By Jason Wesseldyk
Sports Editor
Elizabeth French certainly knew how to stay busy during her time at Plainwell High School.
Athletically, French was part of the girls swim & dive team, earning Most Improved in recognition of her hard work and determination.
Her other activities included PHS’s annual musical, National Honor Society, PALs, Tri-M, Red Cross Club, Class of 2024 Committee, French Club and youth group.
That’s quite the list, to be sure.
But if you think French allowed the busyness of her schedule to detract from her academic commitments, you couldn’t be more wrong.
In fact, French graduated at the top of the PHS Class of 2024, earning valedictorian honors.
French, along with salutatorian Isaac Veen, headlines a group of 22 graduating seniors who received special acknowledgment for their academic accomplishments during their time at PHS.
French, the daughter of Todd and Wendy French, is planning to attend the University of Michigan to continue her education. At this time, she is undecided as to her major.
In addition to her Most Improved award in swimming, French was also an AP scholar, choir president and a recipient of National Rural and Small Town recognition.
Like French, Veen will head to Ann Arbor to attend U of M in the fall. He plans to study engineering.
While in high school, Veen excelled in running as a member of the PHS cross country track teams, carrying on a family tradition.
Veen, the son of Dan and Kim Veen, was All-Conference and All-Region in cross country. He was the Wolverine Conference and regional champion in the 800-meter run, in addition to running the anchor leg of the league and regional 4×800 relay champs.
Veen was recognized as one of Plainwell’s Wolverine Conference Scholarship Athletes.
Here is a look at the remaining 20 students who were among the top academic seniors for the PHS Class of ’24:
Aubrey Carpenter
University: Western Michigan University
Major: Civil Engineering
Extra Curricular: Volleyball and National Honor Society
Awards and Honors: Academic All-State and Top Honors GPA for all four years
Parent: Deb Carpenter
Jonathan Elliot
After School Plans: Army
Major: Linguistics
Extra Curricular: Cross Country and Track
Parents: Bill and Kathy Elliott
Ella Grantham
University: Finish 13th year through the early college at Lake Michigan College
Major: Theology
Extra Curricular: Youth group
Awards and Honors: Deans list every semester at Lake Michigan College
Parent: Michael and Jennifer Grantham
Laura Groner
University: Michigan State University
Major: Kinesiology
Extra Curricular: Recurve Archery, Plainwell Cross Country, NHS, French Club
Awards and Honors: Ap Scholar, KIA jurors award, Henry Pestka art and poetry award
Parents: Heather and Shane Groner
Gavin Hodapp
University: University of Michigan
Major: Biomedical Science
Extra Curricular: Soccer, NHS, Golf , Red Cross club
Parents: Sarah and Pat Hodapp
Lily Inquilla
University: Columbia University and Trinity College Dublin Dual BA Program
Major: Geoscience and Earth Science
Extra Curricular: Marching Band, NHS, Tri-M, Varsity Dive
Awards and Honors: AP Scholar, Academic All-State Dive, National Rural and Small Town Scholar Recognition, National Hispanic Scholar Recognition
Parents: Kish and Danny Inquilla
Mia Keech
University: University of Michigan
Major: Undecided
Extra Curricular: National Honors Society
Parent: Jessica LaDuke
Sierra Lancaster
University: Michigan State University
Major: Veterinary and Science
Extra Curricular: National Honors Society
Awards and Honors: Academic Achievement Award for 9th-12th
Parents: Katie and Joshua Lancaster
Maria Launt
University: University of Michigan
Major: Biology, health, and society
Extra Curricular: Student Senate, NHS, Red Cross Club, volunteer at Borgess Hospital, Big Brothers Big Sisters
Awards and Honors: AP Scholar, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Scholar, Vice President of NHS, Vice President of Student Senate
Parents: Pam and Dan Launt
Abram Longcore
University: University of Michigan
Major: Premed-Biology
Extra Curricular: Track and cross country
Parents: Andra and Ben Longcore
Raya Mergen-Henry
University: Western Michigan University
Major: Elementary Education
Extra Curricular: Cross Country, Sideline & Competitive Cheer, Track & Field
Awards and Honors: Top honors, honors diploma, Bronco Merit Scholarship, CCCAM scholarship
Parents: Matthew & DeAnna Mergen Henry
Flynn Miller
University: Western Michigan University
Major: Instrumental Music Education
Extra Curricular: Marching Band, Tri-M, NHS, Indoor Marching Band, Band Leadership, President of GSA Club
Awards and Honors: Honor Roll for 7 years, Bronco Merit Scholarship, Terry Kueske Memorial Scholarship, NPGF Scholarship, WMU Alumni Legacy Scholarship
Parents: Scott and Jessica Miller
Olivia Perrin
University: University of Michigan
Major: Political Science
Extra Curricular: Swim and Dive, Softball, Musical, Band, Choir, NHS, Tri-m
Awards and Honors: National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program, AP Scholar with Honor (College Board)
Parents: Rene and Andy Perrin
Alexis Poel
University: Grand Valley State University
Major: Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Extra Curricular: Volleyball, track, Student Senate, Red Cross Club, National Honor Society
Parents: Marc and Jamie Poel
Awards and Honors: Honor Roll all 4 years, President of Student Senate, Parliamentarian of National Honor Society, volleyball team captain, track team captain, honorable mention all-conference volleyball, academic all-state volleyball, Student of the Month
Jackson Powell
University: Western Michigan University
Major: Engineering
Extra Curricular: Golf team, Soccer team, NHS
Awards and Honors: Bronco Merit Scholarship
Parents: Matt and Jody Powell
Dennis Redmond
University: Michigan State University
Major: Computer Science and Economics
Extra Curricular: Quizbowl, Scouting BSA
Awards and Honors: NHS, Eagle Scout
Calvin Strader
University: Kalamazoo College
Major: Biology
Extra Curricular: Tennis, NHS, Tri-M, Colorguard/winterguard
Awards and Honors: AP Scholar with Honor, Michigan Seal of Biliteracy, National Merit Scholar, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition
Parents: Laura and Eric Strader
Audrey Todd
University: Hope College
Major: Education & Spanish
Extra Curricular: Swim and Dive, Band, Track and Field, Quizbowl, NHS
Awards and Honors: DAR Good Citizen Award, NHS President, Honor Roll, Student of the Month
Parents: Bryan and Leslie Todd
Logan Tungate
University: Michigan State University
Major: Finance
Extra Curricular: Soccer
Awards and Honors: Advia Credit Union Scholarship
Parents: Melissa and Troy Tungate
Ella Vilanueva
University: Radiant School of Ministry
Major: Theology
Extra Curricular: Youth Group, National Honors Society, Choir
Awards and Honors: Dean’s List
Parents: Dan and Nicole Villanueva
