By By JOHN EBY / Dowagiac Daily News
Dowagiac Union High School's Class of 2005 collected $580,681 in scholarship offers Monday night at the 47th annual honors program in the DUHS cafeteria.
The record was set last May 24 when the Class of 2004 raked in $717,634 to eclipse the $710,000 mark set in 1990.
The Class of 2003 got $498,005.
The Class of 2002 tallied $439,730.
The Class of 2001's $641,104 had been the highest total since $653,140 in 1992.
The Class of 2000 received $594,150.
Principal Paul Hartsig, presiding at his first program, introduced Valedictorian Kristin Smith and Salutatorian Jesse Cox, who will lead the class at Dowagiac's 141st Commencement at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5.
Guidance counselor Kristi Schwartz chaired the event for her fourth time, with assistance from counselor Randy Luthringer and program and reception planning by Toni Pasternak.
Sixth-year Superintendent Larry Crandall welcomed friends, family members and guests.
Nineteen students achieved grade-point averages (GPAs) between 3.4 and 4.0. Twenty-seven students will be graduating with a 3.0 (B) or higher GPA.
The 19 high-honor graduates (*denotes National Honor Society membership) include Kristin Smith*, Jesse Cox*, Hillary Bisnett*, Leah Dohm, Robert Duszynski*, Kenneth Franz*, Elizabeth Fryman, Nicole Huff*, Jennifer Humphreys, Amy Klapchuk*, Jordan Markham*, David Maxey*, Kyleigh Mott, Erica Mroczek, Abigail Pacheco, Shawn Rawson*, Melonie Seifferlein*, Kathryn Smith* and Scott Wilkinson*.
The 27 honor graduates include Jeffery Brosnan, Scott Congdon, Debra Curtis, Brittney Diaz, Courtney Dufour, Schuyler File, Andrew Fitchett, Rodolfo Garcia, Heather Garrelts, Alejandro Hernandez, Andrew Howard, Valerie Johnson, Roderick Laylin, Keera Morton, Kelsey Parmley, Rachel Rappelli, Lianna Revis, Jacqueline Sayre, Kenneth Scott, Joshua Sedlar, Emily Seurynck, Danielle Stanton, Alicia Thielmann, Amanda VanHusan, Amber Wallace, Aaron Wendzel and Amanda Wheeler.
Kyrie Krenz assisted with distribution of NHS stoles to qualifying members.
Sixty-five students earned $2,500 MEAP Merit Scholarships from the State of Michigan for a total of $162,500.
A total of 709 credit hours were earned at Southwestern MIchigan College in various classes and academies. Fifty-two seniors participated in SMC programs.
Twenty-eight seniors earned State of Michigan Competitive Scholarships.
Eighteen seniors were members of the Chieftain Marching Band that earned a I rating at fall festival.
Abigail Pacheco received "Outstanding Student of the Year" for computer-aided design (CAD) from Van Buren Technology Center in Lawrence from teacher Pat Linderman. Administrator Sue Conklin gave her the $1,000 Phys-Tech Cluster Scholarship and a traveling trophy.
Three seniors enjoyed perfect attendance all four years. Fourteen percent of the class had two absences or less.
Ninety-two percent of the Class of 2005 has definite post-secondary education plans after graduation: 37 seniors will be attending a four-year college or university; 97 will be attending a two-year community college; four will be attending a technical school; three are entering the military; and 12 plan on entering the workforce, according to the guidance office.
John Klapchuk, one of the 2004 recipients, presented the sixth annual $500 Orange and Black Scholarships to Hillary Bisnett and Kenneth Franz.
Schwartz and 1971 DUHS graduates Rob and Paula Bellas Manley presented scholarships to Jesse Cox and Nicole Huff.
Rich Frantz, Beckwith Theatre board member, gave its $1,000 scholarship to Kathryn Smith for her 12-year involvement in community theater.
Dan Neese, member of Dowagiac Lions Club, presented $500 scholarships to Matthew Behnke and Valerie Johnson.
President Judy Schalm and Barbara Pugh, representing Sister Lakes Lady Lions Club, awarded $500 scholarships to Hillary Bisnett and Shawn Rawson.
Ron Jacobs, Sister Lakes Lions Club secretary and past president, presented a $1,000 scholarship to Valerie Johnson.
Mayor Pro Tem Wayne Comstock, a member of Elks Lodge 889, gave the $1,000 Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarships to Jesse Cox and Erica Rodriguez.
Schwartz presented Rotary Club's matching scholarship with Southwestern Michigan College to Jordan Markham.
Jon Biek, head of the scholarship committee, awarded the $1,000 Knights of Columbus/John Tuka Memorial Scholarship to Scott Wilkinson.
Luthringer, representing the Department of Michigan American Legion, gave the $500 Guy M. Wilson Scholarship to Amanda VanHusan, the granddaughter of a veteran. She will attend SMC to study physical therapy.
Brittney Reist and Kyleigh Mott received $500 Leo Krziza and Esther Krziza-Condry Scholarships from Luthringer, representing the Lee Memorial Foundation. They will pursue nursing degrees at SMC.
Hillary Bisnett accepted the $500 Toni Shaer Memorial Scholarship from Lissa McIntosh and Melissa Stanger on behalf of Zeta Chi Sorority.
Camille Briegel presented the 16th annual $500 Steven Briegel Memorial Scholarship to Andrew Fitchett. Her son, a 1986 DUHS graduate and 1988 SMC graduate and Steve's Run namesake, succumbed to cancer March 1, 1990.
Robert Kwiatkoski, representing the Dowagiac Education Association, presented to Kenneth Franz, whose parents, Pat and Bob, are educators, the Sandy Engle Memorial Scholarship, remembering a former DEA president who died in December.
Schwartz, representing the Dehring family, presented the sixth annual Kenneth E. Dehring Memorial Scholarship to Kelsey Parmley.
Mr. Dehring, who died in the spring of 1999, had been a counselor at Central Middle School. The $1,100 aid is for a student attending SMC for education, counseling or social work.
Schwartz, representing the Marks family, gave the 14th annual $200 Johnelle Marks Memorial Scholarship to Kristin Smith. Miss Marks took part in the honors program with her Class of 1987. At 20, she died in a traffic crash coming home for Christmas from Michigan Technological University in Houghton on Dec. 20, 1988, alogn with Darrin Williams and Daniel Wise. The assistance is given to a student studying science or engineering.
Cass County Sheriff Joseph M. Underwood Jr. awarded eighth annual $500 Community Policing Scholarships to Valerie Johnson and Emily Seurynck. Eight scholarships are given each year.
Assistant Superintendent Peg Stowers, scholarship committee member of Dowagiac Optimist Club, presented its $500 scholarship to Robert Duszynski.
Jay Brackensick, representing Sodexho Services, awarded its $500 scholarships to Hillary Bisnett and Andrew Fitchett.
CJ Fitzpatrick, Burger King Restaurants district manager, awarded its scholarship to Courtney Dufour.
Bonnie McCarthy and Gina Wilson, representing Cass County 4-H Leaders Council, presented scholarships to Amanda VanHusan and Scott Wilkinson. Amanda is a nine-year member of Mechanicsburg. Scott, a nine-year 4-W 4-H member, will study landscaping at Michigan State University.
Amanda Wheeler received the Tyler Refrigeration Scholarship from Human Resource Manager Dave Congelosi to the daughter of an employee on behalf of the Niles manufacturer. Congelosi said it was the first time he's awarded the scholarship in Dowagiac in 27 years.
City Clerk Jim Snow presented the City of Dowagiac's $500 SMC scholarship to Kathryn Smith.
Kenneth Hartman, representing Wayne Township, gave its $500 scholarship to Melonie Seifferlein.
Luthringer, representing Silver Creek Township, presented a $500 scholarship to Emily Seurynck.
Linda O'Keefe, a member of the DUHS Academic Booster Club, awarded scholarships to Courtney Dufour, Erica Mroczek, Kelsey Parmley and Kristin Smith.
Kwiatkoski, DEA president, presented the teachers' association $500 scholarships to Leah Dohm, Robert Duszynski, Jordan Markham, Keera Morton and Kristin Smith.
Director Tracy Galbreath and Miss Dowagiac 2004 Brittany Winters presented pageant scholarships to Miss Dowagiac Courtney Dufour, First Runner-up Katie Wright, Second Runner-up Keera Morton and Communications Winner Rose Middleton - $2,800 in all.
Schwartz, on behalf of Aquinas College, presented the $38,000 St. Thomas Aquinas Scholarship to Hillary Bisnett.
Schwartz, representing Kalamazoo College, gave a $52,000 honors scholarship to Robert Duszynski.
Schwartz, representing Kettering University, presented a $20,000 academic achievement scholarship to Jeffery Brosnan.
Luthringer, a Western Michigan University alumnus, delivered $12,000 WMU academic awards to: Nicole Huff, dean's scholarship; and Sara Villegas, cultural diversity scholarship.
David Maxey accepted the $40,000 Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship to Michigan State University from Luthringer.
Trustee Paul File and Lisa Topping, representing SMC, presented: Awards of Distinction, full tuition with a $600 book stipend, to Amy Klapchuk, Abigail Pacheco and Shawn Rawson; and Awards of Excellence, half tuition, to Debra Curtis, Rodolfo Garcia, Jennifer Humphreys, Jordan Markham, Kyleigh Mott, Jacqueline Sayre, Melonie Seifferlein, Kathryn Smith and Amanda Wheeler.
File and Topping gave SMC fine and performing arts scholarships to Laura Kroboth, Rose Middleton, Jason Smith, Kathryn Smith and Alexandria Unruh.
Schwartz and Krenz bestowed Academic Awards of Excellence on Jesse Cox, Courtney Dufour, Robert Duszynski, Alejandro Hernandez, Nicole Huff, Valerie Johnson, Amy Klapchuk, Jordan Markham, Abigail Pacheco, Kathryn Smith, Kristin Smith and Scott Wilkinson.
Schwartz and Krenz named Jesse Cox, Robert Duszynski, Amy Klapchuck, Jordan Markham, Kathryn Smith and Kristin Smith as recipients of the President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.
Receiving Michigan Competitive Awards are Terry Ausra, Matthew Behnke, Kameron Belew, Hillary Bisnett, Jeffery Brosnan, Scott Congdon, Jesse Cox, Debra Curtis, Robert Duszynski, Schuyler File, Andrew Fitchett, Andrew Howard, Nicole Huff, Jennifer Humphreys, Amy Klapchuk, James Larson, Jordan Markham, Jeromy Northrop, Abigail Pacheco, Craig Schuur, Jason Smith, Kathryn Smith, Kristin Smith, Amanda VanHusan, Aaron Wendzel, Amanda Wheeler, Kayla Wilson and Katie Wright.
Chris Stroven, representing the SMC Educational Talent Seach program, presented two of the 15 in Michigan $500 MI-MAEPP scholarships to Alejandro Hernandez and Sara Villegas. Alejandro had the second-highest score in the state.
Sgt. Troy Hunsberger, representing the U.S. Navy, awarded a $54,000 Navy scholarship to Ashley Urbanski.
Denise Jackson received an Air Force scholarship.
Staff Sgt. Curtis Strande, representing the U.S. Army, presented its $36,144 scholarship to James Larson.
Edgar Wilson presented perfect attendance certificates to Andrew Howard, Henry Krohne, Kyleigh Mott and Satakun Tanthaweeviwat.
Qualifying for exemplary attendance recognition were Hillary Bisnett, Thomas Corwin, Jesse Cox, Brittney Diaz, Andrew Fitchett, Sarabjeet Hira, Abigail Pacheco, Shawn Rawson, Lianna Revis, Melonie Seifferlein, Jason Smith, Kathryn Smith, Kristin Smith, Samantha Swartz, Tanya Thomas, Amanda VanHusan, Yat Wong and Jonathan Woolsey.
Michigan Merit Award recipients include Terry Ausra, Kathryn Baggs, Matthew Behnke, Kameron Blue, Hillary Bisnett, Jeffery Brosnan, Ashley Bucha, Jesse Cox, Debra Curtis, Brittney Diaz, Leah Dohm, Robert Duszynski, Schuyler File, Andrew Fitchett, Kenneth Franz, Ashley Freeman, Elizabeth Fryman, Heather Garrelts, Stacey Garrelts, Adam Hemenway, Andrew Howard, Nicole Huff, Jennifer Humphreys, Abbie Jackson, Valerie Johnson, Amy Klapchuk, Jason Kocsis, Joseph Kocsis, Laura Kroboth, Henry Krohne, James Larson, Roderick Laylin, Jordan Markham, David Maxey, Keera Morton, Kyleigh Mott, Erica Mroczek, Jeromy Northrop, Micah Null, Kamiell Owen, Abigail Pacheco, Kelsey Parmley, Rachel Rappelli, Shawn Rawson, Lianna Revis, Jacqueline Sayre, Craig Schuur, Kenneth Scott, Joshua Sedlar, Melonie Seifferlein, Emily Seurynck, Frank Simanton, Jason Smith, Kathryn Smith, Kristin Smith, Danielle Stanton, Alicia Thielmann, Clinton Thompson, Amanda VanHusan, Amber Wallace, Aaron Wendzel, Amanda Wheeler, Scott Wilkinson, Jonathan Woolsey and Katie Wright.