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Posted on Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 5 a.m.

Ann Arbor Pioneer High School Top Scholars

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Ann Arbor Pioneer High School will hold its 2013 graduation ceremonies June 6, 7 p.m. in the Eastern Michigan Convocation Center. The class includes 425 graduates.



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Emily Briggs
Parents: Hedieh and Brian Briggs
Activities and Awards: Emily has been a coxswain on Pioneer Crew for four years, where she was chosen as the varsity women’s captain her junior and senior years. She also coached Anatomy for the Slauson Middle School Science Olympiad team. Emily was a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Plans After Graduation: Emily will be attending Brown University.



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Claire Crause
Parents: Ingrid and Jeff Crause
Activities and Awards: Claire has been studying dance (primarily jazz and ballet) for most of her life, and has been dancing and singing in Pioneer Theater Guild (PTG) productions all four high school years. She was the PTG dance captain sophomore and senior years, and was recently the assistant choreographer of the past PTG production of “Shrek the Musical.” Claire also plays the violin in the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra. Claire is a member of the National Honor Society, and is the vice president of Global Improvement Society (a volunteer club that meets at Pioneer).
Plans After Graduation: Claire will be dual enrolled at the University of Michigan, as a dance major in the School of Music Theater and Dance, and as a hopeful biology major in the school of Literature, Science, and the Arts.



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Ruby Emberling
Parents: Amy and Geoff Emberling
Activities and Awards: Ruby rowed on Pioneer’s crew team all four years of high school, rowing in the varsity boat from sophomore year on. She was a captain her senior year. She also played trumpet in Pioneer’s symphony band for four years, and was section leader for one of those years. Ruby was a National Merit Finalist, as well as an AP Scholar with Honor, and she placed number one in the state her junior year in the National French Contest. Ruby also spent a summer serving as a US Senate page.
Plans After Graduation: Ruby will be attending Harvard University, and is currently undecided about her major.



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Hudson Fasching
Parents: Rick and Shannon Fasching
Activities and Awards: Hudson was a part of the varsity hockey team freshman and sophomore year and voted captain for his junior year. After he finished his sophomore year he was a part of the National Team Development Program and while in Ann Arbor he maintained a 4.0 GPA
Plans After Graduation: Hudson will attend the University of Minnesota next year.




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Zach Fogel
Parents: Becky and Nort Fogel
Activities and Awards: Zach was a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Honor. He received a Magna Cum Laude Award on the Nation Latin Exam. He was a member of the National Honor Society and a Student Council Class Representative. Zach was a four-year member of the boys cross country and track teams. He tutored an elementary school student each day his senior year through Pioneer’s Trailblazers program.
Plans After Graduation: Zach will attend the University of Michigan Honors College.



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Nicholas Ivacko
Parents: Judith and Thomas Ivacko
Activities and Awards: Nick was a member of the National Honor Society. He participated in Key Club and Spanish Club during high school, and was a Student Council ambassador during his junior year. Nick volunteered for several years with the YMCA Youth Volunteer Corps, and over the last 2 summers he volunteered at The Ann Arbor Preschool and Family Center, working with children with autism and language impairments. Nick discovered a genuine interest in mentoring young students through these experiences, and he then served as a Pioneer Trailblazer at Haisley Elementary School during his senior year.
Plans After Graduation: Nick will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in elementary education.



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Joshua Kaplan
Parents: Mitch Kaplan and Melissa Gregory
Activities and Awards: Josh was a National Merit Scholar. He spent last summer working on neural probes at the Wireless Integrated MicroSensing and Systems lab at the University of Michigan. He also volunteered at the William Clements Library, where he processed the papers of Joseph Tumulty, President Wilson’s private secretary, and plays varsity lacrosse.
Plans After Graduation: Josh will spend this summer studying French at Stendhal University in Grenoble, and then will go to the University of Chicago, where he plans on studying economics.




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Kathleen Kollman
Parents: Ken Kollman and Colleen Dowd Kollman
Activities and Awards: Kathleen was the leader of Women’s Empowerment Club at Pioneer for two years. She was in Pioneer’s A capella choir and co-managed the Loreleis, an all-female A capella group. She has participated for four years in choirs at St. Mary’s Student Parish. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was also a member of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America Teens, with which she volunteered regularly at a local Alzheimer’s home. She is a writing tutor for elementary school children at the Family Learning Institute.
Plans After Graduation: Kathleen will attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall.



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Katherine Leite
Parents: Chris and Nancy Leite
Activities and Awards: Katherine was a member of the National Honor Society. She was on the Varsity bowling team for four years, earning MVP all four years, and elected captain for her last two. Katherine also finished 15th at States her sophomore year. She also played Varsity softball for three years, and selected captain her senior year. Katherine also enjoys tap dancing and has been taking lessons at Swing City Dance Studio since pre-school.
Plans After Graduation: Katherine will be attending Saginaw Valley State University where she has received the President's scholarship.



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Yiran (Emily) Liu
Parents: Ming Liu, Jinhong Sun
Activities and Awards: Yiran was a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the National Honor Society. She plays the piano and has won awards at many local, district, statewide, and regional piano competitions. In addition to these awards, she performed in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra’s 2013 Beethoven Festival and was featured as a concerto soloist with the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra and the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra. She also played clarinet in the Pioneer Symphony Band and was named Best Returning Female Marcher at band camp in 2012. Three years ago, Yiran launched her own photography business and has since taken senior pictures, family and friend portraits, and headshots for over 70 people. Yiran served as sophomore class President, junior class Vice President, and senior year Representative on Pioneer’s Student Council. She was an active volunteer for the American Red Cross and various other organizations around Ann Arbor.
Plans After Graduation: Yiran will attend the University of Michigan in the fall.



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Danny Luan
Parents: Lily Cheng and Fulung Luan
Activities and Awards: Danny was a member of Science Olympiad, Pioneer Symphony Orchestra, National Honors Society, and Global Improvement Society. He was a National Merit Scholar and a Breakfast Club Award Winner. Danny was a member of the boy’s varsity tennis team and was voted captain in his senior year. He is passionate about volunteering and giving back to the community. Danny regularly works at a molecular biology lab at the University of Michigan hospitals. He is also very passionate about his music as he has played piano for twelve years and cello for eight. He is co-president of the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra and enjoys being able to play high-level repertoire. He intends to continue his practice of piano through college despite not choosing to major in music.
Plans After Graduation: Danny will attend the University of Michigan this coming fall, double majoring in molecular biology and statistics.



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Ananya Mayukha
Parents: Malini Raghavan and K.V. Prasad
Activities and Awards: Ananya has been studying Indian classical music since she was four years old. Last year, she won first place as a soloist in the regional Sivan Fine Arts Academy Papanasam Sivan songs competition. Ananya spent the summer after her junior year singing Indian music and working as a music therapist at a school in Chennai, India for children with developmental disabilities. As part of her work, Ananya designed a study to assess the specific musical preferences of autistic children. She compiled the results of her study into a research project report, which she submitted to the Intel Science Talent Search. Ananya was a semifinalist in the Intel competition. During her high school years, Ananya also became involved as a volunteer at Sunrise Assisted Living, a local Alzheimer’s care facility. She founded a club at her school through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, and she and her friends have been volunteering together, often playing music, ever since. Additionally, Ananya has been a cellist in the Pioneer Symphony orchestra and a member of the Pioneer Swim & Dive and Tennis teams. She coaches middle school Science Olympiad and student teaches at her Hindu temple. She has also served as treasurer of the Pioneer National Honor Society and was a National Merit Finalist.
Plans After Graduation: Ananya will be attending Williams College, double majoring in Biology and Philosophy.



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Jana Pok
Parents: Man-Sui Wong, Ken Pok
Activities and Awards: Symphony Orchestra, piano, Interact Club, National Honors Society, worker at Kumon, Art Fair volunteer
Plans After Graduation: University of Southern California to major in business administration.





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Norah Rast
Parents: Kathleen Canning and Hubert Rast
Activities and Awards: Norah was the principal oboe player in the Pioneer Symphony Band and Symphony Orchestra for two years and has also played in the Michigan Youth Symphony Orchestra for three years. She is a member of the National Honors Society and has been recognized in the Pioneer High School Literary Arts Awards competition and the National French Contest. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Norah has served her community by volunteering at the Fair Housing Center of Southeastern Michigan for the last two years.
Plans After Graduation: Norah will attend Washington University in St. Louis as a Lien Honorary Scholar in the Social Sciences and is interested in exploring the fields of Cognitive Science and Anthropology.



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Helen Rucinski
Parents: Michael Rucinski and Marianne Wilczak
Activities and Awards: Helen is both a violinist and a violist, and she has been a four-year member of Pioneer’s Symphony Orchestra. This past summer, she organized the newly-founded Pioneer Chamber Orchestra’s summer fundraising, which financed the ensemble’s trip to the National Orchestra Festival, where it was awarded the grand prize. Aside from music, Helen spends her time volunteering, and she actively participated in Pioneer’s Trailblazers program and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America youth club this year. She is also an AP Scholar with Distinction.
Plans After Graduation: Helen will be attending Northwestern University next year, where she plans to double major in violin performance and another currently undecided field.



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Alyssa Skelton
Parents: Lisa and Logan Skelton
Activities and Awards: Alyssa was a National Merit Scholarship winner. She also was awarded 4th in Michigan in the National French Contest and placed in the top 200 in the Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition her junior year. She was a member of National Honor Society. She also participated in Ecology Club at Community High School her freshman and sophomore years and Women’s Empowerment Club her junior and senior years. She tutored science at Community High School her junior and senior years.
Plans After Graduation: Alyssa will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in neuroscience.



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Molly Thompson
Parents: Greg and Ramona Thompson
Activities and Awards: President of Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, member of Pioneer Community Volunteer Club, member of National Honor Society, Representative on Student Council for three years, Captain of 2012 Pioneer Field Hockey State Championship team and three-year varsity player, Elected to Homecoming Court in 2012, AP Scholar, Participates in St. Mary’s Student Parish Youth Group, 2012 All-State Academic for field hockey, Awarded Best Defensive Player and also awarded the Supica Award for Spirit and Leadership. Plans After Graduation: Molly will be attending Georgetown University, studying psychology and pre-medicine, and playing field hockey for Georgetown.



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Enze Xing
Parents: Liyu Xing and Yunyan Qu
Activities and Awards: Enze was a member of the National Honor Society, as well as a National Merit Finalist and an AP Scholar with Honor. Throughout her years at Pioneer, she has been a member of the Pioneer Orientation Guides, and served for two years on the Steering Committee. She was on the varsity figure skating team for all four years, and was captain during her junior and senior years. Through the team, she won two state championships for ice dance. In addition, she was on the volleyball team during her freshman and sophomore year. She actively participated in the performing arts department, and has been a member of Varsity, Concert, and Jazz band, as well as Co-President of Symphony band. Enze started playing piano at the age of five, and in the twelve years she has played, she won about $1,000 through various competitions. During her junior year, she used that money to start Enze’s Pass the Love Foundation, a charity devoted to helping impoverished middle school students in Qingdao, her hometown in China. Thus far, her organization has provided funds for 6 students to go to school for two years.
Plans After Graduation: Enze will be attending the University of Michigan, to major in neuroscience.



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Tina Yu
Parents: Side Yu and Jing Wang
Activities and Awards: Tina is an AP Scholar with Honors, a recipient of the Laureat Du Chapitre award, a two time Rosalie Edward music competition finalist and also an AAAPTG Foundation honorable mention recipient. She has also twice received an honorable mention award in the National Junior Duck Stamp competition. In Pioneer, Tina was a member of the Concert and Symphony bands, the Orientation Guide Steering Committee, the National Honor Society board and the AnnHua Chinese School board. She has also studied piano and art for over twelve years. Every summer, Tina loves volunteering at the Art Fair and various running events throughout the city. When she isn't doing homework or spending way too much time on the computer, Tina is either reading, writing, drawing, or doing make-up. While she would probably place nationally for being the best coupon clipper and online shopper, she would probably not place for being the most likely to start large projects the first day they are assigned or to pick up her clothes from off the floor.
Plans After Graduation: Tina will be attending the University of Michigan this fall.



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Gabrielle Zacks
Parents: Susan Harris and David Zacks
Activities and Awards: Gabrielle is a four-year varsity and Academic All American swimmer, plays violin, tutors math, volunteers with Pioneer Interact, and enjoys playing Ultimate Frisbee.
Plans After Graduation: Gabrielle will study engineering at the University of Michigan.





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Lauren Zyber
Parents: Rita and Frank Zyber
Activities and Awards: Lauren was a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. She placed 2nd in the Pioneer Literary Arts Awards in the fiction category her junior and senior years. Lauren was a member of the Pioneer volleyball team for three years, captain of both the freshmen and JV teams. She was also an active member of the Pioneer choirs, singing in the A Cappella choir her junior and senior year, two extra-curricular groups for three years, and the select Choraliers ensemble during her senior year. She was also a member of Choir Council her senior year. In addition to school activities, Lauren volunteered in the community, singing in her church choir and working as a writing coach at the Family Learning Institute, helping elementary students improve their writing skills.
Plans After Graduation: Lauren received the Presidential Scholarship for Academic Excellence at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where she plans to double major in English and History.



Comments

vida

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 10:28 p.m.

Are these the children with the highest GPA's in the senior class? At what number do they cut off? They are all bright and accomplished!

pd

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:51 p.m.

4.0 Vida, that is why there are so few.

belboz

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 11:45 a.m.

What I find disappointing is that all of these kids have the same desire and ability to excell in any college. Yet, the majority of those going to prestigious universities are those whose parents can afford it. Seems like, despite all if the changes throughout the centuries, some things will never change.

pd

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 8:48 a.m.

Go back and re-read Tina Yu's activities. That is a funny girl!

Rufus

Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 9:50 p.m.

I'd like to know how these students are chosen. I'm sure at leat ONE African-American student at Pioneer deserves this honor. Her name is Antonia Smith. She has a 3.8 gpa and has been give a full scholarship to Hampton University in Hampton,Virginia. She is a member of Rising Scholars, a member of the band and orchestra. She is an outstanding young woman who Pioneer should be more than happy to recommend for this honor. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick A. Smith. Shame of Pioneer!--or Ann Arbor.Com.

pd

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 8:41 a.m.

Rufus, Toni is a terrific scholar and a fabulous human being. A leader in the band and the founder of the Band Ball. A wonderful representative of a terrific senior class of 2013. But not a 4.0. To avoid judgement calls and this kind of name calling, they only go with 4.0s. No shame to Pioneer that the next 20 seniors are as great as Toni.

melissa

Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 9:26 p.m.

spj, It speaks "nothing" about liberal ann arbor. It speaks volumes on the culture of african american families. This is not hard to figure out, what are upper class white and asian families doing that african american families are not? I think you should go speak at all the Middle schools around Ann Arbor and help the children with low test scores, because, there is where the problem begins :) 3rd grade

psk

Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 9:12 p.m.

These students were selected completely on GPA. Race, other test scores, and where the students are attending college had no impact on whether or not they were featured.

hand_tx

Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 8:53 p.m.

Pioneer had three perfect scorers on the SAT (with scores of 2400!), one of whom is a Presidential Scholar. They're all attending Ivy League schools in the fall. And none of them are on this list. I warmly congratulate those who did make the list, for they are truly accomplished scholars. However, the aforementioned oddity does raise interesting questions.

pd

Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 8:43 a.m.

This list, to avoid controversies and name calling, is solely based on GPA. This was a terrific senior class at Pioneer, and there are a LOT of great kids who are not on this list. Kudos to Pioneer for having so many great seniors that people are focusing on the omissions!

Max

Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 5:47 p.m.

In your opinion then, the achievement gap will be solved by conservative schools or states? I am curious to see your data?