By Staff
NILES – Niles High School has announced its top graduating seniors of 2008. These students have a grade point average of 3.981 and higher and their rank was based on a class of 245 students.
Robert Nash
Robert Nash is ranked first in his class, with a grade point average of 4.251. Robert is the son of Bob and Barb Nash of Niles.
Robert is involved with Science Olympiad and the Ecology Club. He has received several awards, including National Merit Scholarship finalist; Science Olympiad medalist; Michigan Math Prize finalist; R.I.T. Computing Award; and the Mu Alpha Theta Award.
After high school, Robert plans to attend college to study mathematics and computer science.
Kyra Mae Carpenter
Kyra Mae Carpenter is ranked second in her class, with a grade point average of 4.065. She is the daughter of Brian and Kenda Carpenter of Niles.
Kyra is a member of the National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, the Ecology Clan and the varsity tennis team.
Her out of school activities have included volunteering for the Niles Haunted House and various environmental community projects. She has been employed with Signal Point for three years and enjoys running, bicycling, reading, playing the piano and the drum set.
Her honors and awards have included being president of the Math and Science Center, president of Science Olympiad and a BPA state participant. Kyra also attended the Math and Science Center at Andrews University for four years and had a perfect score in the Michigan Mathematics League Contest.
After high school, Kyra will attend the University of Michigan where she will major in either psychology or biology and eventually she would like to go to law school.
Gabrielle Elizabeth Martin
Gabrielle Elizabeth Martin is ranked third in her class, with a grade point average of 4.057. Gabrielle is the daughter of Kevin and Melissa Martin of Niles.
Gabrielle is a member of Student Council, the National Honor Society, Drug-Free Players, Spanish Club and Key Club.
She is employed with Sue's Hallmark in Niles, is a choreographer for the Ring Lardner Middle School choir program, a volunteer at the Niles Haunted House and a tutor at Eastside Elementary School.
Gabrielle's awards and honors have included being an outstanding student in Algebra II, Spanish III and Geometry, a member of the National Cheerleaders Association, where she was an All-American nominee, choir president and National Honor Society Historian.
After high school, Gabrielle will attend the University of Michigan where she will study English, Spanish and Philosophy. She also plans to join the Peace Corps. Following the Peace Corps, she would like to obtain a teaching position in a foreign country.
Katie Lorain Devine
Katie Loraine Devine is ranked fourth in her class with a grade point average of 4.045. She is the daughter of Douglas and Vicky Devine.
Katie is a member of the varsity sideline, competitive cheerleading team, is involved in gymnastics and is a member of the Drug-Free Players, National Honor Society, Student Council and Science Olympiad.
Katie tutors fifth grade students at Eastside Elementary School and tutors at Ring Lardner Middle School. She has done career shadowing at local medical facilities and is employed at County Down Pastries and Deli in Niles.
Her awards and honors have included: Secretary of Student Council; Vice president of the National Honor Society; Team leader of Drug-Free Players; One of only three seniors of 15 participants total to represent Niles High School on the Science Olympiad team; Placed third in Health Science and fourth in Astronomy at the regional Science Olympiad competition in Indianapolis, Ind.; The top math student in Algebra I and II, Geometry and Pre Calculus; Academic Excellence Award for maintaining a respectable G.P.A while participating in a sport; Niles/Buchanan Rotary Club Student of the Month; and Participation with Distinction Award for participating in a Holocaust Remembrance Essay Contest.
After high school Katie plans to attend the University of Michigan to continue her studies and become a physician assistant or physician, specializing in cardiology or pediatrics. Katie would also like to spend time practicing in other countries or assisting in times of natural disasters.
Christopher T. Archer
Christopher T Archer is ranked fifth in his class with a grade point average of 4.022. Christopher is the son of Tim and Amy Archer of Niles.
He is an active member on the National Honor Society, Student Council and the Key Club. He also enjoys playing tennis and golf.
Christopher currently holds two part time jobs at Martin's Supermarkets as a cashier and at Niles F.O.P. Little League, where he announces the games and keeps records. He also volunteers within his clubs by helping make high school and community a better place.
Christopher's awards and honors have included the outstanding math student all four years of high school and the outstanding Spanish student for the past two years. He also placed second at the Business Professionals of America regional tournament in desktop publishing. Christopher has also received his varsity letter in tennis and was chosen as a scholar athlete award every year. This year, he was the recipient of the Viking award.
After high school, Christopher plans to attend the University of Michigan for pharmaceutical studies.
Benjamin Walsh Brandstatter
Benjamin Walsh Brandstatter is ranked sixth in his class with a grade point average of 4.0. He is the son of Pat and Jane Brandstatter of Niles.
Ben is involved in the National Honor Society, Student Council, where he serves as vice president and Student Council Chairman of School Improvement Committee. He has also been involved in the Counterpoints Show Choir for two years.
His extracurricular activities include varsity football, where he earned three varsity letters, varsity wrestling, where he earned four letters and being a member of the Niles Varsity Club for four years. Ben has also received the Scholar Athlete Award and earned Academic All State Wrestling honors.
In football, we was listed on the Honorable Mention All State Football list in 2007, was the 10th highest for all time single rushing yards (429) in football in the State of Michigan, was named Football First Team All Conference Running Back in 2006 and 2007 and was named Football Team Captain in 2007. He also was a Wendy's Heisman School Nominee in 2007 and was named Football First Team All Conference Lineback in 2005.
In wrestling, Ben was a state qualifier in 2007 and 2008, was a SMAC Big 16 Conference champion in 2007 and 2008, was a Berrien County Wrestling Tournament champion in 2007 and 2008 and was the Southwest Michigan Wrestling Tournament Champion in 2008. He was also named wrestling captain in 2007 and 2008 and was voted Most Valuable Wrestler for Niles High School in 2007.
Ben's volunteer experience has included being on the Youth Advisory Council (YAC) for Michigan Gateway Community Foundation for four years, was a youth representative to the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Board in 2008 and has been an Altar Server at St. Mary Catholic Church for nine years.
His camp experience has included Camp Kooch-I-ching in International Falls, Minn., and he was a senior, junior and prep camper, where he spent two weeks hiking in Colorado and participated in canoe trips in Canada and Hudson Bay.
Ben was previously employed with both Precision Plastics in Galien and Kruger Plastic Products in Bridgman.
After high school, Ben will attend DePauw University.
William Martin Siderits
William Martin Siderits is ranked sixth in his class with a grade point average of 4.0. He is the son of Bill Siderits and Sherrie Archer of Niles.
William is involved in the National Honor Society, Student Council, N-Club, Spanish Club, Counterpoints Show Choir, Key Club and is a PSI teen leader.
William also plays varsity soccer and baseball.
His out of school activities have included working at several food and blood drives and being involved with other community events. He has tutored and taught area youth. He also enjoys swimming, hanging out with friends, being with family and watching sports.
His awards and recognitions have included the Outstanding Math and Spanish Achievement Awards.
After high school, William plans to attend DePaul University. After undergraduate work is complete, he plans to attend law school.
Katherine Ann Karlowicz
Katherine Ann Karlowicz is ranked sixth in her class with a 4.0 grade point average. She is the daughter of Peter and Liz Karlowicz.
Katherine's extracurricular activities include varsity cheerleading, Key Club, N-Club, Viking Journal, Spanish Club, Drug Free Players and Postponing Sexual Involvement.
Her out of school activities have included being part of the Niles Haunted House, the Hunter Ice festival, Exceptional Citizens Day at the Apple Festival and the Drug Free Players Outreach Program.
Her awards have included the Scholar Athlete Award, National Honor Roll, All A Honor Roll, All American Honors for the National Cheerleaders Association and the Wendy's Heisman Award.
After college, Katherine plans to attend Hope College to earn her Bachelors Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in emotionally impaired.
Nicholas Powers
Nicholas Powers is ranked sixth in his class with a grade point average of 4.0. He is the son of Margie and Perry Anglemyer of Niles.
Nicholas is part of the National Honor Society and Key Club, where he has served as secretary for two years.
He has worked at Michiana Party Hall, has tutored, holds fundraisers for Relay For Life and St. Jude's Children's Hospital and enjoys working out at the YMCA.
Nicholas' honors and awards have included being a Rensselaer Medalist, earning the Presidents Education Award, Honor Roll and Outstanding Math Student.
After high school, he plans to attend Hope College or Michigan State University with an interdisciplinary major and follow a pre-medicine program to eventually attend medical school. He would like to become a physician and possibly major in cardiology.
Emily Ann Sossoman
Emily Ann Sossoman is ranked 10th in her class with a 3.981 grade point average. She is the daughter of Thomas and Karen Sossoman of Niles.
Emily serves as class officer, keeper of the cords for National Honor Society, treasurer of Key Club, is a Spanish Club officer, a member of Student Council is a member of Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA).
Emily has volunteered her time at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and at Lakeland Healthcare in Niles.
Her awards and honors have included National Honor Roll, President's Award, Who's Who Among American High School Students, honor roll and United States Achievement Academy Award.
After high school, Emily plans to attend Southwestern Michigan College on a full scholarship for two years, then transfer to a college in Michigan to pursue a degree in the nursing field.
Ryan Michael Nicholls
Ryan Michael Nicholls is ranked 10th in his class with a grade point average of 3.981. He is the son of Michelle and John Nickelson of Niles.
Ryan has been the yearbook business editor and chief for two years, has been involved with Business Professionals of America for two years and has been a Spanish Club officer for three years. He also has been a member of Student Council for two years, Key Club for one year, Postponing Sexual Involvement teen leader for one year and was part of the prom committee for one year.
He has volunteered his time at Reins of Life for two years and has worked at Tippecanoe Place Restaurant for three years.
His awards and honors have included being a Business Professionals of America state qualifier for two consecutive years and the honor roll.
After high school, Ryan plans to attend Grand Valley State University to study Business Administration and Psychology. His future goals include being able to run his own business or practice.