BHS Class of 2017 Valedictorian and Salutatorian announced

BOYCEVILLE — The title of Valedictorian for the Boyceville High School Class of 2017 has been earned by Maxwell Engel. Brooklyn Hellmann earned the title of salutatorian of the Boyceville High School Class of 2017. Both students have allowed their leadership skills, academic focus and positive personal character lead them to success at Boyceville High School and beyond. 

Maxwell Engel

Maxwell is the son of Jennifer and Tim Engel of Menomonie.  The title of Salutatorian has been earned by Brooklyn Hellmann.  

Maxwell has balanced rigorous academics and an active student role in activities here at Boyceville High School.  Maxwell has supported his school with participation in extracurricular activities like Science Olympiad, Band, school clubs, Drama productions, athletics, and community involvement.  

Maxwell has dedicated a great deal of time to the Science Olympiad team.  He has earned 125 medals in competition with Science Olympiad in the past four years.  28 medals were at the State Level including 11 State Championships and 32 Regional medals.  He was recently selected as the first ever recipient of the Outstanding State Science Olympiad Participant Award.  The award recognizes character, enthusiasm, merit and sportsmanship within the Science Olympiad program.  Maxwell has also been involved in Band and has been a four time member of the Dunn St. Croix Honors Band.  Through Band he has toured Europe with the Wisconsin Ambassadors of Music program which performed in over six different countries.  Maxwell has belonged to many school clubs including Yearbook, Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, and the Junior Chamber Leadership Team.  The Drama club has also drawn Maxwell’s attention for the past four years as he has become an integral part of numerous plays and musicals.  Most recently Maxwell played the lead role of Joseph in “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat” production at Boyceville High School.  Maxwell has excelled as an athlete at school representing the Cross Country Team as their Captain and earning a Varsity Letter in Baseball.  He volunteers at St. Joseph’s Parish, in Menomonie, as a Fall Festival volunteer, Little Church Sunday School Assistant and Youth Group member.  Last summer Maxwell participated in Badger Boys State program.  The Badger Boys State program focused on civic leadership, responsibilities and roles of citizens in the political process.  Maxwell’s academic commitment, service to his community and leadership qualities made him a wonderful choice for being recognized as the Menomonie Youth Optimist Award winner last November.  More recently, the Herb Kohl Scholarship winners were announced for the State of Wisconsin.  Maxwell earned this distinguished award for his academic accomplishments and extracurricular involvement.  His Kohl application went through a local and regional CESA level competition and he was moved forward on to the State level where he was selected as a finalist and now an honored award winner. 

This fall Maxwell will be attending the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He will be majoring in Political Science and earning a minor in Environmental Studies.  After completing his undergraduate degree Maxwell plans on attending Law School with a focus on Environmental Law and Regulation.

Brooklyn Hellmann 

Brooklyn Hellmann is the daughter of Angie and Nick Hellmann of Boyceville.  Brooklyn has been highly involved at Boyceville High School while balancing her demanding academic schedule.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, Family Career and Community Leaders of America, Student Council, the UW Extension Discovering Leadership group, Quiz Bowl team member, a three sport athlete and has an unparalleled number of volunteer hours within her community and school. 

Brooklyn has been an integral part of developing a strong FCCLA program at Boyceville High School.  She has earned multiple Regional and State Gold and Silver Medals presenting information on Adolescent Wellness.  In addition, Brooklyn qualified for the National FCCLA Competition in 2014.  She has presented such topics at FCCLA competitions as “Homeless and Hungry”, “Fit for Life” and “On a Mission”.  Her involvement in FCCLA as a leader and role model has been crucial to the success of the program. She has been involved with this year’s Boyceville High School Student Council as the Treasurer.  Brooklyn also participated in the UW Extension Discovering Leadership program where she was selected to represent Boyceville High School as a leadership liaison between the school, the Extension and her community.  The group focused on school improvement which lead to changes in the building accessibility for people with disabilities.  Brooklyn has also been a member of Quiz Bowl for three years.  Her positive attitude and willingness to contribute on every level, personally and academically has made Brooklyn a true assets to our school.  

Brooklyn has also been a leader in athletics playing three sports each year.  She played Volleyball, Basketball and Softball and was voted Captain for both Volleyball and Basketball this year.   Brooklyn has been honored with the title of Dunn St. Croix Second Team All Conference for Volleyball and numerous Coach’s Awards throughout her high school career.  She gives back to her community as a summer Youth Camp Coach and league referee for sports such as Volleyball, Track and Basketball.  Brooklyn knows the power of modeling positive behavior and coaching young students to make the most of their athletic experience. 

Brooklyn’s community involvement is so vast it is hard to quantify.  Her commitment to service has benefited not only the Boyceville School District but beyond Dunn County.  She participated in a Missions Trip to the Pine Ridge South Dakota Reservation in Manderson, South Dakota.  She was actively involved in home repairs, interior and exterior rebuilding to support local families.  Brooklyn took a special interest in providing time to read to the young children of Manderson.  Since her visit Brooklyn has continued to support the South Dakota families with supply drives of clothing, Christmas gifts and soon a delivery of books that were donated through a FCCLA Book drive.  Another worthy cause that Brooklyn has supported includes the American Cancer Society.  She was the Co-coordinator for the “Volley for a Cure” fundraiser and has been pivotal in the organization of the “Coaches versus Cancer” event.  Both fundraisers not only raise money through silent auctions and ticket sales but also they bring about awareness for the American Cancer Society and all of the essential need for further research.  Brooklyn’s dedication to her community is to be commended.   She earned the Menomonie Rotary Club Youth Service Award this year representing Boyceville High School and her tremendous gift of service to others. 

This fall Brooklyn will be attending the College of St. Scholastica in Duluth, Minnesota.  Brooklyn will majoring in Exercise Physiology. After completing her undergraduate degree Brooklyn plans on earning her Doctorate in Physical Therapy. 

Congratulations to both Maxwell and Brooklyn on their fantastic achievements here at Boyceville High School. Thank you for setting such a wonderful example of leadership and character!