Congratulations Class of 2016!

Class of 2016 Top Scholars!

Paulding High School

Allison Harpel of Paulding High School has been named as valedictorian of the Class of 2016. She earned a 4.140 GPA during her high school career. Her parents are Gregory Harpel and Rachael Thomas.

She has plans to begin attending Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study chemical engineering and biochemistry. She enjoys creating products and ideas that benefit humanity. Allison has been involved in Science Olympiad, marching, concert, pep, and jazz band including Solo and Ensemble. She was a member of the Quiz Bowl team, Engineering team, participated in the Science Fair, 4-H, NHS and cross country. She also has had some after school jobs and volunteered as a tutor for Paulding Elementary students.

Allison has earned the PPEC scholarship, Student of the Month, and a National Merit Commended Scholar. She also enjoys painting, jogging and reading sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, and classic novels.

“My most memorable high school experience has been the time I have spent with my band family,” Allison concluded.

Megan Reineck of Paulding High School has been named Salutatorian of the Class of 2016. She has earned a 4.116 GPA during her high school career. Her parents are Matt and Linda Reineck. Megan plans to attend the University of Findlay to major in Pharmacy. She loves science and helping others, and she commented, “Pharmacy is a field that allows me to do both.”

During high school, Megan was involved in varsity soccer, pep, marching and concert band, and concert choir. She was also a member of the school’s Science Olympiad team and of the National Honors Society. Megan is involved in 4-H as a camp counselor, and has been named as student of the month at PHS.

“I enjoy being with my dairy feeder calves, as well as reading and spending time with friends,” Megan stated when asked about her interests outside of school. She then continued with these thoughts about high school, “My most memorable experience has been my time in Marching Band, being at every football game, and getting to perform each week.”

Commencement exercises will be on May 29, 2016 at the Paulding High School at 2:30 p.m.

PLEASE NOTE: In the newspaper there is an error mixing the pictures of Megan and Allison. We apologize for this mistake.

Antwerp Jr/Sr High School

Emily Derck has been named Co-Valedictorian for the Class of 2016. She has earned a 4.0 GPA and is the daughter of Tim and Lisa Derck. Emily plans to attend The Ohio State University to major in Animal Sciences. She wants to go there because she loves everything about Ohio State and she wants to make her passion for animals her profession.

Extracurricular activities of Emily’s include United Way student board, 4-H, Club Volleyball, softball, volleyball, National Honor Society, student council, and band. Among her awards, recognitions, and scholarships are National Honor Society treasurer; 4-H vice-president; 4 varsity letters, coach’s award, and Most Valuable Offensive Player Award in softball; and 3 varsity letters, team captain, and the Pursuit Award in volleyball; Outstanding Student Award in English I, Spanish I & II, and Algebra II, and 4 Academic Excellence Awards.

Outside of school, Emily spends her time with animals – she shows horses at the County Fair every year, so she rides whenever time and the weather permits. For most memorable moments, Emily had this to say, “My most memorable high school experience was going to Disney with the band and choir, Junior year. It was fun spending a whole week with my friends in Florida and marching down the middle of Magic Kingdom.”

Jarrison Steiner has been named Co-Valedictorian of the Class of 2016. He has earned a 4.0 GPA during his high school career. His parents are Bryce and Angel Steiner. He plans to attend IPFW majoring in Computer Science. He would like to then apply for Indiana University Medical School.

During high school, Jarrison has been involved in the STS program and NHS. Other awards and recognitions include course achievement awards for biology, statistics, world history, English, algebra, geometry, and economics, 3-year academic excellence award, and the perfect attendance award (11-12, 13-14).

He also has been an employee of his family’s business, West Bend Printing & Publishing, Inc., working in print production and taking sports photography for the newspaper. His hobbies include photography, computers, and spending time with his family and friends.

Jenna Wilson has been named Salutatorian of the Class of 2016 with a 3.986 GPA. She is the daughter of Tony and Kathy Wilson. Jenna plans to attend Trine University for Mechanical Engineering because, “I have always been fascinated with how machines work and I felt this degree would be a good fit for this interest.

Jenna was involved in varsity golf, marching, concert and jazz band, Quiz Bowl, stage crew for musicals, NHS, and library FTA. She has also been involved as a volunteer at Buckeye Samoyed Rescue, Vancrest, been a member of the Antwerp Community Band, Y Disciple, and UWPC junior board.

Awards, recognitions and scholarships that Jenna has earned include Antwerp Academic A, Presidential Academic, Rotary Award, Four Year Letter Winner – Golf, Most Improved Golfer, Most Improved Band Member, John Phillip Sousa Award, winner of Youth Nations at University of Toledo. She has also earned Trine University Merit Award, Trine Music Participation Award, and Trine Valedictorian/Salutatorian Award.

Jenna has several hobbies and interests – reading, puzzles, trivia, golf, music, and dogs. Her most memorable high school experience was winning the John Phillip Sousa Award at her final high school band concert.

Commencement exercises will take place in the high school gym at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, 2016.

Heritage Jr/Sr High School

 

Lillian Castleman has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2016 with a 4.0 GPA. She will be attending the Ball State University. She plans to be a teacher simply because, “I love working with children.”

Some of her activities and honors include Volleyball, National Honors Society, Student Council, Prom Committee, LEARN program, Presidential Scholarship, Principal’s list, Scholar Athlete of the week, Perfect Attendance, Academic All‐State, Ronald and Joan Venderly Scholarship. Hobbies she enjoys are volleyball, spending time with family and friends, shopping, babysitting, and watching sports games.

Commenting on insights she would like to pass on about high school, she states, “I had a great group of friends who helped me have the best high school experience possible.”

Lillian is the daughter of Mike and Michelle Castleman

Cheyenne Peden has been named Salutatorian of the Class of 2016 with a 11.84 GPA. She plans to attend IPFW to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. She states that she wants to help others and give back. Her extracurricular activities are cheerleading.

Cheyenne commented about her high school experience, and about how she felt that it was coming to a close, “It’s bittersweet. I have had fun and made many memories.” She enjoys bike riding on nature trails and shopping. Her parents are Shawn and Tamara Peden.

Commencement exercises will be at the high school on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.

New Haven High School

Devin Dubbelde has been named Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 with a 12.2 GPA. He plans to attend Purdue University to major in Aerospace Engineering. He comments, “My passion for space and flight has always been existent. Even as a small child, I always fantasized about becoming an astronaut. I had aspirations of becoming the first man on Mars. I decided to pursue this degree because it infuses both space and engineering.”

Devin’s activities and accomplishments include Students Against Destructive Decisions, President; Key Club, Vice President; National Honor Society; Student Council; CANstruction. He earned the National Merit Scholar, Rensselaer Math and Science Award, and Soccer All‐State Academic.

Other hobbies Devin has been involved in are Momentum Youth Group, Soccer, Foot golf, and beating my friends in FIFA 16.

“Overall, I have enjoyed my time in high school. I have been involved in many clubs and activities, and I have made some of my best friends and memories this way. Even though I worked hard to have good grades, I still had time to go out and have fun. High school has been the best years of my life, and I find it hard to believe that my four years have come to a close,” commented Devin.

Devin’s parents are Scott and Diane Dubbelde

Owen Doster has been named Salutatorian of the Class of 2016 with a 11.7 GPA. He has plans to attend Wabash College to major in Pre‐Medicine (Biology). He gives a very thought-provoking statement about his choice of vocation and school, “While I thought about those people that impacted my life and the people that tragically left this world without a reason of my understanding, left me to ponder my life and what I would offer this world. I continued to research the field of science specifically as it pertained to the heart. During the process of research, I met a leader in the cardiology field and was further intrigued. I had the pleasure of interviewing him when I was 14 and was also fortunate to observe him in the operating room during my internship at Lutheran Hospital four years later. It is with that thinking as well as research and well placed opportunities that I desire to pursue my passion to be a cardiothoracic surgeon.”

Throughout his high school career, Owen has been a part of Student Council (President), Principal’s Advisory Cabinet (Senior Leader), National Honor Society, Wrestling, Baseball, Peer Mentoring He has also volunteered at Lutheran Hospital & Indiana Physical Therapy, is a Referee for various youth sports. Recognitions belonging to Owen include 2x First Team Academic All-State, 2x 21 Alive Student Athlete of the Week, Presidential Scholarship through Wabash College, Finalist for the Lilly Grant at Wabash College, earned a general scholarship during Honors Scholarship Weekend at Wabash College, Indiana State Wresting Association Scholarship, Wrestling State Qualifier at 126lbs. in 2015, and Wrestling State Place winner (5th) at 132lbs. In 2016

Besides all of these activities, Owen enjoys Wrestling, Wakeboarding & other water sports, going to the lake, hanging out with my friends, playing Yugioh cards, going to concerts, working out, being surrounded by the people that mean the most to him.

Looking back and gleaning about the insights of high school, Owen had this to say, “High school is all about what you make of it. For me, I got involved and connected and high school was a breeze. I enjoyed memories with my friends, and lots of fun through the sports I played and the clubs that I got involved with. It was very important for me to compete on a high level not only on the playing field but also in the class room. Being a hard worker was another thing that contributed to the ease of high school and also the fun of it.”

His parents are Dave and Kim Doster.

Commencement exercises will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum.

Woodlan Jr/Sr High School

Mitchell VanBrocklin has been named Valedictorian for Woodlan High School of the Class of 2016. He earned an 11.89 GPA. His plan to is attend Marian University and major in marketing so he can use his creativity to market products and come up with advertisements

During high school, Mitchell has been involved in Football and National Honor Society. His accomplishments include Football Academic All‐State, IFCA Top 50 All‐State, St. Clare’s Scholarship, and Athletic Scholarship for Football. His hobbies are sports and youth group.

Mitchell has these insights about high school, “Fun and challenging, but pays off in the end.”

Mitchell is the son of Tanya Reed and Kevin VanBrocklin.

Kenzie Salzbrenner has been named as Salutatorian of the Class of 2016 with an 11.73 GPA. She plans to attend the University of Indianapolis to pursue a degree in Psychology for Occupational Therapy. “I chose this field of study because I want to make a difference in the lives of those with physical or mental disabilities,” comments Salzbrenner.

Some of Kenzie’s high school activities are volleyball, Basketball, Softball, National Honor Society President, Student Council President, Class of 2016 President, Prom Committee, Women’s Ensemble Choir, Campus Life, Special Education intern, St. Paul Lutheran Youth Group. Some of her honors Prom Princess Court, Service above Self student leadership award, Volleyball and Basketball Academic All‐State, Basketball All‐conference, Academic All‐conference, Northeast Indiana Senior All‐Star Team, and Distinguished Dean’s Scholarship.

Her hobbies are sports, singing, swimming, spending time at the lake, and most importantly spending time with my family and friends.

About high school, Kenzie says, “High school has taught me to stay focused and work hard in all that I do. I have also learned that if I fail the first time, I should never give up and keep trying to reach my goals. I will miss my friends and participating in high school sports, but I am very excited for the future.”

She is the daughter of Chad and Staci Salzbrenner.

Commencement exercises will be performed at the high school at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2016.

Wayne Trace Jr/Sr High School

Scott Wenninger has been named Co-Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 with a 4.0 GPA. He plans to attend The Ohio State University to study Biomedical Engineering. This field is expanding and he wants to help with research and development for new prostheses and medicines to cure injuries and diseases.

During high school, Scott was involved in football, track, band, choir, spring musical, robotics, student council, and National Honor Society. He earned many awards including valedictorian, first honors, department awards – geometry, chemistry, algebra II, physics, advanced math, is a National Merit Commended Scholar, earned the Maximus Scholarship (OSU), and the OSU Alumni Scholarship.

Outside of school, Scott is involved in his church youth group, Honors band, All-State honors band, spending time with his friends, and volunteering.

When asked about his most memorable high school experience, Scott commented, “My most memorable high school experience is when the football team went to the State championship. Being able to spend time with my friends and teammates while going through the playoffs and the championship game was an experience I will never forget.”

Scott is the son of Randy and Joni Wenninger.

Brianna Sinn has been named as Co-Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 with a 4.0 GPA. She plans to attend Bluffton University to major in Nutrition Dietetics following her high school career. She enjoys learning how nutrition affects health and wants to help others understand this as well.

Among her awards and achievements, Brianna has earned first honors, varsity letter (basketball and track), Anatomy Departmental Award, world history departmental award, Presidential Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, and Natural and Applied Sciences Award.

Her hobbies include reading, spending time with family and friends, working with cute little spotted pigs, animals, and sewing. Her most memorable high school experiences were spring musicals, and attending the state tournaments for boys basketball and football.

Brianna is the daughter of Gary and Paulette Sinn.

Commencement exercises will be on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at 2:30 p.m. in the high school.