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WOHS Class of 2015 Academic Awards!
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West Ottawa High School is pleased to announce the Top Scholar, Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the
class of 2015. The Top Scholar is determined by calculating points using GPA, ACT score and Honors Points
(Semesters of AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment).
Congratulations to Josh Hahn- Class of 2015 Top Scholar & Valedictorian
Josh Hahn is the son of Nick and Lori Hahn. Josh is involved in Science
Olympiad, Jazz band, Marching band, Pep band Pit Orchestra, and National
Honor Society. Josh is also an Eagle Scout, National AP Scholar, and was
selected for the WMU All-Star band. Josh completed 20 semesters of AP or IB
coursework, 9 semesters of Dual Enrollment courses and scored a 35 on the
ACT, all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA. Josh set a new WOHS record by
earning 941 points in our Scholar Rank model. Josh plans to attend Purdue
University to study engineering.
Congratulations to the following Valedictorians who have maintained
a 4.0 GPA throughout their high school career.
Samantha Boggs is the daughter of Charles and Amanda Boggs. She is
involved in National Honor Society, WO Dance Marathon, and PALs.
Samantha has been an active volunteer during her high school career, serving
at Holland Hospital, Holland Fee Health Clinic, and Beechwood Church. She
also has worked at Dykstra Post and Home during high school. Samantha
earned the Damen Scholarship to attend Loyola University Honors College.
She plans to study nursing while at Loyola.
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Anna Bruins is the daughter of Bob and Betsy Bruins. Anna is a
standout in the WOHS theater and musical theatre programs. She is a
member of Vocalaires, Holland Youth Advisory Council, and NHS.
Anna was named a MI Youth Arts Festival Vocalist. She is an AP
Scholar with honors and has earned numerous state level vocal music
awards. Anna looks forward to studying Neuroscience at CMU.
Avery Burke is the daughter of Kevin and Dani Burke. Avery has
been a member of the Panther volleyball program for 3 years and
the Panther soccer program for 4 years. She also served as
captain of the volleyball team as well as captain of the women's
soccer team. She was in the National Honor Society, Spanish
Club, and a Dance Marathon committee member. Avery will
attend Texas Christian University where she plans to study
elementary education and Spanish.
Hughes Davis is the son of Will and Ellen Davis. He has been a
member of the Panther tennis team and Lacrosse team as well as
PALs, National Honor Society, and MITES. Hughes has been
recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, a Scholar Athlete and
won 3rd place at the Michigan Industrial and Technology Education
Society state competition. Hughes will attend the University of
Michigan and study engineering in the fall.
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Jennifer Jasperse is the daughter of Dave and Karri Jasperse. She has
been involved in the WOHS music program as well as Science
Olympiad, Holland-Zeeland Community Foundation, and National
Honor Society. Jennifer was awarded 2nd place at the WMU Best
Midwestern Writing Competition & honorable mention at the M3
Math Challenge, as well as the Michigan State Senate Award for
Excellence and Leadership. She plans to study engineering and
computer science at the University of Michigan.
Rebecca Jones is the daughter of Paul and Suzanne Jones. She has
been involved in multiple WOHS bands including Symphony, Jazz and
Marching band. She is also a member of National Honor Society and
Dance Marathon planning committee. Rebecca competed in JV tennis
and was a Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band nominee. She will
attend Michigan State University where she plans to study engineering.
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Danny Kiel is the son of Jeffrey and Kathryn Kiel. Danny has been
involved in orchestra, swimming, and water polo while at West
Ottawa High School. He was recently named an Academic All
American in Swimming. He plans to study computer engineering next
fall while attending Western Michigan University.
Stefanie Ky is the daughter of Heng Ky and Esea Chov. Stefanie has
served as the Student Senate Secretary most recently. She is also a
member of National Honor Society and has been involved in
orchestra. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction, won the Dartmouth
College junior award as well as Academic Excellence awards in math,
science, English, and World Language. Stefanie plans to attend
Stanford University in the fall where she will study Chemistry.
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Matthew Misiak is the son of Greg and Debra Misiak. Matt is a scholar
athlete participating in track and cross country, serving as captain and
earning three varsity letters. Matt has been involved in multiple WOHS
bands, theater, and National Honor Society. He was a member of the
Holland Youth Advisory Council and earned first division ratings at
State Solo & Ensemble. He is an AP Scholar with Distinction and plans
to study computer science at the University of Michigan in the fall.
Aurora Mokris is the daughter of Peter and Debra Mokris. She has
participated in track, cross country, National Honor Society, and
Young Democrats. Aurora is an International Baccalaureate
Diploma candidate and co-founded WO Love, a highly successful
international fundraising campaign. Aurora and her project will be
featured at the 2015 IB Conference of the Americas in July. Aurora
plans to attend Western Michigan University to study microbiology.
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Lily Peters is the daughter of Robert and Robin Peters. She is a
member of National Honor Society and Chamber Orchestra. Lily has
been highly involved in dance throughout high school through Turning
Pointe School of Dance and Blue Lake International Ballet Ensemble.
She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Society of Women
Engineers certificate of merit recipient. She will attend the University
of Michigan in the fall and study physics.
Christian Rodino is the son of Jed and Kassie Rodino. He has been a
member of the varsity baseball and football teams, National Honor
Society, PALs, Dance Marathon, and WOBN. Christian received 4
varsity letters in baseball and 3 in football, was named academic allstate in baseball and received the scholar athlete award 4 years. He
has received academic excellence awards in math and social studies
as well. He will attend Hillsdale College where he plans to study
biology and participate on the baseball team.
Natalie Schmidt is the daughter of Richard and Beth Schmidt. Natalie
has been involved in sideline cheer and competitive cheer. She also
participated in National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and
Student Senate. Natalie was named a Scholar Athlete, and AP Scholar
with Distinction, and received Academic Excellence awards in math,
science, and social studies. She will attend the University of Michigan
in the fall where she plans to study business.
Marissa Solorzano is the daughter Andres and Tammy Solorzano.
Marissa served as the Executive Vice President of Student Senate. She
participated in cheerleading, PALs, Model United Nations, National
Honor Society, and Spanish Club. She is an AP Scholar award winner,
and earned Academic Excellence awards in math, social studies, and
world language. Marissa was named to the All Area and All Conference
cheer teams and was the 2015 Holland Sentinel Cheer Athlete of the
Year. She will attend Hope College and study pre-medicine.
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Tate Strobel is the son of Ken and Gay Strobel. Tate has participated in
the basketball and baseball programs at WOHS. He serves as editor of
the West Ottawan school newspaper and is a member of PALs, National
Honor Society, and is a math tutor. Tate has earned recognition as
Academic All State in baseball. He also has received Academic
Excellence Awards in English and math. Tate will attend the University
of Michigan in the fall where he plans to study medical engineering.
Mia Wielenga is the daughter of Abbe Wielenga. Mia participated in
West Ottawa Science Olympiad and National Honor Society. She
earned the unique distinction as the first ever West Ottawa High
School Senior Survivor Champion. Mia will attend Grand Valley State
University where she will study pediatric physical therapy.
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Cassie Wisbang is the daughter of Jim and Sally Wisbang. Cassie played
varsity basketball and was a member of the Senior Selection Committee.
She also participated in PALs, National Honor Society, Young Life, and
was a Senior Survivor finalist. Cassie was named a Scholar Athlete,
received the Sportsmanship and Panther Awards from the basketball
coaching staff, and has received numerous awards from her college of
choice, The Ohio State University. She will study pre-med at Ohio State
in the fall.
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Congratulations to the following Salutatorians who have maintained a 3.99 grade point
average throughout their high school career.
Tiana deForest is the daughter of Tim and Susan deForest. Tiana is
involved in Varsity swimming and water polo as well as National
Honor Society, PALs, and Young Life. She was named captain of the
swim team, earned recognition as a Tri-Sport athlete, and received the
Sportsmanship Award from the swim coaches. Tiana was also a Senior
Survivor finalist. She plans to attend Bethel University in the fall where
she will study elementary education and Spanish.
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Jacob Duckworth is the son of Vince and Laura Duckworth. Jacob is a
percussion section leader and participated on the varsity baseball and
varsity soccer teams while at WOHS. He is also a member of the
National Honor Society. Jacob earned recognition as Academic All
District Baseball and Academic All State Soccer. He is an AP Scholar
with Distinction, received 1st division ratings in state Solo &
Ensemble, and 1st division ratings in state Band Festival for four years
straight. Jacob will attend Michigan State University where he plans to
study engineering and biology.
Susan Fender is the daughter of Mark and Nicole Fender. Susan
participated on the varsity swimming and tennis teams. She was a
member of Student Senate, Senior Selection Committee, National
Honor Society, Holland Youth Advisory Council, Symphony Band,
German Club, and Holland Area Youth Orchestra. Susan holds the
unique distinction as the only National Merit Finalist from the Class of
2015. She is a Harvard Book Award winner, a Scholar Athlete, and an
AP Scholar with Honors. She will attend Colorado School of Mines
and study engineering in the fall.
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Aster Osburn is the daughter of Paul and Barb Osburn. Aster is a
International Baccalaureate Diploma Program Candidate. She has
participated in the cross country and soccer programs at WOHS. She
also enjoyed being a member of the knitting club. Aster is a member
of National Honors Society and was awarded Academic Excellence
awards in English and social studies. She co-founded WO Love, a
highly successful international fundraising campaign. Aster and her
project will be featured at the 2015 IB Conference of the Americas in
July. Aster will attend Lee University where she plans to study nursing.
Hannah Stokes is the daughter of Ted and Barb Stokes. Hannah
was highly involved in choral music and participated in Vocolaires
and the West Ottawa Select Women's Ensemble (WOSWE). She
also served as a mentor and tutor in PALs and was a member of the
National Honor Society. Hannah received the Central Michigan
University Academic Excellence Award. Hannah has plans to
attend Central Michigan University in the fall where she will study
elementary education.
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Allison Vanderstoep is the daughter of Scott and Jill Vanderstoep.
Alli earned varsity letters in basketball, track, and volleyball. She
was also a member of National Honor Society. Besides being a trisport athlete all four years, Alli earned Academic Excellence
Awards in math and world language. Alli plans to attend Hope
College in the fall where she will study math or science.
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Mark Vanderstoep is the son of Scott and Jill Vanderstoep. Mark
participated on the the varsity tennis team, Math Challenge team,
and in the symphony band. He was also a member of the National
Honor Society. Mark was named All Conference and All Area in
Tennis. He also received the Academic Excellence Award in math,
science, and world language. He plans to study math or chemistry
at Hope College in the fall.
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