IMLAY CITY — The culmination of their high school years is nearly here for the Class of 2021.
Imlay City High School graduates will receive their diplomas on Sunday, June 6, as proud family and friends look on.
As is tradition, Imlay City Schools has recognized those seniors who’ve garnered impressive academic success during their time in the district and comprise the Class of 2021’s Top Ten.
Imlay City’s High School Class of 2021’s Valedictorian is Joshua Eades. Josuha is graduating from Imlay City High School with a 4.0 GPA over the course of his four-year high school career. Joshua is the son of Jacob Eades and Amber Galvan.
Joshua is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. Previous to this year he has scored among the top in our nation on his PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test), granting him the title of College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Scholar.
Next year, Joshua plans to attend Central Michigan University and major in astronomy. Finally, Joshua cites his father as the most influential person in his life.
Imlay City’s High School Class of 2021’s Salutatorian is Jack Ragle, who carries a 3.92 GPA. Jack is the son of Jeffrey and Jennifer Ragle of Imlay City.
Throughout his high school career Jack has participated in three years of varsity soccer and was elected a team captain in his senior year. He has also participated in track and field for two years. Jack is most proud of his academic achievement, the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award. This award is given to the most deserving student, which was Jack, and is selected by the Science Department here at Imlay City High School.
Jack plans to further his education in the fall at Oakland University to pursue a degree in computer science. He credits his mother, Jennifer, as the most influential person in his life.
Macenzie Conn is the daughter of Carla Johnston and Jason Conn. Macenzie is graduating with a 4.0 GPA and is ranked third in the graduating class of 2021.
Macenzie is most proud of her All A’s Honor Roll all four years of high school and class council participation. Macenzie has been the treasurer of the National Honor Society in her senior year. Furthermore, Macenzie has participated in FFA and recently won first place gold award in the state Broiler Contest. She has earned the Greenhand Degree and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society.
Macenzie will attend Grand Valley State University in the fall to study multimedia journalism. Additionally, she has qualified to attend the Frederik Meijer Honors College on campus. Bethany Hamilton has been a great influence in Macenzie’s life. Macenzie said, “She shows passion and courage in everything she does. She gives back to her community, and she is an example of how you can always overcome the odds if you work hard enough.”
Natalie Giglio graduates with a 4.0 GPA and is ranked fourth in the class of 2021 at Imlay City High School. Her parents are Antonio and Anne-Marie Giglio.
She has served her class and her school as the Student Council treasurer in her junior year and Class President in her senior year. She has been a Class Council representative, National Honor Society member, and a Spartan Nation leader. Her focus has been on others, like mentoring in Camp Overdrive and community service in Recycling Club. Natalie has been a JV and varsity volleyball player, where she was named team captain her senior year.
Next fall, Natalie will be attending Saginaw Valley State University and majoring in accounting. Natalie goes on to share that her sister, Jordan, is the most influential person in her life because she is hardworking and passionate about everything she does and pushes Natalie to do the same.
Jager Land, the son of Jeff and Carlee Land, is graduating with a 3.98 GPA and ranked fifth in Imlay City’s High School graduating class of 2021.
He has participated in soccer, basketball, and track. He has received the BWAC All Academic Team Award in all three sports. Additionally, Jager was elected as team captain and received the individual All Academic Team award in soccer and Honorable Mention for track and field in his freshman year. Beyond the athletic fields, Jager is a member of the National Honor Society and a leader of Spartan Nation, a school spirit pep club.
In the future Jager plans on attending Saginaw Valley State University to pursue a degree in secondary education. Jager was recently awarded the D.A.R. (Daughters of American Revolution) Good Citizen Award. His positive influences cannot be narrowed to just one. He specifically cites his parents, grandparents and Coach Jager.
Madison Ross is the daughter of Timothy and Carmela Ross. She has earned a 3.9 GPA and is ranked sixth in our graduating Class of 2021.
Madison has been involved as the Co-President for Spartan Nation and Class Council publicity manager. Additionally, Madison has been involved in the school’s Recycling Club and has been a National Honor Society member. Madison has been a member of the varsity track and field and basketball programs.
Prior to this year, Madison was a Board Youth Representative MI-RCH, MY-LEAD Leadership conference participant and $1 Prospect Recipient.
Upon graduation, Madison plans on attending Texas Tech University to major in animal science or agriculture. While at Texas Tech she hopes to ride for their ranch horse team. Madison names her parents and the Gillilands as her most influential people in her life. “They inspire and motivate me to grow everyday. They are my biggest supporters,” she said.
Kayla Rossen is the daughter of Dave Rossen and Denise Kipp. She graduates with a 3.91 GPA and is ranked seventh in the class of 2021.
Kayla was an active member of Student Council and Class Council as the treasurer. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. Kayla earned a varsity letter in basketball, where she was voted BWAC All League her sophomore and junior year, and All League 1st team her senior year. She earned All Academic Team honors during her sophomore, junior and senior years. Kayla also earned the Outstanding Senior Athlete Award. Kayla earned All Academic Team honors in softball her freshman and sophomore years, and was named to the All Academic team in volleyball her sophomore and junior years.
Kayla plans to attend a community college and transfer to a university where she plans to pursue a career in the agricultural or environmental field. Kayla credits her parents as the most influential people in her life saying “They have pushed me to do my best so that I can succeed and be confident in myself. They are also my biggest fans and always are by my side.”
Laura Pankey graduates with a GPA of 3.82 and is ranked eighth in the Class of 2021. Laura is the daughter of Justin and LeAnne Pankey.
Laura has participated in Robotics, cross country, National Honor Society, Girl Scouts, piano lessons, Band, Choir, and Honor Roll during her high school career. Next fall Laura plans on attending Oakland University to obtain a health science degree. Ultimately she plans on becoming a nurse practitioner.
The most influential person in Laura’s life is her mother, LeAnne. Laura states, “My mom is a strong individual and I admire how she handles difficult situations.”
Raymond Liu is graduating with a 3.82 GPA and is ranked 9th in the Class of 2021. Raymond is the son of He Qin Liu and Michelle Zheng.
Raymond has competed at the varsity level in track and field as a four-year varsity athlete, along with football and basketball. He has earned All-League honors two times, as well as All-Team Defense. Raymond was also a member of the National Honor Society during his junior and senior years.
Upon graduation Raymond plans to attend the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to major in biochemistry and pursue a career in either the medical field or the dental field.
Raymond identifies his brother, Wei Lin Liu, as the most influential person in his life to date.
Jessica Denver, daughter of Brad and Martha Denver, is graduating with a 3.824 GPA and ranked 10th in the Class of 2021.
She has competed at the varsity level in cross country and track and field each of her four years of high school. In four seasons of cross country, she was named Most Valuable Player and in track and field she obtained that same honor one season. She belongs to the Michigan Racers Track Club. Jessica has earned All State honors and All State Academic honors in both varsity sports. Beyond all those accomplishments, Jessica was selected by her peers to be a team captain in her senior campaign.
Academically, Jessica is a member of National Honor Society and has earned math and chemistry department awards.
Upon graduation, Jessica will attend Catawba College in North Carolina to major in environmental science.
“I would love to protect and preserve our environment in the future. I will also be running on the cross country and track teams,” she said. Jessica names her parents as the most influential people in her life. “They have always been there for me and turned me into the person I am today.”
Editor’s note: Special thanks goes to Imlay City High School Principal Brian Eddy for compiling the Top Ten profiles.
