Hall High School announces top 2008 students

SPRING VALLEY — Dan Denis, Emily Kraemer, Angie Lequia and Ryan Nett have been named valedictorians for the Class of 2008 at Hall School in Spring Valley. Ashley Whatcott will be the salutatorian. Rounding out the top 10 are Mike Wilkinson, Tia Messino, Audra Loveland, Chris Nagel and Adam Helm.

Denis, the son of Rich and Mary Jane Denis of Spring Valley, plans to attend the University of Illinois and participate in the honors electrical engineering program. He was named to the all-conference Scholastic Bowl Team and was an Illinois State Scholar. He won third place in math in the 2008 WYSE Regional. He was on high honor roll every semester and was the recipient of the National Junior French Award. His extracurricular activities included French Club, basketball, cross country, track, Honors Activities Club, Mentors and Science Club.

Kraemer, the daughter of Karl and Emeta Kraemer of Bureau, has participated in track and field, cross country, basketball, Honors Activities Club, Pep Club, Science Club, Spanish Club, WYSE team, library aid, tutor and Leo’s Club. She was named an Illinois State Scholar, was inducted into the National Honor Society and was named to the Spanish National Honors Society. She is vice president of National Honor Society and captain of both track and basketball. She was named NCIC all-academic in cross country, basketball and track. She was named to the Who’s Who Among American High School Students, National Merit Scholar, Elks Teen of the Month nominee and all-BCR honorable mention cross country. She will attend Illinois Institute of Technology on a Navy ROTC scholarship, where she plans to earn a degree in architecture.

Lequia is the daughter of Joan Lequia of Spring Valley and Jim Lequia of Lacon. She plans to attend Rockford College and then attend medical school to specialize in forensic pathology. Her honors include two first ratings at this year’s solo and ensemble contest for a flute solo and a flute duet. She was a Scholastic Bowl member who aided her team in two consecutive regional victories, placed second in biology and the WYSE regional, and placed first in English at the WYSE sectional earning her a bid to the state WYSE competition. She has been active in French Club, band, Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Leo’s Club, Spanish Club and Medical Health Careers Club, and is a hospital volunteer.

Nett is the son of Steve and Becky Nett of Spring Valley. He plans to attend Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., where he will play basketball and major in biology and chemistry (or physics). He has been a member of football, baseball and mentors. He was Honors Activities Club president, Spanish Club president, Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica treasurer and basketball captain. He was named February Elks Teen of the Month, Illinois State Scholar, News Tribune all-academic team, Daughters of the American Revolution Award winner, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award winner, Veterans of Foreign Wars Essay Contest Winner, IHSA honorable mention all-state academic team, Chicago Tribune all-state academic team nominee, academic all-conference in football and basketball, Wendy’s Heisman Award winner and high honor roll. He received first place in biology and third place in computer science at WYSE regionals.

Whatcott is the daughter of Craig and Heidi Whatcott of Spring Valley. She will attend Brigham Young University in Utah and double major in music composition and 3D animation. She is involved in Spanish Club, Spanish National Honor Society, Leo’s Club and choir. She placed first in computer programming at the regional WYSE competition and third place in the sectional WYSE competition in computer programming.

Wilkinson is the son of Gina Lorati and Raymond Lorati of Spring Valley. He will attend Illinois Valley Community College and then transfer to a technical college to study computer. He was a member of the two-time regional winning Scholastic Bowl team. He placed first in computer programming at the regional WYSE competition and third place in the sectional WYSE competition in computer programming.

Messino is the daughter of Julie and Ken Palmer of Ladd. She was this year’s president of Leo’s Club and has been on the honor roll, named to National Honor Society and nominated for Spanish Honor Society. She will attend Illinois Valley Community College and then transfer.

Loveland is the daughter of Peter and Sandra Loveland of Spring Valley. She plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan University and major in French horn performance and minor in French language. She has been involved in Medical Health Careers Club, Honors Activities Club, track, volleyball, band, Illinois Valley Youth Symphony, IVCC wind ensemble, Student Council and Mentors. She was captain of cheerleading, treasurer of National Honor Society, president of musical theatre and president of French Club. She was named to Who’s Who Among American High School Students in cheerleading, French and math. She is an Illinois State Scholar and the recipient of the Principal’s Recognition Award.

Nagel is the son of Jim and Janet Nagel of Princeton. He is actively involved in Spanish Club, Scholastic Bowl, Mentors, WYSE and Science Club. His honors include Illinois State Scholar and high honor roll. He plans to attend Bradley University and receive a bachelor’s degree in multimedia with a minor in graphic design and computer science.

Helm is the son of Tom and Tammy Helm of Ladd. He participated in Power Mechanics Club. He was in National Honor Society, high honor roll and PSAE award winner. His future plans are to be a heavy machine operator.