Journal
4c
s n o i t a l u t a r g n Co
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Class of 2016
Shelby High School Estrella Ambrocio
Damon Anderson
Luz Andrade
Justice Andrews
Hannah Ankney
Rosa Avilez
Walker Barrs
Danny Beckman
Jeffrey Beckman
Micah Bender
Morgan Blair
Brock Bowler
Savannah Bown
Jose Cadena
Dustin Carlson-Hicks
Juan Cavazos
Jason Coffell
Dakota Crain
Hunter Crothers
Leah Eisenlohr
Katherine Elliott
Alicia England
Jarod Facundo
Haley Felt
Ana Figueroa
Sarajane Fortier
Kodi Foster
Diego Galicia
Abel Garcia
Sandra Gonzalez
Elisabeth Gray
Sierra Gregurek
Lesly Guerra
Rachel Herin
Ranita Huerta
Regina Huerta
Jimmy Hughey
Sarah Huls
Abigail Izaguirre
Renza Jacobs
Megan Jahnke
Courtney Jimison
Kinsey Johnson
Kristoffer Josephson
Elizabeth Kelly
Steven Knoblauch
Rebecca Kukla
Barrimore Lee
Trisha Lenon
Not Pictured:
Andrew Arkema, Jordan Ernst, Devon Henley, Trent Montambo, Katherine Ross, Jonathan Vasquez
Gio
6
on
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • May 26, 2016 • 5c
Bree Lentz
Arianna Lozano
Taylor Mahynski
Nuutti Makinen
Mitchell Mather
Christopher McConnell
Megan Merrill
Alec Mitteer
Connor Przekop
Jaime Ramirez
Kenia Medina Mayorquin
Lynne Moore
Olivia Mussell
Elizabeth Ortiz
Riley Peterson
Gavin Porter
Austin Revilla
Shayna Riddle
Makenna Robertson
Michael Rodriguez
Jasmin Rosas
Zane Rose
Jamison Rupright
Brendan Samuels
Gracelynn Satterlee
Tristan Sayers
Mamie Shalifoe
Brittany Shellhouse
Alexander Siebert
Chloe Sillman
Marissa Smith
Amber Splane
Alex Staples
Hannah Stites
Zachary Stuberg
Giovanny Valdez
Gavin VanBoxel
Thomas Waltz
Marissa Ward
Brianna Westmoreland
Christopher Whitlow
Rachel Wilson
— Sponsored by these Business and Professional People — Dad’s Automotive Van’s Body Shop Shelby Pharmacy Magooz Floorcovering Farm Bureau Insurance, Kaleb Klotz Keehne Hardware Wickstra Realty Shelby Area District Library Cherry Hill Supermarket Shelby Floral Shelby State Bank Gales Agency, Inc. Hart, Shelby, Pentwater & Whitehall Universal Electronics The Brown Bear Brock A. Johnsen, D.D.S., P.C. Meyers Chevrolet Beckman Bros., Inc. The Pizza Factory Helena Chemical
Heather L. Phares, D.D.S., P.C. & Jessica Sneller, D.D.S. West Michigan Insurance The Pizza Depot Mike’s Auto Body Hallack Contracting Chuck’s Plumbing & Heating West Michigan Abbey Carpet Oceana Pharmacy Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate Peter G. Mason - Gentle Dental Hodges Sales & Service PM Collision Christmann Agency Klotz Auto Parts - Hart & Shelby Hart Dental Depot Insurance NAPA Auto and Truck Parts - Hart Oceana Eyecare Harbor Light Credit Union
Gale’s IGA Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm Blondies Salon Open Hearth Grille Hansen Foods Country Dairy Tanner Plumbing & Heating Kristi’s Pour House Images Salon Boathouse Bar & Grille Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Brown Chiropractic Cosmic Candy Company Home of Pentwater Popcorn Windridge- Textile Printing Affordable Auto Dr. Rick & Jill Williams BC Pizza Oceana’s Herald-Journal
6c
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
2016 College Decision Day Michigan College Decision Day is an effort to recognize high school seniors for their postsecondary educational plans and encourage younger students and families to prepare early for postsecondary education. Decision day takes place annually on or around May 1 and is designed to coincide with the date that most seniors must inform a college of their plans to enroll.
Calvin College
Aquinas College
Michigan State University
Shelby Hesperia
Traxton Gordon Nathan McKeown
Hart
Brittany Shellhouse
Arik LaFave Hannah Sperry
Elizabeth Eisenlohr
Hesperia
Caitlin David
Shelby
Kodi Foster Brendan Samuels
Elizabeth Kelly Thomas Waltz
Baker College
Western Michigan University
Hart
Arthur Brandel Haleigh Schaner
Hart
Matt VanderWall
University of Michigan
Shelby
Katherine Elliott
Shelby
Jasmin Rosas
Hart
Hesperia
Alexa Klemundt
Braden Schaner Hannah Kuipers
Brianna Westmoreland
Shelby
Sarajane Fortier
Hart
Shelby
Hart
Kassidy Baum Brooke Hodges Arlet Rodriguez
Hesperia
Hunter Bostian Matthew Darling Todd Doran Kelsey Hammersley Amber Kamp Destindausi Nowlin Gabriel Ramos Jasmine Shreck Redmon Jessica Tinkham
Shelby
Luz Andrade Morgan Blair Alicia England Courtney Jimison Gracelynn Satterlee
Dustin Carlson-Hicks
Rachel Herin
Hart
Bayley Lemire
Cornerstone University
Brett Bonstell Edna Lopez Alyssa Scott
Pentwater
Lillian Knudsen
Shelby
Alec Mitteer
Hart April Crum Ashley Dixon Logan Eaves Ryder Helms Kimberly Leone Miranda Purdy Trenton Saxton Brooke Schooley Dominick Varela Walker Barrs Jason Coffell Haley Felt Taylor Mahynski Marissa Ward
Anna Walsworth
Shelby
Chloe Sillman
Alma College Hart
Central Michigan University Hart
Hannah Brown Kaitlyn VanDerZanden
Andrew Wiegand
Austin Boundy Kayleigh Gordon
Connor Patterson
West Shore Community College Jonah Gale Maia Jonassen Mirella Barco
Pentwater
Carrie Griffis Steven Peterson
Shelby
Hannah Ankney Mamie Shalifoe
Shelby
Renza Jacobs
Savannah Lazo Isabel Vela
Sarah Jewett
MaKenna Robertson
Walkerville
Amber Brauer
Lansing Community College Shelby
Christopher McConnell
Luis Deblas Faith Ramirez
Hesperia
Travis Arnold Cody Castillo Douglas Holy Mariah Stitt Raven Way
Pentwater
Jacob Emick-Free
Shelby
Jose Cadena Arvizu Amber Splane
Hart
Devin Whitney
Grand Rapids Community College Hesperia
Amanda Ponce
Michael Aslakson Terry Doran Brett Kraley Frederick Vanderstelt
Walkerville
Donyai Thomas
Military Hesperia
Jesse Nulf Mark Workman Desta Bromley Aaron Williams
Sophia Nyberg Arianna Lozano
Hesperia
Alyssa Wieling Katie Zuniga Natalie Hall Joshua Ehrke
Shelby
Sierra Gregurek Regina Huerta Ranita Huerta Damon Anderson Lesly Guerra
Walkerville
Brandy Achterhof Nichole Sheehy
Baylee Draper
Pentwater
Hart
Eastern Michigan University
Pentwater
Lynne Moore
13th year, Career Tech Center 13th year, Early College 13th year, Career Tech Center 13th year, Early College MCTI MCTI MCTI Newaygo Tech Center Newaygo Tech Center Aesthetician school Newaygo Tech Center
Out of State
Emily Gebhart
Shelby
Army Army National Guard National Guard
Technical Schools
Grace Bible College
Casey Whelan
Gogebic Community College
Davenport University Zachary Stuberg
Chelsey Wilkinson
Hart
Hesperia
Shelby
Walkerville
Alpena Community College
Olivet College
Trisha Lenon
Ferris State University Hart
Braxton Platt
Jake Palmer
Pentwater
Hart
Michigan Technological University
Chyanne Smith
Shelby
Connor Przekop
Haley Mast
Pentwater
Muskegon Community College
Megan Jahnke
Wayne State University
Grand Valley State University
Madison Hegedus
Jessica Riggs Mariah Trevino
Lars Forner Butler University Samuel Hernandez Wisconsin Lutheran College Claire Marshall Savannah College of Art and Design Rita Panozzo
Shelby
Elisabeth Gray Zane Rose
University of Las Vegas Indiana Wesleyan University Ohio Technical College
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • May 26, 2016 • 7c
2016 Oceana County
Senior Athletes of the Year
Wrestling
Davian Gowens Hesperia
After missing the 2014-15 season, Davian Gowens returned to the wrestling mat with a vengeance this season, helping to spearhead the Panthers’ return to prominence after low participation led to a brief blip the season before. Gowens won district and regional championships this year, won a 2014 state championship at 103 pounds, and finished second in 2016 at 125. He also helped lead the Panthers to a team regional championship.
Gowens
Girls Soccer Liz Ortiz, Shelby
On a defensive-minded Shelby team, Liz Ortiz is the rock. A fouryear varsity starter, Ortiz always is matched against the other team’s top scorer, and more often than not the matchup tilts in the Tigers’ direction. She’s also become a common sight in the score book as the assister on Shelby’s goals, sending good passes forward for the strikers to chase down. Ortiz “She is a great all around player,” Shelby coach Pete Peterson said. “She has a great shot, has good touch on the ball and can make pinpoint passes. She will be greatly missed next season.”
Boys Soccer
Danny Beckman, Shelby
While it probably wasn’t even his best sport — basketball was where he truly shined — that didn’t stop Danny Beckman, a center midfielder, from having a great soccer season as well. He earned all-conference honors after scoring nine goals and providing eight assists for a Shelby team that narrowly bowed to eventual district champion Whitehall in the tournament. Beckman “Danny has been an integral part of our program the last four years,” Shelby coach Pete Peterson said. “He can always be counted on to be a positive leader on and off the field. Danny is a good soccer player, but what sets him apart is his hustle and tenacity. He is always on and always giving 100 percent.”
Competitive Cheer Abby Izaguirre, Shelby
Izaguirre
Shelby had a tremendous 2016 season, taking its first-ever district championship on the cheer mat, and Abby Izaguirre was a key factor. A longtime member of the Tigers’ cheer team, Izaguirre persevered through the February loss of her younger sister to return to the mat and spearhead the Tigers to a state finals appearance, where Shelby finished seventh.
Girls Cross Country Brooke Hodges, Hart
Lost in the deserved hubbub surrounding the Pirates’ top three runners, Adelyn Ackley, Sierra Albus and Alayna Ackley, was the consistency Brooke Hodges brought to the Pirates. When Albus and Alayna Ackley missed much of the cross-country season with injuries, Hodges, along with fellow senior Kayleigh Gordon, stepped into a larger role and shined, Hodges helping carry the Pirates to success despite the absences of key teammates. Hodges closed her career by finishing 127th overall at the state finals meet with a career-best time of 21:07.
Boys Cross Country Arik LaFave, Hesperia
Few Hesperia boys cross-country runners have accomplished more than Arik LaFave, who capped his career with his second straight all-state medal and a fifth-place finish at the state finals meet. LaFave will run cross-country and track at Aquinas College next year. “With a little more real estate, he could have finished even higher (in the state meet),” Hesperia coach Doug LaFave Baird said after the 2015 finals. “For Arik to get two all-state medals really speaks to his commitment to himself and to running. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”
By Andy Roberts
Baseball
Herald-Journal Writer
Through 2010, Oceana’s Herald-Journal honored senior athletes each year by choosing a Senior Athlete of the Year in each varsity sport in which a county team competes. This year, the OHJ has brought back the page to recognize an impressive group of county seniors who led their teams to a slew of honors at the conference, district, regional and state level.
Football
Terry Doran and Gabe Ramos Hesperia
These two Panthers’ seniors paved the way for the transformation of Hesperia’s team from a 1-8 squad in 2014 to a 9-0 regular season in 2015. Both all-conference first team picks, Doran and Ramos led a group of five men up front that sparked the Panthers’ rushing attack of Kade Witte, Mark Workman, Gage Balkema and others to a wildly impressive season. Hesperia broke school scoring records and advanced to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. Doran “Terry really worked himself into an all-conference guard for us,”coach Aaron Sims said. “He was as close to 100percent attendance for the weight room over two years that you can get. I think he only missed to go bale hay, so I guess it would be hard to even count that an absence. “Gabe started two years for us at right tackle and defensive line. His efforts landed him many postseason awards and honors. We are looking at trying to Ramos fill a pretty large void he left at the right tackle position.”
Golf
Chris McConnell, Shelby
Chris McConnell has worked to become a consistent presence in the Shelby golf lineup. His best quality, coach Rick Zoulek said, is that he rarely allows one miscue to become another. That ability has gotten him into the 80s regularly and has helped the Tigers to become a West Michigan Conference championship contender. McConnell will attend Lansing ComMcConnell munity College next year. “Once Chris starts to have a little more confidence he will start to take even more strokes off of his game,” Zoulek said. “He is really trying to achieve the goal of playing at the regional and state finals this year as a team.”
Volleyball
Chloe Sillman, Shelby Emily Gebhart, Pentwater Despite having her senior season on the court cut short by a stress fracture, Chloe Sillman was the emotional and statistical leader of the Shelby volleyball team. A six-rotation player for her final two years, Sillman was constantly a factor on the court and often played just as big a role defensively as she did offensively. “Her intensity and quickness are what Sillman set her apart from most other studentathletes,” Shelby coach Tom Weirich said last fall of his all-conference player. Emily Gebhart, meanwhile, emerged as the driving offensive force behind a Pentwater team that remarkably won its third straight district championship and advanced to the regional finals. Teamed with junior Linnea McDonough, Gebhart formed a potent duo that led the Falcons to a West Michigan D League championship. “Emily knows every position on the Gebhart floor inside and out,” Pentwater coach Kerry Newberg said. “She serves as a leader to the younger players when they find themselves lost on the floor.”
Girls Track
Hannah Sperry, Hesperia One of very few veterans on a young Hesperia track team, Hannah Sperry hasn’t let that faze her this season, and she’s a constant sight near the top of the leaderboard in the 100, 200 and 400-meter dashes as well as in the long jump. “When I first started evaluating the ladies for 2015 track, we were doing plyometric box jumps, and Hannah Sperry jumps on top of the biggest box we had at that time, I think 36 inches,” Hesperia coach Aaron Sims said. “She landed with soft feet, and I knew she could be all kinds of fast. Fast forward to now, and she is a 180-pound squatter and 140 pounds in the power clean. She really worked hard to get to where she is going.”
Kris Josephson, Shelby
Kris Josephson has always been a good pitcher for Shelby. His recent emergence as a key hitter in the Tigers’ lineup has made his work on the field even more impressive. Josephson was honorable mention all-conference as a junior after posting a 2.47 earned run average and striking out nearly a batter per inning on the mound, in addition to a .323 Josephson batting average. In 2016, he has gotten even better at the plate, hitting nearly .400. His ERA has gone up a bit, to 4.20 at press time, but his contributions all over the field have been key all season. “He’s just a kid who loves to play baseball,” Shelby coach Brian Wright said. “He likes to practice each winter. He will be a kid I’ll miss next year for sure.”
Softball
Mariah Stitt, Hesperia
Mariah Stitt does it all for Hesperia on the diamond. She’s one of the team’s top pitchers, along with Alexa Klemundt, leads the team in batting average, and plays a slick shortstop when not in the circle. Her work has helped the Panthers become a contender in the Central State Activities Association, and she was also part of the Panthers’ first district championship in 25 years last spring. Along Stitt with Klemundt, she is one of only two returning seniors from that group. “She is the one the girls look to for leadership and just has that ability to keep calm in stressful situations,” Hesperia coach Tina Myers said. “Mariah stepped up and took pitching lessons just to get ready for this season. She has a great attitude. I love coaching her.”
Boys Basketball Jeff Beckman, Shelby
There are few superlatives that eluded Jeff Beckman over the course of his two full seasons as a starter for Shelby. He received all-state recognition each of those seasons, as well as the accompanying all-conference honors, while leading the Tigers to two conference titles, two district titles and a regional title. The senior was equally adept on offense (he Beckman went for 36 points in a game against Montague this season) and defense, where his ability to defend the paint was often instrumental in close games. He averaged 18.9 points and 10 rebounds per game and shot 54.1 percent from the field as a senior. “He’s a great team player,” Shelby coach Rick Zoulek said after Beckman signed with Spring Arbor University. “You watch him on the court and he’s trying to help kids all the time. On the bench, he never shuts up. He’s constantly talking. You like that about every kid.”
Girls Basketball Baylee Draper, Hart
Draper
Baylee Draper was capable of eye-popping numbers, especially in the rebounding department, as she helped the Pirates improve their season record in each of her three varsity seasons. Draper averaged nearly 15 points per game and grabbed nearly 13 boards per game for Hart as a senior, and pushed 20 rebounds on several occasions. She also blocked three shots per game, anchoring Hart’s in-
terior defense. “She is a team player and leader, and has a great work ethic on the court and in the classroom,” Hart coach Staci Hovey said.
Boys Track
Nate McKeown, Hesperia Nate McKeown’s jumping ability has never been in question. He took second place in the state in the high jump as a sophomore, and last season rose to the top, becoming the school’s first boys track state champion. He’s also an excellent long jumper, finishing fifth in the state last year. His work helped the Panthers take seventh as a team at the finals last season. This year, he’s added relays to his McKeown repertoire and has helped the Panthers become a high-ranking team in that area as well. Like track teammate Arik LaFave, he is headed to Aquinas College next year. “He has a great work ethic in everything he does,” Hesperia coach Aaron Sims said. “You find him at school all the time. It’s either practice, athletic development drills or homework. So you know that he has his eyes set on big things.”
s n o i t a l u t a r g Con
8c
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
Class of 2016
Hart High School Justin Achterhoff
Ann Bosley
Adrianna Avila
Mirella Barco
Kassidy Baum
Jovana Benavides
Emily Bennett
Brett Bonstell
Austin Boundy
Arthur Brandel
Julia Bromley
Hannah Brown
Abigail Cook
Gustavo Deblas
Baylee Draper
Elizabeth Eisenlohr
Kalie Elder
Benancio Escamilla
Lionnel Estrada
Lars Forner
Caleb Fuehring
Jonah Gale
Yessica Gallegos
Angel Gallindo Pinon
Kayleigh Gordon
Shella Graves
Jonathan Gurrero
Madison Hegedus
Samuel Hernandez
Fabian Herrera
Alyssa Hinojosa
Brooke Hodges
Anna Homminga
Maia Jonassen
Hannah Kuipers
Edna Lopez
Magdalena Lopez
Savannah Lazo
Bayley Lemire
Rek Luedtke
Claire Marshall
Not Pictured:
Haley Mast
Sondra Acosta, Miranda Unger
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • May 26, 2016 • 9c
Daniel McClatchy
Brandon McCulley
Braxton Platt
Amanda Ponce
Lysa Poumirol
Priscilla Prado
Austin Purdy
Faith Ramirez
Branden Rieger
Jessica Riggs
Yazmin Riley Luttmann
Arlet Rodriguez
Moses Rodriguez
August Sanders
Braden Schaner
Haleigh Schaner
Aaron Schultz
Alyssa Scott
Alisia Severns
Cody Shafer
Alexis Slade
Jacob Smith
Micki Smith
Isabel Vela
Anna Walsworth
Lauryn Tanner
Devin Whitney
Mariah Trevino
Andrew Wiegand
Dylan Vander Zwaag
Christian Willett
Matthew VanderWall
Kaitlyn VanDerZanden
Esmeralda Zuniga
— Sponsored by these Business and Professional People — Dad’s Automotive Van’s Body Shop Shelby State Bank Gales Agency Inc. Hart, Shelby, Pentwater & Whitehall Universal Electronics The Brown Bear Brock A. Johnsen D.D.S., P.C. Meyers Chevrolet Beckman Bros., Inc. The Pizza Factory Helena Chemical Heather L. Phares, D.D.S., P.C. & Jessica Sneller, D.D.S West Michigan Insurance The Pizza Depot
Country Dairy Mike’s Auto Body Hallack Contracting Chuck’s Plumbing & Heating West Michigan Abbey Carpet Oceana Pharmacy Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate Peter G. Mason - Gentle Dental Hodges Sales & Service NAPA Auto and Truck Parts - Hart PM Collision Christmann Agency West Shore Pharmacy Klotz Auto Parts - Hart & Shelby Hart Dental Depot Insurance HarborLight Credit Union Oceana Eyecare
Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm Gale’s IGA Hansen Foods Open Hearth Grille Tanner Plumbing & Heating The Hairporte Walicki’s A-1 Auto Body B.C. Pizza Kristi’s Pour House Brown Chiropractic Tri-Berry, Inc. Dr. Rick & Jill Williams Cosmic Candy Company Home of Pentwater Popcorn Windridge- Textile Printing Boathouse Bar & Grille Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Oceana’s Herald-Journal
10c
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C
Class of 2016
Hesperia High School Michael Aslakson
Benjamin Billings
Hunter Bostian
Robert Bremer
Cody Castillo
April Crum
Matthew Darling
Loredana Davelos
Caitlin David
Ashley Dixon
Terry Doran
Todd Doran
Logan Eaves
Christian Eglinton
Josh Ehrke
Traxton Lee Gordon
Davian Gowens
Miranda Grell
Natalie Hall
Kelsey Hammersley
Ryder Helms
Cage Herrick
Douglas Holy
Aaron Jacobs
Desta Jordon
Amber Kamp
Alexa Klemundt
Brett Kraley
Arik LaFave
Kim Leone
Victoria Love
Kaylynn Mack
Nathan McKeown
Thomas Minier
Destindausi Nowlin
Jesse Nulf
Jake Palmer
Mandy Purdy
Gabriel Ramos
Scott Rosencrans
Trenton Saxton
Brooke Schooley
Ronald Segura
Jasmine Shreck-Redmon
William Slack
Nathan Smith
Hannah Sperry
Kayla Stafford
Mariah Stitt
Oceana’s Herald-Journal • May 26, 2016 • 11c
Jessica Tinkham
Kara Vanappel
Fred Vanderstelt
Dominick Varela
Tanner Walters
Alyssa Wieling
Aaron Williams
Mark Workman
Katie Zuniga
Alina Zwerenz
Raven Anne Way
Casey Whelan
— Sponsored by these Business and Professional People — Dad’s Automotive Fanna’s Mercantile Bob’s Drugs Sign Power Plus Hunt’s Ag Supplies Hesperia Automotive Hesperia Sport Shop Ed’s Orchard Market Burrell’s Service Husband & Turple Hardware Gales Agency, Inc. Hart, Shelby, Pentwater & Whitehall Shelby State Bank The Brown Bear Meyers Chevrolet Beckman Bros., Inc. The Pizza Factory Helena Chemical Heather Phares, D.D.S., P.C. & Jessica Sneller, D.D.S.
West Michigan Insurance Country Dairy NAPA Auto and Truck Parts - Hart Mike’s Auto Body Hallack Contracting Chuck’s Plumbing & Heating West Michigan Abbey Carpet Oceana Pharmacy Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate Hodges Sales & Service Oceana Eyecare PM Collision Christmann Agency Hart Dental Depot Insurance HarborLight Credit Union Gale’s IGA Kristi’s Pour House Hansen Foods
Brown Chiropractic Open Hearth Grille Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm Tanner Plumbing & Heating Peter G. Mason - Gentle Dental Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Klotz Auto - Hart & Shelby Boathouse Bar & Grille Cosmic Candy Company Home of Pentwater Popcorn Sunset Auto Body GoodLaw, PLC Unique Family Hair Care Daniel’s Restaurant Windridge- Textile Printing Dr. Rick & Jill Williams BC Pizza Oceana’s Herald-Journal
but you don’t have to leave your team and all the school happenings behind.
Keep in touch with a school subscription to Oceana’s Herald-Journal Just $20 gives you the print or the E-edition for up to 9 months (If it is a gift, we’ll send a card letting them know who it is from)
Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address_At_School______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_ _________________________________________________________________ State___________________ Zip_ ____________________________ Start_of_school___________________________________________________ End_of_school_ __________________________________________________ ________________Credit_Card________________Check_enclosed #_________________________-_________________________-________________________-_____________________________________Expiration____________/___________ Signature____________________________________________________________________________
______________SENd_A_NotifiCAtioN_CArd_to: Name________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City_ _________________________________________________________________ State____________________ Zip_____________________________
- Oceana’s Herald-Journal, 123 State Street, PO BOX 190, Hart, MI 49420 -
12c
• May 26, 2016 • Oceana’s Herald-Journal
2016 Hesperia Hesperia High School designates its honor students as those earning a GPA of 3.5 or better.
Alexa Klemundt GPA: 3.91
Parents: Kevin and Leanne Klemundt Activities and honors: softball, four years, two years varsity, 2015 district champs; little league umpire, three years; volleyball, four years, two years varsity; four years of Volley Against Violence; National Honor Society, two years, member junior year, vice president senior year; valedictorian, ACT score of 29, all “A”s for three years, band, two years, freshman and sophomore flute; Future Farmers of America, two years, second place state dairy judging 2015, junior/senior district champion in demonstrations in leadership, Plans: To attend the University of Michigan for undergraduate work, majoring in biology, then applying to veterinary school, preferably to attend Michigan State University to become a large animal veterinarian.
High School
Year, student council, College Ambassadors, band, four years, John Philip Sousa Award, director’s Award, three honor bands, “1”s at District Band Festival, trumpet section leader all four years. Plans: To attend Aquinas College to study pre-dentistry with a major in biology and compete on the track team, then enroll in a dental school and work towards becoming an orthodontist.
Arik LaFave
Honor Students Hanna Sperry GPA: 3.81
Parents: Vince and Monica Sperry Activities and honors: Student Council Class president, National Honor Society president, cross country, track, school record holder for 400 meter dash, helped to run and volunteered for Red Cross blood drives. Plans: To attend Aquinas College on a track and academic scholarship to study pre-medicine.
GPA: 3.91
Parents: Janet and Brad LaFave Activities and honors: cross country, recently placed fifth at the D3 State Finals; track and field, Student of the Year during junior year, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad, Principal’s Advisory Committee. Plans: To attend Aquinas College and continue to run on the cross country and track and field teams, while majoring in business.
Matthew Darling GPA: 3.77
Parents: Mike Darling and Jamie Baumgardner, Shirley Darling and Ty Paulsen, James Brant and Yvonne Brant, Rob Conley and Randi Conley Activities and honors: National Honor Society, football, two time blood donor. Plans: To attend Ferris State University with an undeclared major.
Traxton Gordon
Fred Vanderstelt
GPA: 3.67
Michael Aslakson GPA: 3.99
Parents: Barbara Aslakson and Scott Aslakson Activities and honors: Placements at the Oceana County Mathematics Competition in ninth and 11th grade, competed in a small chemistry competiton in 11th grade, All Conference in visual arts at the 2016 CSAA Sivler Talent Review, active member of the National Honor Society. Plans: To attend Ferris State University for a degree in electrical engineering and to also pursue freelance writing opportunities.
Parents: Randy and Shelly Gordon Activities and honors: varsity basketball, four years, team captain for two years, All Conference Second Team, twice All Conference, All State Honorable Mention, All State Academic Team, three times Newaygo County All Area, over 1,000 career points; cross country, four years on the honor roll, academic honor at Muskegon Community College. Plans: To attend Aquinas College with an undeclared major.
Caitlin David
Nathan McKeown
GPA: 3.76
GPA: 3.98
Parents: Mark and Amy McKeown Activities and honors: cross country, two years, All Conference, team state qualifier; football, two years, All Conference, Academic All-State, undefeated senior season; basketball, four years, defensive MVP, All Conference, All Area; track, four years, freshman award, Conference Champion, All-State Champion, State Champion; Science Olympiad, Student of the
Parents: Ron and Stella David Activities and honors: National Honor Society, four year student council member, six year volleyball player, assisted middle school volleyball, Academic All State for volleyball, two time district Honors Band, played in the MSBOA All-Stars Band, played at State Solo and Ensemble Festival. Plans: To attend Michigan State University to major in Arts and Humanities with a possible minor in English.
GPA: 3.73
Parents: Fred and Diane Vanderstelt Activities and honors: four years of wrestling. Plans: To attend Ferris State University.
Gabriel Ramos GPA: 3.76
Parent: Rachael Ramos Activities and honors: football, baseball, track, National Honor Society, First Team All Conference in football 2015, Muskegon All-Area Team in football 2015, Muskegon Dream Team in football 2015. Plans: To attend Muskegon Community College for one year and then transfer to Grand Valley State University. Current major undeclared.
s n o i t a l u t a r g n o C Class of 2016 Pentwater High School Carrie Griffis
Joshua Logan Smith
Chyanne Smith
Connor Patterson
Emily Gebhart
George Petersen III
Isaiah Aspy
Jacob Emick-Free
Lillian Knudsen
Rita Panozzo
Sarah Jewett
Sophia Nyberg
Steven Peterson
Tyler Douglas
— Sponsored by these Business and Professional People — Oceana Eyecare Hansen Foods NAPA Auto and Truck Parts - Hart Peter G. Mason - Gentle Dental Heather L. Phares, D.D.S., P.C. & Jessica Sneller, D.D.S. Meyers Chevrolet Mike’s Auto Body Hallack Contracting Kristi’s Pour House Dad’s Automotive Depot Insurance Shoreline Properties, Roberta Williams Hart Dental Beckman Bros., INC. The Brown Bear
Country Dairy Oceana Pharmacy Gale’s IGA PM Collision Universal Electronics Gales Agency Inc. Hart, Shelby,Pentwater & Whitehall Helena Chemical West Michigan Abbey Carpet Chucks Plumbing & Heating The Pizza Factory Christmann Agency Hodges Sales & Service Brock A. Johnsen D.D.S., P.C. Coldwell Banker Anchor Real Estate Lewis Farm Market & Petting Farm
Shelby State Bank Open Hearth Grille Dr. Rick & Jill Williams Tanner Plumbing & Heating BC Pizza Boathouse Bar & Grille West Michigan Insurance Ken Adams & Sons Excavating Walicki’s A-1 Auto Body Klotz Auto - Hart & Shelby Brown Chiropractic MI West Shore Realty Cosmic Candy Company Home of Pentwater Popcorn Oceana’s Herald-Journal