It’s been said that long-distance run
ners tend to be good academic students and high achievers.
The Hopkins High School Class of 2015 advances that notion with valedictorian Rachael Weber and salutatorian Samantha Ludlam. Both have been long-time members of the Vikings’ cross-country team and both have been long-distance runners for the track team.
Hopkins High School, meanwhile, has released the list of its annual top 10 academic students.
Weber, besides carrying an outstanding grade point av
erage, earned Division 3 all-state accolades in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 cross-country seasons. She also has taken part in soccer and has competed in the open 800-, 1600- and 3200-meter runs, as well as state qualifying 3200-meter relay teams.
The daughter of Bruce and Christine Weber, she has been involved with St. Mary’s Visitation Parish, the Hudson Corners 4-H Club, Hopkins FFA and National Honor Society.
She plans to attend Grand Valley State University to become a physician’s assistant, but hasn’t indicated whether she will get involved with the NCAA Division II powerhouse women’s cross-country and track teams.
Ludlam, daughter of Michael and Heather Ludlam, has served as vice president of the Michigan FFA and earned the Star Award in Agricultural Production.
Besides being on the track and cross-country teams, she has been a member of the Senior Equestrian Team, National Honor Society and 4-H.
Her plans are too attend Michigan State University, majoring in agriculture, food and natural resource education, with a teaching minor in biology.
The remaining eight students in the Hopkins High School academic top 10.
• Noah Kraft, son of Dale and Kendra Kraft, was academic all-state and all-conference in football, honorable mention all-O-K Silver Conference and all-district in baseball and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also was involved with the PALS program.
Kraft plans to attend Ferris State University and will seek a doctorate in pharmacy.
Goodman will attend Grand Valley State University this fall and major in mechanical engineering.
• Kaitlyn Betcher, daughter of Jan Hoffmaster and Karl Betcher, has been a member of the National Honor Society for a year, Youth Group two years, and soccer three years.
She plans to attend Shenendoah University in Winchester, Va., majoring in biology and getting a minor in international Studies. Her ultimate goal is to become a physician’s assistant.
• Allyson Dykstra, daughter of Brent and Judy Dykstra, was captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team, vice president of the Student Council and a Youth Group member.
She plans to attend Western Michigan University to study interior design.
• Kurt Steffes, son of Tim and Stacey Steffes, was a member of the marching band, the jazz band, was in the school musical and National Honor Society. He earned an Academic Achievement Award and Outstanding Achievement in Spanish.
Steffes plans to further his education in both music and Spanish as much as possible and hopes to become a Spanish teacher.
• Kennedy Miedema, daughter of Mark and Julia Miedema, has been a member of the track team for four years and cross country for three. She also has been involved with the PALS program, National Honor Society for two years and Student Council for four years.
She plans to enroll in the nursing program at Davenport University and be a member of the Panther cross-country and track teams.
• Rachael Schultz, daughter of Laura and Brandon Schultz, has participated in five musicals, including this year’s “Beauty and the Beast.” She has been in the band program since fifth grade and was a member of the National Honor Society.
Schultz plans to attend Grand Valley State University, majoring in nursing. She said she will pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the field.
• Baylee Roys, daughter of Diane and Kirk Roys, has been a member of the Viking girls’ basketball and soccer teams. She was all-conference in basketball this year.
Roys wants to attend Ferris State University to study optometry.
PHOTOS: Rachael Weber
Samantha Ludlam
