North Central High announces top seniors

POWERS — North Central High School officials have announced the valedictorian, salutatorian and honor students of the graduating class of 2008.

Graduation ceremonies will be held at 1 p.m. in the high school gymnasium on Sunday, May 25.

The class valedictorian is David Dugree with a 3.938 grade point average, and the salutatorian is Casey Fazer with a 3.765 grade point average.

The top honor student is Sondra Proksch with a 3.749 grade point average.

David Dugree, son of Gerald and Anna Dugree of Hermansville, has earned valedictorian honors.

During his high school career, David has been active in a number of community service activities including Community Project Day, Red Cross Bloodmobile, Relay for Life, he has volunteered to give talks and speeches for the local Legion, and has made flag retirement drop off boxes while working on his Eagle Scout Project.

David is a member of the National Honor Society, Boy Scouts, Student Council, Band/Pep Band, is a member in 4-H and raises animals for the State Fair.

He has participated in cross-country and track throughout his high school career, earning a place on the All-State Cross Country Team for two years, and membership on the All Upper Peninsula Team for four consecutive years. He has also been part of the Academic All State Cross Country Team during his sophomore, junior and senior years.

David has contributed to his track team’s winning state championship status and was a part of the State Champion 3200 Relay team last year. He has also been on the Jets basketball team since his freshman year. David has earned honors and awards in Eagle Scouts, Class Historian, was chosen to attend Boy’s State at Michigan State University, has been selected as Student of the Month, achieved Perfect Attendance his sophomore year, is the recipient of the Michigan Promise Scholarship and has been awarded the Michigan Tech Presidential Scholar of Excellence Scholarship.

When he’s not busy with academics, athletics or community services, David loves music and to play his guitar in his music studio where he records his music. He plays guitar in the church choir and can also play the piano, banjo, drums, bass and clarinet. He loves to run, snowboard and skateboard.

Last summer, he ran in a 208 mile relay from Lacrosse, Wisconsin to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also enjoys just hanging out with friends. Future plans for David include attending Michigan Technological University in Houghton to pursue a degree in Engineering, and possibly, in Audio Production and Technology.

Casey Fazer, daughter of Charles and Doreen Fazer of Hermansville, has earned the title of salutatorian.

Casey’s service projects include coaching 5th and 6th grade girl’s basketball as well as helping with the elementary basketball program, volunteering her time to various Community Project Day activities and helping with “Breakfast on the Farm” at the Granquist family farm in Powers.

She is a member of, and currently serving as president, of the National Honor Society, Yearbook Editor, H.O.S.A. Treasurer, is the senior class President, has also served as class vice-president for three years, and has served as an acolyte at St. John Neumann Church for six years.

Casey has earned honors and awards in Citizenship, Student of the Week, Student of the Month, Academic Excellence, English 9, Technical Writing, U.S. History, Physical Fitness, Biology, Algebra, MEAP Awards, President’s Education Award, Computer Applications, Applied Communications, Perfect Attendance, Michigan Promise Scholarship and the C.M.U. Outstanding Student Scholarship.

She has participated in girl’s basketball throughout her high school career, earning honorable mention in both the C.U.P. and Skyline Conferences during her senior year. She has also been a member of the volleyball team during her freshmen and senior years, has been a member of the golf team for three years and was a cheerleader during her freshman year. For fun, Casey likes playing sports, watching sports and going out with friends. Future plans for Casey include Attending Central Michigan University where she plans to earn a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine/Athletic Training. Afterward, she hopes to earn a master’s degree in Physician’s Assistant, specializing in Orthopedics.

Sondra Proksch, daughter of Russell and Cheryl Proksch of Wilson, is the top honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.749.

Sondra has been very active in community service as a volunteer for the Red Cross Bloodmobile, Color Guard instructor, she has assisted with several projects during Community Project Days, she has sung the National Anthem at many local sporting events, and has volunteered many hours at Luft’s Printing on behalf of the NCA Guarantee Scholarship Program.

Sondra has also attended the Young People’s Citizenship Seminar 2006 at Alma College, was instrumental in the success of the “Ribbons for Derek” project, a fund-raising event for a North Central alumni and soldier who was seriously injured in Iraq, and organized and ran a Christmas Card Drive for soldiers.

Sondra has had a successful academic career, earning awards and recognition in Perfect Attendance, Academic Excellence, Citizenship, All A’s in English, Class President, Student of the Week, All A’s in Biology, B-plus or better in Spanish, U.S. History 3.5 or better, All A’s in English Literature and induction into the National Honor Society. Her hobbies include spending time with family and friends, singing, reading, traveling and four-wheeling. Sondra has been active in a variety of extra-curriculars including football cheerleader throughout her high school career, boy’s basketball cheerleader, and has been a member of the varsity golf team.

During her junior and senior years she participated in dual-enrollment with Bay de Noc Community College, where she has already 17 credits. Future plans for Sondra include attending college to pursue a degree in public relations.

Other 2008 graduates who will receive honors and recognition for holding a G.P.A. of 3.0 or high are:

Casey LaBonte, daughter of Joe and Tracy LaBonte of Hermansville, is an honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.567. Casey has participated in Community Project Day for six years. She is a member of the National Honor Society, has played basketball for the Jets throughout her high school career, earning Honorable Mention honors during her junior and senior years, and was selected to the Second Team C.U.P. during her senior year. She was named Class D All State Cross Country Runner in her sophomore year, was a member of the track team, and a cheerleader during her freshman and sophomore years. In her free time, Casey likes to play basketball, hang out with friends, go to the movies or go shopping. Future plans for Casey include attending Bay de Noc Community College to pursue a degree in nursing.

Nicole Sexton, (no photo available) daughter of Richard and Wendy Sexton of Spalding, is an honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.548. Nicole has donated her time to several community service projects including the school sponsored Community Service Days, Mardi Gras at St. John Neumann Parish, assisting with the Lion’s Club Pasty Sale, planting flowers for various organizations in the community and helping with the Derek Gagne Benefit. She was a member of the high school Student Council for three years, was in yearbook, was on the Junior Prom Committee, is a member of the high school band/pep band, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Some of the honors and recognition she has received in high school are Student of the Week, Academic Excellence and Cross-country M.V.P. She played JV and varsity basketball for three years, track for two, and cross-country for one. When she has time, Nicole likes to sketch pictures, play sports outside of school with friends and family, snowboard in the winter, and play music. Nicole can play the keyboard, guitar and trombone. After graduation she plans to attend Bay de Noc Community College then transfer to Michigan Tech to complete a degree in Computer Programming, with a minor in Business Management.

Garrett Nowack, son of Oscar and Linda Nowack of Spalding, is an honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.373. Garrett is a member of the National Honor Society, has consistently earned a spot on the Academic Honor Roll and has volunteered his time for a variety of projects during Community Project Days.

He has played football throughout his high school career, earning several post-season honors such as All Conference Tight End, Defensive End, All U.P. Tight End and Honorable Mention All State. Garrett played j.v. and varsity basketball and participated in track where he earned post-season honors in All State Track, Disk in 2006 and 2007. He is a member of the U.P. Bear Houndsmen Association. His hobbies include going hunting and fishing and hanging out with friends. After high school Garrett plans to attend Bay de Noc Community College for two years, then transfer to Michigan Tech to complete a degree in Engineering.

Lance Gearhart, son of Stan and Barb Gearhart of Hermansville, is an honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.243. Lance’s community service projects include assisting with the North Menominee County Community Schools Flag Football program and the Pop Warner Youth Football program, as well as helping at the Hermansville Rescue Squad’s Breakfast Fund-raiser, and volunteering his time to several projects during Community Project Days. He is a member of the Hermansville 4-H Club, Beef and Swine, Shooting 4 Fun Club .22 Rifle, BB gun and Archery, the National Honor Society and has served on the high school Student Council. Lance has played both j.v. and varsity football for the Jets, earning post-season honors as All Conference Honorable Mention Offensive Center, Offensive Tackle, Defensive Lineman and Kicker, and participated in shot and disk in high school track. During his free time, Lance enjoys four-wheeling, kayaking, hunting and working on vehicles. His future plans include participating in the First Annual All Star U.P. Football game and attending the Universal Technical Institute for Auto/Diesel Technician, and, finally, owning his own shop.

Cory Grondine, son of Willie and Terry Grondine of Hermansville, is an honor student with a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.186. Cory’s community service projects include Lion’s Club Adopt a Highway garbage pick up, Relay for Conquering Cancer, helping with Mardi Gras, visiting elderly patients at Pinecrest, Community Service Project Day clean-up projects, serving as Usher at the St. John Neumann Church and shoveling snow for the elderly. He is a member of the 4-H Swine Club, 4-H Dairy Club, Lawn Tractor Pulling Club and Life Teen Youth Group. Cory has earned a number of honors and awards both in and out of school including Perfect Attendance in his freshman and sophomore years, honor roll status throughout his high school career, induction into the National Honor Society, Student of the Week, Academic Excellence Awards, Band, Pep Band, Marching Band and Concert Band, Junior Daily Sportsmanship Award in 4-H, U.P. State Fair ribbons for grand champion, overall supreme champion and reserve champion. Cory has also been active in athletics throughout his high school years where he competed in pole vault and long jump in track, medaling at the U.P. Championships last year, and was a member of the Jets basketball team during his freshman, sophomore and junior years. In his free time, Cory enjoys fishing, hunting, riding his four-wheeler, snowmobiling, competing in lawn mower pulls and working on his truck. After high school he plans to get his CDL license, as well as certification in welding. He will also be busy helping to manage the family owned business, Grondine’s Cool Acres Dairy Farm in Hermansville.