Top Graduates (May 2024)

TOP GRADUATES 2024 WILLMAR HIGH SCHOOL

Emmie Larson

Family: Tim and Kellie Larson, of Willmar. Emmie has two siblings.

College plans: Gustavus Adolphus College, majoring in environmental studies.

Hobbies and interests: Skiing, tennis and orchestra.

Lyndi Koosman

Family: Ryan and Holly Koosman, of Spicer. Lyndi has two siblings.

College plans: University of Sioux Falls, majoring in exercise science.

Hobbies and interests: Gymnastics, track, spending time with friends and family and being on the lake.

Rich Becker

Family: Dale and Shannon Becker, of Willmar. Rich has two siblings.

College plans: Concordia College— Moorhead, majoring in finance and math.

Hobbies and interests: Band, choir, track and field and musical theater.

Chloe Lownsbury Ryan Vruwink

Family: Jennifer Lownsbury, of Spicer. Chloe has one sibling.

College plans: Liberty University, majoring in aeronautics.

Hobbies and interests: Hockey, golf, water sports, reading, flying planes and youth group.

Family: Tony and Dana Vruwink, of Spicer. Ryan has one sibling.

College plans: Ridgewater College, enrolling in the electrician program.

Hobbies and interests: Robotics, supermileage, motorcycling, snowmobiling, fishing, wakeboarding and skiing.

TOP GRADUATES 2024

Macy Elton

Parents: Braum and Shannon Elton, Atwater. College: University of St. Thomas, majoring in pre-medicine.

Rachel Fils-Aime

Parents: Yvon and Concepcion Fils-Aime, Willmar. College: Columbia University, majoring in political science and east Asian languages.

Parents: Kory and Pam Kottke, Buffalo Lake. College: St. Cloud State University, undeclared.

ACGC BENSON

Mikaili Johnson

Parents: Derrick and Michelle Johnson, Grove City. College and Major: College of St. Benedict, majoring in biology.

Elise Duncan

Parents: Anne and Brock Duncan, Benson. College: Luther College, majoring in business.

Parents: Brent and Patty Grube, Benson. College: South Dakota State University, majoring in pharmacy.

CMCS

Caitlynn Roiseland

Parents: Alan and Allison Roiseland, Willmar. College: Hillsdale College, majoring in accounting.

Lauren Taatjes

Parents: Ben and Megan Taatjes, Renville. College: Liberty University, majoring in biomedical sciences.

Parents: Mitchell and Janell Koehl, Hancock. College: Koehl will join the workforce

Hannah Schlomann

Parents: Kyle and Jaime Schlomann, Lake Lillian. College: University of North Dakota, majoring in occupational therapy.

Tate Sheehan

Parents: Trisha and Todd Sheehan, Bird Island. College: Lakes Area Technical and Community College, majoring in energy technology and business.

BOLD BLHS CCS

Parents: Adam and Brady Cavaness, Clara City. College: Crown College, majoring in communications and biblical and theological studies.

Dawson-Boyd

Allison Estling

Parents: Troy and Amy Estling, Dawson. College and major: Lake Area Technical College, majoring in nursing.

Noah Luthi

Parents: Randy and Johnnita Luthi, Hancock. College: North Dakota State University, majoring in mechanical engineering.

Ayiana Hastad

Parents: Andrea and Jason Hastad, Dawson. College and major: University of Sioux Falls, majoring in pre-physical therapy.

Katelynn Marquardt

Parents: Taunia Tiegs and Monty Marquardt, Willmar. College: Concordia College— Moorhead, majoring in biology with an emphasis in pre-medicine.

About this Section

Profiled on these pages are students in the top 5% of each graduating class in high schools in the West Central Tribune coverage area. Some schools chose not to participate in 2024.

Olivia Noble

Parents: Josh and Kris Noble, Maynard. College: University of Wisconsin—River Falls, majoring in crop and soil sciences.

Guardians: Patricia and Daniel Benson, Murdock. College: University of Minnesota—Morris, majoring in chemistry.

Kristi Kottke

Rachel Kottke Parents: Kory and Pam Kottke, Buffalo Lake. College: St. Cloud State University, undeclared.

Kayden Cavaness

Mackenzie Tuttle

Parents: Tom and Stacie Tuttle, Willmar. College: Northwestern College, majoring in nursing.

Kaylin Grube

Jordan Schmidt

Mallory Joos

Parents: Kevin and Kelli Joos, Hancock. College: Alexandria Technical and Community College, majoring in interior design.

Kendra Koehl

as a secretary.

Cole Schliep

TOP GRADUATES 2024

Lac qui Parle Valley

Elias Hegland

Parents: Dawn and Edward Hegland, Appleton. College: Concordia College—Moorhead, majoring in business.

Grace Vacek

Parents: Curt and Sara Vacek, Appleton. College: University of Minnesota—Twin Cities, majoring in psychology.

Blake Nelson

Parents: Peter and Kari Nelson, Glenwood. College: University of St. Thomas, majoring in business management.

Daniel Gunlogson

Parents: Sam and Jennie Gunlogson, Montevideo. College and major: University of Chicago, majoring in business economics.

BrynnArnsdorfElizabeth

Parents: Timothy Arnsdorf and BobbiJo Berg, Spicer. College: North Dakota State University, majoring in nursing.

Ella Kienitz

Parents: Kraig and Jeanette Kienitz, Raymond.

College: Gustavus Adolphus College, undeclared.

Myles

Parents: Ted and Dacia Reichmann, Villard. College: North Dakota State University, majoring in animal science.

Henry Hanna

Parents: Patrick and Stephanie Hanna, Montevideo. College and major: University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, undeclared.

Adriana Michelle Behl

Parents: John and Michelle Behl, Spicer. College: North Dakota State University, majoring in animal science and pre-veterinary.

MACCRAY

Parents: Cameron and Sarah Macht, Raymond. College: Grand Canyon University, majoring in accounting.

Minnewaska Montevideo

Parents: Jeremiah and Amie Stark, Glenwood. College: Gustavus Adolphus College, majoring in nursing.

Maren Nelson

Parents: Thor and Stephanie Nelson, Montevideo; Heather Olson, Milan. College and major: North Central University, majoring in business management or health care management.

EmeryGabrielsonLauren

Parents: Jeff and Kiltie

Gabrielson, New London. College: South Dakota State University, majoring in business economics.

Parents: Rick and Darcie Meyer, Clara City.

College: University of North Dakota, majoring in elementary education.

Parents: Dieken and Stephanie Swalla, Lowry. College: Augustana University, majoring in exercise science and fitness management.

Madison VanBinsbergen

Parents: Brent and Carrie VanBinsbergen, Montevideo. College and major: Concordia University, majoring in mathematics.

LukeKnudsenRyan

Parents: Tracy and Troy Knudsen, Spicer. College: North Dakota State University or Concordia—Moorhead, majoring in pre-medicine.

Congratulations Class of 2024! to the

“Keep

Parents:

Parents: Greg and Gina Macik, Willmar. College: South Dakota State University, majoring in human biology.

James Radabaugh

Parents: Garret and RoxAnn Radabaugh, New London.

College: South Dakota State University, majoring in wildlife biology or fisheries.

Ella Wolner

Parents: Chris and Christina Wolner, Montevideo. College and major: University of St. Thomas, majoring in environmental science.

Callie Macht

Greta Meyer

Averie Nurmi

Dave and Mindie Nurmi, Clara City. College: Concordia— Moorhead, majoring in nursing.

MylesMacikGregory

Gavin

Reichmann

Teagan Stark

Makenna Swalla

TOP GRADUATES 2024

Paynesville

Owen Brick

Parents: Jamey and Angie Brick, Lake Henry. College: Ridgewater College, majoring in liberal arts.

Marin Buermann

Parents: Karen SvihelBuermann and Richard Buermann, Paynesville. College: Rochester Community and Technical College, majoring in nursing.

Meryl Bos

Parents: Justin and Sara Bos, Willmar. College: College of Saint Benedict, majoring in elementary education.

Coraley Bryan

Parents: Clay and Lisa Bryan, Renville. College: Normandale Community College, majoring in general studies.

Zadina Butcher

Parents: Tricia and Kris Butcher, Willmar. College: Dakota County Technical College, majoring in exercise science.

Elizabeth Hoffman

Parents: Andrew and Ka-Lee Hoffman, Willmar. College: Bethel University, majoring in business political science.

Fernanda Ossa Letelier

Parents: Pablo Ossa and Fernanda Letelier, Willmar. College: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse, undeclared.

Laila Ridler

Parents: Roger and Tonia Ridler, Sacred Heart. College: Southwest Minnesota State University, majoring in pre-veterinary medicine.

Willmar

Katelyn Garberding

Parents: Jennifer and Jason Garberding, Willmar. College: University of Wisconsin—River Falls, majoring in psychology.

Heidi Kath

Parents: Brian and Rosanne Kath, Willmar. College: University of Wisconsin—La Crosse, majoring in marketing.

Avery Quinn

Parents: Mick and Chloe Quinn, Willmar. College: University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire, majoring in business.

Hailie Bjorndal

Parents: Steve and Beth Bjorndal, Granite Falls.

College: Minnesota West Community and Technical College, majoring in early childhood education.

Cullen Gregory

Parents: Martin and Rochelle Gregory, Willmar. College: St. John’s University, majoring in accounting.

Henry Michelson

Parents: Ryan and Angie Michelson, Willmar. College: University of St. Thomas, majoring in accounting.

Hannah Quinn

Parents: Mick and Chloe Quinn, Willmar. College: Drake University, majoring in health sciences.

Connor Fagen

Parents: Evan and Melissa Fagen, Granite Falls. College: University of Nebraska—Lincoln, majoring in business administration.

Maycee Gustafson

Parents: Wade and Bethany Gustafson, Willmar. College: South Dakota State University, majoring in business economics.

Landon Ogdahl

Parents: Carrie Ogdahl, Willmar; Darrin Ogdahl, Willmar. College: Ogdahl will join the National Guard.

Sophia Quinn

Parents: Mick and Chloe Quinn, Willmar. College: University of St. Thomas, majoring in business.