ESCANABA — Escanaba Senior High School has named its top 10 graduates for the Class of 2023. They are:
Alayna Clouse is the daughter of James and Natalie Clouse of Escanaba. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and National Honor Society. Alayna’s high school activities include marching band, Silver Linings, Business Professionals of America, and EHS Musicals (Ranked and Sister Act). After graduation she plans to attend Bay College, where she will study business administration.
Nicholas Hamlin is the son of Dan and Alison Hamlin of Escanaba. His academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, National Honor Society member, and is also an AP Scholar with Honors. Nicholas’ high school activities include freshman and junior varsity basketball, freshman football, track and field (9th-12th grades), cross country (10th-12th grades), Silver Linings, Key Club, Student Council, Founding Member of the EHS Flag Club, National Honor Society president, and event ushering. After graduation Nicholas plans to attend the University of Michigan, where he will study biomedical engineering. He is currently employed at the YMCA as a lifeguard and a summer employee for the city of Escanaba as a beach lifeguard. He is also an altar server at St. Joseph/St. Patrick Parish. In his free-time he enjoys learning piano with Kim Beck, being a soccer coach, and volunteering throughout the community.
Matthew Kaven is the son of Brian and Marcie Kaven of Escanaba. His academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and National Honor Society. Along with being the senior class president, his other high school activities include playing varsity baseball all four-years, student council (9th-12th Grades), and marching band. Matthew is an avid hunter and fisherman; he plans to attend Northern Michigan University in the fall to study fisheries in wildlife. Matthew is an usher at Bethany Lutheran Church and also volunteers for soup deliveries during Lent.
Delaney McIntyre is the daughter of Tim McIntyre and Becky McIntyre, both of Escanaba. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and National Honor Society. Her high school career includes serving as the Key Club vice-president, Business Professionals of America vice-president, and school board liaison for student council. Delaney’s high school sports activities include varsity tennis, varsity softball, and team manager for varsity girls’ basketball. She is also a member of Silver Linings, yearbook, Quiz Bowl, and EHS musicals. Delaney plans to study environmental science at Michigan State University in the fall. She is currently employed at Freshwater Tavern and Biggby Coffee.
Leslie Purcell is the daughter of Ronnie Purcell of LaGrange, Georgia and April Regier of Escanaba. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, National Honor Society, College Board AP Scholar Award, and College Board National Rural and Small Town Scholar Award. She was a member of the varity tennis team for three-years. Her high school arts career includes being the 2019 Hogansville Hummingbird Festival Original Artwork Winner, and having her art displayed at the National Art Center Exhibition 2019 “Art for All”, which was organized by Sumi Enthusiast of Tokyo, Japan. Leslie has also served as the bulletin editor for the Key Club and a member of Silver Linings. In the fall, Leslie plans to attend Rochester Institute of Technology to study Liberal Arts Exploration. She is currently employed at Biggby Coffee, and enjoys volunteering at the Bonifas Art Center.
Carney Salo is the daughter of Todd and Caron Salo of Gladstone. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, National Honor Society, and MHSAA/Farm Bureau Insurance Scholar-Athlete Award. Carney has received athletic letters in softball, volleyball, and basketball. Her other achievements include being the senior class vice-president, a Business Professionals of America member, and a member of the MHSAA Student Advisory Council. Carney is planning to attend Northwood University in Midland, Mich. in the fall, to study sports medicine. She enjoys volunteering for Wildlife Unlimited, along with the volleyball programs at Holy Name and Escanaba. Carney is currently employed at Northern Lights YMCA.
Cierra Scott is the daughter of Steve and Brenda Scott of Escanaba. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and National Honor Society. Cierra also has the honor of being a previous Student of the Week. Her high school activities include Key Club, Silver Linings, EHS golf, EHS tennis and being a crew member for EHS musicals. In her spare time, she enjoys golfing and baking. Cierra plans to attend Ferris State University, majoring in pre-optometry with a minor in business. Currently she is employed at the Escanaba Country Club as a waitress and pro-shop attendant. Cierra also serves as a faith formation teacher at St. Anne’s Parish and as the assistant coach for Holy Name’s Science Olympiad Team.
Daniel Smith is the son of Brian and Amber Smith of Gladstone. His academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and being vice-president/member of the National Honor Society. Daniel has received his athletic letter in track and cross country. He is also active in marching, pep and jazz bands, solo and ensemble, and Ushering Club. In doing so, he has received his Performing Arts Letter. Daniel’s other achievements include being a senior class representative, Key Club, and Silver Linings. In the fall he plans to study neuroscience and behavior (pre-medicine) at the University of Notre Dame. His hobbies include playing the piano, running, traveling, and boating. Daniel also serves as an altar server for Holy Family Parish, and as a blood drive and Christmas basket volunteer (through the Key Club). He is currently employed at Menards.
Grace Sviland is the daughter of Matthew and Beth Sviland of Escanaba. Her academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, National Honor Society, and was awarded the Society of Women Engineers Certificate of Merit in November 2022. She has also participated in the Hillsdale College Study-Abroad Program where she traveled to Italy in July of 2022 to study Western Civilizations: Visions of Italy. Grace is an avid member of EHS performing arts, earning her a Performing Arts Letter. She has participated in Marching band (2022/23 season drum major), pep band, jazz band, full orchestra, solo and ensemble and EHS musicals (she was awarded the Lead Role of Deloris VanCartier in Sister Act). Grace is a Member of Silver Linings and serves as a Mo Buddy. She has been an Escanaba Daily Press Student of the Week twice throughout her high school career. In her spare-time she enjoys weightlifting, traveling, and being a cantor and altar server for St. Joseph/St. Patrick Parish. Grace is currently employed as a service worker and crew trainer at McDonald’s restaurant.
Wilson Zhao is the son of Long Zhao and Ya Ming Weng, both of Escanaba. His academic honors include an Academic Letter and Pin, and National Honor Society. Wilson has received his athletic letters in swim and tennis. In addition to his academic and athletic letters, he has also been awarded a Fine Arts Letter and Pin, and a robotics Letter. Wilson is a member of the chess club, Quiz Bowl team, Escanaba RoboMos, and plays the cello for the chamber orchestra. In the fall, he plans to study chemistry at the University of Michigan. Wilson is currently employed at Hong Kong Buffet.
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