Primley, Grabemeyer, Sarao lead Class of 2009
Published 3:06 am Tuesday, May 19, 2009
By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Union High School Principal Paul Hartsig presented the all-female top 10 graduates of the DUHS Class of 2009 Monday night to the Board of Education at Dowagiac's Middle School.
Dowagiac's 145th Commencement takes place Sunday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at Chris Taylor-Alumni Field.
Valedictorian
Emily Primley
Parents: Carol and the late Harold Primley.
Cumulative grade-point average: 4.0.
Top eight high school activities: National Honor Society (NHS), Student Senate, Business Club, 4-H.
Top eight honors/awards: Valedictorian, academic all-conference, first team all-district soccer, Academic Award of Excellence.
College plans: Western Michigan University to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing.
Career plans: join the Bronson nursing program at WMU and later specialize to become a neonatal nurse.
Co-Salutatorian
Stephanie Grabemeyer
Parents: Dave and Peggy Grabemeyer.
Cumulative GPA: 3.96.
Top eight high school activities: NHS, Student Senate treasurer, Business Club, 4-H.
Top eight honors/awards: Salutatorian, school newspaper editor, Academic Award of Excellence, 2008 MVP varsity softball player.
College plans: attending Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) on a softball scholarship, then transfer to a university to obtain a medical degree.
Career plans: I hope to open my own practice and become a dermatologist.
Co-Salutatorian
Amanjot Sarao
Parents: Hardev Sarao and Baijit Kaur.
Cumulative GPA: 3.96.
Top eight high school activities: NHS, Humanities Club, DUHS band, Kalamazoo Punjabi Culture Society.
Top eight honors/awards: Salutatorian, MVP for varsity tennis, Academic Award of Excellence, Division II rating for state solo and ensemble.
College plans: attend University of Michigan to pursue a biology major.
Career plans: pediatrician.
4.) Chelsea McIntyre
Parents: Troy and Terri McIntyre.
Cumulative GPA: 3.94.
Top eight high school activities: NHS secretary, Humanities Club, marching and concert band, ballet.
Top eight honors/awards: Chieftain Marching Band drum major, John Philip Sousa band award, Hugh O'Brian youth leadership award.
College plans: I will be attending Eastern Michigan University to pursue a degree in clinical laboratory sciences.
Career plans: obtain master's degree in pathology and specialize in diagnostic genetics.
5.) Elizabeth Kolden
Parents: Patti Kolden and Roy Kolden.
Cumulative GPA: 3.93.
Top eight high school activities: NHS treasurer, Drama Club secretary, Humanities Club president, WMU All-Star Band member, 2008 and 2009.
Top eight honors/awards: Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, eight Division I ratings at state and district level solo and ensemble festivals, band Chieftain Spirit Award.
College plans: attend University of Michigan through the Air Force ROTC program.
Career plans: Air Force military intelligence officer.
6.) Savannah Marie Eby
Parents: John and Susan Eby.
Cumulative GPA: 3.88.
Top eight high school activities: Student Senate secretary, NHS member, member of the journalism staff for the school newspaper and yearbook.
Top eight honors/awards: Citizen of the Month, Academic Award of Excellence, Michael Collins photography contest honorable mention.
College plans: This fall I plan to attend the Cleveland Institute of Art to major in illustration.
Career plans: I hope to become a successful illustrator for children's books as well as continue to create other artwork of my own.
7.) Mara Lawrence
Parents: William and Judy Lawrence.
Cumulative GPA: 3.85.
Top eight high school activities: NHS, Student Senate vice president, Humanities Club treasurer, assistant yearbook editor, volunteer at Justus Gage Elementary School and Dowagiac District Library.
Top eight honors/awards: Academic Award of Excellence.
College plans: attending University of Michigan to major in biology.
Career plans: pursue a career in biochemistry.
8.) Amelia Kasper
Parents: John and Deborah Kasper.
Cumulative GPA: 3.82.
Top eight high school activities: NHS, Humanities Club, Business Club.
Top eight honors/awards: Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), advanced RYLA, outstanding attendance award.
College plans: attend Spring Arbor University in the fall.
Career plans: undecided, but interested in the social work field.
9.) Chelsea Whiteoak
Parents: Kevin Whiteoak and Anita Whiteoak.
Cumulative GPA: 3.81.
Top eight high school activities: Chamber Choir, Chieftain Marching Band Color Guard, Humanities Club secretary, Drama Club, musicals.
Top eight high school activities: perfect attendance throughout high school, Division 1 rating at choir solo and ensemble, three-time state qualifier for choir solo and ensemble.
College plans: I would like to attend Hope College and major in music education and minor in French.
Career plans: become a college vocal director.
10.) Rebecca Howe
Parents: Scott and Lisa Howe.
Cumulative GPA: 3.79.
Top eight high school activities: NHS, All-Star Band, pit orchestra.
Top eight honors/awards: golf all-conference award, outstanding attendance award, Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA), Academic Award of Excellence and Division I and II ratings for state solo and ensemble.
College plans: attend University of Michigan to study pre-med and also enrich my music experience.
Career plans: radiologist.