Princeton High School names top 10 students for Class of 2009

PRINCETON — Princeton High School has named its Top 10 students for the 2009 graduating class.

Heidi Zehr and Luke Zehr have been named valedictorians. Kaitlyn Bettner is salutatorian. Rounding out the Top 10 are Abigail Beneke, Tara Bonucci, Martin Graham, Brooke Mueller, Kaitlyn Ribar, Niolette Winn and Melissa Zehr.

• At PHS, Heidi Zehr has been involved in tennis, Madrigals, Corporation show choir, concert choir, Star Spangled Singers and the Food Club. Her awards during high school include being named an Illinois State Scholar, Academic Excellence Award, Student of the Month, high honor roll, and the tennis sportsmanship award. Zehr plans to attend Heston College. She is the daughter of Calvin and Carol Zehr of Tiskilwa.

• Luke Zehr has been on the PHS Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Principal’s Advisory Board, First Class and involved with tutoring and 4-H. His awards include DAR Good Citizen Award, Elks Teen of the Month, Bureau County Teen of the Month, Presidential Leadership Award from Goshen College, and NCIC All Conference Varsity Scholastic Bowl. He plans to attend Goshen College and double major in biology and environmental science. He is the son of Dennis Zehr and Ellen Davis-Zehr of rural Tiskilwa.

• Kaitlyn Bettner has been involved in PHS choir, Scholastic Bowl, spring musicals and soccer. Her awards include perfect attendance, Student of the Month, IHSA Academic Achievement Award, and Illinois State Scholar. She plans to attend Illinois College in the fall. She is the daughter of David and Lisa Bettner of rural Princeton.

• Abigail Beneke has been involved in cross country, choir, Lifesavers, Big Brother/Big Sister, Main Street Dance Academy and also takes piano lessons. Her awards include Division 1 ranking at the Illinois Music Educators Association piano contest for three years. She will attend Lawrence University in Appleton, Wis. She is the daughter of William and Sallee Beneke of Princeton.

• Tara Bonucci has been involved in volleyball, cheerleading, soccer, choir, the Principal’s Advisory Board and Student Council, where she serves as vice president. She plans to attend the University of Denver, with an undeclared major in the honors program. She is the daughter of Steve and Laurie Bonucci of Princeton.

• Martin Graham is a member of the PHS Scholastic Bowl and an Illinois State Scholar. His plans are to attend Illinois Valley Community College and then transfer to a four-year institution. He is the son of Steve and Boo Graham of rural Tiskilwa.

• Brooke Mueller has participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, band, choir and Student Council. She also plays and sings on her church’s worship team and is a student leader in her church youth group. Her awards include Academic All Conference for volleyball, basketball and softball, sportsmanship award her junior year for volleyball, sportsmanship award her senior year in basketball, and the National Honor Society. Her plans are to attend the University of Illinois and study optometry. She eventually wants to attend medical school to become an eye doctor, and in time, use her career on future missions trips to underprivileged areas. She is the daughter of Steve and Tina Mueller of Princeton.

• Kaitlyn Ribar has been involved in cheerleading, golf, National Honor Society and dance. Her awards include Illinois State Scholar, high honor roll, All Academic Girls Golf Team, All Academic Cheerleading Team, sportsmanship award for cheerleading, and being named to the Bureau County Republican’s Girls Golf Team. She has received several ribbons at NCIC art festivals during her high school years. Her plans are to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is the daughter of Brian Ribar and Linda Ribar.

• Nicolette Winn has been involved in volleyball, softball, tennis, cheerleading, Key Club and as an adaptive PE helper. Her awards include NCIC All Academic, Medal of Academic Achievement, Student of the Month, Highest Honors Award and Illinois State Scholar. Her plans are to attend Illinois Valley Community College, then transfer to a four-year university and to earn a master’s degree in psychology. She is the daughter of Sean and Eva Winn and Jon and Cindy Stout.

• Melissa Zehr has been involved in poms, cross country, soccer, concert choir, Food Club, and Star Spangled Singers. She is an Illinois State Scholar. Other honors include high honor roll, perfect attendance, sportsmanship award for poms, UDA All Star Dancer and NCIC All Conference and All Academic. She plans to attend Goshen College to major in pre-physical therapy. She is the daughter of Calvin and Carol Zehr of Tiskilwa.