NILES — In just a few weeks, Brandywine High School seniors will celebrate graduation with a commencement ceremony. Last week, the school named the top 10 graduates of the 2019 class.

The youth who earned the rank are more than academic scholars. The students have worked to achieve success in the classroom while also seeking to better their community and overcome unique challenges.

As they look ahead to graduation, the students looked back on their achievements and encouraged incoming freshmen to take pride in their school work.

Brycen Duffield, 18, was named valedictorian. The high school senior said earning the title felt like a reflection of his hard work and perseverance.

Duffield earned a 3.95 GPA. Throughout his high school career, he was involved in varsity football, basketball, and track and field.

Looking back on what he achieved in his high school career, Duffield said one class sticks out in his memory.

“I received a B+ in Mr. James Derucki’s class. It made me work even harder and forced me to start studying more,” Duffield said.

Following his high school graduation, Duffield will further his education at the University of Michigan.

Rounding out the rest of the top 10 are:

2. Salutatorian Emily Burge, 19, earned a 3.93 GPA. Burge is president of the National Honor Society and vice president of the Key Club. Throughout her high school career, she also took part in Student Senate, Prom Committee, History Club and varsity bowling. After graduation, she will be attending Michigan State University.

When Burge started high school, she said she made it a goal to be part of the top 10.

“There were times when I wondered if all my hard work was paying off,” Burge said. “The moment that I knew that I had achieved the goal was when I was told that I was in the Top 10. This moment got even better when I was informed that I was salutatorian of my class.”

3. Mackenzie Jones, 18, earned a 3.9 GPA. Throughout high school, she participated in band, varsity tennis, bowling and musicals. After graduation, she will attend Holy Cross College.

4. Nicole Sachman, 18, earned a 3.89 GPA. Throughout high school, she took part in the National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, softball and the French National Honor Society.

5. Tori Blank, 17, earned a 3.975 GPA. Throughout high school, she took part in choir, theater, cheerleading and National Honor Society. After graduation, she will attend Southwestern Michigan College and then Ferris State University.

6. Austin Carter, 18, earned a 3.74 GPA. Throughout his high school career, he took part in track, bowling, tennis, Quiz Bowl, Science Olympiad and band. After graduation, he will attend Emory University.

7. Kylie Mesecar, 17, earned a 3.63 GPA. Throughout high school, she took part in varsity softball, varsity boys tennis, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society and student senate.

8. Destiny Patrolia, 17, earned a 3.62 GPA. Patrolia said she is proud to be part of the top 10 and be the first in her family to graduate high school. Throughout her high school career, she took part in the National Honor Society, band, Key Club, varsity tennis and student senate. She was also named drum major for the high school marching band.

9. Jacob Douglass, 18, earned a 3.56 GPA. Throughout his high school career, he took part in football, basketball, wrestling, track, and baseball. After graduation, he will attend Grand Valley State University to study athletic training. 

10. Searra Inman, 18, earned a 3.5 GPA. Throughout her high school career, she took part in soccer and wrestling. Inman recovered from a motorcycle accident that left her partially paralyzed last summer. Inman continued to be a fixture on the wrestling floor following the accident. She was selected as a Section 4 recipient of the National High School Spirit of Sport Award by the National Federation of State High School Associations in March. After high school, she will attend Lake Michigan College.

Brandywine High School seniors will graduate at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 2. A commencement ceremony will take place at the high school, 1700 Bell Road, Niles.