Class of 2025 Top Scholars
HICKSVILLE HIGH SCHOOL
Graduation is May 25, 2025 at the school at 2:00 p.m.
Elise Katherine Baldwin has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for Hicksville High School. Academic Achievements & Awards include: Honor Roll 2013 – Present; High school Scholar Athlete 2022 – Present; 2023 Innovative Interview Champion; 2023 Essential Ace. Elise was also a part of the following offices, extracurriculars, clubs, and groups: 4-H Member (2014 – Present) as Social Media Manager, Vice President, President; National Honor Society (NHS) Member (Since Junior Year) with current role as Vice President; Student Council Member (2017 – Present) with current role as Vice President; Foreign Language Club Member (Since Sophomore Year); Volleyball (2016 – Present); Club Volleyball (2020 – Present); Track and Field (2023 – 2025); Softball (2022); Hicksville Schools Foundation Student Liaison (2025). She also earned the following scholarships: Full Tuition Presidential Scholarship, Governors Merit scholarship, Hicksville Schools Foundation Scholarship. After high school, Elise plans to attend Northwest State Community College to pursue a career in Nursing. Elise is the daughter of Trisha Baldwin
Maria Saunders has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for Hicksville High School. Her Academic Achievements & Awards include: All A’s Honor Roll, Student of the Quarter, Physical Science Student of the Year, Outstanding Honors English 11 Student (2024), Outstanding Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus Student (2023), and Top Chemistry Student (2023). Maria also was involved in the following offices, extracurriculars, clubs, and groups: Marching Band (Percussion Section Leader: 11-12, Member: 9-12), Pep Band (Played drum set: 9-12), Academic Team (Captain: 12, Social Media Coordinator: 10-12, Varsity Letter Winner: 10-12, Member: 9-12), 4-H (President: 12, Vice-President: 11, Communications Officer: 10, Camp Counselor: 9-12, Member: 5-12), Track & Field (Varsity Letter Winner: 9-11), Envirothon (Team Captain: 12, Member of the State Envirothon Team: 11-12), School Musicals (Cast Member: 9-12), National Honor Society (President: 12, Member: 11-12), Foreign Language Club (President: 11-12, Member: 9-12), Upwards Basketball Referee (12), SWCD Day Camp Volunteer (9-10). She earned the Governor’s Merit Scholarship, OHIO Admission Promise, and OHIO Excellence Scholar. After high school Maria plans to attend Ohio University to study Journalism with a minor in German. Maria is the daughter of Larry and Jessica Saunders
Abigail Gatchell has been named Class of 2025 Salutatorian for Hicksville High School. She has been on Honor roll, Top Chemistry student, Student of the quarter, Outstanding drama 1 student, Scholar athlete, Ceramics award and Outstanding accomplishments in art. Offices, Extracurriculars, Clubs, and Groups that Abigail has been a part of include: Academic team, Track and Field, Theater, Choir, Envirothon, Dance, 4-H, Foreign Language Club, Book club, and NHS. After high school she plans to attend Indiana Wesleyan University to do an Exploratory study. She is the daughter of Roger and Vicki Gatchell
Ciannah Keeley has been named Class of 2025 Salutatorian for Hicksville High School. She achieved Honor Roll and National Honors Society during high school. Offices, Extracurriculars, Clubs, and Groups that Ciannah was involved in include: Student Council, SkillsUSA Leadership Team, NTHS Member, Student Ambassador, Career Explorer, Drug Free Club, Book Club, Softball, Franklin B. Walter Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Participate in Face painting for local events. After high school she plans to attend Northwest State Community College to study Visual Communication and Graphic Design. Ciannah is the daughter of Mark and Amber Keeley
Austin Matthew Sanders has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for Hicksville High School. His academic achievements & awards include being Valedictorian and Honor Roll. Austin also was involved in the following offices, extracurriculars, clubs, and groups: Football, Basketball, Baseball, National Honor Society, Environthon Team, and Class President. He achieved the Merit Scholarship and Ohio Governor’s Scholarship. After high school, Austin plans to attend the University of Akron to study Sport Analytics. Austin is the son of Matt and Mitzi Sanders.
LEO HIGH SCHOOL
Graduation is May 30, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Grace Busch has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for Leo High School. GPA earned: 4.401. Extracurricular and community activities for which she participated include Basketball, Track & Field, Student Council, Students Sharing Hearts, Yearbook Committee, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, EDGE program, Lift Prayer Group, and Paw Ball. Grace’s awards, recognitions, or scholarships include Rising Stars of Indiana, Sertoma Award, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, Academic All-State
Track & Field and Basketball. Outside of school, she enjoys Traveling, Hanging out with friends, and Pathway’s Youth Group. After high school, Grace plans to attend Taylor University to study Youth Ministry and Business. Grace stated, “God has placed it on my heart to study youth ministry and love others as He has loved us.” She is the daughter of Nate and Tracy Busch.
Lauren Cieslinski has been named Class of 2025 Salutatorian for Leo High School. She earned a 4.390 GPA. Extracurriculars and community activities that she has been involved include: Soccer, Student Council, Journalism, National Honor Society, Honduras Mission Trip, KidCity and 2nd grade Church Small Group Leader. Awards, recognitions, or scholarships Lauren has earned are Soccer Academic All-State, NE8 Defender of the Year, Rising Star of Indiana, Grace College Presidential Scholarship, and the Grace Heritage Scholarship. Outside of school, she enjoys Hunter-Jumper horseback riding, Working w/grieving parents, IMPACT, Hiking, Biking, and Mission Trips. After high school Grace plans to attend studying Pre-Med. “I’ve always been fascinated by medicine – not just the science, but the opportunity to intentionally care for people when they need it,” she stated. Lauren is the daughter of Jodie Miller and Richard Cieslinski.
NEW HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL:
Graduation is May 31, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Diana Rhodes has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for New Haven High School. She earned a 4.371 GPA. Extracurricular and community activities she participated in Theater and Golf. Diana earned Rising Stars of Indiana Award and a Full-ride Scholarship to Vincennes University. Outside of school she enjoys crocheting and listening to music. After high school, she plans to attend Vincennes University to pursue an Associates in Funeral Services. “Grieving and funerals are an important part of most peoples’ lives, and I want to be there to help them through it,” Diana stated. She is the daughter of Amy Jones-Schild and Greg Rhodes.
Isabelle Ebert has been named Class of 2025 Salutatorian for New Haven High School. She earned a GPA 4.318. Extracurricular and community involvement include Academic Super Bowl, Spell Bowl, and theatre. Isabelle has earned the following awards, recognitions, or scholarships: National Scholastic Writing Award, Writing Awards, Academic Super Bowl Best English, Science and Journalism student. Outside the classroom, she enjoys Sewing, Writing, and Embroidery. After high school, Isabelle plans to attend University of Purdue Fort Wayne to pursue a degree in History because she says, “I’ve always loved learning about the past.” She is the daughter of Cheryl Tatum.
WOODLAN HIGH SCHOOL:
Graduation is May 28, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
Brooklynn Bledsoe has been named Class of 2025 Valedictorian for Woodlan High School. She earned a 4.356 GPA. During high school, Brooklynn has been involved in the following extracurriculars and community activities: Vice President of the Mayor’s Youth, Advisory Council, Girl Scout Troops, Woodlan Bowling Team, Service Club & National Honors Society. The awards, recognitions, and scholarships she has earned include Rising Star of Indiana, Purdue’s Presidential Scholarship, Bowler of the Week, Academic Honors Award, and DAR Good Citizen. Outside of school she enjoys playing Kahoot, spending time with friends, playing video games & drawing. After high school she plans to attend Purdue University – West Lafayette to pursue a degree in Agribusiness because “I have always held a deep admiration and love for both plants and animals around the world,” she stated. Brooklynn is the daughter of Travis Bledsoe and Valarie Penland.
Reagan Widenhoefer has been named Class of 2025 Salutatorian for Woodlan High School. She earned a 4.354 GPA. During high school, Reagan was involved in two years of volleyball, as well as track and field, basketball, prom committee, student council, and National Honors Society. She earned the following awards, recognitions, and scholarships: Rising Star of Indiana, Principal’s Scholars, and Academic All Conference. Outside the classroom, Reagan enjoys going to the beach, playing pickleball, going shopping with friends, and going to the lake. After high school, she plans to attend Purdue University — West Lafayette to pursue a degree in business. “I have always had an interest in the business field from a young age,” Reagan stated. She is the daughter of Jared and Michelle Widenhoefer.
