Woodlan High School
Luke Wells has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Woodlan High School. He is a member of the Dungeons and Dragons Club, a National Honor Society member and competed at the QUEST tournament. Wells earned the Rule and Small Town Recognition (college board), AP Scholar with Honor, Rising Star of Indiana, and 2023 Award for Student Leadership. Outside of academia, Luke enjoys playing D&D, fish keeping, music, and esports. In the fall, Luke plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study Physics, because he says, “I’m passionate about understanding the world around me and hope to play a role in continuing to solve the puzzle that is our universe.” His parents are Kevin Wells and Jennifer Wells.
Marilyn Emenhiser has been named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at Woodlan High School. She participated in cross country, track, Woodlan Service Club, National Honor Society, and as a member of the Quest Tournament team. She earned several awards during high school, including, Honor Roll all four years, Rising Star of Indiana Award, Principal’s Scholars Honor, Huntington University Academic & Athletic Scholarship. Outside of school, Emenhiser enjoys the arts, music and singing. This fall, she plans to attend Huntington University to study Exercise Science. She is passionate about health and fitness and wants to learn more about the human body and the best ways of achieving an active recovery. Her parents are Rex and Keli Emenhiser.
East Allen University
Brylie Rackham has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at East Allen University. Brylie participates in Young Women’s with LDS church and May Thai MMA. She has earned Top Student in Social Studies, First Aid, VU Science and Chemistry, Rising Start of Indiana (junior year), and Indiana Academic All-Star Nominee 2024. Rackham’s hobbies outside of the classroom include Muay Thai, boxing, reading and running. This fall, Brylie plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne to pursue a degree in Elementary Education because it is something she has wanted to do since she herself was in elementary school. Brylie’s parents are Kelsie Rackman and Brad Rackham.
Victoria Toro-Blohm has been named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at East Allen University. Victoria is a tutor, and volunteer at various community events and wants to become a Big Sister. During high school she as achieved being a on the Dean’s List, Rising Star of Indiana Award Top Student in Science, Accounting and College Algebra, Ball State’s Presidential Scholarship and earned a $125,000 scholarship from another university. This fall Toro-Blohm plans to attend Ball State University to pursue a degree in Nursing. “I love babies. I was a NICU baby for six months, so one day I want to be a NICU nurse taking care of babies that were like me,” Victoria commented. Outside of academia, Victoria enjoys reading, watching true crime and movies, and going out to eat. Her parents are Taymar Blohm.
Heritage High School
Jaxon Hoting has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Heritage High School. During high school, Jaxon participated in track and field, cross country, and volleyball. He was president of student council and National Honor Society. Outside of the classroom, he enjoys running, lifting weights, fishing and hunting. This fall, Hoting plans to attend Purdue University to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering. “I have always had a passion for creating. Studying mechanical engineering will allow me to further my ability to do so while making contributions to the field.” he stated. Jaxon is the son of Jason Hoting and Sharla Hoting.
Kaitlyn Rochester has been named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at Heritage High School. During high school, she was involved with organizing fundraisers for Ronald McDonald Charity House and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. She earned the National Rural and Small Town recognition, Top 10 ranking, and Rising Star of Indiana. Outside the classroom, Kaitlyn enjoys gaining new belts in taekwondo, and teaching/tutoring and reading. This fall, she will go to Purdue University Fort Wayne to pursue a degree in biochemistry because she says, “It combines two of my greatest passions: molecular biology and organic chemistry.” Her parents are Ryan and Dawn Rochester.
Leo High School
Hannah Carter has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Leo High School. She participated in Soccer, student council academic Super Bowl at school and also volunteers at her church and did some tutoring. Awards Carter earned during school included Fall Sport Academic All-State 2022, Rising Star of Indiana, and IUI Chancellor’s Scholars. Outside the classroom, Hannah enjoys reading, exercising, and watching hockey. Hannah plans to attend Indiana University to pursue mathematics for a degree. Her parents are Dona and Loriann Carter.
Emilia Kennedy has been named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at Leo High School. She participated in volleyball, National Honor Society, FCA, Yearbook, and Competitive Dance during high school. Awards that she has earned include Academic All-State, Direct admit into College of Arts and Sciences, and Provost’s Scholarship. Emilia’s interests outside of school extend to dancing, hanging out with friends, and spending time in the Bible. Her parents are Jennifer Kennedy and Jeffrey Kennedy.
New Haven High School
Emily Gordillo has been named Valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at New Haven High School. She participated in Tennis, National Honor Society, and Upward Bound during high school. Awards Gordillo earned include Indiana Academic All-Star nominee and Health Science certificate of achievement. She also enjoys drawing and reading. This fall Emily plans to attend Indiana University Indianapolis and pursue a career as a medical doctor. She wants to be able to fully advocate for those in the Latino/Hispanic community. Her parents are Jesus Gordillo and Rosario Gordillo.
Brayden Eagleson has been named Salutatorian for the Class of 2024 at New Haven High School. Brayden participated in tennis, baseball, student council president, National Honor Society, and Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana during high school. He commented, “High school was enjoyable because it changed who I am. Throughout high school I learned to become more social and started to become more involved. I’ve made tons of friends.” In his down time, Brayden likes to fix things, and work, he likes to go to the gym and fix cars. In the fall, Eagleson plans to attend Trine University to study engineering. “I have always had a passion for electronics. I expanded my knowledge of electronics by installing various electronics in vehicles including new radios, speakers, subwoofers, etc.” His parents are Brandon Eagleson, Chandra Zollinger (mom), and Monica Roth (step-mom).
