EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is a compilation of Wayland High School seniors who have earned Summa Cum Laude (with the highest distinction) academic honors at upcoming commencement. There are no guarantees the list is entirely complete. If someone was overlooked, please along a biographical paragraph and jpeg photo to dyoung880@gmail.com
• Mahala Wierenga has been a member of Student Council, LOC club, NHS and the tennis team during her time at Wayland. She plans to attend Western Michigan University in the fall to study social work or nursing
• Aaron Maas has been a member of soccer, swim, track and field and NHS as a board member. Aaron has also participated in aquatics swim club as both a competitor and coach, as well as Wayland Rovers soccer. He plans to study electrical engineering in the fall.
• Breanna Hyde has been a member of bowling, track and field (state meet qualifier in the long jump), Improv Anonymous, marching and concert bands, Jazz Express, NHS, PALs, and Michigan Youth and Government. Breanna also has been a member of the Dorr Dance Academy Competition Team and GR FIRE Track Club. She plans to run track and field at Grace College in the fall.
• Samantha Popma has been a member of the girls’ soccer team and NHS. She plans to attend Central Michigan University to study exercise and health sciences in the fall.
• Emma Byers has been a member of track and field, basketball, NHS, Student Council, Select Choir and Honors Choir. She plans to attend Grand Valley State University to study marketing in the fall.
• Summer Morrison has been a member of golf, bowling, NHS (president), Students Against Destructive Decisions (president), Wayland Union Board of Education (student representative), debate (captain), PALs, and Michigan Youth in Government. She plans to attend Northern Michigan Universities Honors College in the fall to study forensic biochemistry.
• Samantha Reed has been a member of tennis, swim and dive, NHS and Student Council. She will attend Ferris State University in the fall to study secondary education.
• Hailey Bancino has been a member of NHS and the varsity soccer team. She will attend Cedarville University next fall to study nursing and Spanish.KayeLee Martens has been a member SADD, LOC Club, MAP Tutors, NHS, PALs, varsity soccer, and has been an Art Club mentor. She plans to attend Michigan State University this fall to study digital storytelling and film studies.
• Kourtney VanBaal has been a member of NHS and volleyball. She plans to attend Hope College in the fall to study nursing.
• Audra Trumbull has been a member of NHS, SADD, Thespian Society, Band, Theater, and Improv. She plans to attending Goshen College this fall in Indiana to study social work and deaf studies.
• Margaret Burchardt has been a member of tennis and studio dance. She plans to attend Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, to study nursing.
• Skylar Standish has been a member of NHS and plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall. A message from Skylar: “Four years of hard work and dedication to my school work has finally paid off. I’d like to thank my parents and grandma for pushing me to do my best along with my guardian angel, Grandpa Pitcher. While also being proud of myself for staying disciplined and dedicated to keeping my grades up through the hard times of COVID-19 being online/hybrid. I’d also love to thank Mrs. Teeple (my favorite teacher) for always being there for me to talk to and always pushing me to keep going in AP lang and my other classes.”
• Kami Morse has been a member of softball, volleyball, NHS and Student Council. She plans to attend Aquinas College next fall to study business and further her volleyball and softball careers.
• Kiersten VanBaal has been a member of volleyball and NHS. She will attend Hope College to study nursing in the fall.
