May 29, 2005
Valedictorians of Rogue Valley high schools
Ashland High School
Andrew Ainsworth, son of Lori and Michael Ainsworth, plans to attend Lewis and Clark College and pursue a career in politics and/or law. His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-
point average, Hawaii State Science and Engineering Fair finalist, Hawaii State Geography Bee finalist, Rotary Student of the Month, Kiwanis Student of the Month and President’s Award for
Educational Excellence.
Corey Anthony Costantino, son of Joanne and Lynn "Coz" Costantino, plans to attend Willamette University and play on the basketball team. He is considering going into the
medical field to become a doctor. His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Kiwanis Youth of the Month January 2004, individual first place Southern Oregon Math League Competition
2004, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, National Honor Society member, first team All-Conference soccer, third team All-State soccer, second team All-Conference basketball.
Joseph T. Zoline-Black, son of Patricia Zoline and Dennis Black, plans to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., and pursue a career in medicine, theater or film-making. His
awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, many Outstanding Student Awards, Gerry Award, Best Supporting Actor and the Honor Roll for four years.
Camila Thorndike, daughter of Dan and Joan Thorndike, plans to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, Wash., after a year of travel to Europe, South America, Australia and New
Zealand, and work for an international NGO somewhere along the way. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Global Young Leaders Conference 2004 participant, Elks ski team
Sportsmanship Award and the Walter Brattain Scholarship.
Information was not submitted for Faye Walker.
Butte Falls High School
Melody Carlisle, daughter of Cathy Carlisle and Scot Beemer, plans to attend Seton Hall University, South Orange, N.J. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average,
National Honor Society, National Forensic League and volleyball all-league first team.
Cascade Christian High School
Daniel Dunham, son of Steve and Cheryl Dunham, plans to attend the University of Southern California School of Architecture, and pursue a career as an architect. His awards and honors
include a 4.0 grade-point average, National Merit Scholar, National Honor Roll, National English Merit Award, Presidential Excellence Award in Academics, All-American Scholar, University of
Rochester Science Award and a full tuition Trustee Scholarship to the University of Southern California.
Amelia Wirts, daughter of Peter and Sheryl Wirts, plans to attend Clark’s Honors College at the University of Oregon and major in journalism. Her awards and honors include a 4.0
grade-point average, Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship, National Merit Commended Student, National Honor Roll, UO School of Journalism and Dean’s scholarships.
Crater High School
Ben Taucher, son of Ed and Julie Taucher, plans to attend Oregon State University and pursue a career in a mathematics-related field or medicine. His awards and honors include a 4.14
grade-point average, the Administration/Faculty Academic Award, Principal’s Award, AP U.S. History Student of the Year, National Honor Roll, "Who’s Who Among American High School
Students," Future First Citizen finalist, Rotary Student of the Month, third place in Crater Writing Contest, Brain Bowl Champions, Honor Society, Crater football, golf, second place Medford
Elks Most Valuable Student and Scavenger Hunt.
Crossroads High School
Riley Spencer, son of Cheryl LaDuke, has a 3.0 grade-point average, qualified for the Honor Roll six terms in a row and received attendance awards for 95 percent or better
attendance.
Eagle Point High School
Kimberley Sinclair, daughter of Michael and Lynetta Sinclair, plans to major in nursing at Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash. She plans to work as a nurse for a few years before
returning to school to become a nurse practitioner. She would like to open her own practice providing affordable health care for low-income families. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-
point average, Freshman Honor Court, Most Inspirational in soccer, Most Improved in swimming, Gold Gown, Top 5 Percent of class, "Who’s Who Among American High School Students,"
OSAA Scholar, Rotary Student of the Month, Principal’s Award and Girls State representative.
Kelsey Jean Heider, daughter of Kent and Diane Heider, plans to attend Hartwick College in New York. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Toyota Community Scholar,
National 4-H Club Delegate, Medford Chamber of Commerce Future First Citizen Scholarship, Girls State representative (elected as a Supreme Court Justice), Oregon Samsung Scholarship Recipient,
National High School Heisman state finalist, All Student Body or class officer for four years, National Honor Society president, Lions Student of the Month, Mail Tribune Student Standout, varsity
volleyball, varsity swimming, varsity softball and second team All-Conference for two years in softball.
Angela Nielsen, daughter of Kenneth and Debbie Nielsen, plans to attend Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Top 5 Percent
for four years, National Honor Roll, National Honor Society member (three years), Gold Gown and Lions Club Student of the Month.
Cecilia "Annie" Mannenbach, daughter of Jim and Kelly Mannenbach, plans to attend Southern Oregon University and become an elementary school teacher with a degree in
psychology. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Mail Tribune Student of the Month, Lions Student of the Month, National Honor Society, Top 5 Percent, Junior Class secretary,
Student Body president, Lake Creek Swine 4-H Club vice president, 2004-2005 Homecoming Queen, Site Council student representative, Principal’s Award, SOC-volleyball honorable mention, SOC-
volleyball second team All-Conference, varsity volleyball team captain, varsity volleyball Most Valuable Player, SOC-softball honorable mention and varsity track.
North Medford High School
Brianne Hwang plans to attend the University of California, San Diego.Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, cross-country All-State honorable mention, first team
All-Conference, Wendy’s High School Heisman (service, academics, athletics), OSAA Student of Distinction in social sciences, Rotary Student of the Month, Homecoming Court, Powerade Scholar
Athlete, National Merit Commended Student and Pear Blossom Run Scholarship.
Brandon Neilly, son of Lizabeth Friesen, plans to pursue a career as an insurance salesman with Aflac after graduating. He is already pursuing his insurance license at The Real Estate
and Insurance School of Oregon. His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, NMHS Academic Honors Award and the President’s Award for Educational Excellence.
Emily Hanson, daughter of John and Cindy Hanson, plans to attend Lafayette University in Pennsylvania to pursue a double major in biology and government and play Division III soccer.
She would like to study abroad and participate in the EXCEL research program. She plans to pursue a career as a doctor, politician or environmental scientist. Her awards and honors include a 4.0
grade-point average, All Conference first team-soccer, Future First Citizen Scholarship, Mail Tribune Student Standout, Medford Rogue Rotary "Service Before Self" Award, OSAA Powerade
Scholar-Athlete, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, Veteran’s Administration "Lesson of Liberty" Audio-Essay
Scholarship, Marquis Scholarship (Lafayette University), Voice of Democracy Scholarship, Pear Blossom Princess, Rotary ROYAL Award, HOBY Leadership School delegate, Memorial Day speaker-Oregon
Veteran’s Memorial, Portland, freshman yearbook "Most School Spirit," Future Business Leaders of America district first place: business law, business communications.
Amber Wihtol, daughter of Arn and Karen Wihtol, plans to attend Corban College, (formerly Western Baptist College), and teach high school-level math and physical education and coach
soccer. Her honors and awards include a 4.0 grade-point average, an Achievement Scholarship (Corban College), All-Conference first team soccer, Athletic Scholarship (Corban College), Robert C.
Baylo Scholarship (Corban College), Mail Tribune Student Standout, NMHS Academic Honors Award, OASSA Student of Merit-math, OSAA Powerade Scholar-Athlete, President’s Award for Educational
Excellence, Presidential Scholarship (Corban College), Valedictorian Scholarship (Corban College), and the Vivian Coss Bateman Memorial Scholarship.
Jeremy Treger, son of Tom Treger and Ruth Rabinovitch, plans to attend Pomona College in Claremont, Calif., and pursue a career as a scientist or a professor in the fields of
molecular biology and nanotechnology. His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Scholarship Corporation finalist, OASSA Student of Merit
(science), President’s Award for Educational Excellence, U.S. Presidential Scholar semi-finalist, BPA Northwest Regional Science Bowl All-Star, OSAA PowerAde Activity Scholar, NMHS Academic
Honors Award.
Jillian Rufener, daughter of Ron and Sue Rufener, plans to attend the University of Oregon and major in international business. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point
average, Dean’s Scholarship to the University of Oregon, NMHS Academic Honors Award, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, OSAA PowerAde Activity Scholar, and the Robert and
Leona DeArmond Scholarship.
Lisa Nicole Louie, daughter of Jeffrey and Corliss Louie, plans to attend Azusa Pacific University in California and become a high school teacher or college professor in the subjects
of English, music or art. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Medford Rogue Rotary "Service Over Self" Award, Medford Rotary Foundation Scholarship, NMHS Academic
Honors Award, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Presidential Freedom Scholarship, Prom Court, Soroptimist Club of Medford Citizen of the Month for October, Soroptimist Club of
Medford Violet Richardson Award first place, United State Marine Corps Distinguished Athlete Award, OSAA PowerAde Activity Scholar, Western International Band Clinic Honor Band and the
Westminster Presbyterian Church Scholarship.
Heather Hodnett, daughter of Eric and Laura Hodnett, plans to study exercise science or athletic training at Oregon State University’s Honors College and work as a physical
therapist specializing in long-term rehabilitation, or as a doctor in a neonatal unit. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Future First Citizen Scholarship (Umpqua
Bank/Chamber of Commerce Jackson County), Mail Tribune Student Standout, NMHS Academic Honors Award, OSAA Powerade Scholar Athlete Award, Presidential Scholarship (OSU), President’s Award
for Educational Excellence and the Younger Memorial Scholarship.
Alissa Kalei Nani Spencer, daughter of Wayson and Sandy Spencer, plans to attend Elon University in Elon, N.C. She has not settled on a major, but is considering criminology,
psychology, business and athletic training. Her awards and honors include Torch Honor Society, Kiwanis Club of Medford Student of the Month, NMHS Academic Honors Award, President’s Award for
Educational Excellence and Certificate of Initial Mastery.
Stephanie Yasko, daughter of Randy and Jamie Butler, plans to go to the University of Oregon for one year then transfer to the University of California, Berkeley or the California
Institute of Technology and pursue a career as an astrophysicist. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, NMHS Academic Honors Award, Oregon State Drama Championship: Duo
Dramatic Category, President’s Award for Educational Excellence, Soroptimist Club of Medford Citizen of the Month, National Society of High School Scholars, "Who’s Who Among
American High School Students," OSAA PowerAde Activity Scholar, and Certificate of Initial Mastery.
Michael Servoss, son of Jim and Jan Servoss, plans to attend George Fox University in Newberg. His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Torch Honor Society,
Certificate of Initial Mastery, varsity soccer, Kiwanis Club of Medford Scholarship, NMHS Academic Honors Award, OSAA Powerade Scholar-Athlete, President’s Award for Educational Excellence,
Benson Scholarship and Science Scholarship from George Fox University.
Phoenix High School
Laura Taylor, daughter of Janet Taylor, plans to study science and Spanish at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Imagine
Awards Young Peacemaker 2005, President’s Volunteer Service Award, Scholar Athlete Award, Oregon Student of Merit in Foreign Language and Outstanding Varsity Writing Award.
Claire Rogers, daughter of Karen and Peter Rogers, plans to study music education and theater at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. She wants to teach band, choir and
theater. Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, National Merit Commended Scholar, Oregon student of merit for the performing arts, a presidential scholarship and a Ford Family
Foundation scholarship.
Victoria Morefield, daughter of Dennis Morefield and Marian Vincent, plans to study chemical engineering at Montana State University at Bozeman. Her awards and honors include awards in
science, math and social science, a 4.0 grade-point average, National Merit Scholarship finalist and Who’s Who Among American High School Students.
Information was not submitted for Robyn Singleton.
Prospect High School
Nicole-Rene Newcomb, daughter of mom Chrystine Brown and guardians John and Pam Benesh, plans to attend OSU and major in biochemistry/biophysics. She hopes to graduate as an Honors
Scholar with an international degree, then attend Oregon Health and Science University and go into cardiothoracic surgery. Her awards and honors include a 3.99 grade-point average, class
president, student body representative three years, basketball Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player Award varsity volleyball, Outstanding Student of the Year Math Award first year, Overall
Best Student of the Year English Award second year, Outstanding Student of the Year English Award first and second year, Outstanding Science Student of the Year second year, Student of the
Quarter: third quarter, second year; Honor Roll three years.
Bruce Bemer, son of Cheryl Nancarrow, plans to attend Oregon State University and major in a scientific, perhaps a medical, field and minor in math, science, or foreign languages and
do some studying abroad. His awards and honors include a 3.99 grade-point average, class vice president, junior varsity basketball, varsity basketball, Cougar of the Quarter/Student of the First
Quarter, Best Science Student, Best Math Student, Best English Student, Best History Student and Honor Roll every year. He is graduating a year early, as a junior, and participated in the AMATYC
test at RCC and received the Certificate of Merit for achieving the second highest average score at RCC.
ROGUE RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
Stuart B. Fety, son of Jim and Beverly Fety, plans to attend Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He has a 4.0 grade-point average.
Allegra Marcelle Fety, daughter of Jim and Beverly Fety, plans to attend Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and possibly pursue a career in the natural sciences or history. She has a
4.0 grade-point average.
Josh Renfro, son of Valis and Pattee Renfro, plans to attend St. John’s College in New Mexico.
His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, National Merit Scholar, National Honor Society president, two-time Future Business Leaders of America state champion in EBI.
Matthew Hoffman, son of Bob and Barbara Hoffman, plans to study pre-business at the University of Oregon in Eugene. He plans to earn a degree in business administration with a long-
term goal of a master’s degree in business with an emphasis in international business.
His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, Future Business Leaders of America president, vice president of the National Honor Society, First Degree Black Belt certification in
karate, Christian Youth Group leader, four years of Mexico Youth Ministries building homes in Mexico, VFW’s Voice of Democracy Competition: first place in Post 4166 and third place in
district, Citizenship Award, Sportsmanship Award, Scholar Athlete Award for football and golf, fourth place in emerging business at State FBLA competition, U.S. Achievement Academy National
Leadership Merit Award, Chieftain Best in biology, Spanish, drafting, math, honors English, participated in Build Olympics, Shine the Light, Ambassadors and Brain Bowl, Oregon Retired Educators
Association Scholarship Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement and Community Service and nominated for the Presidential Freedom Scholarship.
Elyse Wallace, daughter of George and Laura Bailey and Tom Wallace, plans to attend Corban College, formerly Western Baptist College.
Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, National Honor Society, four-year letterman in leadership, two-year letterman in cross country, figure-skating state champions, and
Scholar-Athlete Award.
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL
Matthew A. Bladek, son of Mike and Donna Bladek, plans to attend Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, Calif., and pursue a career in bioengineering.
His awards and honors include a 4.02 grade-point average, National Honor Society, varsity soccer captain, Film Club president, Math Club, National Junior Classical League, Community Service
committee, senior class secretary-treasurer, four-year varsity starter soccer, Oregon State Championship-soccer 2A/1A, 2003, Oregon State Championship Runner-up-soccer, 2A/1A, 2002, varsity
soccer captain, first team All League District 3 soccer defender, first team All State soccer defender, Top 10 Percent All State Academic Athlete, varsity soccer Most Valuable Player, varsity
soccer Crusader Spirit Award, varsity soccer Rookie of the Year, AP Scholar with Honor, Southern Oregon Math League-second place team, qualified participant-calculus 24th annual Invitational
Mathematics Tournament, Maxima Cum Laude for Outstanding performance in the National Junior Classical League, U.S. History Award for interpretational mastery.
Britta Beckstead, daughter of Paula Stenberg and Jay Beckstead, plans to attend Scripps College in Claremont, Calif., and pursue a career in journalism or environmental law.
Her awards and honors include a 4.01 grade-point average, National Honor Society, Chemistry Award for Outstanding Academic Performance, History Award for Historical Mastery, Argumentation History
Award, Social Sciences Award, National Council of Teachers of English Essay Contest Winner, State qualifier in Lincoln-Douglas and public debate and Scholar-Athlete Awards.
SOUTH MEDFORD HIGH SCHOOL
Renee Benton, daughter of Patricia and Mike Benton, plans to major in business at the University of Oregon in Eugene.
Her awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, freshman Link leader for two years, Torch Honor Society, volunteer at Arbor Place Senior Community, track (one year), and cross country
(three years).
Alex Mueller, son of Jim and Kathy Mueller, plans to attend Linfield College in McMinnville and pursue a degree in computer science and a career in film special effects.
His awards and honors include a 4.0-grade-point average, Torch Honor Society, Kiwanis Club Cluster Student of the Year in marketing, South Medford golf team, South Medford High School Math
Student of the Year, Kiwanis Club Cluster Student of the Year in graphic arts, Medford Kiwanis Club Student of the Month, Medford Rogue Rotary recognition for scholarship and leadership,
inclusion of his senior project film, "William Shakespeare" in the Forest Grove International Film Festival, Trustee Scholarship, 2005 PowerAde Scholar-Athlete Award, and First Place
Competitive Scholarship in computer science from Linfield College.
Scott Rowan, son of William and Sandy Rowan, plans to attend Loyola Marymount University on a Trustee Scholarship and major in film production. He hopes to pursue a career in film
directing/production.
His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average, the state-elected office of OASC Southern Regional Representative, All Student Body president, sophomore and junior class president,
captain for the track and field and cross country teams, Link Leader, president of Key Club and French Club, vice-president of Torch Honor Society. He is a national finalist for the Elks
Foundation Scholarship and has received the Oregon Boys State Samsung, National Principal’s Leadership Award, Pear Blossom Run and Jackson County Future First Citizen Finalist scholarships.
He is a champion ballroom dancer, amateur ham radio operator, and fences as well. He has co-produced two films that have been accepted to the Forest Grove International Film Festival.
Sean Rotbart, son of Richard and Laurie Rotbart, has been accepted in the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he plan to pursue a career in medicine or
piloting.
His awards and honors include a 4.0 grade-point average and "First in Class" status, National Torch Honor Society president, varsity tennis team captain, Fellowship of Christian
Athletes teen leader, four years playing viola in the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon, STARS teen leader, member of South’s Varsity Brain Bowl Team that won two regional championships
(2003, 2005), Oregon State Champion Knowledge Master Open team member, varsity Math Team, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Commission, lead role in one-act play "Wanted: One Groom,"
recipient of Jacksonville-Applegate Rotary Outstanding Student Award, and member of Jacksonville Presbyterian’s Mexico mission trip in 2004.
|
