Seven LCS seniors recognized at Foundation Honors Banquet

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Students in the top five percent of the 2009 graduating class at Le Mars Community Schools are, seated (from left) -- Chris Bergquist, Anna Powell and Spencer Vore. Standing -- Emily TeBrink, Cassie Kuiken, Briana Engebretson and Cara Clement. [Click to enlarge]

Seven Le Mars Community High School seniors, the top 5 percent of the graduating class of 2009, were recognized for academic excellence at the 14th Annual Foundation Honors Banquet April 17.

Superintendent Dr. Todd Wendt made the presentation of the students, who he said are not only outstanding students, but also involved in so many activities that make Le Mars Community, in his opinion, one of the the top high schools in the area.

"I think it is important for us to not only recognize their academic accomplishments, but also to realize what kind of contributions they've been making to Le Mars Community High School during their last four years," Wendt said.

The banquet is co-sponsored by the Le Mars Community Schools Board of Education and the Le Mars Community School District Foundation.

The students honored and their activities are:

Chris Bergquist, son of Jon and Amy Bergquist, who plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in biology and pre-med.

Bergquist is involved in football, baseball, student council, NHS, Science Bowl, NASA Space Settlement Design Competition, Student Leadership Team, Spanish Club, tutoring, and working at Pizza Hut.

Cara Clement, daughter of Dan and Judy Clement, has plans to attend a four-year college, majoring in pre-dentistry. She is involved in Cross Country, Track, Student Ambassador, Student Council, Spanish Club and works at Archie's.

Briana Engebretson, daughter of Al and Connie Engebretson, has plans to attend Briar Cliff University. She is involved in Student Council, NHS, Student Ambassador, Youth Group, Student Leadership Team, Student Ministry Team, band, cross country, missions trip to Kosovo, FCA, HOPE, Spanish Club, Calculus Club, Advanced English Club, Government Club and works at Family Table.

Cassie Kuiken, daughter of Rob and Annette Kuiken, has plans to attend Wayne State College and major in math and minor in Spanish. She is involved with Spanish Club, volleyball, softball, 4-H, member of St. Joseph's Parish, Struble, where she worked at church dinners and was a mass server. Kuiken works at Family Table in Sioux Center.

Anna Powell, daughter of James and Barbara Powell, has plans to attend a four-year college and major in chemistry with a mathematics minor. She is involved in Quiz Bowl, National Honor Society, Ames Lab/ISU Science Bowl, Advanced English Club, Calculus Club, concert choir, chamber choir, women's choir, orchestra, Cordas da Camara, Symphony, State Solo and Ensemble Contest, fall play, spring play, musical, Children's Theatre, Madrigal, Thespians and Large Group Speech.

Powell is a member of the Le Mars Board of Education District Learning Instructional Impact Team, Le Mars Community Schools' Student Leadership Team, Le Mars Community Schools Music Boosters, High School Library Aide, Le Mars Arts Council Youth Advisory Board for Arts, Plymouth County Fair, and the Dance Studio.

Emily TeBrink, daughter of Jeff and Mikkel TeBrink, has plans to attend Central College in Pella, and participate in softball and major in secondary education, majoring in math with a minor in Spanish. She is involved in volleyball, track, softball, Student Council, Student Ambassador Program, National Honor Society, Government Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Spencer Vore, son of Curt and Lori Vore, has plans to attend Iowa State University and major in business. He is involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, NASA Space Settlement Design Competition, Rotary Club Student of the Month for December 2008, LCHS Coaching Boys into Men representative, orchestra, football team captain, wrestling team captain, homecoming royalty, Spanish Club, Government Club, Calculus Club, Advanced

English Club, Little League Flag Football Coach and is currently employed at Pizza Hut.

Also honored at the annual banquet were the Teacher of the Year, Employee of the Month recipients and district employees of 25 years. The banquet was held at the Primebank meeting room.