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NILES — Brandywine High School recently released its list of top 10 seniors.

1. Connor Janowiak

Janowiak will be graduating with a GPA of 4.0 and is a class valedictorian.

Janowiak competed in varsity football and varsity baseball all four years. Janowiak was club treasurer of the National Honor Society and club treasurer of the Brandywine High School Key Club. Janowiak was also a member of the Spanish Honor Society.

Janowiak currently plans to attend the University of Michigan to pursue a degree his favorite subject: computer science.

Janowiak’s advice to fellow Bobcats is to “work hard every waking minute because you never know when the litmus test is going to happen. Some of my other advice would be that education is not a prerequisite to success. We are all are born with a gift, and you need to recognize that gift and write it down somewhere.”

1. Steven Kendall

Kendall is graduating with a 4.0 GPA. He has been awarded valedictorian.

During his time at Brandywine, Kendall played football and was on the wrestling team. He was awarded Academic All-State in football.

“There wasn’t really a class I didn’t like, but chemistry was my all-time favorite class,” he said.

Kendall plans to attend Michigan State University after graduation.

His advice to underclassmen is to “know your worth and never lose sight of what’s important. It’s never a smooth climb to the top. There are more obstacles and challenges than there are breaks. Regardless of what happens, keep your cool and remember why you’re working hard for top 10. Anybody can do it.”

1. Brandon Kirkendall

Kirkendall will graduate with a 4.0 GPA, at the top of his class. Kirkendall is a class valedictorian.

With a favorite subject in math, Kirkendall will study at the University of Michigan to study mathematics.

1. Megan Schmidt

Megan Schmidt is graduating with a GPA of 4.0 and is a class valedictorian.

Schmidt was awarded BCS Conference Academic Scholar, 2020 Outstanding Senior Student Athlete, First Team All-Conference for volleyball and basketball, Academic All State for volleyball, was nominated for the Michigan Positive Athlete award, and is a RIT Presidential Scholar.

She participated in varsity basketball, volleyball and tennis; was a member of the National Honor Society, and was class vice president of the Berrien RESA Math and Science Center.

With favorite subjects in biology and computer science, Schmidt plans to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall. She will study biological sciences with a track in computational biology.

“My advice to underclassmen who have hopes to be top 10 in their graduating class would be that you shouldn’t be comparing yourself to other people,” Schmidt said. “I would suggest that you focus on improving yourself and becoming the best version of you that you can be. By doing this, you can achieve your goals and have a better chance of reaching your potential. This ideology can apply to all aspects of your life, not just academics.”

Schmidt said that students should prioritize their academics, but they should also plan time to see friends.

“Some of my fondest memories are the times I chose to hang out with my friends or go to a sporting event instead of studying,” she said.

2. Krishna Devdhara

Krishna Devdhara is graduating with a GPA of 3.98 and is a class salutatorian.

Devdhara is the senior class president, as well as the president of the Student Senate. In addition, Devdhara is also the president of Key Club, vice president of Spanish Honors Society, member of National Honor Society, secretary of National Technical Honors Society. Devdhara is also the captain of the varsity soccer team.

Devdhara is still choosing a four-year university, but hopes to study something in business.

6. Jacob Carew

Carew is graduating with a 3.97 GPA. Aside from being awarded a top 10 senior, Carew has distinctions pending. Carew played baritone saxophone and performed with the marching, concert and pep bands. During his senior year, he participated in eSports, playing League of Legends.

With favorite subjects in math and science, Carew will be attending the University of Michigan and majoring in chemical engineering.

“What got me through it was a really good group of friends,” Carew said of doing well in high school. “Don’t be afraid to ask for help from teachers and other students.”

7. Ty Mickiewicz

Mickiewicz is graduating with a GPA of 3.95. He was a member of the National Honor Society both junior and senior year, National CTE Honor Society both junior and senior year, serving as vice president in his senior year.

An athlete, Mickiewicz’s accomplishments include:

• Junior varsity football freshman and part of sophomore year;

• Varsity football part of sophomore year, followed by junior and senior years;

• All Conference Honorable Mention in football junior year;

• Division 6 MHSFCA Honorable Mention All-State Lineman senior year.

Mickiewicz played junior varsity basketball his sophomore year, and varsity baseball all four years.

Accomplishments during varsity baseball include: All Conference First Team sophomore and junior year, All District First Team sophomore and junior year, All District Academic Team junior year and All Regional Team during junior year. He also competed in eSports as a senior.

Mickiewicz will be attending Bethel University and studying electrical engineering, as well as continuing to play baseball at Bethel.

“Work hard and never give in to the pressure,” Mickiewicz advised. “Try to stay focused. Set goals and strive to achieve them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and use the resources provided to you.”

8. Kennedy Byrd

Kennedy Byrd is graduating with a GPA of 3.93.

Byrd’s awards include All Conference in basketball, with an Honorable Mention All-State and Academic All State. Byrd was president of the National Honor Society and a member of the French Honors Society.

Byrd kept busy as a Bobcat with the varsity boys tennis, varsity girls basketball, varsity softball and National Honor Society.

With favorite subjects of math and French, Byrd will be pursuing a degree in accounting, with a potential minor in international business at Grand Valley State University.

“My advice to underclassmen who hope to be in the top 10 of their graduating class is to find a balance between school and fun,” Byrd said. “Participate in athletics and after school activities and take in every moment.”

8. Camron Stout

Camron Stout is graduating with a GPA of 3.94. Stout participated in Quiz Bowl, and went to Nationals with the Bobcats team.

With his favorite subject being science, Stout will be pursuing a degree in neuroscience at Michigan State University in the fall. Stout dreams of becoming a neurosurgeon.

On getting through high school, and achieving the highest that students can, Stout advised students to “live each day and treat each day as if it is your last.”

10. Mabel Quinn

Quinn is graduating with a GPA of 4.0.

“I chose to spend my extra time doing volunteer preaching work to share good news with others as one of the Jehovah’s Witnesses,” Quinn said of her extracurricular work.

Quinn was awarded Sports Med student of the year award through the Berrien County Career and Technical Education Students Awards.

Quinn’s favorite subject is art, which she said gave her some time to relax while she created.

After graduation, Quinn is hoping to go into the medical field and become a surgical technician.