May 11, 2024
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 2 | May 11, 2024 Hats off to the Class of 2024!
CONGRATULATIONS, GRADUATES!
Ellie Perkins
Cass City High School
Hometown: Cass City
Parents: Rich and Heidi Perkins
Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity soccer, varsity cross country, Tige rsharks swim, math academics team, student council, quizbowl, Clydesdale youth showman, MDHBA youth representative, National Clydesdale queen.
Community Activities: Soccer ball girl, swim meet timer, blood drive, concessions.
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Future Plans: Oklahoma State University — animal science/pre-vet, equine management certificate.
McKenzie Melnik
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Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Kristen Henry and Nathan Melnik
Extra Curricular Activities: Melnik has been heavily involved in music during her four years at BAHS, serving as a member of concert bands, musical pit bands, pep bands, jazz bands and marching bands.
Community Activities: Melnik has been involved in Bad Axe Student Council and National Honor Society, participating in school and community events and projects.
Future Plans: In the fall, she will be attending the University of Michigan to study biomedical science.
Mikaela Boyle
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Port Austin
Parents: Chris and Kathy Boyle
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Alison Siemen
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Harbor Beach
Parents: Chris and Carrie Siemen
Extra Curricular Activities: Student council, NHS, student voice, track and field, cross country.
Community Activities: Tutor, church activities.
Future Plans: Major in mathematics.
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Extra Curricular Activities: Boyle has been an active member of all aspects of high school for the past four years. Currently she serves as the Class of 2025 president, the Interact Club treasurer, the National Honor Society historian and the Youth Advisory Committee co-chair. She is also a member of the student council.
Community Activities: She has bene a four-year member of the soccer and basketball teams and assists with coaching the elementary girls basketball team. Future Plans: In the fall, Boyle will be attending the University of Michigan to study business.
Robert Kruger
Cass City High School
Hometown: Cass City
Parents: Robert and Michelle Krueger
Extra Curricular Activities: Concert and marching band, first chair/dead of low ensemble, esports, work experience through school IT department.
Community Activities: Peer mentoring
Future Plans: Central Michigan University — music education. 4
Savana Roggenbuck
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Harbor Beach
Parents: Jonathan and Michele Roggenbuck
Extra Curricular Activities: Basketball, volleyball, National Honor Society, student council, National Technical Honor Society and Bible study.
Community Activities: Altar serving, reading at mass, officiating youth sports, creating bulletin boards and leading children’s liturgy of the word.
Future Plans: Attend Saginaw Valley State University for elementary education. 6
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 3
Cameron Owen
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Cass City High School
Hometown: Cass City
Parents: Lee and Danielle Owen
Extra Curricular Activities: Esports
Community Activities: Volunteering with compassus
Future Plans: SVSU — general business, Northern — undecided/education.
Jaxson Susalla
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ubly
Parents: Joshua and JaNice Susalla
Extra Curricular Activities: Football and FFA.
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: Attending Michigan State University for crop and soil science. 8
Sophia Wanless
Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School
Hometown: Unionville
Parents: Michael and Bridget Wanless
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Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity swim — team captain, band — drum major, robotics, lifeguard/swim instructor, student council, Caro Tigersharks swim club member.
Community Activities: Caro Tigersharks swim club volunteer assistant coach and meet setup/takedown, VIP program, Rotary Interact.
Future Plans: Plans on attending Kettering University for a degree in electrical engineering.
Diana Cortez
Cass City High School
Hometown: Cass City
Parents: Rutilio Cotes-Sanchez and Rufina Cervantes
Extra Curricular Activities: Student council, cross country, track, basketball, rotary interact, NHS, prom committee.
Community Activities: Octagon barn, Christmas in the village, lifeguard, Hills and Dales General Hospital work experience.
Future Plans: University of Michigan Ann Arbor, major in biology, minor in Spanish (pre-med).
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 4 | May 11, 2024
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Aran Harris
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ruth
Parents: Amy Schmitz and Jason Harris
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Extra Curricular Activities: Cross country, track and soccer.
Community Activities: NHS, soccer and volunteering.
Future Plans: University of Michigan — double major in statistics and chemistry.
Mitchell
Foote
Ubly High School
Hometown: Argyle
Parents: Amy and Jeromie Foote
Extra Curricular Activities: Football, basketball, track, FFA.
Community Activities: 4-H.
Future Plans: Northwood to become an accountant.
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 5
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Kadie Jarson
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Laker High School
Hometown: Caseville
Parents: Stacy and Michelle Jarson
Extra Curricular Activities: Student council vicepresident, Laker volleyball, Laker FFA treasurer, National Honor Society.
Community Activities: Waitress at the Bad Axe Steakhouse, community service highlights through NHS and FFA: Shop With a Hero, Special Olympics, Living to Serve phone-a-thon and more.
Future Plans: Attending Saginaw Valley State University this fall, majoring in health sciences and minoring in youth services in hopes of becoming a pediatrician.
Samantha Harder
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Laker High School
Hometown: Caseville
Parents: Lee Harder and Michelle Hartman
Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity track, Science Olympiad, Rotary Interact, HOSA, NTHS and NHS.
Community Activities: Youth group, cook at Wooded Island.
Future Plans: University of Michigan to double major in biology, health and society and biomedical science and minor in crime and justice.
Utah Gusa
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ubly
Parents: Jeanne and Andy Gusa
Extra Curricular Activities: Cross country, track and FFA.
Community Activities: Youth groups.
Future Plans: Obtain my associate degree and run cross country and Kirtland Community College. 14
Owen Kociba
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Melodie and Brian Kociba
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Extra Curricular Activities: For the past four years, Kociba has been a member of the Interact Club, the basketball team and the track and field program. He joined the National Honor Society as a junior.
Community Activities: He is active in his church youth group.
Future Plans: In the fall, Kociba will attend Saginaw Valley State University to study accounting and finance.
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 6 | May 11, 2024
Regan Hobkirk
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Bob and Stacie Hobkirk
17 Gabriella Crumm
Extra Curricular Activities: Hobkirk is currently the National Honor Society president, the Interact Club secretary and the Class of 2024 treasurer.
Community Activities: In both 2022 and 2023, she was a part of the service trip to the Dominican Republic, where she assisted with improving living structures and provided mosquito nets. During high school, Hobkirk has also been a member of the volleyball, softball and golf teams while being active in her church community.
Future Plans: In the fall, she will attend Grand Valley State University to study nursing.
Dakota Prill
North Huron High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Gerald and Stephanie Prill
Extra Curricular Activities: FFA, National Honor Society, bowling.
Community Activities: n/a Future Plans: Going directly to the workforce.
Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School
Hometown: Sebewaing
Parents: Paul and Renee Crumm
Extra Curricular Activities: Softball, volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society, Rotary Interact, student council, peer to peer.
Community Activities: Youth basketball camp counselor, youth volleyball camp counselor, decorate church for upcoming events/holidays, MC for pep assemblies, parades, athletic events, youth softball team coach, MAD Day — park cleanup and restoration, benefit breakfast volunteer.
Future Plans: I will be attending Saginaw Valley State University with a major in occupational therapy, while also playing softball.
Hailey Dubs
Cass City High School
Hometown: Cass City
Parents: Aaron and Carrie Dubs
Extra Curricular Activities: Basketball, NHS.
Community Activities: Blood drives, youth basketball. Future Plans: SVSU — pre-physical therapy.
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 7
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20 Co n g ratu latio ns to all the Lake r Stu dents w ho place d in the 2024 Tr ibu n e To p 50 Samantha Harde r Faith Ho o pe r Ka die Jar so n Ma dilyn Jimpkoski Hei di Keim Layto n Krohn Abigail Mattice Bailey Ma schke Magdalen e Mau re r Grace McArdle Ko nn o r Olso n Grace Sug g itt 6436 Pigeo n Rd, Pigeo n, MI 48755 (989) 453-4600 • www.lake rscho ols.org
Taylin Sutherland
Unionville-Sebewaing Area High School
Hometown: Sebewaing
Parents: Randi and Jonathan Zuzga and Shane and Lisa Sutherland
Extra Curricular Activities: National Honor Society, student council, VIP program, Peer 2 Peer program, band, volleyball, basketball, softball, track and field.
Community Activities: Blood drive helper, Huron County Fair helper.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Albion College to student exercise science and run track and field.
Erica Klee
Ubly High School
Hometown: Minden City
Parents: Michael and Marybeth
21 Jordan Dooley
Caseville High School
Hometown: Caseville
Parents: Kerri Dooley and Daniel Dooley
Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity volleyball (awarded 2023 NCTL second team all-conference), varsity basketball (awarded 2023 NCTL first team all-conference, MVP and team captain), and National Honor Society.
Community Activities: St. Roch Catholic Church community picnic volunteer, can drives/can returns, elementary basketball camps, middle school Halloween party, Oak Wood Assisted Living visit for Christmas and St. Patrick’s Day.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Saginaw Valley State University for pre-medicine and biology studies to become a pediatrician.
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Extra Curricular Activities: Cross country and track.
Community Activities: NHS, church, volunteering.
Future Plans: Northwood University for business management.
Grace McArdle
Laker High School
Hometown: Pigeon
Parents: Leo and Amy McArdle
Extra Curricular Activities: Marching band, varsity girls soccer, student council, varsity powerlifting, National Honor Society, Laker Rotary Interact, National Technical Honors Society, Tri-County Honors Band and pep band.
Community Activities: Thumb Bread Baskets, sport concessions, 4-H Huron County garage sale setups, soup kitchen worker and blood drive worker.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Michigan State University and major in engineering.
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 8 | May 11, 2024
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Cadence Randall
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Sam and Kassie Randall
25 Alyssa Hanselman
Extra Curricular Activities: During high school, Randall has been a member of the softball (9th-11th) and clay pigeon shooting teams. During her junior year, she served as DECA treasurer at the Huron Area Technical Center. For both her 11th and 12th grade years, Randall has competed at SkilsUSA for welding.
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: In the fall, she plans to attend MidMichigan College to complete her general education credits and to transfer to Ferris State University to study welding engineering.
Guy Curtis Phillips
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Deckerville High School
Hometown: Deckerville
Parents: Chris and Irene Phillips
Extra Curricular Activities: Robotics – Eagle 1 – 6091, band, quiz bowl, SC4 Baja team.
Community Activities: National Honor Society, Red Cross blood drives, adopt-a-family, Memorial Day flags for veterans, Deckerville community homecoming committee, Deckerville car show and cruise, adopt-afamily (EnglishTeam), games with senior residents.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Saginaw Valley State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
Abigail Mattice
Laker High School
Hometown: Elkton
Parents: Becky Mattice and Jamie Jeffers
Extra Curricular Activities: NHS, FFA, track.
Community Activities: Hostess at Peppermill restaurant. Community service highlights including the Thumb Bread Basket, Shop With a Hero and Living to Serve.
Future Plans: I plan on attending Delta College to obtain my associate degree in diagnostic medical sonography.
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Adam and Tonya Hanselman
Extra Curricular Activities: During her four years at Bad Axe High School, Hanselman has been a member of the student council and the National honor society, completing community and school service projects.
Community Activities: She tutors students at the Bad Axe Elementary School.
Future Plans: In the fall, Hanselman will attend Michigan State University before transferring to dental hygienist school.
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 9
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28 Best Wi shes For Your Future Endeavors! We S alute all the 2024 Top 50 Stude nts F
Konnor Olson
Laker High School
Hometown: Sebewaing
Parents: Tim and LeeAnn Olson
Extra Curricular Activities: Track, cross country, soccer, bowling, NHS, NTHS.
Community Activities: Bad Axe Family Fun Festival, Special Olympics, HATC freshmen tours, Elkton 5K.
Future Plans: Enlist in the Navy. Job: crypto technology technician.
Bailey Maschke
Laker High School
Hometown: Caseville
29 Faith Hooper
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Laker High School
Hometown: Bay Port
Parents: Ryan and Carrie Hooper
Extra Curricular Activities: National Honor Society, varsity cross country, varsity track, varsity gymnastics and competitive dance.
Community Activities: Gymnastics coach at Thumb Tumblers gymnastics, church children’s ministries, Operation Christmas Child, Huron County Special Olympics, Thumb Bread Basket and Pigeon Little League concession stands.
Future Plans: As of now, my plans for the future are to go to college for physical therapy. I have decided to start my education by going to Saginaw Valley State University for my undergraduate degree at Central Michigan University. The idea of strengthening and exercising has always been something that I am very passionate about in my own personal life. In my future, I would like to help others to have the proper knowledge in these things to live a happy and healthy lifestyle as well.
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Parents: Jeremy Maschke and the late Sheila IselerMaschke
Extra Curricular Activities: n/a
Community Activities: I volunteer at the Proud Equestrian Program in Bad Axe.
Future Plans: I plan on attending the Culinary Institute of Michigan in Port Huron in pursuit of an associate degree in baking and pastry arts. After that, I will decide if I want to stay in Port Huron or move back to Huron County.
Collin Bingham
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Deanna and Adam Sutherland, Todd Bingham
Extra Curricular Activities: During high school, Bingham was an active member of the National Honor Society and the Huron Area Youth Advisory Committee, completing community service projects and maintaining academic standards. Additionally, he competed as a member of the wrestling, track and field, trap shooting and Desitantion Imagination teams.
Community Activities: He has been active in his church youth group.
Future Plans: In the fall, he plans to attend Ferris State University to study survey engineering. 32
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 10 | May 11, 2024
Layton Krohn
Laker High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Heath and Melanie Krohn
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Extra Curricular Activities: High school basketball and AAU, National Honor Society, baccalaureate committee.
Community Activities: Active volunteer at Elkton Missionary Church, youth basketball volunteer, Huron County Special Olympics.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Calvin University to study finance.
David Shanks
Deckerville High School
Hometown: Deckerville
Parents: Josh and Trisha Shanks
Extra Curricular Activities: Basketball, football, academic games.
Community Activities: National Honor Society, blood drives, adopt-a-family (English Team), games with senior residents.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Michigan State University to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
Mariah Jahn
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Harbor Beach
Parents: Casey and Tina Jahn
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Extra Curricular Activities: Basketball, volleyball, student council, National Honor Society, prom committee, Health Occupations Students of America.
Community Activities: Adopt a highway, Knights of Columbus free throw competition, Harbor Beach volleyball camp, Harbor Beach basketball camp, adopt a family, 6th grade basketball coach, tech center blood drive, Knights of Columbus euchre tournament, Zion basketball tournament.
Future Plans: I plan to attend the University of South Alabama and major in radiologic sciences.
Heidi Keim
Laker High School
Hometown: Pigeon
Parents: Brian and Lisa Keim
Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity soccer, Rotary Interact, Youth Advisory Committee, student/executive council president, FFA, National Honor Society.
Community Activities: Girls ont eh run coach, volunteer through Frankenmuth Bible Church, served and participated in Goshen Choir Festival, created and delivered fleece blankets as well as hygiene kits with YAC and Rotary, purple pinky fundraiser with Rotary, administered blood drives at Laker High School, soccer academy/camp coach, plan and run homecoming/coming home week festivities as the executive student council president, assisted living home visits through FFA and YAC, grant advisory through YAC, worked at Shakers Ice Cream Parlor, provide childcare and home services to local families.
Future Plans: Dental hygiene at Ferris State University with a bachelor’s of science degree.
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 11
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34 HURON INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT “Helping Inspire Success And Dreams” 1299 S. Thomas Rd. • Bad Axe 989-269-6406 Cong ratu lations Trib u n e TO P 50
Grace Suggitt
Laker High School
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Hometown: Pigeon
Parents: Kristen and Chris Suggitt
Extra Curricular Activities: Varsity gymnastics, varsity track, Skills USA, NTHS, NHS, student/executive council.
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: My future plans are to major in elementary education at SVSU.
Julie Geiger
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Harbor Beach
Parents: Michael and Lisa Geiger
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Extra Curricular Activities: FFA, NHS and softball.
Community Activities: Thumb Octagon Barn, Harbor Beach Memorial Day parade, Port Hope 4th of July parade, Laker toy show, Huron Area Technical Center student panel.
Future Plans: Attending Michigan State University for the Livestock Industries Certificate Program and then finishing with a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management. After college I plan to start my own cow calf operation.
Madilyn Jimpkoski
Laker High School
Hometown: Bay Port
Parents: n/a
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Extra Curricular Activities: Through school I participated in varsity soccer, varsity powerlifting, Rotary Interact, National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, Science Olympiad and the performing side of my high school band.
Community Activities: In my community I have helped with many volunteer activities through many organizations. I have also been a dancer at Sherry’s Dance Studio and an active member attending church.
Future Plans: I plan to attend the University of Michigan — Ann Arbor and major in microbiology with a concentration on premedical studies. After finishing my undergraduate degree, I plan to go to medical school and become an anesthesiologist.
Jacob Messing
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ruth
Parents: Jeff and Tammy Messing
Extra Curricular Activities: Running and weightlifting.
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Community Activities: Church volunteering. Future Plans: Northwood for business management, minor in data analytics.
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 12 | May 11, 2024
Miguel-Luis Del Rosario
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Jonathan and Louie Del Rosario
Extra Curricular Activities: Powerlifting, track, soccer, NHS, student council, DECA.
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Community Activities: Church lector and altar, Knights of Columbus volunteer, pop-up pantry volunteer, Huron County Senior Fair volunteer, Huran Area Tech Center advisory committee member.
Future Plans: Attend Northwood University to obtain master’s degree in business administration.
Rose Brilinski
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ubly
Parents: Elizabeth and Eric Brilinski
Extra Curricular Activities: Theater and yearbook.
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: Wayne State University for visual arts education. 43
Addison Hagen
Ubly High School
Hometown: Ubly
Parents: Clint and Melissa Hagen
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Extra Curricular Activities: Golf, volleyball, FFA, NHS.
Community Activities: Volunteer travel volleyball coach, Veterans Day volunteer, concession stand volunteer.
Future Plans: Attend Michigan State University. Major in crop and soil science, minor in agribusiness.
Ariel Kadar
Harbor Beach High School
Hometown: Harbor Beach
Parents: Brandon and Stacey Kadar
Extra Curricular Activities: Volleyball and softball
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: n/a 42
Top 50 Students michigansthumb.com May 11, 2024 | 13
Johanna Kubacki
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Deckeville High School
Hometown: Deckerville
Parents: Jared and Jessica Heilig, James Kubacki and Tiffany Shuart
Extra Curricular Activities: Cross country, volleyball, softball, basketball, academic games, student council, Youth Advisory Council.
Community Activities: National Honor Society (treasurer), blood drives, adopt-a-family, games with senior residents.
Future Plans: Attend University of Michigan, Ann Arbor to major in psychology.
Magdalene Maurer
Laker High School
Hometown: Pigeon
Parents: David and Elizabeth Maurer
Extra Curricular Activities: Band, theater, Rotary Interact Club, National Honor Society and National Technical Honor Society.
Community Activities: Thumb Bread Basket, tours at Huron Area Technical Center and volunteering to help with elementary theater.
Future Plans: I plan to attend Western Michigan University and major in occupational therapy.
Chase Sosnoski
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Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Port Austin
Parents: Mark and Charlotte Sosnoski
Extra Curricular Activities: In the past two years, Sosnoski has been active in the Huron Area Technical Center drafting and CAD classes, competing in the Tech Center mini IVD team, winning the mid-season race event and placing third and advancing to the state skills competition at SkillsUSA in technical drafting. Additionally, he has been a four-year member of the Bad Axe High School soccer, football and golf teams and a member of the Barn Burner local hockey teams.
Community Activities: He is a member of St. Michael’s Church and served as an altar boy when younger.
Future Plans: In the fall, Sosnoski will be attending Michigan Technological University to study mechanical engineering.
Jason Murawski
North Huron High School
Hometown: Port Austin
Parents: Ken and Donna Murawski
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Extra Curricular Activities: Band, bowling, FFA.
Community Activities: FFA community garden and helping the food pantry.
Future Plans: n/a
michigansthumb.com Top 50 Students 14 | May 11, 2024
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Caleb Geiger
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Tim and Stephanie Geiger
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Extra Curricular Activities: As part of high school, Geiger has been a member of the cross country, track and field and bowling teams. Serving in the National Honor Society, National Technical Honors Society and DECA, he has completed school and service projects.
Community Activities: n/a
Future Plans: In the fall, Geiger will be attending Delta College to study finance.
Natalie Bucholtz
Bad Axe High School
Hometown: Bad Axe
Parents: Brian and Rose Bucholtz
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Extra Curricular Activities: Bucholtz has been a leader during her time at BAHS. She has participated in school and community service projects as a member of multiple leadership clubs, such as the student council, National Honor Society, and the Interact Club.
As part of the Interact Club, she was able to participate in a work trip to the Dominican Republich, where she states she experienced many valuable life lessons and met so many amazing people. These extracurricular activities are what Bucholtz credits as developing the strong role as the student she became throughout high school.
Community Activities: Bucholtz has been an active member at St. Hubert Catholic Parish, attending religious ed and helping teach first-grade catechism every week after school, along with vacation bible school during the summer.
Future Plans: In the fall, Bucholtz will attend Central Michigan University to student elementary education.
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