ALWOOD HIGH SCHOOL, Woodhull, Ill., has selected these outstanding seniors from its class of 28 students:
Academics
Samuel Althaus, son of David and Angie Althaus of Alpha, plans to major in advertising at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Top achievements:
- 2015 Illinois State Scholar
- 2015 Stamps Foundation Scholar at the University of Illinois
- Valedictorian
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
This year in my dual credit English class we were able to read several novels spanning across different units. In our most recent unit on banned and/or challenged books, I got a chance to read and analyze "Slaughterhouse Five" by Kurt Vonnegut. The story of Billy Pilgrim's journey through time and space has taught me many different lessons that I'll remember and cherish forever. It immediately became one of my favorite books. I'm glad I became connected with it through the classroom.
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The Arts
Faith Gates, daughter of Roxanne Bringolf and Matthew Gates of Woodhull, plans to major in early childhood education at Illinois State University, Bloomington.
Top achievements:
- Top 11 in class
- GPA above 3.3
- Student Council
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
Walking into the classroom and my teachers knowing my name was one of the best memories in high school. Since AlWood is a very small school, it's hard not to get the attention needed to succeed. My teachers were always the ones challenging me to do my best in my everyday classes. Some places that are much larger won't get this special one on one needed. I'm glad that my school was one that not only provided that need, but excelled in it.
Humanities
SARAYA NICHOLS, daughter of Lori Hayworth of Alpha, plans to major in physical therapy at Black Hawk College, Moline.
Top achievements:
- High Honor Roll
- Top 10
- Presidential Scholarship
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
A classroom learning experience that I will remember forever was when I was in Anatomy/Physiology. My class was able to go to a cadaver lab. It was an amazing experience that I will never forget. It was amazing to actually be able to see the different muscles, organs, and tissues in the body. Being able to hold a human heart, brain, and lungs is something not many can say they have done. We were able to be hands on with the cadaver as long as we were gentle. Being able to feel the muscles and nerves, and being able to see the different parts of the body up close and personal was a learning experience that was not only helpful, but unforgettable. This was especially helpful in the learning process of our Anatomy class because the professor talked about the things we were learning about before we got to be up close and hands on with the cadaver. This, by far, was the best classroom learning experience I will ever remember.
Leadership
Allison Hand, daughter of Jeremy and Kelli Hand of Woodhull, plans to major in agricultural education at Black Hawk College-East Campus, Kewanee, Ill.
Top achievements:
- Honor Roll
- Top Ten
- GPA above 3.5
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
As a freshman I can remember walking into my Intro to Ag class for section visits, which is a day when the FFA section officer team and a state officer comes to the classroom to talk to FFA members about what the FFA organization can offer them. I was excited for a day of no actual classroom work, and to be able to kick back and relax. Surprisingly something happened that day that changed my whole plan for high school, opening a door for me to find myself.
We were told that day that FFA offers students a chance to meet new people, learn leadership skills, keep record books, master job interviewing skills, conquer fears of public speaking, and gain a better understanding of how agriculture benefits the world. As I listened, I couldn’t help but notice Mike Shively, the 2011-2012 State FFA President. He was full of knowledge and could express his thoughts to us in a way that made us listen. The section officers also added personal stories, and overall all these officers opened my eyes to what an amazing thing FFA could be for me. At the end of their visit they asked us to write down three personal goals that we would like to accomplish.
I, personally, had signed up for Intro to Ag for a couple reasons. I wanted to study animal sciences in college, and knew ag classes would benefit this goal. I was also an active 4-H member who showed livestock, so I wanted to be part of the FFA so I could take part in their Vo-Ag fair. It was an added bonus that every student I had talked to said Mr. Terwilliger was a fun teacher and I would enjoy his class. I, however, never imagined I would become the active member I am today. That one class period, a simple section officers visit day, changed my goals. I went from thinking I was going to take part in FFA, to wanting to be chapter president and a section officer, and one day I wanted to be a state officer. I had agreed to do record books but suddenly I was researching how to earn my State and American Degrees. I signed up for every judging event, offered to help with activities such as petting zoo, Relay for Life, and adopt a highway, and I attended my first overnight event at 212 leadership conference. My hard work paid off and that spring, just 6 months after the section officer visit, I was awarded Star Greenhand and the office of reporter for my sophomore year of high school. My first goal was accomplished, I was a chapter officer.
I entered my sophomore year ready to encourage others to sign up for FFA and ag classes. I loved how the FFA events were building me into an independent person and the skills I had learned were helping me in every aspect of life. By the end of my sophomore year I was able to check off my second goal, I was elected Section 3 sentinel. This allowed me to attend section officer visits at the beginning of my junior year. I was now on the other side of my most memorable day of my school career. It was up to me to explain the importance of FFA and allow the new members to understand what FFA could do for them. By the end of my junior year I had three agriculture classes under my belt. I was busy promoting FFA, I did radio interviews, helped at a chapter and section level with events, and was honored to receive the section 3 Star Farmer award. I ended my junior year being elected chapter president and section 3 sentinel for a second year.
In a blink of an eye, it was my senior year. I found myself excited to be enrolled in my fourth ag class, but was also allowed to spend a class period as an aide for AlWood’s ag teacher, Mr. Terwilliger. I loved aiding, it allowed me to help students in Mr. Terwilliger’s classroom, learn how to make lesson plans, correspond with others, and set up events. About three weeks into school I was working on college applications and facing the empty space that asked college major. Since I was 8 years old I had always thought I would become a large anima! l vet. I had planned my high school classes around being an animal science major. I had spent time job shadowing a veterinarian. Yet, I couldn’t write down animal science in that empty space. Ag Education, that is where my heart belongs. Shocking many who had shared in my dream of becoming a vet, I proclaimed my college major as ag education and have never been happier. All thanks to one day in one class, I was able to find a passion that changed everything and made me incredibly happy with my life choices.
Today, I still have my slip of paper with my three goals on it, and I am still working hard to reach them. I am currently running for section 3 president, and hope to one day check State Officer of my list of goals. I could never thank my fellow members, all of the advisors, or my family enough for supporting me and my FFA career. I am blessed to be heading to college in three short months with the skills, knowledge, and determination to succeed. I thank my FFA family for helping make me who I am today. So in conclusion, never believe that what may appear to be a simple day in a classroom is just that, because our dreams are hiding behind every corner, waiting to be reached.
Math/The Sciences
Evan Curry, son of Thad and Kathy Curry of Alpha, plans to major in pre-engineering at Black Hawk College, Moline.
Top achievements:
- 2015 Illinois State Scholar
- Valedictorian
- Academic All-Conference, football, basketball, baseball
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
Acting out a scene from “Romeo and Juliet” during English class.
Vocational Education
Phillip Shannon, son of John and Nikki Shannon of Alpha, plans to major in agribusiness management at Black Hawk College-East Campus, Kewanee, Ill.
Top achievements:
- Co Op FFA scholarship
- FFA treasurer
- Never failed a class
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
My Ag classes put together will be memorable forever. It helps being an interest of yours in the learning process. My Ag construction class holds the most memories because I love building and construction. Whether we are building feed bunks or hay racks, or learning the basics of electrical wiring, there was always a laugh and that satisfying feeling of accomplishment when you get to sit back and look at the finished project.
Young Journalist
MIKAYLA POPPY, daughter of Mindy Poppy of Lynn Center, plans to major in elementary education at Western Illinois University, Macomb.
Top achievements:
- High Honor Roll
- Top 10
- L.I.F.E Club
Describe a classroom learning experience you’ll remember forever:
A classroom learning experience that I will remember forever is one that I experienced while in Anatomy/Physiology. My classmates and I got the opportunity to visit a cadaver lab. This is something that struck me as very interesting. We had a mini lecture about the body, then we actually got to get close to the body. I learned many parts of the body and what they all did. I thought that this was very fascinating in the way that I got to see the inside of a human being. Another part of this activity that I thought was fascinating was that we actually got to hold parts of the human body. Knowing that I got to hold a human heart, brain, and many other body parts is not something every senior gets to say that they did. I am very lucky to have gotten this opportunity, and it has been a very unforgettable learning experience.
CLASS OF 2015
Caleb Adams, Samuel Althaus, Jadrian Anderson, Kristopher Bloomberg, Dylan Brooks, Evan Curry, Thomas Engholm, Kallie Esp, Faith Gates, Ridge Greenman, Allison Hand, Tristin Heady, Andrew Johnson, Kathleen Kane, Cody Kessinger, Joseph Lambin, Kristen Litton, Emily McDowell, Patrick McMeekan, Saraya Nichols, Devontae Petrie, Jordan Pierce, Mikalya Poppy, Kelly Proper, Samantha Roberts, Jaimie Schroeder, Phillip Shannon, Jacob Simmering.