Hall High School names top 10 students for 2007

Hall High School students (front row, from left) Megan Whatcott, Rachel Dawson and Sarah Hinkey; (second row) Eric Hofreiter, Matthew Weberski, Mike Webster and Jered Hoscheid; and (back row) Kate Matthews, Lauren Dimond and Elena Gaeta were named the top 10 students for the 2007 school year. (Photo contributed)

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SPRING VALLEY — Eric Hofreiter and Megan Whatcott were named co-valedictorians for the Hall High School graduating class of 2007. Lauren Dimond was this year’s salutatorian.

Hofreiter, the son of Bill and Connie Hofreiter of Spring Valley, plans to attend the University of Illinois to major in electrical engineering. He was named to the News Tribune all-academic team, Who’s Who Among High School Students, Hall’s Elks Teen of the Month, Spanish National Honor Society, all-academic Team for track and cross country, all-conference Scholastic Bowl Team, all-tournament Scholastic Bowl Team, high honor roll and Illinois State Scholar. He won third place in English in the 2006 WYSE regional, first place in physics and computer science in the 2007 WYSE regional, first in computer science and second in physics at the 2007 WYSE sectional, and second in computer science at the 2007 WYSE state finals. His extracurricular activities included Spanish Club, cross country and Science Club.

Whatcott is the daughter of Craig and Heidi Whatcott of Spring Valley. Her activities include writing stories, photography and computer animated artwork. She wrote and directed a road show for a drama competition and took a computer animated course at Imagine U. She was named an Illinois State Scholar, inducted into the National Honor Society, and named to the Spanish National Honors Society. She won first place in poetry recitation and first place in musical performance at the Spanish Cultural Competition. She will attend Brigham Young University in Utah and major in 3D computer animation and computer programming.

Dimond is the daughter of Sue and Mike Manning and Tom Dimond of Spring Valley. She plans to attend University of Illinois at Chicago to major in chemistry. Her honors include Illinois State Scholar, high honor roll, WYSE competitor and National Honor Society. She was in the French Club, Leo’s Club and yearbook, where she was the editor in 2005.

Jered Hoscheid is the son of Jim and Kathy Hoscheid of Cherry. He plans to attend Bradley University, Peoria, where he will study biology. He has been a member of Spanish Club, basketball, football, golf, Honorary Activities Club, Scholastic Bowl, chorus, play productions and Leo’s Club. He was named Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Hall’s Elks Teen of the Month, Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Notre Dame Club, News Tribune all-academic Team, NCIC all-academic team and high honor roll.

Rachel Dawson, the daughter of Kevin and Sheila Dawson of Cherry, will attend Illinois Valley Community College for two years and receive a degree in forensic specialist associate in applied science and then transfer to a four-year college. She was involved in softball, volleyball, Spanish Club and Medical Health Careers Club. She was treasurer of the Leo’s Club. Her academic honors include high honor roll, all-academic volleyball, all-academic softball, National Science Merit Award and National Mathematics Award.

Matthew Weberski, the son of Mick and Mary Jane Weberski of Spring Valley, will be attend Illinois Valley Community College and then transfer to a four-year university majoring in biology or biochem, working toward graduate studies in dentistry. He participated in baseball, football, Letterman’s Club, wrestling and Spanish Club. He has been named academic all-state in football, first team Unanimous football NCIC, Illinois State Scholar, nominee for the Shriner’s game, Hall’s Elks Teen of the Month and second team baseball NCIC in 2006.

Mike Webster, the son of Barb and Dave Webster of Spring Valley, has been a member of basketball, football, track, golf, Spanish Club, Honorary Activities Club, Scholastic Bowl, tutor and Leo’s Club. He has performed in the Adventures in Musical Theatre play productions. He has been named to the high honor roll, Spanish National Honor Society, all-academic golf team, Illinois State Scholar and Who’s Who Among High School Students. He was a sophomore class representative, a Spanish Club officer and a member of the Scholastic Bowl regional championship team. He plans to attend Bradley University to study either political science or electrical engineering.

Kate Matthews is the daughter of Patrick and Debbie Matthews of Spring Valley. She plans to begin her college studies at Illinois Valley Community College in the nursing program and then attend a four-year university. She has been involved in Leo’s Club, Medical Health Careers Club, Spanish Club and Mentors. She was named to the National Honors Society, National Spanish Honors Society, honor roll and Illinois State Scholar.

Elena Gaeta is the daughter of Dayna and Angel Gaeta of Spring Valley. She is actively involved in Leo’s Club, Medical Health Careers Club, Spanish Club, Scholastic Bowl and Science Club. Her honors include National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. She plans to attend Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, to major in physical therapy.

Sarah Hinkey is the daughter of Thomas and Regina Hinkey of Spring Valley. She participated in mentors, Spanish Club, Letterman’s Club, Pep Club, basketball, volleyball and Devilettes. She was Honorary Activities Club president, softball captain, Science Club vice president and National Honor Society treasurer. She was the HOBY award recipient, DAR winner, Elks Teen of the Month candidate, Illinois State Scholar, Peoria Journal Star Scholar/Athlete, Illinois Starved Rock Principal’s Association award winner and NHS Scholarship award winner. She is listed on high honor roll, named all-academic/all-conference for volleyball, basketball and softball; given the IHSA all-academic honors and named to the Spanish National Honor Society. She will attend Augustana majoring in pre-med and eventually attend the Chicago School of Optometry.