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Queen Maya and King Merrick Preside Over Prom
The event, which was emceed by Student Senate senior members Josh Nhkata and Alyssa Bourdon, included the traditional introductions of the senior members of the Royal Court, who were escorted by their parents. Members of the court included senior ladies Jadyn Rice, Mya Coley, Liza Ruegemer, Greta Blanck, Taylor Leonard and Grace Carlson, along with senior gentlemen Jake Robertson, Weston Lawrence, Trent Kelly, Nicky Peterson, Aidan Mjelstad and Mitch Krebsbach. Honorary little princess was 10-year-old Harriett Pettitt.
Greta Blanck is a three-year member of DECA and plays on the basketball and volleyball teams. Her favorite class was ninth-grade phy ed with John Wardlow. Blank greatly admires her Grandma Kay for her inspiration, good humor and unconditional love. Greta, who will attend Iowa State to major in criminology, is the daughter of John and Colleen Blanck.
Mitch Krebsbach is captain of both the hockey and golf teams, and received All Conference honors in both sports. He was the winner of the school’s Triple A Award this year. His favorite class was personal money management and he plans to follow that interest by majoring in business at ASU. Mitch is the son of Aimee and Steve Krebsbach.
Grace Carlson is a member of DECA and an international competitor her junior year. She was a soccer captain and member of the lacrosse team. Her favorite class was personal money management and she is thankful for the life lessons Aaron Wood taught her. Carlson’s favorite memory was taking up early on the first day of school and being on the lake to watch the sunrise. Grace, the daughter of Liz and Paul Carlson, will study communications sciences and disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Merrick Gormley is a member of the wind ensemble and the theater program. He was named an AP Scholar with Distinction and inducted into the All-State Speech Team. Gormley’s favorite class was AP literature and composition with Corey Bulman, who gave him the opportunity to explore his own creativity. Merrick, the son of Robert and Andrea Gormley, will attend Reed College in Portland, OR to study humanities.
Mya Coley has been a fierce competitor on the hockey team for four years, as well as a member of the track and soccer teams. She most admires her dad, for his big heart and optimism, as well as his ability to always find the good in every situation. Coley plans to study business at Montana State University in Bozeman. Mya is the daughter of Colleen and Al Coley.
Aidan Mjelstad is a member of the baseball and hockey teams. His favorite class has been economics with Bob Kuehl because he greatly enjoys the class discussion and talking sports. Mjelstad greatly admires his dad because he is hardworking, determined and the very best version of himself. Next year, Mjelstad will begin his pre-optometry studies at University of North Dakota. Aidan is the son of Aaron and Kim Mjelstad.
Maya Henslin is proud to be a captain of the softball team. She also enjoyed managing the football team, even when it was cold and snowing. Henslin loves her Spanish class with Profe Meunier. She greatly admires her late Grandmother Lola, who was the nicest, funniest and most caring person she has ever known. Maya is the daughter of Patricia Galindo and Keith Henslin. Although she hasn’t decided on her plans for next year, she knows she will do something to help others.
Nicholas Peterson is a member of the hockey and trap shooting teams. He admires his dad, who has been a great inspiration for him. Peterson has really enjoyed his physics class with Griffin Rush. He plans to study economics at the University of North Dakota. Nicky, the son of David and Karen Peterson, was escorted by his dad and sister, Bella.
Taylor Leonard is involved in NHS, Rotary and Link Crew. She is also captain of the hockey team and a member of the tennis team. Leonard admires her younger sister, Sydney, who is determined and hard-working – her passion to get better is infectious. Leonard will play hockey and study health sciences at St. Scholastica next fall. Taylor is the daughter of Dave and Shane Leonard.
Trent Kelly advanced to DECA Internationals with his group and placed 12th in the nation this year. He is a member of the tennis and basketball teams. His favorite memory is the lunch table conversations with the boys. Kelly admires his sister, Lauren, who is the toughest and most hard working person he knows. Trent, the son of Jim and Margaret Kelly, will study computer science and engineering at the University of Minnesota.
Jadyn Rice is a five-year member of Student Senate, serving as vice president this year. She is a member of Link Crew, FCA and concert choir. Jadyn is the daughter of Chelsa Rice, and Jason and Beth Rice. She is inspired by her stepmom, Beth, who fought medical battles through her life. Rice says Beth helped make her into the strong woman she is today. Rice plans to serve active duty in the United States Air Force.
Jake Robertson is an active member of the theater program. He plays trumpet in the wind ensemble and also plays on the golf team. His favorite class was English with Kelsey Rausch, where he got to read some of his favorite books. Robertson admires Jamie Harms, for being an important part of his journey on the stage. Jake, the son of Dan and Lynne Robertson, will attend Long Island University in New York to study theater.
Liza Ruegemer is a five-year member of Student Senate and a Link Crew member. She also plays soccer. Her favorite classes have been Andrew Atkinson’s math class and Chris Lunde’s yearbook class. Her greatest lesson was not to skip breakfast before donating blood – or you might end up fainting in Spanish class and getting a concussion! Ruegemer admires her parents for always helping her and supporting her through all her big decisions. Liza is the daughter of Julie and Daniel Ruegemer.
Weston Lawrence has played basketball, tennis and volleyball. His favorite class was photography with Laura Hensley. His best memory of his senior year was being able to get back to school in person and spend time with his classmates. He advises others to be grateful for all the good things going on in your life. Weston, the son of Brendon and Jill Lawrence, will study product design at the University of Minnesota.
On behalf of Student Senate, advisor Jamie Harms thanked her co-advisor Dale Kimball, Marty Fischer, Mark McIlmoyle, Jeff Peterson, Luke Rogers, Carter Chase, Kristin Wallace, Phil Smith and Alan Rogers. Senate members also thanked the administration, teachers and staff, and the “awesome” custodial staff for their help.
Congratulations to Queen Maya and King Merrick and the entire Royal Court!