Posted on Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 5 a.m.
Saline High School Top Scholars
By AnnArbor.com Staff
Saline High School will hold its 2013 graduation ceremonies Sunday, June 2, 6 p.m. at Hornet Stadium. The class includes 482 graduates.
Parents: Fritz and Penny Ahadi
Activities and Awards: Blake was a four-year member of the Men’s Varsity Tennis team, playing at 1 Singles his junior and senior year. His senior year he was named Captain of the team, and awarded Hornet of the Year. Blake was honored to be named All-State Tennis his junior and senior year. Blake was also a member of the National Honor Society.
Plans After Graduation: Blake will be attending the University of Michigan and plans to study business and computer science.
Parents: Charles & Suzie Antonelli
Activities and Awards: Chad Antonelli has been a member of the Saline Boys Tennis Team and the Saline Quiz Bowl teams for all four years of high school. He was a JV and Varsity captain for Quiz Bowl. Chad was on the Boys Golf Team for three years and participated on the Saline Track team his senior year. He has been a member of the Saline Varsity Blues show choir for the last nine years. Chad served as the high school Student Representative to the Saline School Board his senior year. Chad received the German Student of the Year award for three consecutive years and has been a member of the National Honor Society for the last two years.
Plans After Graduation: Chad will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in mechanical engineering.
Parents: Charles & Suzie Antonelli
Activities and Awards: Louisa Antonelli was a National Merit Finalist, a Michigan Math Prize Competition Finalist, and AP Scholar. Louisa has been a member of the Saline Girls Golf team for four years, was Captain her senior year, received the Woodie Merchant Award in her sophomore year, and received the Michigan State Golf All-Academic Individual Award her senior year. She also was a member of the high school Quiz Bowl team for all four years of high school, in addition to being JV and Varsity Captain. Louisa was a member of the Saline Girls Tennis team for three years, and a committee member in her National Honor Society chapter. Holding the position of Dance Captain during her senior year, Louisa has also been a part of the Saline Varsity Blues Show Choir for the past ten years.
Plans After Graduation: Louisa will be attending the University of Notre Dame, majoring in biology.
Parents: Allen and Tanya Chu
Activities and Awards: Sarah was a member of the National Honor Society and served as FCCLA Co-President and Vice President of Communications. She was a leader of FCA and has been active in her church youth group. She was a member of the Chamber Orchestra and has enjoyed being cellist for the Quantum Moonlight Quartet. She participated in the MI All State Orchestra in 2012 and 2013. She enjoys babysitting, teaching cello lessons and teaching preschool Sunday School as well as participating in annual mission trips.
Plans After Graduation: Sarah will be attending Miami University to study speech pathology and audiology.
Parents: Michael and Judy Collins
Activities and Awards: Allison was a Girl Scout for twelve years, and served for seven years on the Mackinac Island Governor’s Honor Guard. She was an usher and taught religious education and children’s liturgy at St. Andrew Catholic Church. Allison was a member of the Saline High School Marching Band and was Mellophone section leader her senior year. She was a National Merit Finalist, an AP Scholar with Honor, and a member of the National Honor Society.
Plans After Graduation: Allison will be attending the University of Michigan to study engineering.
Parents: Brian and Susan Corcoran
Activities and Awards: Sean was a member of the National Honor Society and the Secretary for the class of 2013. He played in the soccer and lacrosse programs for four years and the basketball program for two. In soccer, Sean served as captain of the varsity team and was recognized with all-district and all-conference honors. Sean was an AP scholar, a National Merit Finalist, and Presidential Scholar Candidate. He enjoys tutoring and discovering new music in his spare time.
Plans After Graduation: Sean plans to attend the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts at the University of Michigan this fall.
Parents: Kathy & Jeff DeBest
Activities and Awards: Jenna will graduate with “Highest Honors with Distinction” from Saline High School. She has received the All A Academic Award for 11 trimesters. Jenna serves as the President of Saline DECA and has recently attended the International Career Development Conference and participated in the Senior Management Leadership Institute. She also serves on the SWWC Student Council. She played volleyball for seven years earning a varsity letter. She gives back to the community in a variety of ways including teaching Children’s Liturgy at her church and volunteering at Food Gatherers.
Plans After Graduation: Jenna will be pursuing her interests in Business at Indiana University, as a direct admit to the Kelley School of Business.
Parents: Mitch and Lori Hall
Activities and Awards: Kelly was a four-year varsity runner, participating in cross country, indoor track club, and outdoor track as well as freshman soccer. She was vice president of Interact Club, treasurer of Saline Youth Council, secretary and Service Committee chair of National Honor Society, a member of FCCLA, and a violinist in the Symphony Orchestra. She was a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, SEC All-Academic Award winner, Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition Finalist, Michigan Scholar-Athlete, and Saline’s 2012 Homecoming Queen. Outside of school, she volunteers regularly with Meals on Wheels, Food Gatherers, and the Saline Rec Center. She was a Special Olympics coach, Rec Center junior counselor, and youth soccer referee. She is currently planning, fundraising for, and building a fitness trail for the Saline community.
Plans After Graduation: Kelly will be attending the University of Michigan, participating in the Honors Program and living with the Michigan Community Scholars. She plans to study epidemiology, statistics, or public health.
Parents: Mark and Amy Jennings
Activities and Awards: Dylan is a varsity member of both the Boys’ Cross Country and Boys’ Track and Field teams. He joined Cross Country as a junior and was made captain for his senior year. He earned the team’s award for hardest worker this past year. Dylan is an AP scholar with distinction. He received the Boys’ Cross Country Scholarship along with the University of Michigan merit scholarship.
Plans After Graduation: Dylan plans on attending the University of Michigan this fall.
Parents: Scott and Julie Kiyabu
Activities and Awards: Steven was an active member of the Saline bands, having played for two years in the wind ensemble, two years in the jazz band, and four years in the marching band. In addition, he served as a squad leader for two years and the trumpet section leader for one year in the marching band. He is an SEC All Academic student, a National Merit Commended Scholar, and placed in the top 100 contestants in the 2012-2013 Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition. Since junior year, Steven has volunteered at his church and is currently serving as the 4th-5th grade boys’ small group leader.
Plans After Graduation: Steven will be studying mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan.
Parents: Wei and Cheryl Lau
Activities and Awards: Emily is a four-year member of the Saline Swim and Dive team, an active participant of the National Honor Society, and was named as an AP Scholar with Honor. Emily was voted captain of the swim team her senior year, and she is a four-year All State swimmer, and three-time All American. In addition to swimming, Emily is a lifeguard and swim instructor at Travis Pointe Country Club. She has volunteered her time at her parish church to reach out to people all around the community.
Plans After Graduation: Emily will be attending Drexel University. She will be swimming and majoring in biological sciences.
Parents: Ray and Kathy Lipa
Activities and Awards: Jessica was an AP Scholar with Honor and an SEC All-Academic award winner. She has received a National Merit scholarship, a University of Michigan Regents scholarship, and an NDIA Science and Technology scholarship. Jessica ranked in the top 150 in the nation in the 2012 U.S. Chemistry Olympiad competition and was a Michigan Mathematics Prize Competition finalist. As a member of the Science Olympiad team, Jessica placed first in the state in Boomilever in 2013 and was the four-year regional champion of the wood engineering events. She was the clarinet section leader in Wind Ensemble and played the piano for twelve years. Jessica was also a member of National Honor Society and is a licensed amateur radio operator.
Plans After Graduation: Jessica will attend the University of Michigan and plans to study engineering.
Parents: Randy Lucas and Jill Rothley
Activities and Awards: Hannah is a member of the National Honors Society and a proud recipient of the AP Scholar with Distinction Award. She has been a member of the varsity field hockey team for three years and the varsity soccer team for the past two years. Hannah traveled to Germany her sophomore year with her school’s German American Partnership Program and hosted a German exchange student. She also volunteered time in Nicaragua on a mission trip this past summer.
Plans After Graduation: Hannah will be attending the University of Michigan’s College of Literature, Science, & the Arts to study life sciences and plans to attend medical school after college.
Parents: Paul and Liana Popa
Activities and Awards: Paul is the winner of the 2013 Michigan American Legion Oratorical Contest. He was a member of the National Honor Society and an AP Scholar. Paul was selected to perform in several performing arts ensembles, including the Michigan Youth Arts Festival Honors Band in 2012 and the Honors Orchestra in 2013. Additionally, he was selected as a member of the MSBOA All-State Band in 2013. Paul has played with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Youth Wind Symphony since 2011, and credits Civic with his musical success. Paul is also the recipient of 12 Division I medals from various MSBOA District and State Solo & Ensemble Festivals. At his church, he participates in the band and choir and works as a Sunday School teacher.
Plans After Graduation: Paul will be attending Liberty University, majoring in the Social Sciences and minoring in Music Performance.
Parents: Jonathan and Anne Schroeder
Activities and Awards: Melanie was a member of the National Honor Society, involved in canned food and blood drive volunteer work. She was a National Merit Commended Scholar and an AP Scholar. Melanie was a four-year varsity letter award winning, All-American, All-State, and All-Conference swimmer, setting a new 500 yd. freestyle school record. She was voted captain of the swim/dive team her senior year. In addition, she was a three-year varsity letter winning and regional track team member. Melanie also was a Link Crew leader assisting freshmen and new school students in adjustment to the high school.
Plans After Graduation: Melanie will attend the University of Michigan, LSA Honors, majoring in biochemistry.
Parents: Sue Shand, David Shand and Alicia Ping
Activities and Awards: Mackenzie was a four-year member of the girls varsity volleyball team. She was voted captain of the varsity volleyball team both her junior and senior years. In addition to being on the volleyball team, she refereed the local community education volleyball league as well as coached younger players in her spare time. She also volunteered with the Saline Athletic Trainer, Jaime Corl, to get insight into one of her possible major options; athletic training.
Plans After Graduation: Mackenzie will be attending and playing volleyball at Washington and Lee University in the fall of 2013.
Parents: Debra and Jeff Talcott
Activities and Awards: Lindsey was a member of the Cross Country team where she was a scholar athlete all 4 years and earned the Woodie Merchant Award for sportsmanship and leadership. She was a member of the concert and chamber choirs and performed in the school musical “Hello Dolly.” A member of STRIVE (Students Re-investing in a Valuable Education), Lindsey enjoyed discussing ways to improve school environment. As someone who has enjoyed doing community service since she was a little girl selling lemonade to earn donations for local animal shelters, Lindsey served as president of the National Honor Society; in that role she organized and worked on various service projects, such as the canned food drive for Saline Area Social Service and tutoring elementary students. She was a finalist for the Saline Lions Club scholarship for students who plan to enter a healthcare field. Lindsey enjoyed the rigor and challenge of her AP courses at Saline High School, but her favorite class was Human Physiology with Mr. Juan Lauchu. In her leisure time, Lindsey is an avid Wolverine sports fan.
Plans After Graduation: Lindsey will follow in her father’s footsteps and attend the University of Michigan in the fall. She has applied to the Michigan Community Scholars program and hopes to continue her path of community service with the program. At Michigan, she will study science, in preparation for an eventual Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. Her dream is to incorporate therapy with dogs and horses into her practice.
Parents: Bryan and DeAnn Van Sickle
Activities and Awards: Mara is a member of the Saline National Honor Society and has served two years on the Fundraising Committee. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. Mara has earned varsity letters during her years on the Saline Cross Country and Track and Field teams. She also played travel and high school soccer, where she served as captain for both teams. In addition, Mara was selected to represent Saline High School at the Michigan Youth Leadership Conference in 2011. She also volunteers at Hope Medical Clinic and participates in missions work.
Plans After Graduation: Mara will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in informatics.
Parents: Mike and Eva Vizzini
Activities and Awards: Michael participated in baseball his freshman and sophomore years. Michael was on the varsity cross country team his senior year. He participated in Ultimate Frisbee and has since it was a club sport. Michael has been with the marching band all four years of high school and has been a squad leader the past two years. In concert band, he was a section leader for three years. Michael is involved with NHS and has been for the last two years. He is an AP Scholar with Honor. He has received the all A’s award all four years of high school. Michael was given an English award his junior year. He has also ushered at church for the past five years.
Plans After Graduation: Michael will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in biomedical engineering.
Parents: Jeff and Sandy Walter
Activities and Awards: Lindsay was a captain of the 2013 Cross Country team and a four-year member of the Track team, earning six Varsity Letters by graduation. She was All-Conference for Cross Country in 2011 and All-Region for the 3200 meter in 2012. In addition to representing SHS at the SEC Fall Leadership Conference, Lindsay was a MHSAA Scholar Athlete Finalist. Lindsay also participated in DECA and was elected Officer her junior and senior year. She competed at the State Competition in 2012 and 2013, and in 2013 qualified/competed in DECA’s International Career Development Conference. Lindsay is an AP Scholar and a member of both Link Crew and the National Honor Society. She was nominated to be Saline’s Youth of the Year in 2013, and will be graduating in the top five percent of her class.
Plans After Graduation: Lindsay will attend the University of Michigan. She will be enrolled in the Honors Program next year and plans to transfer into the Ross School of Business as a sophomore.
Parents: Paul and Cheryl Whitfield
Activities and Awards: Ryan was a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the SEC All-Academic Team. He was a member of National Honor Society and a Link Crew Leader. Ryan played recreational baseball the last ten years and was a member of the JV baseball team his sophomore year. In addition to school and sports, Ryan worked maintaining the baseball fields around the city all four years of high school.
Plans After Graduation: Ryan will be attending the University of Michigan, majoring in engineering.
Comments
annarbor28
Mon, Jun 3, 2013 : 4:35 a.m.
Mr. Salinedude: Having sent my child to a top-ranked college outside of Michigan, I can tell you that the price difference is enormous. His college was about $250,000, and there are no merit scholarships. If the family had lived in Michigan at the time, I would have offered to pay for UM, but not the difference for an Ivy. As a UM alum and someone who has been affiliated with top-ranked schools in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, I personally think that the education and opportunities at UM are equal to or surpass those at private, highly-ranked schools elsewhere.
mlivesaline
Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 4:26 p.m.
Your comment implies that these Saline kids are failing in some regard by not going to Ivy League schools. You probably don't even know percentages from prior years. And your "Don't get me wrong Michigan is a great school" comment, Michigan is a top 20 school in many areas of study so I'm not sure what your point is. There are many reasons for someone to choose a school, only one of which is their ranking. This Saline graduating class, like many others before it has a very very high percentage going on to college. They will also have a very high percentage just going to Michigan. So stop dogging our school salinedude. The Saline district is doing just fine.
salinedude
Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 3:08 p.m.
There is a problem over at SHS. And I have to wonder whether the students at SHS are just overhyped and in reality they aren't as smart as we have been lead to believe...Or more, likely SHS does not have competent guidance counselors. For a school that is ranked in the top 5 in the state of Michigan, they do not place their students in top schools. This year only 1 student is not going to UM and on average maybe one or two students will go to a private school over UM. On the other hand AAP and AAH are sending kids galore to the Ivies, Johns Hopkins, ND, Wash U, Vandy, Northwestern, Chicago, and all the other elite privates. Don't get me wrong, Michigan is a great school, but if Saline was really so great, than they should be pumping out kids into the top 20 schools. I think the problem lies in the guidance counselors. They aren't very competent when it comes to elite higher education. They can help your average high schooler graduate hs and put them in a michigan college. But that is doing a disservice to our brightest students when they arent being made aware of other opportunities.
saline parent
Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 6:37 p.m.
As a parent of a Saline grad and a current student, I can assure you that the guidance counselors are quite competent in their role in GUIDING students toward an institution that most closely fits the students' needs. A counselor's job is not to PLACE a student in a college but to simply GUIDE a student, hence the title of their position salinedude. And to imply that Saline's counselors are not competent simply because a student and his/her parents choose a non-Ivy League school is ridiculous. As noted here already, Saline has sent students to Ivy League schools in the past. If you've followed the post-graduation plans announced by the superintendent in the last six or seven years, you'll see that the colleges chosen by graduating classes vary back and forth between Ivy League, private and public schools. And just because a student has chosen Michigan does not mean they weren't also accepted by an Ivy League school, many are. But many of those students are beginning to understand the value of a Michigan education versus paying through the nose to attend an Ivy League school. The brightest students at Saline and their parents have no trouble identifying the college that is right for them and are well aware of their opportunities. They look to their counselors for GUIDANCE in their final selections and they are getting just that.
ThinkingOne
Sun, Jun 2, 2013 : 4:37 p.m.
Huge assumptions there, the primary one being that those in the top 5% of the class are unaware of higher education options. Do you really believe that students this bright, who probably have a bit of college history in their families, are being herded to U of M by the counselors? According to statistics provided by the superintendent, about 12% of this years graduates are attending U of M. I would think that most people would consider this a good thing. Other statistics include: 18% of the class will be attending out-of-state schools. 5% will be attending private colleges in Michigan. 11 different Big 10 schools are represented. Among the others schools listed are: Notre Dame UCLA Cal Berkeley CUNY RPI Case Western Not this year but I know recently of students going to: Stanford MIT Harvard Vassar Yale Chicago I think the students are making their own, informed choices.