Deckerville, Marlette and Sandusky Top Students
Deckerville Community
Schools is pleased to announce the 2018 Valedictorians and Salutatorian: Stephen Barker GPA 4.00; Elizabeth Binder GPA 4.00; Kylee Colesa GPA 4.00; Julia Flanagan GPA 4.00; Madisyn Guza GPA 4.00; Violet Lapp GPA 4.00; Charlotte Schulz GPA 4.00; and Salutatorian Natalie Beaver GPA 3.98.
Stephen Barker is the son of Diane and Tom Barker of Palms. He is the recipient of the Northwood University Merit Scholarship. He has participated in track & field and cross country. He is a two time regional champion as well as four time cross country state qualifier and has attained all-state honors for his outstanding performances in track and cross country. Stephen is a National Honor Society and a county Youth Advisory Council member. Stephen is the high school student council president as well as the class of 2018 president. He was voted by his fellow high school students to be the King of the Deckerville High School Winter Fest in February of 2018. Stephen plans to attend Northwood University for a Master’s degree in business administration with areas of focus in marketing and entrepreneurship. He hopes to work in the nonprofit sector as a foundation manager.
Elizabeth Binder is the daughter of Sandra and Edward Binder of Snover. She is the recipient of the Freshman Grant, the Lakers Scholarship and the Grand Valley Grant from Grand Valley State University. Elizabeth participated in volleyball, basketball and softball during her high school career and received county honors for her efforts in volleyball. Elizabeth is a member of the National Honor Society and received individual course awards for excellent work in American History, Spanish I & II, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus and Advanced Computers. She received high achievement individual course awards in English, Spanish, Algebra I and U.S. History. Elizabeth was voted by her fellow high school students to be a senior representative on the Winter Fest Court this past February. She plans to attend Grand Valley State University in the fall to study and pursue a career in the diagnostic medical sonography/ultrasound field.
Kylee Colesa is the daughter of Kathleen and Blaine Colesa of Carsonville. She is the recipient of the University Recognition Award scholarship and the Geographic Region scholarship from Oakland University. Kylee has participated in cross country, basketball and track throughout her high school career and received all conference and all-state honors for her outstanding academic and athletic performance in cross country and track. Kylee was voted by her fellow high school students to be a senior representative and Queen of the Deckerville High School Homecoming Festival in October of 2017. She is a member of: the National Honor Society, the county Youth Advisory Council and the Science Academic team. She plans to attend Oakland University to obtain her undergraduate degree in health science. Her future career plans are to become a doctor in the field of obstetrics and gynecology.
Julia Flanagan is the daughter of Laura and Michael Flanagan of Sandusky. She is the recipient of an Academic Scholarship and the Geographic Region scholarship from Oakland University. Julia has participated in volleyball, basketball and softball throughout her high school career. She assisted her teams with winning league titles in volleyball and softball and received county honors in both for her outstanding efforts. She also assisted her basketball team with winning a District title. Julia was voted by her fellow high school students to be a senior representative for the Deckerville High School Homecoming Festival in October of 2017. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and the English academic team. Julia has been involved in student government by holding various positions of student council and since 2015. During that time Julia has also been the class of 2018 treasurer. She plans to attend Oakland University to obtain her pre-medicine undergraduate degree. Her future career plans are to become a doctor in the field of orthopedic surgery.
Madisyn Guza is the daughter of Valerie Koroleski of Palms and Paul Guza of Deckerville. She has been awarded the Michigan State University Freshman Grant, the Wildcat Achievement Level 2 Scholarship from Northern Michigan University, the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees Grant, the Cornerstone University Presidential Scholarship, and the University of Michigan Hail Scholarship. Madisyn has participated in volleyball, basketball and softball, assisting her teams in winning conference and District titles throughout her high school career. She received all conference and 1st team honors in volleyball, basketball and softball. She received a regional award and an All-state academic honor in softball. Madisyn was voted by her fellow students to be a senior representative for the Deckerville High School Homecoming Festival in October of 2017. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Science Academic team. She has also hosted an American Red Cross Blood Drive. She has received individual course awards for excellent work in American History, Spanish, English, Algebra II and Advanced Computers. Madisyn has determined she will attend the University of Michigan obtain her degree in Environmental Sciences. She wants to make the environment cleaner and safer to improve the lives of not only humans, but plants and animals as well. Her career plans are to be working with companies and organizations to create solutions for environmental problems.
Violet Lapp is the daughter of Cassandra and Alexander Lapp of Deckerville. She participated in volleyball, basketball and track & field during her high school career. She has received all conference honors for her efforts in volleyball. She was invited to the Bad Axe Meet of Champs for her efforts in track and field. Violet is a member of the National Honor Society and currently serves as the chapter’s treasurer. She has won the VFW POST Essay contest in 2016 and 2017. She was a member of the 2017 County Honors Band and a Solo and Ensemble medalist. Violet is planning to serve our country by enlisting in a six year Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. After enlisting she plans to attend college then enter the workforce with the training she has received in the military.
Charlotte Schulz is the daughter of Traci and Johann Schulz of Snover. Charlotte participated in volleyball, basketball, cross country and track & field during her high school career, receiving league, county and District honors for her efforts in volleyball, basketball and track. Charlotte also qualified to run at the state cross country meet and received all state honors for her academic and athletic performances. Charlotte is a member of the National Honor Society and received individual course awards for excellent work in American History, Spanish I, English, and Advanced Chemistry. Charlotte was voted by her fellow high school students to be a junior representative on the Winter Fest Court in February 2017 and Homecoming Festival as a senior representative in October 2017. Charlotte plans to attend Saginaw Valley State University to major in biology and then transfer to Michigan State University to major in general agriculture. She plans to pursue a career in Large Animal Nutrition.
Natalie Beaver is the daughter of Shannon Beaver of Lexington and Jeff Beaver of Deckerville. She is the recipient of the Talented Scholar Award and the Geographic Region scholarships from Oakland University. Natalie is a member of the National Honor Society, Health Occupation Students of America, the Academic Science team and a Deckerville High School Student Council representative. She plans to attend Oakland University to major in health sciences in preparation for graduate studies and would love to be a successful Physical Therapist in a busy medical setting.
