West Branch's Top 10% of Class of 2022 names honored educators

The Alliance Review
·5 min read
West Branch High School honored the class of 2022 Outstanding Academic Scholars' Wednesday May 11, 2022 at Almost Home Banquet Center. Pictured from left, seated; Addyson Jones, Tori Shields, Asa DeSanzo, Sydney Fetters, Kaylee Burcaw, Gloriana Maendel. Standing; Morgan Loudon, Alyssa Barnett, Haden Hawk, guest speaker Carson Weingart, Jacek Strotz, Steven Marra, Samantha Tubbs, Rachel McGonagle. Michael Skolosh/Special to the Alliance Review

Thirteen students who make up the Top 10% of West Branch’s Class of 2022 were honored Wednesday at the 32nd annual West Branch High School Senior Academic Recognition Banquet.

The event, at Almost Home Event Center in Sebring, includes the students’ parents or guardians, plus teachers each student selected as “most significant” in their educational career.

Brian Coffee, principal of West Branch High School, and Penny DeShields, assistant principal, recognized the students. Senior Addyson Jones gave the invocation.

Superintendent Micki Egli introduced guest speaker Carson Weingart, a 2010 graduate of West Branch High School.

Weingart led several student organizations, including serving as president of the Warrior Band, National Honor Society and Student Ruriteens, and was editor of the school newspaper. He and a friend also co-hosted the morning announcements. After his senior year, Weingart completed an ARCT Diploma in piano performance through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

He graduated in 2015 from Ball State University with degrees in business administration and piano performance. After college, he was hired as the area manager of guest services at Cedar Point. He moved up through the ranks to become director of food and beverage operations at the park in March 2022. During his time with Cedar Point, he developed the Park Operations Internship Program, which has welcomed hundreds of students since 2016, many of whom have been promoted to full-time careers with the company.

Weingart and his wife, Nicole, live in Sandusky.

The 13 students were were honored were:

• ALYSSA L. BARNETT, daughter of Scott AND Andrea Barnett of Beloit. She plans to study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Bowling Green State University. Activities included Alliance Elks Teenager of the Month selection in January; president, National Honor Society, 2021-22; fall and winter homecoming court. Barnett’s honored educator was honors geometry and honors advanced math and trigonometry teacher Regina Solak.

• KAYLEE R. BURCAW, daughter of Mark and Nancy Burcaw of North Benton. She plans to study science and nursing at Kent State University. Activities included Village Varieties Community Service Award, children’s ministry leader at Connecting Point Chapel, varsity letter in track and field. Burcaw’s honored educator was her high school algebra II teacher, Shawn Alazaus.

• ASA DeSANZO, daughter of David and Shannon DeSanzo of Homeworth. She plans to study radiologic technology at Kent State University. Her activities include completing 27 credit hours as a full-time student at Kent State during her senior year, graduating summa cum laude, while working part time at MPI Labels in Alliance. DeDanzo’s honored educator was selected her third-grade teacher, Stacy McInturff.

• SYDNEY FETTERS, daughter of Randall and Kristin Fetters of Homeworth. She plans to study early childhood education at Malone University. Her activities included National Honor Society treasurer, tennis team captain, and Educators Rising president. Fetters’ honored educator was her high school marine science and honors/AP biology teacher, Kristen Tice.

• HAYDEN HAWK, son of Aaron and Danielle Hawk of Homeworth. He plans to study electrical engineering at University of Toledo. Activities included National Honor Society member, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, three-year high school basketball player. Hawk’s honored educator was his high school basketball coach, Michael Brown.

• ADDYSON JONES, daughter of Casey and Tracie Jones of Homeworth. She plans to study early childhood education at Lourdes University. Activities included Elks Teenager of the Month for October, EBC player of the year and second-team All-State and National Honor Society vice president. Jones’ honored educator was her third-grade teacher, Tina McMullen.

• MORGAN A. LOUDON, daughter of Scott and Melissa Loudon of Beloit. She plans to study biology at Ohio State University. Activities included Elks Teenager of the Month, softball team captain, and 2021-22 fall and winter homecoming court. Loudon’s honored educator was her high school statistics teacher, Matthew Roshak.

• GLORIANA R. MAENDEL, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Maendel of Alliance. She plans to study computer programming and missions. Her activities included Aultman Hospital ambassador of the year, Leo Club president and secretary, and Fine Arts Worship Band member. Maendel’s honored educator was her high school Spanish teacher, Erica Polinori.

• STEVEN MARRA, son of Justin and Stacy Marra of Salem. He plans to play football and study education at Ashland University. His activities included National Honor Society, Student Council vice president, and All State in football and wrestling. Marra’s honored educator was his high school counselor, Ken Harris.

• RACHEL McGONAGLE, daughter of Larry and Gerri McGonagle of Beloit. She plans to study political science/pre-law in Kent State University’s Honors College. Activities included West Branch High School Colorguard member, National Honor Society and varsity Academic Challenge member. McGonagle’s honored educator was her high school AP American government and geography and world issues teacher, Shane Blommel.

• TORI C. SHIELDS, daughter of Eric and Michelle Shields of Berlin Center. She plans to study biochemistry or biology. Activities included four-year letter winner in track, National Honor Society and maintaining a 3.9 GPA through high school. Shields’ honored educator was her fourth-grade teacher, Tonya Edie.

• JACEK STROTZ, son of Vince and Anita Strotz of Beloit. He plans to study computer science, mathematics, data science and Spanish at University of Mount Union. Activities included designing a computer program to assist Dr. Anne Triplett in donating custom hats to Alliance Domestic Shelter, was declared one of eight presidential scholars by University of Mount Union, and presented a computational solution to a math puzzle at Mount Union. Strotz’s honored educator was his eighth-grade language arts and social studies teacher, Penny DeShields.

• SAMANTHA M. TUBBS, daughter of Daniel and Susan Tubbs of Homeworth. She plans to study integrated mathematics at Kent State University. Activities included West Branch FFA president, Just Rite 4-H group vice president, and girls tennis team co-captain. Tubbs’ honored educator was her high school honors biology and chemistry teacher, Tara Robb.

This article originally appeared on The Alliance Review: West Branch's Top 10% of Class of 2022 names honored educators