By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – The top 10 students of the Cassopolis Ross Beatty senior class of 2007 each graduates Saturday afternoon with highest honors, 3.8 GPA or above. The top 10 students include:
Jennifer A. Beathea
Valedictorian – 3.995 GPA: Jennifer A. Beathea, graduating Summa Cum Laude, is the daughter of Elizabeth Beathea and Jerry Beathea of Cassopolis. She was involved in Educational Talent Search, National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Honor Society, Student Senate, Afro-American Club, Building Restorative Communities and the School Improvement Committee. She received the Michigan Competitive Scholarship Award; the University of Michigan Literature, Science and the Arts Scholarship; the M-Pact Scholarship from the University of Michigan; and the University of Michigan Scholar Recognition Award Scholarship. She was a member of the Lakeland Conference All-Academic Team. She will be attending the University of Michigan.
Krista J. Jessup
Salutatorian 3.986 GPA: Krista J. Jessup, graduating Summa Cum Laude, is the daughter of Doug and Beth Westrick of Cassopolis. She was involved in the marching, pep and concert bands, Thespian Troupe No. 2323, FFA, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. Krista also was on the tennis team and is Miss Cassopolis 2007. She has been awarded many academic awards in math, English, science and history, and recognition in tennis and drama, along with the Michigan Competitive Scholarship. She will be attending Southwestern Michigan College where she received the Award of Distinction Scholarship.
Nicholas Bosler
Nicholas Bosler is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.972. Nicholas is the son of Tina Widerquist Bosler of Cassopolis and William Bosler of Three Rivers. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Drama Club, Peace Jam, Michigan Gateway, Youth Granting Council, Church Session, and marching and concert bands. He has received numerous band and drama awards, and the Michigan Competitive Scholarship. He was a member of the Lakeland Conference All-Academic Team. In the fall he will be attending the University of Notre Dame to study electrical engineering.
Kara S. Simmons
Kara S. Simmons is graduating with grade point average of 3.961, Summa Cum Laude. She is the daughter of Wendell and Susan Simmons of Cassopolis. She has been the president of the National Honor Society, secretary of the student senate, member of the Spanish Club and Honor Society, Afro-American Club and Society, SADD and Varsity Club. She has been a varsity cheerleader, played varsity volleyball and danced with the Encore Dance Company. Kara is the recipient of the G.W. Jones Bank Scholarship; the Grand Valley State University Award for Excellence Scholarship; the Michigan Competitive Scholarship; the Southwestern Michigan Award of Distinction Scholarship; and the Northwood University Presidential Scholarship. She will be attending Northwood in the fall to study business.
Joshua D. Ciesiolka
Joshua D. Ciesiolka, the son and David and Chris Ciesiolka of Cassopolis, is graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a GPA of 3.960. He has been a member of the National Honor Society, the Society of High School Scholars, concert, marching, and pep bands and drama. He has received many academic awards. He will be attending Western Michigan University and majoring in chemical engineering.
Ryan R. Green
Ryan R. Green will be graduating with a GPA of 3.944, Summa Cum Laude. He is the son of Jeff and Debbie Green of Vandalia. His activities include FFA, National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Honor Society, math competitions, homecoming activities, football and 4-H. Academic awards include the Community Mills Scholarship; the Michigan Competitive Scholarship; the FFA Alumni Scholarship; and the FFA Pride Hustle Determination Award Scholarship. He will be attending Southwestern Michigan College where he has received the Award of Distinction Scholarship. He will then transfer to Michigan State University to study veterinary medicine.
Elizabeth Slaski
Elizabeth Slaski is the daughter of Alexander and Theresa Slaski of Cassopolis. Her GPA is 3.927, Summa Cum Laude. Elizabeth has been vice-president of the Afro-American Club, Student Senate treasurer, and a member of Building Restorative Communities, Spanish Club and Peace Jam. She was also a mentor for seventh and eighth grade students. She is the recipient of the Michigan Competitive Scholarship; the Central Michigan University Multi-Cultural Award of Distinction and Academic Honors Award Scholarships; Western Michigan Cultural Diversity Scholarship; the Advantage Iowa Scholarship; the Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo Scholarship; and The University Scholarship from the University of Notre Dame. Elizabeth will be attending the University of Notre Dame in the fall.
Diamond Walker
Diamond Walker will be graduating Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.896. She is the daughter of Donnie and Yolanda Walker of Vandalia. Diamond has been president of her senior class and treasurer of the Afro-American Society, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Honor Society, Peace Jam and Educational Talent Search. Diamond has received academic awards; the Out-of-State Tuition Scholarship to Tennessee State University; the Multi-Cultural Scholarship to Western Michigan University; the Advantage Iowa Scholarship; the National Scholars Award from the University of Iowa; the Michigan Competitive Scholarship; and the Presidential Scholarship to Kentucky State University. She will be studying social work at Kentucky State University in the fall.
Austin J. Francis
Austin J. Francis has a GPA of 3.886 and is graduating Magna Cum Laude. His parents are Reid and Janet Francis of Cassopolis. Austin was in the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and concert, pep and marching bands. He was president of his freshmen and junior class, played baseball, basketball, golf, and ran cross-country. He received many academic awards, along with the Michigan Competitive Scholarship Award; the Presidential Scholarship from Bethel College; and the Award of Distinction Academic Scholarship from Southwestern Michigan College, where he will attend after graduation.
Alexander D. Olafsson
Alexander D. Olafsson, the son of Olafur and Barbara Olafsson of Vandalia, is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.849. Alex has been a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Varsity Club and Afro-American Club. He also played varsity soccer, football, and ran track and cross-country, along with coaching and refereeing Optimist soccer. Alex was awarded the Michigan Competitive Scholarship Award; the Southwestern Michigan College Award of Excellence; and the Kalamazoo College Honors and Tradition Scholarships. Alex was Ross Beatty's recipient of the Detroit Free Press Scholar-Athlete Award. He will attend Kalamazoo College in the fall, majoring in business and economics.