IRON MOUNTAIN - Iron Mountain High School has announced the co-valedictorians for the Class of 2012, Zoe Diana Shampo and Grace Elizabeth VanLaanen, each maintaining an unblemished academic record with a 4.0 grade point average.
Zoe is the daughter of Monica and William Shampo of Iron Mountain. She is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors celebration for the past four years.
She has been a member of Environmental Club, Chess Club, IMHS Book Club and Fishers of Men. Zoe has also participated in Drama, Rockets for Schools, High School Quiz Bowl and tennis. She was named IMHS Math Student of the Month and has also earned the Iron Mountain High School Academic Excellence Award, the U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award, the IMHS Senior Science departmental award, the President's Education Award, along with the IMHS Drama Thespian Award. Zoe has also served as the Band Council bookkeeper and participates in 4-H and work outside of the classroom.
Upon graduation, Zoe will attend Northern Michigan
University, pursuing a nursing degree.
Grace is the daughter of Jeffrey and Dr. Ellen VanLaanen of Iron Mountain. She is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors celebration for the past four years.
Grace was named a National Merit Commended student, has earned the Air Force Math and Science Award, IMHS Academic Excellence Award, IMHS Senior Math departmental award, named Math Student of the Month, along with the Daily News Student of the Week. Grace has also participated in High School Quiz Bowl, serving as captain of the High School Bowl both her junior and senior years.
She was a member of the varsity girls' soccer team, Rockets for Schools, Environmental Club, Jazz Band and Concert and Marching/Pep Band. Outside of school, Grace is employed part-time. She also enjoys reading, running, hanging out with her friends, soccer and computers. Grace will be attending Hillsdale College upon graduation in an undeclared field of study at this time.
Vincent Thomas Druschke is the son of Karen and the late Mark Druschke of Iron Mountain. Vince has earned the title of Salutatorian of the Class of 2012. He is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors Celebration for the past four years.
Vince has participated in Key Club, Rockets for Schools, Drama and High School Quiz Bowl. He has also earned the Iron Mountain High School Academic Excellence Award, the President's Education Award, the Air Force Math and Science Award and was named the IMHS Math Student of the Month. Just recently, Vince was awarded the IMHS Math departmental award.
Outside of academics, Vince is a Humane Society volunteer, has served as a technical support assistant at Iron Mountain High School and has a strong interest in computer and technology. This will serve him well, as he will be attending Michigan Tech University, pursuing a computer science/engineering course of study.
Rikki Lynn Gingras is the daughter of Tami and Rick Gingras of Iron Mountain. She is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors celebration for the past four years.
While at Iron Mountain High School, Rikki has participated in Key Club and Varsity Club, serving as treasurer for two years. She has earned the IMHS Math Student of the Month title, the Iron Mountain High School Academic Excellence Award and was named the IMHS Math Student of the Month. Rikki has participated in basketball, volleyball, track and soccer, where she has earned numerous athletic awards, along with being named the Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist and a MHSAA Scholar Athlete nominee. She served as captain for volleyball, basketball and soccer.
Outside of school, Rikki has held a part-time job for three years, was a middle school tutor and is an active altar server at her parish. Upon graduation from IMHS, Rikki will be attending St. Norbert College, wearing a Green Knight uniform on the basketball court.
Alexis Marie Truscott is the daughter of Ruth and Robert Truscott of Iron Mountain. She is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors celebration for the past four years. Alexis has been awarded the American Legion Best All-School Girl Citizen Award, the U.S. Army & Army Reserve Scholar/Athlete Award, the Principal's Leadership Award, the MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award, the Detroit Free Press Scholar Athlete nomination, the IMHS Academic Excellence Award and a President's Education Award. Alexis also earned the titles of the IMHS Math Student of the Month and the Daily News Student of the Week.
Alexis has been a very active member of Student Council, serving as president in both her junior and senior years. She was also the Senior Class president. She has participated in many leadership roles such as Girls' State delegate, Wisconsin Leadership Seminar, Youth Asset Summit and the Inland Seas Young Women in Science program. Alexis is also a four year member of YAC (Youth Advisory Committee), earning the YAC award as a senior. She was a member of both ski and tennis teams and also active in the IMHS band program.
Alexis will be attending Central Michigan University, pursuing a degree as a physician assistant.
Abigail Simone is the daughter of Jeana and Nick Simone of Iron Mountain. Abbie is also a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, an IMHS Honors celebration attendee for four years, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters. She has been named the IMHS Math Student of the Month, has earned the IMHS Academic Excellence Award, the President's Education Award, and also the MHSAA Scholar Athlete Award. Abbie is also a member of the National Association of High School Scholars.
She has participated in basketball, volleyball, golf, Varsity Club, Key Club, Student Council and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). She has held the positions of sophomore class president and Varsity Club vice-president in both her junior and senior years. Abbie has also earned numerous athletic accomplishments. Outside of the classroom, she works part-time, enjoys staying fit and active by playing golf.
Upon graduation from IMHS, Abbie will be heading to the University of Michigan, pursuing a pre-medicine course of study.
Sophie Alice Smith is the daughter of Cecilia and Frank Smith of Iron Mountain. Sophie has been an active member of the Environmental Club, Drama Club, Key Club, Kids on the Block, Tri-Hi-Y, IMHS Band Council and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) during her career at Iron Mountain High School. She is also a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, an IMHS Honors celebration attendee for four years, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters.
Sophie has been named the IMHS Math Student of the Month, and most recently awarded the Bruce Spigarelli Senior Citizenship Award, the U.S. Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Band Award, the President's Education Award, the IMHS Academic Excellence Award and the IMHS senior English departmental award. She also served as the IMHS Band Council president and vice-president. Sophie is active outside of school with the Dickinson County Community Chorus and her church youth group.
In the fall of 2012, Sophie will be attending Western Michigan University, studying art history.
Marlo Ann Jayne is the daughter of Connie and Jeff Jayne of Iron Mountain. She is a member of the Iron Mountain High School Honor Society, and has earned a place on the IMHS Honor Roll for seven consecutive semesters, along with an invitation to attend the IMHS Honors Celebration for the past four years. She has also earned the IMHS Academic Excellence Award, along with the President's Education Award.
During her career at Iron Mountain High School, Marlo has participated in Key Club, Spanish Club, Tennis and Ski Team. She also served as the business manager for the Publications Class this year. Outside of the classroom, Marlo is very active in dance, Badwater Ski-ters, and also enjoy snow skiing.
She will be the third Jayne to attend Michigan Technological University and she will be pursuing a degree in secondary mathematics education.