Colfax High School Top 10 of the Class of 2017
COLFAX — Here are profiles of the Top 10 seniors in the Colfax High School Class of 2017.
The profiles are published in alphabetical order.
Cienna Cooper
Cienna is the daughter of Chet and Jill Cooper.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Physics: I love learning how things work and using math to understand concepts. Calculus: I greatly enjoy the challenge that it presents and working through problems. College Prep English: While it has been very challenging, I enjoyed the work we completed.
• Most memorable event in high school: My freshman year, I competed in a STAR Event in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA). My partner and I advanced all the way to nationals, receiving gold at the San Antonio convention. We had a lot of fun and I gained public speaking skills that will help me the rest of my life.
• Activities: FCCLA; National Honor Society (NHS); Student Council; church group and Bible study; cross country for two years; lifeguard and swimming lessons instructor at YMCA; staff at Christian Harbor Youth Camp.
• Plans for this summer: I am a staff member at Christian Harbor Youth Camp which is where I spend the majority of my summer.
• Education plans: I plan to attend UW-Eau Claire. I hope to acquire a double major in Physics and Engineering.
Alexander Geissler
Alexander is the son of Rick and Jillyn Geissler.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Calculus: I like math and am interested in computer science. Math is really important. World History: I have always been interested in history, particularly ancient history. Chemistry: Because it was my favorite science class.
• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event that happened during high school was probably doing sound for the plays because it is great to see all of my hard work pay off.
• Activities: Piano lessons; organ lessons; Spotlight Night (tech and performing); sound for the school play; tech for the Barbershoppers; Solo and Ensemble (local and state for solo piano).
• Plans for this summer: This summer I plan to attend a video-game convention in Minneapolis called SGDQ [Summer Games Done Quick]. I also hope to tidy up some miscellaneous things in preparation for college next year.
• Education plans: I am planning to attend UW-Madison for a degree in Computer Science. I decided on Computer Science because for the majority of my life, I have liked working with computers and would like to turn that into a profession.
Ally Heidorn
Ally is the daughter of Chad and Nancy Heidorn.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Spanish: I’m interested in the culture and enjoy learning a new language. Advanced Biology: It relates to my career. Physical Education: It’s fun! I like being active and it’s a great break in my school day.
• Most memorable event in high school: My most memorable events come from sports. I have been fortunate enough to run at the state cross country and track and field meets, both of which were highlights of my high school years. I also really enjoyed playing in big basketball games as well as FCCLA Nationals.
• Activities: FCCLA (4 years) (president); FCA (4 years); NHS (3 years) (president); class officer (treasurer) (4 years); community service (Dad and Daughter Dance; coaching youth basketball).
• Plans for this summer: I will continue to work as a lifeguard and water safety instructor, enjoy time camping and traveling, visit Latin America on a mission trip, continue training for collegiate track and field, and spend time with my family.
• Education plans: I will be attending UW-LaCrosse to major in Exercise and Sport Science with a minor in Spanish and compete in track. Eventually, I hope to become a physical therapist because I am amazed by the human body, passionate about fitness and helping others, and interested in the medical field.
Michael Lyrek
Michael is the son of William and Lorena Lyrek.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Calculus: because I find the challenge enjoyable. Advanced Physics/College-Prep Chemistry: because I love my teacher, Mr. Furey, for his humor and teaching style. Social Problems: because I like staying up-to-date on the issues in the world.
• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable events I experienced in high school had to be my class’s junior victory for both the Homecoming and Winter Carnival competitions. It is memorable for me because we got sweeped the two previous years and then sweeped the competition in my junior year. I contributed to the win by encouraging many others to dress up during the dress-up days and by being the last person to fit into the car stuffing.
• Activities: track and field; FBLA; NHS; helped during the play; Science Club; Science Olympiad.
• Plans for this summer: After graduation, I have several plans for the summer. A big one is that I am going to a weeklong video game convention called SGDQ with some friends. There are a lot of graduation parties that I am going to as well. Hopefully, I will get to tour my dorm at UW-Madison, and even meet my roommate. Finally, I plan to learn some more about programming to prepare myself for my major of Computer Science.
• Education plans: I am planning to attend college at the UW-Madison. My major is going to be Computer Science, and I will most likely focus on software development. My decision for my major stems from my interest in computers ever since I was young.
Napoleon Nosker
Napoleon is the son of James Nosker and Sydney Tanner.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Social Problems: allows me to voice my opinions on social issues. Advanced Biology: taught me a lot about science. Psychology: I had a really fun professor.
• Most memorable event in high school: This is honestly impossible for me because the last four years have been amazing. I have such a deep love for my peers and this community, so every single day brings something great and memorable. I simply cannot pick!
• Activities: Church Youth Camp; Boy Scouts of America; Science Club; track and field; class officer; Forensics; school play; FCA; FBLA; Student Council; American Canoe Association; Jesus Christ Fan Club; Mr. Colfax Competition.
• Plans for this summer: I plan to continue working at the Colfax Health and Rehabilitation Center; however, I plan to spend as much time as possible with friends and family.
• Education Plans: UW-Madison. I am majoring in Genetics because it is a rapidly expanding field of science. However, I am also extremely interested in Political Science.
Kaely Rieck
Kaely is the daughter of Elisha and Jason Stone.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Microsoft Office: I found this class very rewarding because I got the opportunity to learn a lot of new things about what Microsoft has to offer and how I can apply it to anything. I also really enjoyed working with Mrs. Zutter because of how helpful and passionate she is. World History: History has never been my strong suit, but I am honored to be able to say I had Mr. Meade as a teacher. He was very knowledgeable and it is cool that he had my mom as a student years ago. Spanish: Learning a new language can be quite challenging at times. However, I feel that no matter what level a person is at, speaking another language is a beautiful thing. I enjoyed having such a kind and understanding teacher as Mrs. Verdon.
• Most memorable event in high school: I have had numerous memorable moments in my high school career that I will always cherish. However, a major highlight is when Salome Boden, our foreign exchange student from France, came Junior year. She touched the hearts of many with her kindness, and I will always be so thankful for the opportunity of meeting her and becoming friends.
• Activities: Forensics; high school theater productions; FCCLA; NHS; mentoring; Golf; FCA.
• Plans for this summer: I will definitely be holding up a couple jobs but hope to possibly go on a mission trip. I will also be spending a lot of time with friends and family!
• Education plans: I will be attending UW-Eau Claire and I am currently undecided. However, I am interested in looking into tourism and social work.
Megan Schleusner
Megan is the daughter of Craig and Brenda Schleusner.
• Top 3 favorite classes: My top three favorite high school classes are Medical Terminology, Advanced Biology and College Prep Chemistry/Advanced Physics. These classes are my favorite because they are related to the course content I will be studying at college.
• Most memorable event in high school: The most memorable event that happened to me was being selected to attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a life changing experience and I met so many inspirational individuals.
• Activities: I have been an active member of Student Council, FBLA, FCCLA, Science Club, NHS, The National Society of High school Scholars and the Society of Torch and Laurel. I participated in four sports: volleyball, basketball, track and golf. I have been honored to represent my class as the class vice president and as the Badger Girls State representative.
• Plans for this summer: This summer I plan to work as a CNA and volunteer at the hospital. I am looking forward to meeting my roommate, so we can shop for items we will need in our dorm room.
• Education plans: I will be attending UW-Eau Claire next fall. I will be majoring in Biology/Microbiology, with a minor in Pre-Professional Health Sciences. I have decided to major in science because I hope to attend medical school in the near future.
Abbagail Schotter
Abbagail is the daughter of Jeff and Brittney McCulloch.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Biology: I love learning about the world around me, especially the animals. Algebra: It’s simple, follow the rules and you get an answer. Band: I just enjoy it. It’s fun!
• Most memorable event in high school: My most memorable event was when after 5+ years of volunteering at the Ridgeland Vet Clinic, they offered a job as a vet assistant. I spent my summers doing something I love and got paid.
• Activities: FFA; band; cross country; track; dance team.
• Plans for this summer: I hope to find a job similar to the one I had at the Ridgeland Vet Clinic. Unfortunately, Dr. Al retired, but I remain hopeful! Also I will be doing a lot of training for next year’s cross country season at Southwest Minnesota State University.
• Education plans: I will be attending Southwest Minnesota State University next fall double majoring in Biology and Chemistry. I decided on this with plans to attend veterinary school.
Jezzica Tweed
Jezzica is the daughter of Robert and Judy Tweed.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Calculus, Advanced Algebra, and Advanced Chemistry were my favorite classes because I enjoy math and science and I like being challenged in my classes.
• Most memorable event in high school: For me high school itself was very memorable because over the past four years I have been able to grow immensely as a person and grow in the relationships with those around me.
• Activities: FFA; FBLA; Science Club; NHS; Student Council; FCCLA; FCA; Borderless Midwest Mission Trips; track and field; dance team; power lifting; school play productions.
• Plans for this summer: This summer I plan to work for my parents and prepare for moving out and going to college next year.
• Education plans: I am planning to attend the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. I will be dual majoring in Finance and Economics and possibly minoring in Spanish.
Hannah Yingst
Hannah is the daughter of Bill and Sarah Yingst.
• Top 3 favorite classes: Advanced Physics/College Prep Chemistry: Chemistry and physics have always been a couple of my favorites because everything we learn is very interesting and applicable to daily life. College Prep English: I enjoy reading and writing at the college level, so this class was a great experience. Spanish 4: I absolutely love foreign languages. It is so rewarding and fun to have the opportunity to learn Spanish.
• Most memorable event in high school: My most memorable events of high school are being named Conference Champions in dance my freshman and junior years, and also making it to state three out of my four years of dancing on the varsity team.
• Activities: Varsity dance team; varsity golf team; FBLA; forensics; NHS; student council; FCA; Science Club; Drama Club/musicals; the mentoring program; FCCLA; Letter Club; chorus; show choir; Discovering Leadership program.
• Plans for this summer: I am going to be teaching summer school dance, working at Whitetail Golf Course and spending lots of time with family and friends.
• Education plans: I will be attending UW-Eau Claire for Communication Sciences and Disorders. I hope to become a speech pathologist in the clinical setting. I decided to major in Communication Sciences and Disorders because speech and language have always been fascinating to me. I plan to help as many people as I can through this major and my future career.
