By Staff
NILES - Spring has arrived and with it has come another group of graduating seniors.
Niles High School recently released their top 10 seniors, all of which have a grade point average higher than 3.9. Here is a look at the school's top academic performers that will graduate with their senior class on Thursday, May 25 at 7 p.m. at the school's football stadium.
John van der Linden
Parents/Guardians: Judy and Peter van der Linden
GPA: 4.020
Extracurricular: Pep band, solo and ensemble festival, winter drumline captain, Science Olympiad, German Club president, participant in the University of Michigan's Crisler Concert and Western Michigan University's band day.
Community Services/Activities: serving meals with NHS German Club at Hope Rescue Mission, weekly lessons for NHS percussionists, Southwest Michigan Team Birdathon, Niles Area Christmas Bird Count, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church youth group.
Awards/Recognition: Renssaluer Medal, NHS band MVP, DAR Good Citizen, Four Flags Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award, Outstanding junior physics and math recognition from Berrien County Math and Science Center, Division 1 rating at state band Solo and Ensemble, Olivet College $8,000 Community Responsibility Scholarship.
Future Plans/Studies: attend a liberal arts college for undergraduate study and then graduate school – ornithology, mathematics, teaching.
Ashley Jenks
Parents/Guardians: Kristine Thornton
GPA: 4.0
Extracurricular: Business Professionals of America, National Honor Society.
Sports: varsity tennis.
Community Services/Activities: volunteer at Open Door Society, cashier at Martin's Supermarket.
Awards/Recognition: Outstanding Algebra II Student, third place in the Bag-Off, accepted into honors program at Ferris State University.
Future Plans/Studies: Ferris State University – pharmacy.
Nathaniel Parks
Parents/Guardians: Dennis and Brenda Parks
GPA: 4.0
Extracurricular: student council, National Honor Society, N-Club, Counterpoints (show choir).
Sports: football, basketball.
Community Services/Activities: Habitat for Humanity, Grace Community youth group, Salvation Army ‘Stuff-a-Bus' volunteer, Senior Citizen Prom volunteer.
Awards/Recognition: Rotary Club Student of the Month, president of Choral Department, captain of football and basketball teams, three years Academic All-State football, one year All-Division football, two years All-Division basketball.
Future Plans/Studies: Ferris State University – pharmacy.
Matthew Loyd Smith
Parents/Guardians: Mark and Staci Smith
GPA: 4.0
Extracurricular: National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Science Olympiad.
Community Services/Activities: Homework Busters, Ballard Kindergarten tutoring, church youth group and audio and visual technician.
Awards/Recognition: 2005 Business Professionals of America (BPA) Regionals seventh place PC servicing; 2006 BPA Regionals first place PC servicing and networking technology, third place information technology. 2006 BPA State sixth place pc servicing and networking technology, third place information technology concepts. 2006 Regional Science Olympiad first place, Southwestern Math Team Competition fourth place, Top Math Student, President's Education Award, Ressellaer Medal.
Future Plans/Studies: Tri-State University – computer and electrical engineering.
Rick Storm
Parents/Guardians: Bob and Jean Storm
GPA: 4.0
Extracurricular: Musical, student council vice-president, N-Club, National Honor Society.
Sports: varsity football and baseball.
Awards/Recognition: MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award, 2003 scholar athlete (football), 4.0 GPA all four years, Pre-calculus Student of the Year Award (junior).
Future Plans/Studies: West Point Military Academy – mechanical engineering, engineering management.
Stephanee Schrader
Parents/Guardians: Chris and Robin Schrader
GPA: 3.962
Extracurricular: N-Club, Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI) teen leader, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), National Honor Society.
Sports: varsity and AAU basketball, varsity and travel softball.
Awards/Recognition: HOBY Leadership Award nominee, Outstanding Math Student, HOSA Career Health Display third place, Rotary Club Student of the Month, Scholar Athlete, National Honor Society, nominee for Scholar Athlete Scholarship, First Team All-Conference honorable mention in softball.
Future Plans/Studies: Grand Valley State University – pre-medicine, neurology or emergency room technician, college softball.
Allison Payne
Parents/Guardians: Thomas and Brenda Payne
GPA: 3.961
Extracurricular: Vice-president of 2006 class, Postponing Sexual Involvement (PSI), National Honor Society, copy editor for yearbook.
Community Services/Activities: church youth group, volunteer as group counselor at Fernwood Botanical Gardens.
Awards/Recognition: Steven Tyler Award for most outstanding junior.
Future Plans/Studies: either Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg, or Bethel College – certified interior design, possible minor in business.
Andrea Clabaugh
Parents/Guardians: Thomas and Barbara Clabaugh
GPA: 3.944
Extracurricular: National Honor Society.
Sports: tennis, horse riding and training.
Community Services/Activities: Ring Lardner Middle School shot-put coach and tutor.
Awards/Recognition: Optimist Essay Contest third place, Expository Essay Contest second place.
Future Plans/Studies: Wesleyan College – English, art, sociology or equestrian studies.
Josh Stoops
Parents/Guardians: Beth and Rob Stoops
GPA: 3.944
Community Services/Activities: volunteer with City of Niles Fire Department, work at Shelton's Farm Market.
Awards/Recognition: Western Michigan University's Dean's Scholarship.
Future Plans/Studies: Western Michigan University – mechanical engineering.
Carl Wagner III
Parents/Guardians: Mary Wagner and Carl Wagner, Jr.
GPA: 3.944
Extracurricular: National Honor Society treasurer, Robotics Club secretary and vice-president, Art Club, Musical – ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers', Science Olympiad, video club.
Sports: wrestling (freshman)
Community Services/Activities: Berrien County Youth Fair, assist parish St. Mary's of the Immaculate Conception, assist downtown development authority, work on family dairy farm.
Awards/Recognition: Scholastic Art Show honorable mention, Arts and Science Expo third place.
Future Plans/Studies: Work the family farm. Possibly attend Southwestern Michigan College or Michigan State University – agriculture, art.