Springfield's top seniors from each high school honored, discuss future plans

Fifty-one members of the Class of 2023 from Springfield Public Schools' five high schools were recently honored during the district's Recognition of Scholastic Excellence banquet.

The 10 graduating students with the highest grade point average from each high school are recognized each year. This year, due to ties in GPA, Glendale will be honoring 11 students.

The April 6 event was hosted by Drury University.

Central

• Kalea Aguilar Aberle, daughter of Andrew Aberle and Joygrace Aberle, plans to attend Missouri State University as a biochemistry major and later obtain a doctorate in pharmacy and pursue a career as a pharmacist.

• Christopher Nottingham Beersman, son of James Beersman and Sara Beersman, plans to attend Truman State University and seek a degree in the chemistry pre-med program to pursue a career as a dermatologist.

• Claire Elizabeth Bodnar, daughter of Bryan Bodnar and Holly Bodnar, plans to seek a degree in environmental science for a career in environmental engineering.

• Brett Reagan Boney, daughter of Joe Saeler and Brooke Sutton. plans to attend Mizzou, Georgia Tech, or Purdue University to seek a degree in biomedical engineering for a career in engineering and medical research.

• Paige Hope Horton, daughter of Christian Horton and Robyn Horton, plans to attend The University of Tampa to earn a degree in criminology and criminal justice and pursue a career as an agent in the Crimes Against Children and Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit in the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

• JungBin Grace Park, daughter of Kyong Hwan Park and Hyungji Kim, plans to attend college to pursue her interests in STEM and social sciences.

• Wooyoung Park, son of Sanghoon Park and Yeonmi Park, plans to seek a degree in biomedical engineering for a career as an engineer.

• Jenna Mily Skidmore, daughter of Brad Skidmore and Rusti Skidmore, plans to seek a degree in biomedical engineering.

• Elise Noel Summers, daughter of Paul Summers and Stephanie Summers, plans to seek a STEM pathway degree.

• Zachary James Murry, son of James Murry and Shelly Murry, plans to attend the University of Missouri to obtain a degree in computer science for a career as a software engineer.

Glendale

• Lauren Rebecca Bloxom, daughter of Bruce Bloxom and Patti Bloxom, plans to seek a degree in biochemistry and pursue a career as a neurologist.

• Aiden Dwayne Bryan, son of Aaron Bryan and Christa Bryan, plans to seek a degree in biology, chemistry, pre-med, and pre-dental to pursue a career in the medical or dental field.

• Tyler Holt Douglas, son of Thomas Douglas and Michele Douglas, plans to seek a degree in aerospace engineering.

• Reilly Katherine Heman, daughter of Joel Heman and Courtney Heman, plans to attend Missouri State University.

• Hannah Loren Peak, daughter of Shane Peak and Rachelle Peak, plans to attend Evangel University and seek a degree in English to pursue a career as an English professor.

• Johnathan Tyler Peak, son of Shane Peak and Rachelle Peak, plans to attend Evangel University and seek a degree in education to pursue a career as a teacher.

• Travis Joshua Peak, son of Shane Peak and Rachelle Peak, plans to attend Evangel University to seek a degree in intercultural studies and business to pursue a career as a missionary.

• Catherine Bay Rhoads, daughter of Adrian Rhoads and Stephanie Rhoads, plans to attend Evangel University to major in non-profit business and minor in biblical studies to pursue a career in business with an emphasis on human rights and ministry.

• Mason Samuel St. Clair, son of Will St. Clair and Nicci St. Clair, plans to seek a degree in exercise science or health science for a career as a physical therapist or doctor.

• Brenna Kate Tarter, daughter of David Tarter and Shayla Cook, plans to attend Missouri State University and seek a master’s degree in elementary education.

• Ian Marshall Williams, son of Nathan Williams and Rebekah Williams, plans to seek a degree in exercise science, business management, and/or pastoral ministry.

Hillcrest

• Olivia Michelle Attyberry, daughter of Cedric Attyberry and Deborah Attyberry, plans to attend Evangel University to seek a degree in early education.

• Melanie Lynn Barrett, daughter of Beau Barrett and Greta Barrett, plans to seek a degree in marine biology.

• Addison Marie Grant, daughter of William Grant II and Tiffany Grant, plans to attend Ozark Technical Community College and seek an accounting degree.

• Avery Michelle Marmon, daughter of Brett Marmon and Jennifer Marmon, plans to attend Evangel University to seek a degree in elementary education.

• Chesnee Jolie Moritz, daughter of Alan Moritz and Vera Moritz, plans to attend Missouri State University and seek a degree for a career in environment plant science/horticulture.

• Mackenzie Ann Owens, daughter of Craig Owens and Bethany Owens, plans to attend the University of Kansas to seek a degree in law and society and psychology for a career in Investigation.

• Adeline Quinn Poindexter, daughter of Teri Poindexter, plans to attend Dartmouth College to seek a degree in government and neuroscience for a career as a criminal defense lawyer.

• Mackenzie Rae Smith, daughter of Christopher Smith and Deirdre Smith, plans to seek a degree in music and psychology to pursue a career in music therapy. .

• Natalie Rose Vaughn, daughter of Michael Vaughn and Lori Vaughn, plans to attend John Brown University to seek a degree in biology to pursue a career in the medical field.

• Adison Rose Marie White, daughter of Rhoden White and Jessica White, plans to attend Missouri State University.

Kickapoo

• Sandra Karen Baadsgaard, daughter of Jordan Baadsgaard and Karen Baadsgaard, plans to attend Missouri State University or the University of Arkansas to seek a degree in elementary or secondary education to pursue a career in teaching or writing.

• Kylie Ann Burks, daughter of Stephen Burks and Tara Burks, plans to pursue a career in owning and running a bed and breakfast.

• Tyler Wray Harris, son of Jeremy Harris and Erica Harris, plans to attend Drury University to seek a master’s degree in architecture.

• Julia Lauren Klein, daughter of Thomas Klein and Jennifer Klein. plans to attend the University of Missouri Columbia to seek a double major in psychology and Spanish.

• Andrew Benjamin Link, son of Paul Link and Katy Link, plans to attend Missouri State University to seek a degree in business.

• Callie Jade Muldoon, daughter of Mark Muldoon and Dianne Muldoon, plans to attend the University of Arkansas to seek a doctorate degree in exercise science to pursue a career as an occupational therapist.

• Emily Marie Robertson, daughter of Joe Robertson and Gayle Robertson, plans to pursue a career in architecture.

• Brett Zachary Smith, son of Dr. Brad Smith and Jennifer Smith, plans to pursue a career in aerospace engineering.

• Contessa Elise Trombetta, daughter of Jordan Trombetta and Katherine Trombetta, plans to attend Missouri State University to seek a degree in business and pursue a career in business/marketing.

• Campbell June Wilson, daughter of Victor Wilson and Deanne Wilson, plans to attend the University of Missouri or the University of Kansas to seek a degree in nursing for a career as a certified registered nurse anesthetist.

Parkview

• Jack Duncan Dougherty, son of Conan Dougherty and Suzanne Dougherty, plans to attend the University of Missouri-Columbia to seek a degree in business administration to pursue a career in human resources.

• Alexa Jewel Durrwachter, daughter of Julie Durrwachter, plans to attend Missouri State University to major in theatre education and minor in music and pursue theatre to recreationally perform and to teach at the high school level.

• Michaela Lizama Farrales, daughter of Michael Farrales and Lisa Farrales, plans to attend Missouri State University.

• Ariel Marie George, daughter of Alex George and Ashley George, plans to attend Missouri State University to seek a degree in theatre education.

• Kaylee Dawn George, daughter of Scott George and Jaunita George, plans to attend Southwest Baptist University and pursue a career in social work.

• Gage Riley Crabtree Helm, son of Mike Helm and Ginger Crabtree, plans to attend Drury University or Missouri State University to pursue a career in biomedical science.

• Bethanie Pearl Koone, daughter of Kerry Koone and Debbie Koone, plans to seek a degree in music education for a career as a high school band director.

• Alexandria Marie Morton-Wollen, daughter of Lisa Smith, plans to attend the University of Missouri and pursue a career as a veterinarian.

• Abigail Lea Stefka, daughter of Jason Stefka and April Stefka, plans to attend Missouri State University.

• Destiny Sue Stewart, daughter of Wendel Stewart and Sarah Owensby, plans to attend Missouri State University to seek a degree in pre-medicine for a career as an emergency medicine physician.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield Public Schools honors top high school seniors