The top scholars for the Wayland High School Class of 2021 have been announced.

Earning Summa Cum Laude (4.0+grade point averages) were:

  • Cassidy Martens of Wayland is the daughter of Marty and Diane Martens. Activities and awards: Key Club (president), Eco Club (founder and president), SADD (vice president),
    WHS students who earned Magna Cum Laude honors for achieving 3.8 and 3.9 grade point averages were: Audrey Lepper, Kirsten Roth, Ashleigh Graham, Emily Moulenbelt, Madison Powers, Ashlynn Kerley, Hayden Spore, Renee Gauthier, Zachary Kunst, Elijah Gamelin, Madeleine Keely, Alexander Bouma, Justin Holtz, Kylie Mutschler, Faith Stid, Kaden Dole, Samantha Dreyer, Tiffani O’Connell, Cooper Sidebotham, Samantha Johnson, Christian Look, Brady Kotarak, Megan Kerber, Grant Chesley, and Kendra VanKoevering.

    Michigan Youth in Government, NHS, Tutor, National Merit Scholarship finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar volunteer staff member, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition program winner, Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society “Competitive Exam Finalist 2019” and “Outstanding Chemistry Student.” She is a member of the competition team at Dorr Dance Academy. Cassidy will attend the University of Miami to study public administration, organizational leadership, and Spanish with plans to work in the field of law or policy making.

  • Jessica Smith of Wayland is the daughter of Mark and Jennifer Smith. Activities include NHS Treasurer, Eco Club, and Key Club. Jessica plans to attend Michigan State University to study biology with plans to become an orthopedic surgeon.
  • Jillian Wilbur of Wayland is the daughter of Chase Wilbur and Stacie Johnson. Activities include NHS, Eco Club, Key Club, and Michigan Youth in Government. She played soccer and was the JV captain her freshman year. She will attend Michigan State University to study political science.
  • Trenton Hoaglin of Wayland is the son of Gary and Rindi Hoaglin. Activities include Student Council, National Honor Society, Catz Den Club, and SADD. Sports included varsity baseball for four years/captain; freshman and JV basketball, captain; JV football, two years and was named Baseball All-District first baseman and Academic All-State. Trenton will  attend the University of Alabama to study biology and global health on the pre-med track as a member of the school’s Honors College, with plans to become an oncologist.
  • Tyler Omness of Shelbyville is the son of Mike and Dana Omness. Activities include Student Council, NHS, and SADD. He was the captain of both the basketball and golf teams. Tyler will attend Kalamazoo College to play golf and study business with plans to be an entrepreneur.
  • Madelyn Probst of Wayland is the daughter of Ann and Chad DeVries and Ted Probst. Activities include NHS vice president, SADD president, Key Club vice president, debate team captain, Eco Club, and basketball captain. Madelyn will attend the University of Michigan and is undecided on a major.
  • Jordan Bancino of Dorr is the son of Tim and Jenni Bancino. Activities include the WUHS FIRST Robotics Team and a member of the St. Cecilia Youth Orchestra. Jordan plans to attend Grand Valley State University to study computer science.
  • Andrew vanBaal of Dorr is the son of Ben and Aneke vanBaal. Activities include NHS, Student Council, Green Team Eco Club, student representative on the Board of Education, Choir Solo and Ensemble top individual finalist. Sports include varsity swim and dive (captain), varsity cross country, and varsity track and field. Andrew will attend the University of Michigan to study political science on the pre-law track, with plans to attend law school and enter civil rights or environmental law.
  • Brianna Shrontz of Middleville is the daughter of Brian and Amanda Shrontz. Activities include NHS, Eco Club and Band/Marching Band. Brianna will attend Grand Rapids Community College to study Spanish and literature, as well as political science, and then transfer to a four-year school.
  • Megan Rose of Wayland is the daughter of Tim and Leslie Rose. Activities include NHS and Advanced Theater. Honors include varsity letter for academics, Academic All State and Honor Roll. She was the captain of the cross country and soccer teams and was a member of the swim and dive team. Megan will attend Central Michigan University to study theater and interior design with plans to pursue a career in acting.
  • Alexander Sessions of Wayland is the son of Scott and Paula Sessions. Activities include NHS, Wayland Union Band, Improv Anonymous and Michigan Youth in Government. He was the clarinet section leader in the Marching Band. Alexander will attend the James Madison Residential College of Michigan State University to study public policy.
  • Eli Merren of Wayland is the son of Amanda and Mike Merren. Activities include NHS (president), SADD (secretary and treasurer), Debate (captain), Forensics (captain). He has more than 20 competitive speaking awards, including three state titles, and was the recipient of the 2018-2019 YMCA Michigan Youth in Government “Rising Star” award for excellence in their Press Corps division. Eli will attend the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor with plans to major in Afro-American/African studies with a minor in Spanish. Eli plans to become a civil rights attorney.
  • Daphne Bos of Wayland is the daughter of Karen and Ken Bos. Activities include NHS, Orchestra (section leader for multiple years), St. Cecilia Orchestra – member of Youth and
    Earning Cum Laude honors for grade point averages of 3.5 or better were: Owen Salingue, Cassandra Borr, Haley Taylor, Kenna Morse, Max Snyder, Alyssa Decaluwe, Joseph Thayer, Josie Melinn, Fieke VanderMaas, Jack Langley, Dominik Dzierzyc, Danielle Chapman, Trevor Hoaglin, John Watson II, Madison Hitts, Kendall Moore, Megan Breese, Alexis Sipkema, Johnnie Mellema, Nicholas Adams, Rylee VandenBerg, Dahlia Terry and Morgan Fugate.

    Concert Orchestra, honor student with over a 4.0 GPA for all four years, Wayland Equestrian team, Sundance Riders 4-H – vice president, Sundance Barn Bums 4-H youth leader, Theatre and horseback riding instructor for three years. Daphne will attend Kalamazoo College on the pre-med track with plans to become a psychiatrist.

  • Naomi Oosterhouse of Wayland is the daughter of Amy and Mark Oosterhouse. Activities include varsity cross country where she was captain, track, and she attended the Women in Sports Leadership Conference. After graduation, Naomi plans to renovate a trailer and travel while working from an on-line job.
  • Olivia Gamelin of Wayland is the daughter of Eric and Sandra Gamelin. She participated in SADD, choir and was on the track team. Olivia will attend Michigan State University to study nursing with plans to become a registered nurse or nurse practitioner.
  • Stephanie Ainsworth of Dorr is the daughter of Dan and Jodi Ainsworth. She played volleyball for two years and varsity basketball for four years, where she was captain for two years. She was named All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention for basketball. Stephanie will attend Cornerstone University to play basketball and study biomedical engineering.
  • Kayla Reed of Wayland is the daughter of Tim and Janice Reed. Activities include NHS, Student Council, varsity softball captain, and varsity volleyball captain. Kayla plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College, but is undecided on a major.
  • Madelyn Reurink of Shelbyville is the daughter of Jim and Angie Reurink. Activities include Middleville Clovers 4-H club, NHS, and PALs. She was on the honor roll and named Academic All-State, All-Conference and qualified for state in swim. She was the captain of the swim and dive team and played varsity soccer. Madelyn will attend Western Michigan University to study engineering with plans to become a mechanical engineer.
  • Riley VanPopering of Dorr is the daughter of Phil and Mag VanPopering. She was a member of NHS and while on the swim team made all-conference for four years and Academic All-State her senior year. Riley will attend Michigan State University Honors College to study psychology and will be a member of the varsity rowing team.
  • Krystal Godfrey of Wayland is the daughter of Danial and Patrick Wolverton. Activities include Marching and Symphonic Band. Krystal plans to attend Michigan State University to study criminal justice with plans to become a detective.
  • Ethan Snyder of Wayland is the son of Angela and Jim Snyder. Activities included Orchestra, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, baseball, and the high school FIRST Robotics Team. Ethan plans to attend Western Michigan University to study astrophysics with plans to be an astrophysicist.
  • Lila Magalski of Caledonia is the daughter of Jeff and Jen Magalski. Activities include NHS, SADD, Saint Cecilia Youth Philharmonic and Wayland Orchestra. She was on the varsity swim team and plans to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study physical therapy.
  • Jordan Keena of Wayland is the daughter of Tom and Jeanne Keena. Activities include NHS, band, varsity tennis and golf. Jordan plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College to study biology or ecology.
  • Mackenzie Alflen of Shelbyville is the daughter of Kevin and Shawna Alflen. She was on the honor roll and participated in cross country and basketball. Mackenzie plans to take a gap year then apply at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to study business management.
  • Paige Keena of Wayland is the daughter of Tom and Jeanne Keena. Activities include NHS, varsity golf, varsity tennis and Band. Paige plans to attend Kalamazoo Valley Community College to study foreign language.

1 Comment

Small Town Gal
May 29, 2021
Congratulations to all these fine students! You should be proud of yourselves for your dedication and hard work. Way to go graduates!

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