Academics, activities, community service – SFHS Media asked teachers and administrators to weigh in on the graduating seniors they felt had made a difference in St. Francis High School over the past four years. The following students were the top 15 nominations who represented excellence in various and multiple ways.

1.  Natalie Hanson – Fine Arts (Theatre, Choir, Madrigals, Show Choir)

Natalie Hanson will be attending Aveda Institute in Minneapolis and taking classes at the Minneapolis photo center for photography. She will also be auditioning for shows.

She has been in Fall play, Madrigals, Show Choir, One Act (All conference award winner this year), Spring Musical (winning two honorable mention Spotlight awards in two years).

“Natalie has been a solid go-to person in my program for all four of her years. Students look up to her and her kindness (not just her talent) is key in my recommending her for this recognition,” said Director Glenn Morehouse Olson.

She hopes to leave behind her positive attitude and spirit in all the activities she has been in. Natalie was named Activities Female for the class of 2015.

 2. Max Mauch-Morff – Fine Arts (Theatre, Choir, Madrigals, Show Choir)

Max Mauch-Morff will be attending either Virterbo University in LaCrosse, Wisconsin to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre or University of St. Thomas to study religion.

During his time at SFHS, he was in Fall play, Madrigals, Show Choir, One Act, Spring Musical (he won outstanding Spotlight Awards this year as Ren in “Footloose” and last year as Donkey in “Shrek”,  and an honorable mention as a sophomore in “Grease.”

“Max has been the most influential senior male in my activity,” said Director Glenn Morehouse Olson. “He balances work and activities and has become a true leader. In addition to his work in theatre, he has led the school in the Pledge of Allegiance every Monday for two years.”

He also has written plays for Children’s Theatre and toured those to the elementary schools and has directed two years in a row. He was selected as Prom King this year.

 3. Alex Hillesheim – Academics and Athletics (Golf, Tennis, NHS)

Alex Hillesheim will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities to major in biochemistry. In the golf team she had a positive attitude always and trying to help the underclassmen to just get through it and have a fun attitude all the time.

“Alex is an outstanding student-athlete who has maintained a solid GPA and competed at a high level in both tennis and golf throughout her high school career,” said Coach Brent Swaggert.

She was involved with Tennis, Golf, NHS, and Youth Teaching Youth.

 

4. Lucas Carroll – Hockey, Jake Sake Foundation, SFCDA

Lucas Carroll will be playing hockey in hopes of playing college level one day. He hopes that he was a positive role model to all of the younger kids in school.

“Lucas has been a fantastic leader in the classroom and on the ice,” said nominating Coach Tyler Schaff. “I have had the pleasure of working with Lucas as his teacher and his hockey coach. He gives his maximum effort in all that he does and never settles for anything less than his best.”

In addition to his leadership on the ice, Carroll has volunteered with Feed My Starving Children, St. Francis Lions Club, Salvation Army, SFYHA Youth Hockey, and the St. Francis Community Drug Awareness group.

 

5. Madi Berwald  – Track and Cross Country

Madi Berwald will be attending the University of Minnesota Duluth to study biology to lead to a medical career. She has been a strong leader in Cross-Country, track, and various other activities she is involved in. She is always volunteering her time and being a good role model to the underclassmen.

“Madi is an outstanding leader in our school, activities/athletics, and our community,” said nominating teacher and coach Andrew Forbort. “She always puts other peoples’ needs before her own.  I’ve been impressed with her dedication and work ethic to everything she does to help those around her while still being an oustanding student-athlete.”

Berwald has been involved with Broadcasting, NHS, Track & Field, Cross Country, Link and Youth Teaching Youth, and has volunteered with Feed My Starving Children.

6. Zac Lachinski – Band

Zac Lachinski will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering for a major in mathematics.

Zac participated in many athletics and music activities. He represented SFHS as a member of the All-Conference Band, a soloist at Solo and Ensemble Competitions, a section leader for Wind Ensemble and sat 1^st Chair in this year’s Mississippi-8 All-Conference Band.

“As a member of our own Wind Ensemble Zac provides positive leadership and holds the group to a high standard, both by being prepared himself and encouraging his classmates to strive for higher levels of musicianship,” said nominating teacher Chad Armbruster. “It is great to see Zac’s enthusiasm for music as well as athletics as I know Zac is involved as a member of our Varsity Baseball Team.  Zac has balanced a college preparatory class schedule while maintaining a high level of achievement.”

7. April Rheault-Band

April Rheault will be attending the University of Minnesota Morris to study biology. She has made a big difference and been an outstanding leader in band and pit orchestra.

“April Rheault is one of the most trustworthy, hard working and kind students I have ever had the opportunity to teach and work with,” said Band Director and nominating teacher Chad Armbruster. “April goes above and beyond her responsibilities as a student in each of her classes and activities to assist with the things that need to be done. There are times when I have to tell April to go home because she wants to stay after class or rehearsal to clean and reset the music areas that we rehearse in.”

Armbruster said that  April takes a lot of pride in being a student at SFHS and she enjoys representing our school as a member of the Colorguard at parades during the summer and at Drumline Competitions as a member of the Indoor Drumline. 

“April is going to be successful at whatever she chooses to do after High School because she works hard, takes responsibility for herself and is constantly looking for ways to lead by example,” Armbruster said.

8.  Sam Burville-Speech

Sam Burville will be attending Concordia College in Moorhead. He is still undecided, but would like to do something with communications because he has been in speech for four years. He was a leader in speech and band.

“He has been one of the most active captains the speech program has known,” said English Teacher and Speech Coach Mark Thul. “He’s a quiet leader who inspires both by example and encouragement. He has a strong sense of duty and follows through on everything. He proves that effective leadership need not be loud and in your face.”

Sam hopes that other people will follow that and be respectful and just stay true to their activities. Finally he hopes that others will strive to make a difference.

 9. Megan Houle-Debate and Site Management Council

Megan Houle will be going to college in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to study biochemistry. As part of the Site Management Council, Megan helped the district have the student perspective. She was also a leader in the debate program.

“I strongly recommend Megan Houle as one of the Super 15 people at St. Francis High School,” said Debate Coach Steven Fetzik. ” As my debate captain, Megan has exhibited strong leadership, a positive attitude, and a willingness to succeed. However, Megan is more than just a debate captain.  She is a leader in her school and community.  It is her dedication to others and her willingness to lift them up that makes her a truly special person.”

Houle’s list of school and volunteer activities is almost endless. She has participated in Marching Band, Jazz Band,  Debate, Speech, Student Congress, National Honor Society, and Site Management Council.

She has volunteered at Feed my Starving Children, on the ISD 15 Strategic Planning Committee, for the Cedar Creek Winter Carnival, at St. Peters Catholic Church, for the St. Francis 5K, for the Kindness Retreat, and for the American Red Cross, among others. 

10. Bryce Butler– Track, Academics and Football

Bryce Butler will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the College of Science and Engineering to study computer engineering. He made a difference by having strong academic pursuits. His nominating teachers said he was nice to others and very involved in Football, Weight and Fitness Training, and Track.

“I have had the pleasure of teaching Bryce in my world literature class and my fitness class. In both environments, Bryce exceeds expectations and serves as a positive role model for his peers,” said English Teacher Brittany Moffatt. “He has a positive attitude and remains optimistic through challenging experiences. Furthermore, Bryce encourages his peers and always demonstrates a hard-working persona.”

Bryce was co-vice president of NHS, participated in snow boarding club,  played 11 years of football, and participated for 3 years in weight training.

In addition, Bryce volunteered with student council (even though he was not a member of student council), he volunteered as a math tutor during academic time in the IMC, and he was active in Boy Scouts and worked to complete his Eagle Scout this past year. 

11. Daycota McDuffie-Choir

Daycota McDuffie will be attending Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa to study psychology and minor in music. Her nominating teacher, Lukas Warren, noted her positive attitude and her determination in her choir activities.

“Daycota has been such a hard working and committed student from day one of 9th grade choir,” said Warren. “Daycota is such a dependable student and is always where she needs to be, when she needs to be there.  She is ALWAYS on task and is one of the hardest workers I’ve yet to encounter since teaching here at SFHS.  Music and singing is something that Daycota loves so very much, but is not a skill that has just happened automatically.  She has worked SO diligently to earn every spot in every group she is in and has improved leaps and bounds since her freshmen year.  She is really a story of a student who’s hard work over 4 years has really come to fruition.  Such a kind-hearted and thoughtful young woman; Daycota is a model student for everyone at SFHS.”

12. Ethan Scheuring-Basketball and Academics

Ethan Scheuring will be attending Hamline University to study biochemistry and play basketball. He was nominated as a positive role model for the underclassmen and a great person to look up to. He was proud to have a hand in taking the Saints to State in basketball this year.

“Ethan really embodies what you’d like to see in student-athletes.  Here is one of the best players in MN, who also is a 4.0 and is the AAA award winner from St. Francis,” said Teacher and Coach Ryan Hauge. “Ethan really is a role model with all that he’s been involved in and how he’s excelled in the classroom and on the court.

Scheuring was involved with Basketball, Football,  HOSA, NHS, and Choir.  He also  volunteered with his church as a confirmation instructor.

13. Haley Stoeckel-Academics and Extracurricular Activities

Haley Stoeckel will be attending Winona State University. She has always had a positive attitude and has always been kind to the underclassmen.

“Haley is a great student and role model,” said nominating teacher Janel Simmons. “She works hard to get good grades and is a very conscientious student.  She is friendly and respectful to other students and adults.”

Over her years at SFHS, Haley has been involved with NHS, Volleyball, and Youth Mentoring. In addition, she does a lot of volunteering for her church with Vacation Bible School, ushering and videotaping.

14. John Santiago-Football

John Santiago will be attending the University of North Dakota to major in kinesiology and will also be playing football. John was good at introducing new students to the school. His welcoming spirit and his leadership and skill in football got him nominated.

“John has had an outstanding athletic career at SFHS,” said nominating teacher and coach Chris Lindquist. “He has worked very hard and is a good young man and student.”

15. Bailey DeMar- Female Athlete of the Year

Bailey Demar will be attending North Dakota State University and competing on their track team. She was named Female Athlete of the Year for her skill and leadership both on and off the track.

“Bailey DeMar participated in Dance and Track and Field, was All-State/All-Conference Track & Field, was a school record holder, captain and All-state and all-conference dance team member,” said Activities Director Jeff Fink. “She is a top-notch student who represents our school well.”