High School Assistant Principal Jeff Dock welcomed all the families and guests attending and thanked the seniors for their hard work throughout the years.
Nearly 70 scholarships were awarded to students including many made through funds in the Thornapple Area Enrichment Foundation. The TAEF scholarships alone total nearly $68,000 in scholarships with many of them also being renewable - meaning they can be awarded for additional years while a student is in college.
The following special awards and scholarships and awards were awarded:
University of Michigan Award: Thomas Poll and McKenna Hoebeke
This award is given to one male and one female from the upper one-third (scholastically) of the senior class. The criteria considered when selecting these students are:
- Honesty
- Willingness
- Industry
- Courtesy
- Contribution to School
- Sportsmanship
- Initiative
The Barry County University of Michigan Alumni Club each year presents these students with a dictionary.
Henry J. Dugan Principal’s Award - Zach Eldridge
This award is intended to bring public recognition to a senior student who has earned the respect of his or her school and the community. The recipient is not always an active participant in every school function but someone who demonstrates that they can contribute without hurting others and that they can succeed by helping others to succeed. The following was considered when nominating this student: school citizenship, academic excellence, peer respect, community service, involvement in co-curricular activities, and who quietly contributes to make his or her school a better place and who otherwise might not be publicly recognized for their effort.
Ray Page Service Award - Frank Wilkinson
This award is intended to bring recognition to a senior student who has contributed extra time and effort to help out when and where needed. The recipient isn’t necessarily a straight A or B student, but someone who always seems to be there when needed. We have many of these students who spend a lot of time helping out and we felt that a special “Service Award” should be given to the individual selected.
U.S. Marine Corps Scholastic Excellence Award - Adam Lozada and Alexa Eden
This award is intended to bring recognition to a senior student who demonstrates the qualities of an exemplary citizen, role model to younger students, traits of courage, poise, self confidence, and leadership.
Versiti Blood Awards: Devon Barnhill, Emalyn Cartwright, Jenna Robinett, Sienna Schalk, Marlee Shuford
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED
TK Athletic Booster Scholarship: Ella Fischer, Jenna Robinett, Franklin Wilkinson, Payton Gater.
Woody Woodgarden HPS: Natalie Borrink
TKEA Scholarships: Trygg Hicswa, McKenna Hoebeke, Mackenzie Hoogterp, Lilian Rubert, Franklin Wilkinson
American Legion Cpl. Josh Hoffman Scholarship: Katherine Jore
Rotary Scholarships: Thomas Poll, Sophia Fockler, Lilian Rubert, Loren Saba, Ani Ramirez-Chilel
Lydia Cole Memorial Scholarship: Jenna Robinett, Franklin Wilkinson
John and Maxine Robertson: Paige Abshagen
Ball Family Scholarship - Ellie Baranek, McKenna Hoebeke, Jacob Newland, Franklin Wilkinson
GFWC - Gun Lake Women’s Club Skilled Trade: Paige Abshagen, Kenzie Jarvie
GFWC - Gun Lake Women’s Club: Franklin Wilkinson
TAEF TK Class of 1957 Scholarship: Benjamin Bowman
Stager Wake Family Scholarship: Benjamin Bowman
TAEF Adele and Arnold Parker Scholarship: Ella Fischer
Rodney and Rena Schad Memorial Scholarship: Erika Wolowicz
Gerald and Lois Page Scholarship: Jenna Robinett
Don and Catherine Williamson Scholarship: Luciana Teunessen
Pratt and Seppanen Family: Natalie Borrink
Forest and Louise Middleton Family Scholarship: Kenzie Jarvie
Logan Michael Kimbrue Memorial Scholarship: Adam Lozada
Jim Jensen Memorial Scholarship for YAC Members: Erika Wolowicz
Ray Page Scholar Athletic Memorial Scholarship - Payton Gater
Summers and Wester Family Scholarship: Luciana Teunessen
Thornapple Kellogg Alumni Association Scholarship - Grace Draaisma, Kenzie Jarvie
TK Class of 1966 Scholarship: Lilly Stora
Marshall Seger Scholarship: Kaylynn Treece
Francisca C. Verona Scholarship: Lynn Cross
Coleman Agency: Kaylynn Treece
Eugene and Edena Hendrickson Scholarship - Benjamin Bowman, Kaylynn Treece
Tad Thatcher Memorial Scholarship: Avery Hagemann
Brian Appel Scholarship: Paige Abshagen
Gerald and Ceta Williams Scholarship: Mackenzie Hoogterp
Mary Trepp Gilligan Scholarship - McKenna Hoebeke
Dr. Wayne and Marie Finkbeiner Scholarship: Avery Hagemann
Adam Dipp Scholarship: Alexander Frizzell
RKW Working Students Scholarship: Shaelyne Bennett
Alecia Lorraine Holst Memorial: Madison Kietzman
Jon and Kay Simpson Scholarship: McKenna Hoebeke
Dan Dykstra Jr. Scholarship: Jersey Sias
Lorraine Dahlgren Memorial: Briella Dykstra
Julie Bender Women’s Athletic Scholarship: Jenna Robinett
Millicent Grace Knox Scholarship: Katherine Jore
Robert Evans Memorial Scholarship - Natalie Borrink
Terri Yoder Scholarship: Natalie Borrink
Samuel McKeown Memorial Scholarship (Business): Mackenzie Hoogterp, Erika Wolowicz
Samuel McKeown Memorial Scholarship (Medical): Ella Fischer
Village Players of Middleville Scholarship: Austin Wiseman
Katherine and Edward Wieringa Scholarship: Devon Barnhill
Caledonia Farmers Elevator Scholarship: Devon Barnhill
Southside Pediatrics Scholarship: Katherine Jore
Emil Tyden Founders Scholarship: Jacob Newland
COLLEGE and UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS (Reported to TKHS Guidance Office)
Luke Archer - Cornerstone University Leadership & Honors Program scholarships; Influence grant; Michigan Achievement Scholarship
Elizabeth Baranek - Odyssey of the Mind and Champion Force Youth scholarships
Shaelynn Bennett - Albion College Presidential Scholarship
Natalie Borrink - Grand Valley State University Award of Excellence
Noah Donker - Calvin University Trustee’s, Mephibosheth, Michigan Achievement Scholarship, Knight of Life Award
Hannah Gunnink - Davenport University Excellence Scholarship
Mia Hilton - Indiana Wesleyan University Cheer and Merit Scholarships, LMCCOA Competitive Cheer Scholarship, Michigan VKTRY female athlete “Good Sole” Award
McKenna Hoebeke - Calvin University Trustee’s Scholarship
Mackenzie Hoogterp - Davenport University Excellence, Bowling and Marching Band Scholarships
Claira Kovich - Davenport University Academic and Athletic Scholarships
Oliver Lietz - Grand Valley State University Laker Lane and Award of Excellence Scholarships
Charlie Manrose - Grand Valley State University Award of Excellence and Merit Scholarships
Thomas Poll - Michigan Tech University Leading Scholar and Distinguished Award Scholarships
Ben Postma - Grand Valley University Award of Excellence and Laker Lane Scholarships
Jenna Robinett - Thompsons Working Families and Odyssey of the Mind Scholarships
Kaitlyn Rose - Ferris State University Provost Scholarship
Emilia Sanborn - University of Detroit Mercy Merit Award
Gracyn Traub - Hope College Alumni Honors Scholarship and More Hope Award
Megan VanDenBrink - Spring Arbor University Merit, Special Academic Scholarship and Herb/Helen King Student Scholarship
Austin Wiseman - Central Michigan University Maroon and Gold Recognition Scholarship
Erika Wolowicz - National FFA and Discovery Manufacturing Scholarships
TKHS DEPARTMENT AWARDS
Art Department Award: Myles Chambers, Sophia Fockler, Kenzie Jarvie, Austin Wiseman.
Computer Science Award: Alex Frizzell
English Award: Noah Donker, Trygg Hicswa, Thomas Poll, Emma Reaser, Loren Saba, Emilia Sanborn.
Foreign Language Department Awards:
Spanish Award: Lynn Cross, Briella Dykstra, Xander Hamilton, Gabrielle Kramer, Adam Lozada, James Manne, Cameron Walter, Ava Zellmer.
Biliteracy Seal: Miller Juarez Perez, Tai Le, Celvin Perez, Ani Ramirez-Chilel, Jessica Ramirez.
Math Department Award: Devon Barnhill, Jacob Newland, Thomas Poll, Lilian Rubert, Franklin Wilkinson.
Science Department Award: Elizabeth Baranek, Zarah Bierenga, McKenna Hoebeke, Adam Lozada, Jacob Newland, Thomas Poll, Lilian Rubert, Franklin Wilkinson.
Social Studies Department Award: Devon Barnhill
Technology Education Department Award: Katilyn Calkins, Kaylie Cross, Zach Eldridge, Cody Forsythe, Ezekiel Leep, Oliver Lietz, Natileigh Merchant, Ben Postma, Joe Reed, Khi Robirds, Kaiden Rosales, Emilia Sanborn, Aaron VanderWulp.
Student Council Awards: Elizabeth Baranek, Ella Fischer, Payton Gater, Avery Hagemann, Mia Hilton, McKenna Hoebeke, Madison Kietzman, Oliver Lietz, Franklin Wilkinson, & Ava Zellmer
National Honors Society Awards: Addisan Aardema, Paige Abshagen, Luke Archer, Elizabeth Baranek, Devon Barnhill, Shaelyne Bennett, Zarah Bierenga, Natalie Borrink, Kaylie Cross, Elise DeBoer, Noah Donker, Grace Draaisma, Alexa Eden, Ella Fischer, Mark Gielincki, Hannah Gunnink, Avery Hagemann, Trygg Hicswa, Mia Hilton, McKenna Hoebeke, Kenzie Jarvie, Miller Juarez Perez, Madison Kietzman, Makenzee Knight, Abigail LaJoye, Kella LeClaire, Oliver Lietz, Adam Lozada, Charlie Manrose, Natileigh Merchant, Jacob Newland, Thomas Poll, Ben Postma, Jordan Pranger, Emma Reaser, Jenna Robinett, Kaitlyn Rose, Lilian Rubert, Emilia Sanborn, Megan Schuurmans, Jersey Sias, Kara Smith, Cami Stahl, Luciana Teunessen, Gracyn Traub, Megan VanDenBrink, Franklin Wilkinson, Ava Zellmer.
2025-2026 Senior Foreign Exchange Students:
Amalie Andersen - Denmark
Carla Ballester - Spain
Darima Dabaeva - Russia
Inigo Elvira Navarro - Spain
Felix Feller - Germany
Gabriela Giez - Poland
Jagoda Konieczna - Poland
Carlota Ramirez Nogueira - Spain
Leopold Saison - Germany
Lea Stephan - Germany
Letizia Tschirner - Germany
Honor Students
Highest Honors Seniors-GPA of 3.98 and Higher (Gold Cord)
Paige Abshagen, Elizabeth, Baranek, Devon Barnhill, Zarah Bierenga, Natalie Borrink, Elise DeBoer, Noah Donker, Sophia Fockler, Alexander Frizzell, Gabriela Giez, Avery Hagemann, Trygg Hicswa, Mia Hilton, McKenna Hoebeke, Mackenzie Hoogterp, Madison Kietzman, Makenzee Knight, Adam Lozada, Charlie Manrose, Jacob Newland, Thomas Poll, Emma Reaser, Jenna Robinett, Lillian Rubert, Loren Saba, Emilia Sanborn, Luciana Teunessen, Franklin Wilkinson
High Honors Seniors - GPA of 3.7 to 3, 97 (Silver Cord)
Addison Aardema, Amalia Anderson, Luke Archer, Shaelyne Bennett, Kaylie Cross, Grace Draaisma, Briella Dykstra, Alexa Eden, Zachariah Eldridge, Ella Fischer, Kenzie Jarvie, Miller Juarez Perez, Maxwell Knowles, Joseph Krystyniak, Kella LeClaire, Natileigh Merchant, Andrew Pitsch, Benjamin Postma, Aaralyn Pruis, Carlota Ramirez, Kaitlyn Rose, Nathan Shoemaker, Travis Sholty, Jersey Sias, Kara Smith, Cami Stahl, Gracyn Traub, Megan VanDenBrink, Aaron Vander Wulp, Jacob Welch, Ava Zellmer.
Honor Seniors - GPA of 3.5 to 3.69 (Bronze Cord)
Alexander Egleston, Mark Gielincki, Hannah Gunnink, Xander Hamilton, Abigail LaJoye, Oliver Lietz, Blake Peter, Jordan Pranger, Ani Ramirez-Chilel, Jessica Ramirez-Ramirez, Khi Robirds, Kaiden Rosales, Lea Stephan, Erika Wolowicz.