Back in seventh grade, Niles High School senior Haley Rough set a goal to be the valedictorian of her class.

Five years and plenty of hard work later, Rough can check that accomplishment off her list of things to do.

“I think setting goals was one of the biggest steps for me,” she said. “I know I wanted to be valedictorian or at least be in the top 10. I made sure I tried my best in everything even when I didn’t feel like it.”

Rough also said staying involved was important. She tutored summer school classes, worked at blood drives, recorded a radio commercial for Riverwood Center and volunteered at several service organizations.

She was also the vice president of the National Honor Society and president of Student Council.

Rough said she got her work ethic from her dad, Greg Rough, and mom, Beth Marsh.

My dad always pushed me to try my hardest in school and my mom always believed you have to work for what you want,” she said.

Rough will attend the University of Michigan’s School of Literature, Science and the Arts.

“At this moment I am undecided about what I want to do, but my plan is to do a pre-med route and Spanish,” she said.

Below is the rest of top 10 list:

Salutatorian: Madison Martin

Parents: Kevin and Melissa Martin

College/Future Plans: Grand Valley State University or University of Michigan for business.

Awards/Honors: National Honor Society, Triple A Award for Academics 2013, various awards for Business Professionals of America.

Community Service: Key Club, volunteer at Niles District Library.

3: Michael Geiger

Parents: James and Agnes Geiger

College/Future Plans: University of Michigan to study engineering.

Awards/Honors: Excellence in Science and Mathematics, Marching Band drum major, 4 years in All-State Band.

Athletic Awards: Riley Hockey Club Captain, two-time All-Conference MVP

Community Service: Key Club

4. Cody Ortiz-Leonard

Parents: Miriam Ortiz and Douglas Leonard

College/Future Plans: Grand Valley State University to major in film and video production.

Awards/Honors: Berrien County Mathematics & Science Center Certificate of Completion – grades 9, 10, 11, 12. SADD Outstanding Leadership Award – grade 11. Academic Excellence Award Grades 9, 10, 11, 12. National Honor Society. Bowling Most Valuable Player Award – grade 11.

Community Service: Adopt-A-Highway, Pink Week, Fall Festival – Make a Difference Day, Thanksgiving Day Run, Marines Toys for Tots, Salvation Army, Niles Public Library, SADD Easter Egg Hunt, Elementary Bullying Prevention Assemblies, Riverside Park clean up, Kiwanis Santa Clause Event, Circle K Fleece Blankets for chemo patients, Walmart Toy Drive, Ballard Elementary Tutoring, Hunter Ice Festival ice cream scooping, District PTO Parent Workshop.

5. Maggie Hoff

Parents: Marilyn Haslett and Thomas Hoff

College/Future Plans: University of Michigan majoring in Biology

Awards/Honors: Stephen N Tyler Award

Athletic Awards: Academic All-State in Volleyball

Community Service: National Honor Society and volunteer weekly tutoring middle school students

6. Tate Rudlaff

Parents: Jeff and Amy Rudlaff

College/Future Plans: Attending Michigan State University

Awards/Honors: Academic All-State, Academic All-District, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Medal award winner for Math and Science.

Athletic Awards: Four years Varsity Baseball, All Conference Honorable Mention

Community Service: National Honor Society, Student Council, Stuff-A-Bus, food drives, blood drives, coat drives, tutoring at Saturday school at Oak Manor.

7. Joseph Franc

Parents: Aimee and Daniel Franc

College/Future Plans: will attend college this fall

Awards/Honors: President’s Scholar at LMC, Quest Scholar, participated in State Competition of BPA in Banking and Finance.

Community Service: Volunteer for the J. Red Peach Foundation.

8. Jenna McAllister

Parents: Bill and Darla McAllister

College/Future Plans: Grand Valley for pre-med then med school at Michigan State University – studying to be a surgeon.

Awards/Honors: Honor Roll all 4 years of high school

Community Service: Volunteer at Hope Community Church as well as for different EMT classes at Southwestern Michigan College.

9. Nicholas Borkowski

Parents: Nikki Brown and Jacob Borkowski

College/Future Plans: Michigan State to study Engineering.

Awards/Honors: Academic All-State

Athletic Awards: Roy Brawley Golf Award. Tennis SMAC Division Flight Champion.

Community Service: tutoring.

10. Chelsea Hamm

Parents: Becky and Rich Hamm

College/Future Plans: Study Musical Theatre at Young Americans or go to 4 year college.

Awards/Honors: Board Scholar, President Academic Award, Air Force Award published research.

Athletic Awards: Varsity Track, Academic Athletic Scholar.

Community Service: National Honor Society, Student Council class officer, teaching choreography.