Top 10 Grads

Lane Taylor, daughter of Trent and Wendy Taylor, made the most of her high school experience through leadership, athletics and service. Her involvement included serving as captain of the girls varsity soccer team for two years, playing club soccer for AYSO United, leading the Women’s Advancement in Leadership Club as president, serving as treasurer of both Senior Executive Board and NHS, coordinating NHS tutoring efforts, and working as a lead server at Covenant Living of the Great Lakes. Lane plans to attend Georgetown University to study environment and sustainability with a minor in international affairs.

Among her many activities, the Women’s Advancement in Leadership Club was especially meaningful because of her passion for encouraging women to recognize their potential and push themselves beyond perceived limits. Lane said her love of learning motivated her throughout high school, along with a personal drive to discover what she was capable of accomplishing. In the future, she hopes to work in the environmental or social justice field.

 

 

Isaac Renkema, son of Kate and Kent Renkema, stayed active throughout high school through tennis, pickleball, disc golf and swimming. He plans to attend Calvin University, where he is currently undecided on a major.

Among his activities, swimming was especially meaningful because it taught him how to challenge himself and work hard to achieve his goals. Isaac said his family motivated him to always give his best effort throughout high school. Looking ahead, one of his future goals is to retire by age 50.

 

 

 

Kaylee Martin, daughter of Jason and Ashley Martin, stayed active throughout high school through athletics, service and leadership opportunities. She played both soccer and volleyball while also participating in clubs including Kids’ Food Basket, Student Council, NHS and Spanish Honor Society. Outside of school activities, Kaylee enjoys drawing and baking in her free time. She plans to attend Oakland University to major in child psychology with a minor in Spanish. 

Kaylee said sports were especially meaningful because they helped her build strong friendships while continually pushing herself to improve and work harder. Her future goal of becoming a child play therapist motivated her to work hard academically so she could one day better support and help children. She hopes to eventually work in a clinic as a child play therapist.

 

 

Macallie Retan, daughter of Kyle (mother) and Eric Retan, immersed herself in academics, athletics and environmental involvement throughout high school. She competed in varsity cross country, indoor track and outdoor track while also leading the chemistry club and participating in Garden Club, Green Team, WALC, NHS and Student Council. In addition, she served as a youth social media manager for Friends of Buck Creek. Macallie plans to attend University of Michigan to study chemistry.

 

Cross country and track were especially meaningful to Macallie because they challenged her physically and mentally while helping her form lasting friendships. She also found Chemistry Club rewarding because it gave her the opportunity to share her passion for chemistry and highlight its value in education. Macallie said her love of learning, along with encouragement from teachers, friends and family, motivated her throughout high school. In the future, she hopes to pursue chemistry research in a laboratory setting.

 

 

Karriann Lakeisha, daughter of Bambang Susanto and Heny Tjhin, explored a wide range of interests throughout high school, including art, gaming, fashion, volunteering, advocacy, community-building and language learning. She plans to attend Tufts University in the combined degree program for digital art and psychology.

 

Art and advocacy work were especially meaningful to Karriann because they helped her realize how her talents could inspire change within her community. She described art as a language she has always been fluent in and said learning how to apply it across different areas of her life made it even more significant. Karriann said her motivation in high school came from wanting to build a future she could be proud of through her own hard work and determination. In the future, she hopes to pursue a career as a visual developer while remaining open to opportunities in psychology or a combination of both fields. She also hopes to continue learning languages, exploring different cultures and traveling.

 

 

Aaron Giri, son of Purna Giri and Dhan Khatiwoda-Giri, filled his high school years with a wide variety of activities and interests, including soccer, martial arts, music, DECA, volunteering and road running. He plans to attend University of Michigan to study electrical or nuclear engineering.

Among his many interests, martial arts was the most meaningful because of the five years he dedicated to it and the stronger connection it helped him build with his cousin, Abhimanyu Dahal. Aaron said he was motivated to work hard in high school after watching a cousin receive recognition for academic excellence, inspiring him to push himself toward similar success. In the future, he hopes to pursue a career in engineering, with interests in electrical, nuclear or environmental engineering.

 

 

Julia Lozic, daughter of Nadija and Gordan Lozic, stayed deeply involved throughout high school in academics, athletics, music and service. She played tennis all four years and earned a spot on varsity this year, participated in band as a clarinet player since sixth grade, and served as a marching band section leader for the past three years. Julia was also active in five clubs, including Spanish Honor Society, and earned her Seal of Biliteracy. She plans to attend University of Michigan to major in biology on a pre-medical track.

Among her many activities, Spanish Honor Society was especially meaningful because it gave her the opportunity to help elementary students with their schoolwork in Spanish, helping them feel supported and included in a new environment. Julia said her parents inspired her to work hard by always believing in her and encouraging her to push herself to succeed. In the future, she hopes to become a neuroradiologist.

 

 

Kyrstie Celebuski, daughter of Ada and Paul Celebuski, spent her high school years balancing academics, athletics and service. Her activities included chemistry-related studies, Spanish Honor Society, cross country, track and field, and work experiences outside of school. She plans to attend Michigan State University to study biochemistry.

Among her activities, Spanish Honor Society was especially meaningful because she enjoyed tutoring elementary students and felt she was making a positive difference in their lives. Kyrstie said her passion for the subjects she studied motivated her to work hard and strive for a deeper understanding in school. In the future, she hopes to become either a physician or a pharmacist.

 

 

 

 

Joseph Lawrence, son of Christopher and Jennifer Lawrence, pursued a variety of interests throughout high school, including playing the French horn and piano as well as hiking and biking. He plans to attend Michigan Technological University to study physics.

Among his interests, biking was especially meaningful because it gave him a sense of adventure and freedom while providing a break from the stresses of everyday life. Joseph said he was motivated to work hard in high school because of the impact academics can have on future college opportunities. Looking ahead, his dream job is to become a research physicist at CERN — conveniently located near the Swiss Alps.

 

 

 

Avery Terry, daughter of Aimee and Eric Terry, has challenged herself both academically and athletically throughout high school while balancing interests that include diving, gymnastics and weightlifting. She plans to attend Purdue University through Naval ROTC to study aerospace engineering, with the ultimate goal of becoming an astronaut.

Among her activities, dive was especially meaningful because of the close friendships she built and the constant encouragement from coaches who pushed her to grow and perform at her best. Avery credits her strong work ethic to her parents, who taught her to give her all in everything she does — a mindset that carried over into her academic success.