Seven outstanding seniors - Kierce Hemauer, Bella Jacobsen, Lauren Kado, Kevin Leach, Shannon Mason, Jude Ogden and Parker Schultz - have been named valedictorians of the MHS Class of 2022. To achieve this honor, students must have a cumulative high school GPA of 4.0 through the first semester of their senior year.
These students not only excelled academically but were active in sports, extra-curricular activities and volunteering. Read more about each of these students below.
In addition to these seven students, twenty-three students rounded out the top ten percent of the graduating class. Those students' names can be found at the end of this post.
Kierce Hemauer will be attending UW-Stout for Mechanical Engineering. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Kierce plans on attending law school and would like to become a patent attorney.
During high school, Kierce was on the tennis team all four years and the captain her senior year. Kierce also participated in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) and is a member of the National Honor Society. In addition, Kierce completed 70+ hours of community service during her four years of high school.
Kierce is the daughter of Darren and Ginger Hemauer.
Bella Jacobsen will be attending UW-Madison. She is currently enrolled in the school of nursing but may change to another major in the healthcare field. Bella will also be competing on the women's cross country team and the track and field team at UW-Madison.
In addition to being a standout runner on the cross country and track teams, Bella was a member of the girls basketball team that made it to state this year. Bella is a member of the National Honor Society and served as a Link Crew leader.
Bella is the daughter of Jeff and Patty Jacobsen.
Lauren Kado will be attending Chippewa Valley Technical College, enrolled in the radiography program, and plans for a career in the medical field.
During high school, Lauren was a member of the golf team and served as captain her senior year. Lauren was also involved in FBLA, serving as president, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Lauren is the daughter of Branden and Megan Kado.
Kevin Leach will be attending the University of Idaho, double majoring in Mathematics and Statistics. After finishing his undergraduate degrees, he hopes to pursue a master's degree in Mathematics. Kevin is unsure of a career path after that but would like to combine his passions of math and coding.
During high school, Kevin was a member of the swim team and the tennis team. In addition, he was involved in Science Olympiad, Academic Decathlon, and student council. Kevin has also volunteered his time as a swim coach, a baker for Tuesdays Table, and as the Dunn County Crane Count Coordinator.
Kevin is the son of Amy and David Leach.
Shannon Mason will be attending California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, California, majoring in Biomedical Engineering. She is unsure of her path after college but hopes to use her interests in math and health sciences in a career that will help people.
During high school, Shannon was on the swim team and softball team. She was also involved in Student Council, HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), the school musicals and is a member of the National Honor Society. Shannon will also be receiving a Global Education Achievement Certificate with her diploma.
Shannon is the daughter of Beth and Terry Mason.
Jude Ogden will be attending Columbia University in New York. He plans to major in either biochemistry or chemistry on a pre-medical track. Jude hopes to attend medical school after obtaining his undergraduate degree.
During high school, Jude was on the cross country and track teams. In addition, he was active in student council, forensics, the school musicals, Science Olympiad, band and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Jude is the son of Mitch and Christa Ogden.
Parker Schultz will be attending UW Eau Claire majoring in Business Finance.
During high school, Parker participated in basketball, baseball, track, and football, serving as the captain of the football team his senior year. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has spent many hours volunteering with area youth sports programs.
Parker is the son of Todd and Angie Schultz.
Top Ten Percent of the Graduating Class of 2022
Kylie Braun Grace Hasse
Brooks Brewer Emma Hastings
Karissa Brunner Logan Hollinger
Halle Buhr Kayla Kelsey
Helen Chen Alexandra Kruschke
Teagan Christenson Joseph Leipnitz
Ellen Dingwall Logan McCoy
Noah Feddersen Kira Prochnow
Emma Flug Ali Ruch
Zoey Gayan Sophia Sobota
RaeLee Granger Shelby Thornton
Dejntxhee Vang
