PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights High School recognizes the academic top 10% of its senior class each year. This year, that group is comprised of 32 students.
The Times-Post has published short profiles of the students across several weeks in the paper from April 2-30. Here is the complete list.
Daniel Aker
Daniel Aker is currently ranked No. 1 with a GPA of 13.16. He is the son of Cindy and Brian Aker. Aker has participated in soccer, Arabian Allies, National Honor Society, German Club and Beta Club. He also plays club soccer. Aker plans to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, where he will major in physics and earn his master’s in medical physics. He wants to become a radiation physicist.
Austin Davis
Austin Davis is currently ranked No. 2 with a GPA of 13.1. He is the son of Leslie and Scott Davis. Davis has been a member of golf team, cross country team, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Spanish Club and National Spanish Honor Society. He also participated in Anchors Away, plays piano and guitar with Fall Creek Christian Church Worship Band, and volunteers in the FCC Friendship Bible Study and youth group. Davis plans to attend Taylor University to play golf and study engineering physics. He wants to become an engineer.
Emma Caldwell
Emma Caldwell is currently ranked No. 3 with a GPA of 13.0714. She is the daughter of Todd and Chandra Caldwell. Caldwell has been a member of choir (Pendletones and Emerald Suites), varsity tennis, Pendleton Players, class officers (president), Student Council, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club, Best Buddies, Spanish Club, Spell Bowl, SADD, FCCLA, Steering Committee, Prom Committee and Powderpuff. Caldwell also participated in Pendleton Emergency Ambulance Rookie Program, Leadership Academy of Madison County, Pendleton Christian Church and Second Family youth group. Caldwell plans to attend Butler University to major in psychology and minor in Spanish. She also wants to study pre-medicine. Caldwell hopes to become a pediatric physician’s assistant.
Kainoa Moore
Kainoa Moore is currently ranked No. 4 with a GPA of 12.98. He is the son of Ronald and Michele Moore. Moore has been a member of varsity soccer, Beta Club, French Club and National Honor Society. He also plays club soccer. Moore plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, where he will play soccer and study biomedical engineering and maybe declare pre-med. He wants to become a biomedical engineer or pediatrician.
Anna Childers
Anna Childers is currently ranked No. 5 with a grade-point average of 12.9123. She is the daughter of Jason and Michelle Childers. Childers has been a Student Council member, class officer (vice president), Student Athletic Council president, Athlete of Character, Best Buddies president and four-year varsity soccer player and team captain. She has been part of Pendleton Players, Beta Club, National Honor Society (officer), band wind ensemble and track. She also tutors at Pendleton Elementary School, and creates and sells jewelry. Childers plans to attend Butler University, where she wants to double major in biology and chemistry and minor in neuroscience. She is interested in becoming a neurologist or going into scientific research.
Zachary Nelson
Zachary Nelson is currently ranked No. 6 with a GPA of 12.84. Nelson is the son of Michael Nelson and Amy Nelson. He has been a member of National Honor Society, varsity tennis, Beta Club, Spell Bowl, Spanish Club and National Spanish Honor Society. He is also a 10-year 4-H member. In addition to playing games and spending time with family and friends, Zachary also enjoys traveling and seeing new places. He plans to attend Purdue University to study engineering. Zachary is undecided on specific career path but wants something involving his love of math and science.
Connor Hendrickson
Connor Hendrickson is currently ranked No. 7 with a GPA of 12.74. He is the son of Dale and Staci Hendrickson. He has been a member of varsity soccer (four years), Beta Club (four years), National Honor Society, German Club and National German Honor Society. He also participated in club soccer at Sporting Indiana FC (three years) and Arabian Soccer Summer Youth Camp. He enjoys sports, video games, music and comedy. Hendrickson plans to attend Indiana Tech in Fort Wayne, where he wants to major in business administration sports management and play soccer. Hendrickson’s goal is to work for a professional sports organization.
Abigail R. Jacobs
Abigail R. Jacobs is currently ranked No. 8 with a GPA of 12.6637. She is the daughter of Ryan and Lorri Jacobs. She has been a member of Student Council, Social Studies Academic Team, German Club, GAPP, National German Honor Society, National Honor Society, Beta Club, French Club, Steering Committee, FCCLA, Best Buddies, bowling team, Arabian Allies, SADD and Pendleton Players. Jacobs also volunteers as a tutor/mentor at A Heart for Kids. She plans to attendButler University to study global studies. She wants to work in foreign relations.
Jackson Long
Jackson Long is currently ranked No. 9 with a GPA of 12.62. He is the son of Amanda Long and Jason Long. He has been a member of tennis, Beta Club, Pendleton Robotics, National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, eSports and Spell Bowl. He also plays pickleball. Long plans to attend a four-year college to pursue a degree in computer engineering. He plans to become a computer hardware/software engineer.
Averi Lanman
Averi Lanman is currently ranked No. 10 with a GPA of 12.56. She is the daughter of Beth and Dan Lanman. She has been a member of Pendleton Players, volleyball, Beta Club, National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. Lanman is also a part of Harvest Students Youth Group. She plans to attend Marian University to play volleyball and study nursing, psychology or education. She is interested in becoming either a nurse, therapist or teacher.
Kylie Clevenger
Kylie Clevenger is currently ranked No. 11 with a GPA of 12.48. She is the daughter of Kirsten VanMarter-Clevenger and Tom Clevenger. She has been a member of National Honor Society (treasurer), Beta Club, Student Council, track and field, French Club and the float committee. Clevenger plans to attend Butler University to study biology or health sciences followed by physical therapy school. She would like to be a pediatric physical therapist.
Jillian Youtsey
Jillian Youtsey is currently ranked No. 12 with a grade-point average of 12.4423. She is the daughter of Chris and Sunnie Youtsey. She has been a member of cross country, swimming and diving, track and field, unified track, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, SADD, Best Buddies, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Outdoor Adventure Club, Arabian Allies and Pendleton Players. Youtsey also participated in the Pendleton Emergency Ambulance Rookie Program. She plans to attend Indiana State University to major in nursing and minor in Spanish. She hopes to become a nurse practitioner.
Jackson McKinney
Jackson McKinney is currently ranked No. 13 with a GPA of 12.4151. He is the son of Jeff and Jill McKinney. He has been a member of varsity tennis, Pendleton Players, senior class officers (secretary), attendance office assistant, SADD and Arabian Allies. McKinney also enjoys camping and playing the guitar. Jackson plans to attend Purdue University to study electrical engineering. He wants to become an engineer.
Ashley Goyer
Ashley Goyer is currently ranked No. 14 with a GPA of 12.3905. She is the daughter of Joni and Ross Goyer. She has been a member of Beta Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, FCCLA, SADD, Student Council, Prom Committee, Steering Committee and Math Academic Team. Goyer plans to attend Purdue University to major in marketing with a minor in Spanish. Goyer wants to become a brand manager.
Angela Magaletti
Angela Magaletti is currently ranked No. 15 with a GPA of 12.3137. She is the daughter of Frank Magaletti and Noëlle Rigaud. She has been a member of Beta Club and French Club. Magaletti also loves ceramics and painting. She plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to major in chemistry. Magaletti plans to be a cosmetic chemist or chemical engineer.
Aubrey Helpling
Aubrey Helpling is currently ranked No. 16 with a GPA of 12.2673. Helpling is the daughter of Jeff and Lucille Helpling. She has been a member of volleyball (four years at Pendleton Heights, two years club, named to All-Academic Team for Hoosier Heritage Conference, earned IHSVCA Academic All-State award), National Honor Society, Beta Club, Student Council, Pendleton Players and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She is a member of Madison Park Church of God youth group, where she serves on the student leadership team, sings with the praise and worship band, and participates in many community projects. She also enjoys baking and decorating cakes. Helpling plans to attend Ball State University to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology. She wants to become a speech pathologist and work in a school, hospital or nursing home.
Leonard Dixon
Leonard Dixon is currently ranked No. 17 with a GPA of 12.1739. He is the son of Dora and Dave Dixon. He participated in The Muse at Pendleton Heights. He plans to attend Indiana University in Bloomington to study computer science. Dixon is interested in working on artificial intelligence development or software engineering.
Isabel Taylor
Isabel Taylor is currently ranked No. 18 with a grade-point average of 12.1636. She is the daughter of Amos and Michelle Taylor. She has been a member of National Honor Society (president), Student Council (treasurer), Beta Club, Arabian Allies, Social Studies Academic Team, SADD, FCCLA, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Steering Committee and Prom Committee. Taylor plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study biomedical engineering. She wants to become a biomedical engineer and own a company that will allow her to send medical teams to impoverished countries.
Luke Hargrave
Luke Hargrave is currently ranked No. 19 with a GPA of 12.1154. He is the son of John and Laura Hargrave. He has been a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society and baseball. Hargrave also tutors elementary students at Pendleton Elementary School. He attends Northview Church, where he is a part of the youth group and a volunteer life group leader for fifth-grade boys. He is there as someone the kids can go to and ask questions about their life and their faith. Hargrave plans to attend Indiana State University on a pre-medicine track and major in chemistry. He plans to become an anesthesiologist.
Evan Bobb
Evan Bobb is currently ranked No. 20 with a GPA of 12. He is the son of Lee and Lana Bobb. He has been a member of National Honor Society, Beta Club, Arabian Allies, Student Council, Pendleton Players and varsity tennis. He is also a part of Youth Leadership Academy, volunteers at More than Conquerors, and is part of Second Family youth group. Bobb plans to attend Purdue University to study chemistry. He plans to become a physical therapist.
Amelia Meiers
Amelia Meiers is currently ranked No. 21 with a GPA of 11.9783. She is the daughter of David and Becky Meiers. She has been a member of Beta Club, FCCLA, French Club, National Honor Society, Outdoor Adventure Club, Pendleton Players, International Thespian Society, Steering Committee, Student Council and tennis. Meiers plans to attend Indiana University to major in biology and then attend Indiana University School of Medicine. She is interested in becoming a doctor or surgeon.
Joshua Lamb
Joshua Lamb is currently ranked No. 22 with a GPA of 11.9192. He is the son of Christopher and Gretchen Lamb. He has been a member of The MUSE and Fine Arts Academic Bowl. Lamb enjoys writing narrative stories and screenplays. He also enjoys producing short films with his friends. He plans to attend Columbia College-Chicago to major in filmmaking. He plans on becoming a screenwriter.
Alyssa Hall
Alyssa Hall is currently ranked No. 23 with a GPA of 11.8936. She is the daughter of Scott and Heather Hall. She has been a member of National Honor Society, Student Athletic Council, Beta Club, Best Buddies, Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society and varsity volleyball, softball and basketball. She attends youth group at Pendleton Christian Church and volunteers at Adventure Camp and Vacation Bible School. Hall plans to attend Anderson University to play volleyball and softball. She is undecided on specific studies. She is interested in nursing and counseling, where she can help others.
Elayna Sisson
Elayna Sisson is currently ranked No. 24 with a GPA of 11.8269. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Ambre Sisson. She has been a member of student council, diving, National Honor Society (secretary), Spanish Club, National Spanish Honor Society, Pendleton Players, International Thespian Society, Youth Leadership Academy, BALANCE and Beta Club. She enjoys making art and volunteering. She plans to attend Ringling College of Art and Design to study illustration and visual development. She wants to become a Visual Development artist.
Quinn Miles
Quinn Miles is currently ranked No. 25 with a grade-point average of 11.7255. She is the daughter of James and Rebecca Miles. She has been a member of The MUSE, WEEM, Pendleton Players theater program; fine arts academic team and Film Club. She enjoys drawing, painting, weightlifting, baking and cooking, and roller-skating. Quinn plans to attend Taylor University and major in graphic arts and illustration. She hopes to become an illustrator for graphic novels, video games or children’s books. Her dream job is to create conceptual art and storyboards for films.
Megan Porter
Megan Porter is currently ranked No. 26 with a GPA of 11.6893. She is the daughter of Rob and Courtney Porter. She has participated in French Club, softball, cross country, track, Student Council and Prom Committee. Porter plans to attend Bethel University to study exercise science and play softball. She wants to become a physician’s assistant or physical therapist.
Aden Koperczak
Aden Koperczak is currently ranked No. 27 with a GPA of 11.6869. He is the son of Noel and Janette Koperczak. He has been a member of Pendleton Heights band (two years), Boy Scouts of America Troop 232 and FIRST Inspires Robotics Competition Team. Koperczak plans to attend Purdue University or Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study computer engineering. He wants to become a computer engineer.
Madison Likens
Madison Likens is currently tied at rank No. 28 with a GPA of 11.5. She is the daughter of Matt Likens and Julie Whaley. She has been a member of Pendleton Heights girls varsity soccer, National Honor Society, Beta Club, Prom Committee and Pendleton Players’ play “The Lion King.” Likens has also participated in the PEA Rookie Program and Sporting Indiana FC Club Soccer. Madison plans to attend Purdue University to study nursing with a minor in Spanish. She hopes to become a nurse and work at Riley Hospital for Children in the emergency room.
Ashley Gibson
Ashley Gibson is currently tied at rank No. 28 with a GPA of 11.5. She is the daughter of Kari and Brian Gibson. She has been a member of Pendletones (show choir), Unified Track, National Honor Society, Pendleton Players (theater), Best Buddies, Beta Club, Student Council, Arabian Allies and Spanish Club. Gibson also participated in the Pendleton Emergency Ambulance Rookie Program. She plans to attend either Purdue University or University of Southern Indiana to study nursing. She hopes to become a nurse practitioner.
Sydney Davis
Sydney Davis is currently ranked No. 30 with a GPA of 11.4854. She is the daughter of Jacqueline Davis and James Davis III. She has been a member of Pendleton Heights Marching Band & Winter Guard, Spanish Club, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society and FCCLA. Davis has also been a member of Boy Scouts of America. She plans to attend Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning (CAP program). She hopes to become an architect.
Camden Tomey
Camden Tomey is currently ranked No. 31 with a GPA of 11.4752. He is the son of Tami and Daren Tomey. He plans to attend Purdue University to study mechanical engineering.
Mackenzie Grigsby
Mackenzie Grigsby is currently ranked No. 32 with a grade-point average of 11.4643. She is the daughter of Holly and Jim Grigsby. Mackenzie has been a member of National Honor Society; Beta Club; Family, Career and Community Leaders of America; Spanish Club; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Student Council; Steering Committee; Prom Committee and National Spanish Honor Society. She
plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to study construction management and interior design. Grigsby hopes to become an interior designer.
