PENDLETON — Pendleton Heights High school recognizes the Top 10% of the year’s graduating class.

There are 32 students in that group for the Class of 2023. The countdown continues this week with Nos. 24 through 17. It will continue through a couple more editions of The Times-Post.

Jason Lyst

Jason Lyst

Jason Lyst is currently ranked No. 24 with a grade-point average of 12.1569. He is the son of James Lyst and Almira Lyst. During high school, Jason has participated in track and field, cross country, robotics and Bridge Bust. He loves to play chess and is very interested in astronomy. His plans are to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to study computer engineering. Jason aspires to become a hardware engineer or an electrical engineer.

 

Jillian Gaar

Jillian Gaar

Jillian Gaar is currently ranked No. 23 with a GPA of 12.16. She is the daughter of Pam and Stephen Gaar. Throughout her high school career, Jillian has been active in Beta Club, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), National Honor Society and Spanish Club. Outside of school, she enjoys participating in competitive gymnastics. As of now, Jillian is undecided on where she would like to attend college and she is still deciding what she would like to study.

Kameron Kail

Kameron Kail

Kameron Kail is currently ranked No. 22 with a GPA of 12.1667. He is the son of Kris and Angie Kail. Kameron has been involved in Student Council, National Honor Society and Best Buddies. He has also played on the varsity soccer team, where he was a team captain. Outside of school, he has been a member of the Indy Premier Soccer Club and active in his church as well as his youth group. He will attend the University of Illinois Springfield and play soccer there. Kameron will study biology and he hopes to be an anaesthesiologist.

Madelynn Petty

Madelynn Petty

Madelynn Petty is currently ranked No. 21 with a GPA of 12.2653. She is the daughter of Tim and Chasey Petty. Her extracurricular activities include volleyball, softball, Beta Club, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society as well as Fellowship of Christian Athletes. When Madelynn is not involved in school activities, she enjoys playing travel softball, painting, singing and reading. Her plan is to attend a Christian College where she will study architecture and interior design. Madelynn would like to make this her career and incorporate missionary work into her business.

Ian McLaughlin

Ian McLaughlin

Ian McLaughlin is currently ranked No. 20 with a GPA of 12.2692. He is the son of Cynthia and Matthew McLaughlin. In high school, Ian has been active in National Honor Society, Beta Club, robotics club, wind ensemble, marching band, cross country, and track and field. He enjoys participating in 4-H, 3D printing, editing videos and competing in Purdue’s Annual Bridge Bust. He will attend Purdue University. Ian will study engineering and hopes to become a mechanical engineer.

Chloe Erdos

Chloe Erdos

Chloe Erdos is currently No. 19 with a GPA of 12.2778. She is the daughter of Raymond and Kelly Erdos. She has been a member of the Academic Superbowl team and was a Social Studies team captain. She was a member of Beta Club, Student Council, Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society. Chloe is also a member of International Thespian Society and was the WEEM music director for two years. In her free time, she sings and plays the keyboard for her band. She is very passionate about music. Her plan is to attend Ball State University in the fall and major in media and music production. She intends to minor in business and Spanish. Chloe hopes to open her own recording studio one day and work as a media/music producer.

Olivia Burns

Olivia Burns

Olivia Burns is currently ranked No. 18 with a GPA of 12.2857. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Stephanie Burns. She has played softball in high school. Olivia also enjoys playing for her travel team, Indiana Shock. She’s a member of Beta Club, FCCLA, National Honor Society, SADD and French Club. Her plan is to attend Flagler College to study childhood education. While Olivia has not officially decided yet, she is looking at becoming a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or a preschool teacher.

Sophie Kaster

Sophie Kaster

Sophie Kaster is currently ranked No. 17 with a GPA of 12.3148. She is the daughter of Kate and Greg Kaster. She has been a member of the swim team as well as Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society and Beta Club. In Sophie’s free time, she likes to work, be active in her youth group and work out. Her plan is to attend the University of Tennessee and study kinesiology and dietetics. Sophie hopes to be an oncology physician’s assistant.