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IM names top seniors for 2023

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IRON MOUNTAIN -- The top seniors in Iron Mountain High School's Class of 2023 were:

-- Aziza Marie Burgoon, daughter of Paul and Foz Burgoon of Iron Mountain, is valedictorian for the Class of 2023. She has been a 4.00 student for all four years of high school, has been a member of the National Honor Society for three years and is a four-year honor roll member.

Burgoon has earned the Michigan Technological University Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit and has been recognized with the College Board National Rural & Small Town Award.

While at Iron Mountain, Burgoon has been extremely active in clubs. She was a four-year member of student council, Key Club International, Tri-Hi-Y and the Varsity Club. She also was a founding member of the Be Nice student-led initiative to destigmatize mental health and prevent bullying. Burgoon sought leadership roles in these clubs, as student council vice president and then council president, as well as class president this year and Key Club president.

Burgoon also competed in varsity soccer and Girls 19U Tier II Travel Hockey all four years of high school, as well as being a varsity tennis member for three years. Burgoon also was captain of the varsity soccer team her junior and senior year.

She has volunteered more than 200 hours and working part-time in the summer with the YMCA.

Burgoon plans to study biomolecular science at the University of Michigan.

-- Emma Lou Elizabeth Ellis, daughter of Brad and Karen Ellis of Breitung Township, is salutatorian for the Class of 2023.

She has been on the honor roll for seven consecutive semesters, is a three-year member of IMHS Honor Society, and became a member of the National Honor Society this year.

While at IMHS, Ellis was a four-year varsity basketball member and captain all four years. She also was in volleyball all four years, three of those years as team captain. She ran varsity track for three years, being team captain the past two years, and was in varsity soccer for three years, team captain her junior year.

Athletic awards include: basketball MVP, All-U.P. honorable mention in basketball, Team Academic All-State Award-Basketball, WestPac first team -- basketball, Mid Pen second team --basketball and Mid Pen second team --volleyball.

She also participated in clubs. She was a two-year member of Varsity Club, serving as secretary this year. She also participated in Art Club, Tri-Hi-Y Club, Key Club and Be Nice.

Outside of the classroom, Ellis has been involved in the local community, volunteering at Overtime Youth basketball clinics, working at Advanced Appraisals and babysitting.

Ellis plans to study kinesiology and exercise science at Central Michigan University.

-- Ellison Marie Powell, daughter of Shannon and Jeff Powell, is ranked third in the Class of 2023. She earned a place on the IMHS honor roll for seven consecutive semesters as well as being a member of the National Honor Society for three years, serving as secretary this year.

Powell was a MyLead representative for IMHS her sophomore year, attending a leadership seminar at Michigan State University. She has been a four-year member in Key Club, Varsity Club, Tri-Hi-Y, Varsity Club and student council. Powell also served as Key Club secretary her junior year and student council president, Key Club vice president and Varsity Club president, all in her senior year.

She was advanced chemistry student of the month and was a Be Nice member. Additionally, Powell has played varsity basketball and softball all four years, including as softball captain for two years. She also played volleyball for four years, three as team captain.

Powell's athletic honors include First Team All-Conference, second team All-Conference and Defensive Team All-Conference for volleyball, second team All-Conference and Honorable Mention All-Conference for softball, varsity softball MVP and second team All-Conference and honorable mention All-Conference for basketball.

Powell has acquired more than 200 volunteer hours in the community and is active with her church.

Powell plans to study pre-law and journalism at Albion College.

-- Elle-Anna Lofholm, daughter of Gary and Christie Lofholm of Breitung Township, is fourth in the Class of 2023.

Lofholm has been on honor roll for seven consecutive semesters, was a member of the IMHS Honor Society and is a three-year member of the National Honor Society.

She has been active in school clubs, such as four years of Key Club, Varsity Club and Tri-Hi-Y. Lofholm was on student council all four years, including treasurer this year. She was selected as IMHS Student of the Month as well.

Lofholm also was involved in varsity tennis for four years and in varsity golf, varsity track and basketball. She also has been a E-bar-D equestrian member for four years.

Outsider school, Lofholm is a barista at Edelweiss Coffee and a nanny.

She plans to pursue a degree in biology, health and society at the University of Michigan.

-- Callie Anne Bianco of Iron Mountain, daughter of Donny and Patti Bianco of Breitung Township, is the fifth-highest in the Class of 2023.

Bianco was involved with both athletics and school clubs and activities. She was a three-year National Honor Society member, this year as president. She was also an IMHS honor roll member for seven consecutive semesters.

Bianco was a four-year member of Tri-Hi-Y, Key Club, Varsity Club and Youth Advisory Committee, or YAC. She also was on student council for four years, this year as the public relations officer.

Bianco was in Be Nice. for two years, as president this year. She had leadership positions as class representative in Key Club for three years, secretary of Varsity Club last year and co-chair of YAC in 11th grade and chair of YAC this year.

Bianco as an athlete played varsity basketball, varsity tennis and varsity soccer all four years of high school. She was soccer captain the last two years and basketball captain this year. She has also been recognized in tennis this year as the DII Player of the Year, Tennis MVP and the individual U.P. champion.

Outside of school, Bianco works at Edelweiss Coffee.

She plans to pursue a degree in movement science at the University of Michigan.

­-- Olivia Rose Hansen, daughter of Jesse and Shannon Hansen of Kingsford, completes the top 10% of the Class of 2023.

She has been on the Iron Mountain honor roll for four years, an IMHS Honor Society member and became a National Honor Society member this year. She participated in Tri-Hi-Y Club, Environmental Club and Art Club for three years. Hansen was an active member of Drama Club this year.

As a vocalist in solo ensemble the past two years, she scored a first and a second at districts for vocals.

Hansen is involved in English Equestrian Riding, overseas missions ministry at church and volunteers at the church nursery and vacation Bible school. She also works part-time at the Dickinson County Library.

Hansen plans to pursue a degree in music performance and music education at St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis.

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