The Niles High School students who rank in the top 10 of their class this year are more than the best and brightest in academics. These hard working students are also business entrepreneurs, local volunteers and budding mathematicians and scientists, with an aim to help their community.

School officials announced the students who earned their way on the top 10 list last week.

At the top of the list is Drew Mikel, of Edwardsburg.

Mikel is the son of Neal and Kim Mikel and leads his class with a 4.3 GPA.

In addition to concentrating on his schoolwork, Mikel has also studied for multiple roles in the high school’s musicals. This past March, he was selected to play one of the lead roles in the musical production of “Cinderella,” where he starred as the prince.

When he is not on stage or studying, the senior also helped to lead the school’s football team as captain.

Outside of school, Mikel an is active member of Summit Church’s dual leadership team, where he assists with student retreat day.

Mikel said he valued academic performance because it “is the key to upward mobility” — a phrase garnered from his sociology class.

Mikel said learning also opens the doors for more opportunity.

“[Through learning] you are bettering your self and community,” he said.  “It is also a chance to learn about other worlds and other people.”

After tossing his cap in the air with his fellow Niles graduates, Mikel will head off to Hope College to study athletic training.

Mikel said his career path was influenced by his time playing sports and some of the injuries he encountered throughout.

Like Mikel, fellow Niles High School student Alex Jasper knows all about managing his time efficiently and balancing multiple duties. Jasper earned the title of salutatorian with a GPA of 4.24.

Jasper, of Niles is the son of David and Heather Jasper.  He is a member of the National Honor Society, Andrews University
robotics team and captain of the soccer team, just to name a few.

The high school senior is already managing his own business, Jasper’s Scrapping Solutions. Since January,  he has used the business to help keep scrap metals out of the landfill. For as little as a phone call, residents call Jasper to pick up scrap metals up for free. After sorting the material, Jasper recycles the scraps at Redbud Recycling Center-PADNOS in Buchanan.

After graduating, Jasper will pursue a degree in software engineering at Trine University in Angola, Indiana.

He said he found his passion for software engineering through the math and science center at Andrews University.

Jasper said he also saw many possibilities for careers with a software and engineering degree.

“[A dream job] is somewhere where I am programming for some company,” Jasper said. “I do not have a specific plan yet, because I do not know where [the degree] will take me.”

Rounding out the rest of the top 10 are:

3. Vanaya Ruppart, daughter of David and Wendy Ruppart. She earned a 4.22 GPA, and is vice president of the National Honor Society, has participated in art competitions, the Math and Science Center at Andrews University and is an assistant swim coach and teacher for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA swim team.  She also volunteers as a tutor at Eastside Connections.

Ruppart also swims with the Bridgman Co-Op swim team.

After high school, Ruppart will pursue a degree in mechanical engineering, with a minor in business and marketing at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.

4. Madeline Stanton, daughter of Michael and Tammy Stanton, earned a 4.17 GPA. She is a member of the track team, captain of the cross country team, National Honor Society, president of Science Olympiad and active youth group member, to name a few. She will be attending Hope College, in Holland, Michigan where she plans to run cross country and track and pursue a degree in biochemistry and get on the pre-med track.

5. Rachel Mackey, daughter of Darren and Lorraine Mackey, earned a 4.15 GPA. She is a member of the Niles High School band. She will attend the University of Minnesota, where she will pursue a degree in mortuary science.

6. Austin Curran, son of Todd and Deborah Curran, earned a 4.15 GPA. He plays for the football, basketball and baseball teams. He will be attending Michigan State University to earn a degree in business and marketing.

7. Dylan McAllister, son of Bill and Darla McAllister, earned a 4.11 GPA. He is a member of the Niles High School band, robotics team and BPA. He will be attending the University of Michigan to study computer science.

8. Claudine Tudor, daughter of Jason and Claudine Bayles, earned a 4.11 GPA. She plays for the basketball team. She will be working to finish her associate’s degree at Lake Michigan College, before transferring to the University of Michigan to pursue a pharmacy degree.

9. Jacob Gaines, son of Mike and Ann Gaines, earned a 4.1 GPA. He is a member of the Niles High School band. He will be studying forensic science at Loyola University in Illinois.

10. Alena Flegel, daughter of David and Jinko Flegel, earned a 4.09 GPA. She is a member of the Niles High School band.  She will be attending the University of Michigan to study biology and get on the pre-med track.