Bonney Lake Senior Showcase 2012 | Slideshow

Published 3:27 pm Thursday, May 24, 2012

Bonney Lake High School recognized eleven of its outgoing seniors May 23 at the annual Senior Showcase.

Students were recognized for contributions in a wide array of activities, be they in academics, athletics, clubs or uplift of the campus community.

“My first thought when i heard that I had been nominated for the showcase was, ‘It has to be for something other of academics,'” honoree Jacob Frebe said in a video interview shown to the laughing audience.

Students recognized were Sarah Collins, Andrew Cunningham, Mariah Dow, Frebe, Emily Gaub, Yoselyn Leos, Jadira Morales, Cass Neumann, Emily Richmond, Zach Jurjevich-Volin and Zac Wheeler.

Collins was nominated for her active participation in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She operates as one of 12 state officers for the organization, and earned a perfect score in competition at the National conference in California last summer. Additionally, she is a leader of Bonney Lake’s Associated Student Body.

“She’s involved, she’s excited, and she’s there all the time,” instructor Sharon Fochtman said of Collins’s ASB tenure.

Cunningham is a co-captain and two-time state champion of the Panthers wrestling team, a cross country and track athlete, and a valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA in an all-AP course load.

“Out of all my years in coaching, I don’t think I’ve had a student with a better resume than Andrew Cunningham,” coach Tony Clarke said.

Dow was noted for being a conscientious student and a caring, selfless member of the campus community.

“When you walk by Mariah, she’s going to say ‘Hi,'” senior-class guidance counselor Eric Crinklaw said. “She’s very humble, and she doesn’t realize the impact she makes on others.”

Frebe was recognized for his outstanding dedication to school drama productions, the Panther News Network and other extracurriculars. He has acted in eight of the eight plays put on during his tenure on campus, and been involved with the school’s internal news channel for all four years. Frebe is also a cancer survivor, having recently recovered from surgery for a brain tumor discovered over the summer.

“Jacob is Bonney Lake High School,” video production instructor Shannon Carr-Cohen said.

Gaub is another Panther valedictorian with a substantial extracurricular resume that includes Honor’s Society, theater, track and field, 4H Club, Crue, band, and the speech and debate team.

“She is a stellar student; a wonderful example to students younger than herself,” theater instructor Brenda Williams said. “She’s just what you’d expect and want a Bonney Lake student to be.”

Leos was recognized for her abilities as a deliberate, thoughtful learner who cares as much about digesting and understanding the material as she does her grades. Social Studies teacher Christina Mickelson said she displayed the drive to outdo herself year after year.

“She doesn’t blindly swallow everything she learns,” Book Club adviser Melissa Teppo said. “If you sit and have a one-on-one conversation with her, you will soon meet her balanced and critically thinking mind, and her quiet wit.”

Morales was nominated for her positivity, respect, and exceptional participation in Panther Crue. Science instructor Jerry Turner called her a four on the four-point rubric.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a frown on the girl’s face,” Learning Specialist Shena Mouring said.

Neumann is a Drama Club officer and actor in school productions, most recently playing Miss Hannigan in “Annie,” the spring musical. Her musical solo and monologue each made it to the top 10 percent of regional performances for Washington state Thespians.

“She’s one of those kids who immediately makes an impression,” English teacher Jennifer Fruehauf said. “She’s one of those kids who has a joy and energy inside herself that shines through.”

Richmond was recognized as a dedicated student, strong athlete, secretary of the campus chapter of the National Honor Society and Public Relations officer for FCCLA. Outside of school, she volunteers for the Tacoma Rescue Mission and Outdoors For All as a snowboarding instructor to disabled persons.

“Every single service project we’ve done, she’s been an active part of [it],” FCCLA instructor Tricia Littlefield said. “Her dedication and her responsibility are amazing.”

Volin was nominated for his dedication to student leadership throug ASB. He served as ASB president during his senior year and founded the Panthers Unite project.

“When he was a freshman, he was one of those kids who really cared about learning the material,” Fruehauf said. “He always asked if he could have an assignment back to do better; it didn’t matter if he had an A-minus or a B.”

Every day and on his own time, Wheeler arrives to the Bonney Lake High campus early—earlier, even, than some teachers—and holds the door open for arrivals.

“His friendly face has welcomed students every day for the last two years,” Carr-Cohen said.