By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Three valedictorians -- Margaret Laing, Rebecca Maxey and Kristin Rose -- and Salutatorian Arianne Baker lead Dowagiac's Class of 2003. Principal Ken Dockerty announced the top 10 graduates to the Board of Education Monday night at Union High. Each valedictorian earned a cumulative 4.0, or straight-A, grade-point average.
Margaret Laing
Maggie, of 503 Green St., is the daughter of G. Bruce and Jane Laing. Her mother serves on the school board.
Her top eight high school activities include: Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Team, Student Senate president, Humanities Club vice president, National Honor Society vice president, Student School Improvement Committee, Academic Challenge, Varsity Club secretary and four years of varsity tennis, including co-captain.
Maggie's top eight honors and awards are being a Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Ambassador, Academic All-Conference, ranking 13th for tennis in western Michigan (18 and under), MEAP Merit Award, second runner-up to Miss Dowagiac and a member of the 2002 Homecoming court.
Maggie plans to attend the University of Michigan, beginning this summer by taking a six-credit class at Jackson Hole, Wyo., at U of M's Camp David, then starting in Ann Arbor this fall.
Rebecca Maxey
Rebecca, of 29961 Priest St., is the daughter of Chris and Franny Maxey.
Her top eight high school activities include: Humanities Club, four years, president one year; Student Senate, three years, secretary one year; National Honor Society, two years; Academic Challenge, three years, team captain one year; band, first-chair trumpet two years; Drama Club, four years; Science Olympiad, one year; and tennis, one year.
Rebecca's top eight honors and awards include co-valedictorian, MEAP merit scholarship, nomination for All-State Academic Team, the Law Award for Excellence, University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship, the President's Award for Academic Excellence and the Social Studies Award of Excellence.
She will be attending U of M to study political science and hopes to work for the CIA someday.
Kristin Rose
Kristin, of 54355 Indian Lake Road, is the daughter of Scott and Leslyn Rose.
Her top eight high school activities include: varsity basketball, four years and two years captain; varsity volleyball, two years and two years captain, National Honor Society president, Student Senate vice president, school newspaper editor-in-chief, youth basketball coach, student school improvement committee and Miss Kathy's School of Dance.
Her top eight honors and awards include: Hope College Presidential Scholarship, American Electric Power Educational Scholarship, Miss Dowagiac 2003, second runner-up to Miss Blossomtime 2003, Dowagiac Elks Club Most Valuable Student Award, varsity basketball MVP 2001, varsity volleyball MVP 2001 and varsity basketball first team all-conference 2001 and 2002.
Kristin plans to attend Hope College in Holland in the fall to double major in international studies and marketing and to minor in French.
Arianne Baker
Arianne, of 604 Fairlawn Drive, is the daughter of David and Jackie Baker. Her cumulative GPA is 3.896.
Her top eight high school activities include: track, basketball, cross country, National Honor Society, Humanities Club, Student Senate, senior board member and painting murals in teachers' classrooms.
Arianne lists her top eight honors and awards as: DAR Good Citizen, MHSAA Scholar-Athlete finalist, the local winner of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary patriotic art contest, Academic Award of Excellence for three years, Lakeland Conference All-Academic Athletic Award for three years, Certificate of Exemplary Attendance for three years; Gatorade Will to Win Athlete for the 2002 track season and the Michigan MEAP Merit Award.
Rachel Minikel
Rachel, of 26180 Allen Terrace, is graduating fifth with a 3.884 cumulative GPA. She is the daughter of Fred Minikel and Connie Segers.
Her top eight high school activities include softball, volleyball, basketball, National Honor Society, Varsity Club, mentoring, NHS blood drive and Homecoming.
Rachel lists her top eight honors/awards as Academic All-Conference, National Honor Society induction, All-District in softball, All-Conference in softball, MEAP scholarship and nomination to scholar-athlete.
Scott Grabemeyer
Scott, of 33736 Dixon St., is the son of Dave and Peggy Grabemeyer. He is graduating sixth with a 3.826 cumulative GPA.
High school activities include tennis, golf, Business Club, community outreach, attending football and basketball games and spending time with friends.
His honors and awards include his academic "D," golf award for four years, the Presidential Award of Excellence, MEAP Merit Scholarship, tennis MVP, near-perfect attendance and a varsity letter in tennis.
Matthew Carlson
Matthew, son of Tom and Carolyn Carlson, 55793 Forest Beach Road, is graduating seventh with a 3.75 cumulative GPA.
His top eight high school activities include: National Honor Society secretary, class president four years, Student Senate, soccer, football, baseball, student tutor/mentor and youth basketball coach.
His top eight honors and awards include: Academic Athlete Award for 2001; MHSAA 2002-2003 Scholar Athlete nominee – three sports, soccer All-Conference Second Team 2002, soccer All-Division First Team 2002, football All-Division Honorable Mention 2002, soccer team captain 2002, baseball American Legion All-Star team 2002 and soccer All-Conference Academic Award 2002.
Brandon Watkins
Brandon, of 54393 Indian Lake Road, is the son of Tamara Watkins and Dan Repoza and Jeff and Zina Watkins. He is graduating eighth with a 3.729 cumulative GPA.
His high school activities include National Honor Society co-president, senior board, Varsity Club, football, track, student tutor/mentor and youth basketball coach.
Honors and awards include a MEAP Merit Scholarship, All-Conference football 2002, All-Conference honorable mention 2001 and the Presidential Award of Excellence.
Brandon plans to attend Purdue or the University of Michigan to major in aeronautical or civil engineering.
He plans to pursue a career in the Air Force, "after which I will open my own engineering firm."
Amanda Schilling
Amanda, of 51194 Indian Lake Road, is the daughter of Andy and Debbie Schilling. Her 3.725 cumulative GPA ranks her ninth in the Class of 2003.
Her high school activities include cheerleading, soccer, National Honor Society, Humanities Club and senior board.
Honors and awards include MEAP scholarship recipient, nominated for "Who's Who Among American High School Students," the Presidential Award of Excellence, the Academic Award of Excellence and varsity letters in soccer and cheerleading.
Amanda wants to graduate from Western Michigan University with a major in business and accounting.
Brent Brewer
Brent, of 407 West St., is the son of Larry and Tracey Brewer. He completes the top 10 with a 3.701 cumulative GPA.
Brent's top high school activities are Varsity Club, basketball, football, baseball, tennis, community outreach and Powder Puff coach.
His top eight honors and awards include: "Who's Who Among American High School Students," nomination for the student athlete award, the high honors award, perfect attendance, the Academic Award of Excellence, the Terry Rose Memorial Scholarship, the Optimist Club essay award and a MEAP scholarship.
Brent plans to attend SMC for two years before transferring to Western Michigan University for his bachelor's degree.
He wants to become an elementary educator and to teach "right here in Dowagiac, if possible."