They are —

— Elizabeth Chernach of Crystal Falls is the daughter of Ericka Gursky and Jeffrey Chernach.

She was a member of the National Honors Society, as well as the school’s Symphony Orchestra as a violinist. She was also involved in the 4-H Artemis for seven years and the local Drama Club for five years.

After graduation, Chernach plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in marketing at Northern Michigan University.

Catharina Rypstra

— Catharina Rypstra of Iron River is the daughter of Luke and Martha Rypstra.

Over the course of high school, Rypstra has participated in solo/ensemble band competitions. She has also been involved in Symphony Orchestra, Forest Club and Honors Band.

In the community, Rypstra is involved in the West End Players, and Taproot Community Farm Inc. She is also active in her church doing children’s ministry.

After graduation, Rypstra plans to pursue a major in wildlife ecology and conservation at Michigan Technological University.

— Aubrey Richardson of Iron River is the daughter of Kelly Sartorelli and Craig Richardson.

Aubrey Richardson

At West Iron, Richardson has been an active member of the National Honor Society. She earned high honors as one of the few students who was acknowledged all four years on the A Honor Roll, and she is ranked third overall in her graduating class. She is yearbook editor this school year.

Outside of academics, Richardson has been a competitive dancer and tennis player, while also staying actively involved in school and community organizations such as Key Club (freshman year) and Forest Club.

She has been able to volunteer in her community in areas such as Salvation Army bell ringing, serving at Christmas at the Barn, and working at the blood drive.

After graduation, Richardson plans to pursue a degree in business administration at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

— Lilyanna De Sousa of Iron River is the daughter of Heather and Kevin Fritsche.

Lily DeSousa

De Sousa has been heavily dedicated to not only her academics, but also being involved in as many things possible within her community. She has been a member in the student council and Forest Club, as well as class president and a member of the National Honor Society.

De Sousa also participated in volleyball, basketball and track all four years of high school. She has been a member of the Iron Area Health Foundation Student Leadership Team for the past four years.

After high school, De Sousa plans to major in elementary education at Northern Michigan University.

— Dominick Brunswick of Iron River is the son of Tom and Tina Brunswick.

Throughout high school, Brunswick played four years of football, one year of basketball, four years of tennis and one year of golf. He was also involved in two years of Forest Club. Brunswick helps in the community by refereeing youth hockey games.

Dominick Brunswick

His biggest academic achievement is being in the top 10 in his class.

After high school, Brunswick plans to join the Carpenters’ Union and pursue his journeyman’s license.

— Gatlin Gillaspie of Iron River is the son of Andrew and Merrie Gillaspie.

Gillaspie grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia, but has lived here for the past four years. He is a National Honor Society member and a recipient of the National Recognition Award from College Board.

Gillaspie has played three sports almost every year for all four years of high school, in all participating in football, basketball, track and golf. He has served on the class government and the student council for two years each. He also participated on the prom committee his junior year.

Gatlin Gillaspie

Gillaspie volunteered as an umpire for the local Little League Baseball team last year to help support the small-town team and ensure that kids like his 8-year-old brother can play the sport they want.

After graduation, Gillaspie plans to pursue a career in sports management with a focus on business and law at Texas A&M University.

— Laurel Johnson of Iron River is the daughter of Kevin and Linnea Johnson.

Throughout high school, Johnson has been on the honor roll all four years and received the Women in STEM academic achievement award from Michigan Tech. She also played high school basketball all four years, and this year she is in track.

Johnson has been involved in the community as well. She attends Grace Covenant Church every week, along with their youth group and Sunday school programs. She also likes to volunteer at the Feeding America food truck.

After graduation, Johnson plans to major in biology at the University of Michigan, starting this summer.

— Annika Johnson of Iron River is the daughter of Candace Johnson.

Throughout high school, Johnson has worked to balance her academics with her professional goals, including performing in the school symphony and playing on the tennis team in prior years. She was a two-time National Honor Society invitee but chose to focus her time on other personal and academic commitments.

This year, she prioritized taking several college courses and working as a certified nursing assistant, a certification she earned last summer. Johnson is also a member of the Iron Area Health Foundation, where she focuses on the better health of the community.

These experiences helped her get into her dream program at Bellin College — which only accepts eight students a year –to pursue a bachelor’s degree in pediatric echocardiography.

— Elizabeth Holm of Gaastra is the daughter of Joe and Ashley Holm.

Throughout high school, Holm has been a part of solo and ensemble with other kids in her symphony class, where she is second chair cello. She was on the prom committee during her junior year. She plays golf, is a member of the Forest Club and has been a member of Drama Club and Art Club.

Holm volunteers for projects for the Caspian-Gaastra Fire Department and through connections at the fire department she has volunteered for The Wildlife Unlimited Banquet.

After graduation, Holm plans to go to college, get an apartment, find a way to become financially stable, hopefully become a leader or helper of a local youth group and, of course, get a job.

— Kaycee Ingram of Iron River is the daughter of Brian and Tina Ingram.

Throughout high school, Ingram has been active both academically and socially. She is a member of the National Honor Society and has been a part of the student council since middle school. Ingram’s most memorable moments happened through her participation in tennis and track, where she got to show athleticism and school spirit. She is also a member of the Forest Club, as well as showing dedication to the community by helping out at the youth tennis camp.

After graduation, Ingram plans to pursue a bachelor of science in nursing at Bellin College, specializing in pediatric ICU care.

West Iron County High School will have its graduation ceremonies on May 22.

Laurel Johnson

Annika Johnson

Elizabeth Holm

Kaycee Ingram