Three valedictorians to lead the way for class of 2014
by Angie Asam-Staff Writer
Onaway High School is proud to announce the honor students for the class of 2014. This year’s graduation ceremony will mark the 50th anniversary of graduates from the current building. Valedictorians Mariah Ehrke, Sara Fullerton and Emily Glass lead a strong class with 24 total honor students. Jordan McKenzie is the class salutatorian while Sarah Marsh is the honor student.
Ehrke (4.0) is the daughter of Darin and Holly Ehrke of Onaway. She has been a standout athlete for the Cardinals as she has played basketball and volleyball all four years of high school.
She has been a class officer and a member of the student council since her sophomore year. Ehrke has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year as well.
She was a member of the Key Club during her sophomore and junior years and the Orange Team as a junior and senior. Ehrke has represented her class on the homecoming court in her freshman and senior years.
Ehrke was a contestant in the 2013 Miss Onaway pageant, earning first runner-up honors. She has been active in her church youth group since seventh grade. She worked one summer at Sunrise Communications and has spent time tutoring kids.
After graduation Ehrke plans to attend college to play volleyball and earn a degree in athletic training. She would like to pursue a career in sports medicine.
Fullerton (4.0) is the daughter of Amy and Rod Fullerton of Onaway. She was a member of the Cardinal volleyball team all four years of high school.
She has also been involved in the ski club for four years. She has been on the student council since her sophomore year and was a class officer during her sophomore and senior years.
Fullerton participated in three years of band and has been a member of the National Honor Society since she was a sophomore. She was in the drama club and Key Club during her sophomore and junior years. Fullerton has been on the Orange Team during her junior and senior years. Twice she represented her class on the homecoming court during her sophomore and senior years.
As Miss Onaway 2012 Fullerton raised $2,548 for multiple sclerosis as her service project. She is a member of the youth group at Onaway Community of Christ and is a cook at Black Lake Golf Course. She was also Miss Presque Isle County Fair 2011.
Fullerton plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University in the fall to study occupational therapy.
Glass (4.0) is the daughter of Renee Glass and John Glass of Millersburg. She has been a member of the band all four years of high school. She was in the Key Club for three years and has been on the Knowledge Bowl team during her junior and senior years.
Glass has been a member of the National Honor Society since she was a sophomore. She participated in track as a freshman and was in the drama club as a junior. She represented her class on the snowcoming court during her junior year.
She is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and is a short-order cook at the Northland Bar. She has been a member of the equestrian team since her sophomore year. Glass has taken 15 college credits since her junior year and has tutored four days a week since her junior year. She has also worked at Paulus Farms as a contract laborer.
Glass plans to attend Central Michigan University to study psychology.
McKenzie (3.99) is the daughter of John and Misty McKenzie of Onaway. She has participated in four years of high school band. She was a member of the Key Club for three years and has been on the National Honor Society since her sophomore year.
She represented her class on the snowcoming court during her sophomore year and has been a member of the Knowledge Bowl team in her junior and senior years.
McKenzie has been a member of the Onaway Equestrian team all four years of high school and worked as a contract laborer for Doug Paulus in the summer of 2013.
After graduation McKenzie plans to attend Michigan State University to pursue a degree in veterinary medicine.
Marsh (3.9195) is the daughter of Kenneth and Christine Marsh of Millersburg. She has been a member of the National Honor Society since she was a sophomore. She participated in drama club and Key Club during her freshman and sophomore year.
She played basketball as a senior and was on the student council as a sophomore. Marsh is involved with her youth group, is a Red Cross volunteer, has been involved with soccer and is a member of the student leadership group.
Marsh plans to attend Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina in the fall. She plans to study pre-med with a career goal of becoming a medical doctor.
Emilee Madison (3.8971) is the daughter of Bryan Madison of Onaway. She has participated in four years of band and solo ensemble at Onaway High School. She has been a member of the drama club for four years as well.
Madison was class president during her freshman year. She played volleyball as a freshman and basketball during her freshman and junior years. She represented her class on the homecoming court as a junior. She is participating in track this year for the Cardinals. She was on the student council and the ski club for three years.
She is a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. Madison is reigning as Miss Onaway 2013 and is a member of the youth advisory council. She is an assistant dance teacher in Cheboygan. She works at Tom’s Family Market and has been involved with the Rogers City Community Theatre as she choreographed for “Bugsy Malone.”
Madison is involved with Miss Michigan outstanding teen organization pageants. She is part of the people to people leadership forum in Washington D.C. and teaches theatre to kids at the after school program. She has participated in Art in the Loft in Alpena and has her own television show, “Adventures in Onaway with Emilee Madison.” She volunteers at the summer school program and has earned 12 college credits. She also won a patriotic award at Art in the Park.
Following graduation Madison plans to attend Central Michigan University to major in theater and minor in dance. She also plans to do a Disney World college internship and hopes to someday work at Disney World.
Rachel Nave (3.8636) is the daughter of Laurie and Matt Nave of Onaway. She has been a member of the art club all four years of high school. Nave has also played four years of basketball and volleyball for the Cardinals.
Nave competed in track as a sophomore and is a member of the Orange Team this school year. She has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year and represented her class on the homecoming court during her sophomore and senior years.
She is a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church and works at the 211 Bar and Grill. Nave has also worked at vacation Bible school.
Nave plans to attend Alpena Community College for two years before transferring to a university to pursue a career in social work.
Michelle Malay (3.7765) is the daughter of Diane and Mark Malay of Onaway. She has been a member of the art club for four years and participated in band during her freshman and sophomore years.
She played basketball and ran track as a freshman. Malay spends time out of school babysitting.
After graduation Malay plans to attend Central Michigan University to study pre-medicine.
Devin Bristley (3.6794) is the daughter of Kristi-Bristley Hoerner and Joe Hoerner and Darren and Tiffany Bristley. She has participated in four years of basketball, volleyball and softball for the Cardinals. She participated in band during her freshman and sophomore years.
She has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year. She participated in two years of ski club and two years on the Orange Team. Bristley represented her class on the snowcoming court during her freshman and senior years, recently being crowned snowcoming queen. Bristley works at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Post 4482.
Bristley plans to attend Finlandia University in the fall where she will play volleyball and study professional sciences.
Barbara Stitt (3.6088) is the daughter of Ruth and Thomas Stitt. She has participated in four years of band, including solo and ensemble. She has been on the track team all four years of high school and has been involved with the drama club for two years.
Stitt works at Woodwinds Restaurant and does dual enrollment classes through Alpena Community College. She spends time babysitting her nephew and was a contestant in the 2013 Miss Onaway pageant.
After graduation Stitt plans to attend North Central Michigan College for two years before transferring to a university. She is undecided on her field of study.
Darbey Gaynor (3.5727) is the daughter of Chris Gaynor and Stacey Miller. She has been a member of the band for four years. She participated in the drama club for three years and has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year. She was a member of the Key Club during her freshman and sophomore years and is participating in track this season. She represented her class on the homecoming court as a junior.
Gaynor has spent time out of school babysitting for her nephews and niece. She is a member of St. Paul Catholic Church and works at Subway of Indian River. She was a contestant in the Miss Onaway 2013 pageant and is taking dual enrollment classes.
In the fall Gaynor plans to attend North Central Michigan College for a year and a half before transferring to Michigan State University to double major in creative writing and midwifery.
Denise Porter (3.4813) is the daughter of Joanne and Brad Porter. She has participated in four years of band and has been a member of the National Honor Society and drama club for two years. She participated in one year of ski club and ran track as a freshman.
Porter works at Porter Survey and McDonalds of Indian River. She is a world champion Eskrima stick fighter as well.
After a summer of work Porter plans to attend two years of college at North Central Michigan College before transferring to a college in Florida to study early childhood development. Porter would like to either be a housewife or work at a daycare that promotes early education.
Mary Bandish (3.4118) is the daughter of Christopher and Ann Marie Bandish. She has participated in the band and drama club all four years of high school.
She has been a member of the National Honor Society since her sophomore year. She was a class officer as a junior and participated in Key Club for one year. She has also been on the track team for two years.
Bandish has been involved with the North Star figure skating group for six years. She works at the El-bo Inn and is a member of St. Paul Catholic Church. She has earned 18 college credits through dual enrollment and was third runner-up in the 2013 Miss Onaway pageant and was the talent award winner. She enjoys music including playing her guitar and singing.
Bandish plans to attend Central Michigan University in the fall.
Noah Bacon (3.4059) is the son of David and Chantel Bacon. He has participated in four years of football and track for the Cardinals and ran cross country for three years. He was in the ski club for two years and has been in the outdoor recreation club for four years. Bacon has done volunteer service and is a member of Educational Talent Search.
After graduation Bacon plans to move to Arizona and go to college the following year.
Jazmyn Tibbits (3.3676) is the daughter of Shelly Tibbits and Randall Tibbits. She participated in track during her freshman ear and has been a member of the drama club for two years. She works at Manzana’s Deli.
Tibbits plans to attend North Central Michigan College in the fall before transferring to a university to major in biology. She plans to go to graduate school to become a forensic scientist.
Tiffany Traynham (3.3563) is the daughter of Patti and Joe Traynham. She participated in band during her freshman and sophomore years and ran cross country as a senior. During her junior and senior years she has been a member of the drama club and the National Honor Society. She attends United Methodist Church and babysits.
Traynham will be attending Saginaw Valley State University to earn her bachelor’s degree in biology.
Codie Gray (3.3485) is the daughter of Heather and Wesley Peters Jr. She has been a member of the band for four years. She was a member of the snowcoming court as a junior and was in the Key Club for two years. She served as a mat maid during her junior year and has been in the National Honor Society for three years. She played softball during her freshman year and ran track in her sophomore and junior years.
Gray has tutored after school this year and has worked on Paulus Farms. She has also spent time babysitting.
She plans to attend Coastal Carolina Community College in the fall to study nursing.
Hannah Materna (3.27) is the daughter of Darrin and Kim Materna. She has participated in four years of basketball, cross country and track for the Cardinals. She has been a member of the student council all four years of high school. She participated in two years of ski club, drama club and Orange Team. She was on the Key Club for three years and has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years.
Materna is part of the youth group at Onaway Methodist Church and has worked at the Black Lake Golf Course Bar and Grill for four years.
After graduation Materna plans to attend North Central Michigan College for two years before transferring to Florida to pursue a degree in marine biology.
Lindsey LaLonde (3.2294) is the daughter of Don LaLonde and Sundee LaLonde. She has been a class officer and member of the student council for four years. She has participated in softball for four years. She was a member of the ski club for one year and was on the homecoming court during her freshman year and queen her senior year.
LaLonde was a mat maid during her sophomore year, has been on the Orange Team for three years and participated in two years of volleyball. She has been a member of the National Honor Society for two years.
She has been dual enrolled since her junior year and has worked at Subway in Onaway. She helped pack bags for the Moran Iron Works fireworks.
LaLonde plans to attend Traverse City Beauty School and then business school so she can open her own salon.
Eli Godsey (3.1912) is the son of Grant Godsey and Linda Godsey. He has participated in the outdoor recreation club and Key Club for four years. He played football for the Cardinals for three years, has ran track for three years and participated in one year of wrestling.
Godsey volunteers at the Salvaton Army about twice a year and is a member of Educational Talent Search. He is currently the vice president of the Key Club and is the leader of a 20-member parkour group. In the fall he plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University for pre-dentistry before transferring to the University of Michigan to become a dentist.
Tyler Welklin (3.1667) is the son of Kevin and Dawn Welklin. He has participated in four years of basketball and baseball for the Cardinals. He was on the homecoming court as a junior and has participated in three years of ski club. He works at the Black Lake Golf Club and has taken dual enrollment classes.
Welklin plans to attend Alpena Community College to study pre-pharmacy before transferring to Ferris State University to become a pharmacist.
Christian Cleaver (3.15) is the son of Jim and Jodie Cleaver. He has played four years of football, basketball and baseball for the Cardinals. He was on the homecoming court his senior year. He has been on the Orange Team as a senior and a member of the National Honor Society for two years.
After graduation he plans to attend Lake Michigan College to study pharmacy.
Andrew Prow (3.0281) is the son of Mike and Jerilyn Prow. He ahs played four years of baseball and basketball for the Cardinals. He was on the homecoming court as a sophomore and was recently crowned snowcoming king. He has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years and participated in one year
After graduation he plans to attend Lake Michigan Community College to play baseball and pursue a career in biology.
Matthew Tollini (3.00) is the son of Cliff and Emily Tollini. He has participated in four years of football, powerlifting and baseball for the Cardinals. He was a member of the wrestling team as a senior and was on the homecoming court as a junior. When he is not in school he spends time working with his dad. He also enjoys huntng, being outside and going to the lake.
Tollini will be attending Ferris State University where he will play football and major in automotive engineering technologies and minor in performance machining.