Antwerp High School
KENNADI RECKER has been named 2022 Valedictorian of Antwerp High School. Her parents are Dennis and Monica Recker and the late Lisa Recker.
After graduation, she plans to attend Bowling Green State University and major in Nursing. During high school Recker participated in National Honor Society, Student Council, basketball and Track. She was awarded the BGSU Freshman Scholarship, was on honor roll, Top Student in Biology, and Top Student in World History. Outside of school, Recker is involved with Discipleship at the Catholic Church.
The event that Recker will never forget about high school is when she went to Regionals with her 4×1 track teammates.
NATHAN DUNSTAN has been named 2022 Valedictorian of Antwerp High School. His parents are Jeffrey and Elizabeth Dunstan. He has a 4.0 GPA.
After graduation, Dunstan plans to attend the University of Toledo to major in chemical engineering. He chose this path because he has always had an interest and passion for science and enjoyed the chemistry courses offered in high school. During high school, he participated in being an Ohio File/Mail clerk for the local attorney’s office, student advocate for United Way of Paulding County, National Honor Society, scoreboard operator of all Antwerp High School basketball games, American Legion Buckeye Boys State attendee, and member of Divine Mercy Y-Disciples.
Awards and recognitions Dunstan has earned are the following: University of Toledo Excellence Scholarship, Advanced Placement Statistics Student of the Quarter, Antwerp High School Rotary Award in Football, Antwerp High School Varsity Award in Football, GMC All-Conference Academic Team, Perfect Attendance, English Student of the Quarter, Academic Excellence, President’s Education Award Program, and Chemistry Student of the Quarter.
Outside of school, Dunstan enjoys working on cars, being outdoors to go hunting, walks or running; he also enjoys attending sporting events and races.
When asked what his most memorable High School experience was, he wisely remarked, “It’s extremely difficult for me to just pick a single thing for my most memorable High School experience, but I would have to say it was playing football my senior year and being a part of an incredibly fun, talented and loving group of guys that made a valiant run in the state playoffs and making a ton of new friends while playing.”
KATE FARR has been named 2022 Valedictorian for Antwerp HighSchool. Her parents are Melanie and Richard Farr. Her GPA is 4.0.
After graduation, Farr plans to attend Ball State University to pursue an BA in Journalism. She is also considering a double major or a minor in political science or public policy.
During high school Farr participated in yearbook as the Editor-in-chief, co-president of NHS, co-president of the Ohio Scholastic Media Association student board, is the first Ohio high school journalist on Quill and Scroll’s student advisory board. She also ran cross country, and does community and school theater since elementary school. She has earned numerous awards and scholarships: OSMA Journalism awards, Quill & Scroll; NSPA, and Ball State; Top Student awards in English II & III, STEM, and AP Biology; female cross country team captain; Presidential Scholarship from Ball State; and PPEC First Place Scholarship.
Outside of school, Farr enjoys reading, writing poetry, tending her large assortment of plants, collecting vinyl records, doing photography, and working out.
“My most memorable high school experience would probably be my senior trip. So many things went wrong, but it was still such a great time with all of my friends.”
GAIGE MCMICHAEL has been named 2022 Valedictorian of Antwerp High School. His parents are Scott and Courtenay McMichael.
After graduation, Gaige plans to attend The Ohio State University to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
During high school, McMichael participated in golf, basketball, track, student council, STS, and 4-H. He received the following honors and awards: honor roll all four years; Top Student in Precalculus, Algebra 2, Chemistry, Computer Science, and AP Computer Science; National Honor Society; 21 College Credit Hours. McMichael earned the following scholarships: Northwest Ohio District 7 Basketball Coaches Association Scholarship, Ohio High School Athletic Association Coaches Scholarship, Franklin B. Walters Scholarship. Outside of school, Gaige was active in his youth group, participated in Kamp Dovetail, helped JH golf athletes, clock technician at MAC gym, volunteer for Christmas for Kids.
McMichael stated about his most memorable high school experience, “Going through the tournament trail with the basketball team and making it to State would definitely be my most memorable experience. I made memories and experienced things that I will remember for the rest of the my life.”
Graduation for all 2022 seniors of Antwerp High School is scheduled for Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Paulding High School
TAELYN ETZLER has been named 2022 Salutatorian for Paulding High School. Her GPA is 4.226. Her parents are Chis and Stacie Etzler.
After graduation, Taelyn plans to attend Northwest State Community College for two years and then transfer to Purdue Fort Wayne to major in Graphic Design. “I have always loved art and being creative, so I chose this career path to e able to do something I am passionate about of the rest of my life,” stated Etzler.
During high school, Etzler was involved in her church worship team, was on the cheerleading squad and is a member of the Ohio Model United Nations. She received the Presidential Scholarship from Northwest State. Outside of school, Taelyn enjoys doing makeup, acrylic nails, art, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Etzler added this about high school, “My most memorable high school experience was cheering for the football and basketball teams, and watching the students come together.
PAIGE JONES was named 2022 Valedictorian for Paulding High School. Her GPA is 4.398. Her parents are Rachel and Brian Egnor, and the late Andrew Jones.
Jones is finishing up her Associates of Science from Northwest State Community College. In the fall, she will be attending Miami University to major in Data Science and Statistics with a minor in actuarial science and business management. She chose data science because she loves mathematics and looks forward to one day working as an actuary.
During high school Paige was Paulding’s NHS Vice President, the Paulding FFA chapter President, science olympiad team member, quiz bowl member, and am a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Northwest State. With the Paulding FFA chapter, she helped to create, implement, and now maintain the Food for All program as well as the hygiene closet. She earned the following awards/recognitions in high school: Dean’s List at Northwest State Community College, as well as their honor society; 2022 AP Scholar; Paulding FFA alumni Scholarship; Nucor’s Foundational Scholarship; and the governor’s scholarship from Miami University.
Outside of school, Jones is actively involved as a 4-H member — secretary of the Country Clickers group, a 4-H camp counselor, 2021-2022 Paulding County Fair Queen; and enjoys traveling with her family as well as shopping.
“My most memorable high school experience was getting to walk across the stage at the FFA National Convention senior year to accept the chapter’s award in front of thousands of people,” stated Jones.
Graduation for all 2022 seniors at Paulding High School is set for Sunday, May 22, 2022.
Wayne Trace High School
THERIN COYNE is 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. His GPA is 4.0. His parents are Eric and Brandy Coyne.
After graduation, Coyne plans to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne for Microbiology. After college, his plans are to be a researcher in the field of genetic engineering because he wants to help create something new that can help people all over the country and beyond.
During high school, Therin was involved in the Marching Band, Concert Band, Pep Band, Robotics, Art Club, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, and Yearbook Club. Awards and recognitions for Coyne include Americanism Test Class winner, Grand Champion Exhibition Bird, 2nd place woodworking project, and most improved Band.
Outside of school, Coyne is a member of the Blue Ribbon Workers 4-H club, a member of the Paulding County Jr. Fair board, enjoys listening to music, playing video games, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and hanging out with friends.
Therin commented about his most memorable high school experience, “One of the funniest things I can remember is one of last year’s seniors had convinced a freshman that her name was Linda for the entire school year. He didn’t believe us when we told him at the end of the year she was not Linda.”
KATE LAUKHUF was named 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. Her GPA is 4.0. Her parents are Mick and Lisa Laukhuf.
After graduation, Laukhuf plans to attend Defiance College for nursing because she has always had a fascination with the medical field. During high school, Kate was involved in Marching Band, Concert Band, and Pep Band; Choir, Scholastic Bowl, church youth group, and the Spring Musical. Awards and recognitions she earned include: NHS president, Patrick S. Gillmore Band Award, Northwest State Presidential Scholarship, Defiance College Dean’s Scholarship, Defiance College STEM full-ride scholarship, Award of Merit for choir, various department awards, Mercy Health St. Rita’s scholarship.
Outside of school Kate works at a coffee shop, young group events, and spending time with friends and family, and any sports for fun.
Of her most memorable experienced of high school, Laukhuf had this to say, “Getting to see Duke the Police Canine almost every day!”
FAITH MERAZ was named 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. Her GPA is 4.0. Her parents are Saul and Lucinda Meraz.
After graduation, Meraz plans to attend Northwest State Community College for two years and transfer to the Ohio State University at Lima to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She then plans to pursue a Master’s degree in school psychology. “As a school psychologist, I can help students work through academic, social, and behavioral issues,” stated Faith.
During High school, Meraz was involved in cross country, scholastic bowl, pep band, marching band, concert band, National Honor Society, WT FFA Chapter, 2 years as secretary and one year as president. She earned the following awards and recognitions: Americanism & Government Test winner, Academic Letter and Honor Roll, National Merit Scholarship commendation, presidential scholarship at Northwest State Community College, Jerry Heiby Memorial Scholarship.
Outside of school, Meraz enjoys raising and caring for animals, specifically goats, rabbits, and chickens; writing short stories; reading books of all genres; watching legal dramas on TV; Auglaize Chapel Church of God member; Liveries 4-H Club, and Paulding County Jr. Fair board.
Meraz’s most memorable high school experience, “The most memorable part of my high school experience was being a part of the scholastic bowl team and hanging out with my friends both on the bus rides and at the meets, making them out out of it whether we were winning or losing.”
CLAUDIA SINN was named 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. Her GPA is 4.0. Her parents are Tim and Marlene Sinn.
After graduation, she plans to attend college to dual major in Early Childhood Education and Intervention Specialist. “Ever since my brother was born with Down’s Syndrome, I’ve had a passion for helping those with disabilities. I enjoy spending time with kids and giving them the tools to become successful adults,” stated Sinn.
During high school Claudia was involved in church youth group, volunteering at the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission and the church choir. Awards and recognitions include, 4-year academic letterman, advanced English award, Anatomy & Physiology award, 1st place Regional HOSA competition, Student of the Month, Trigonometry award, Perfect Attendance, and National Honor Society.
Sinn’s hobbies and interests include photography, being an aunt, baking/cooking, spending time with her church youth group, and traveling.
Claudia’s most memorable high school experience, “Eating lunch outside on Gurdie the gazebo senior year.”
RACHEL STOLLER was named 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. Her GPA is 4.0. Her parents are Neil and Sandy Stoller.
After graduation, Stoller plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne for Communication Sciences and Disorders. Her plans are to become a speech therapist to help kids who struggle with talking and pronunciation.
During high school, Rachel was involved in volleyball, basketball, track, National Honor Society, and Class President. Award and recognitions she earned includes 2nd place at State for 4x400m in track; basketball Regional runners-up, school record breaker in 4x800m & 4x400m; named Scholar Athlete of the Week (3/14/22), received the PCH Scholarship, and received Elks Student of the Month.
Outside of school, Rachel enjoys hanging out with friends and reading. When asked about her most memorable high school experience, she stated, “Getting second at state in 4×400 meter relay my junior year.”
MALIA WITTWER was named 2022 Valedictorian for Wayne Trace High School. Her GPA is 4.0. Her parents are Nicholas and Shiloh Wittwer.
After graduation, Malia plans to attend Miami University of Oxford, OH to major in biochemistry and minor in mathematics. She plans on becoming a biochemical analyst or biomedical engineer.
During high school Wittwer participated in track and field, school and club volleyball, basketball cheer, tumbling, dance, National Honor Society, student council, and church worship. Awards and recognitions she earned includes: department awards in Advance Geometry, Physical Science, AP Biology, and Spanish III, Honor Roll, nominated for Franklin B. Walter scholarship, National Honor Society, and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society member.
Outside of school, Malia enjoys reading, tumbling, and playing the flute. Of her most memorable high school experiences, she commented, “I made so many new friends through running track, and I got elected for homecoming court senior year.”
All three Paulding County high schools will host commencement ceremonies on Sunday, May 22, 2022.
