ALMONT — It’s time for Almont High School to celebrate the academic success of their 2023 graduates. This year’s group of Top Ten students actually includes 11 with two students tying for 10th place.
Almont seniors will gather one last time to celebrate their achievements and receive their high school diplomas on Sunday, June 4, in a 5 p.m. ceremony on the school’s football field.
Almont’s Top Ten students for the Class of 2023 are as follows:
Almont High School Valedictorian, Katelyn Cafek, is the daughter of Danielle Cafek of Dryden. Katelyn currently has a 4.3889 GPA. In the past four years she has taken a total of four AP classes and ten Macomb Community College classes. Last year she received the College Board recognition for the National Rural and Small Town Award that acknowledged her AP and SAT scores. For her academic accomplishments, Katelyn was also nominated to the BWAC Academic All-Conference Team and named Almont’s “Brightest and Best” by WXYZ Channel 7 News. Katelyn is a two-year member of the LINKS program where she works one on one with special needs students and their peers. Outside of the classroom, she played varsity volleyball for three years and received the BWAC All-Academic team award. She has also been a varsity soccer player for four years in which she has been a two-year team captain. Last year she received the All District Player award after her team won the District 4 Championship. She has been a member of student council for the past four years holding the office of 2023 class secretary for three years and Sergeant of Arms her senior year. She has also been a member of the National Honor Society for two years and serves as the acting president. Katelyn has contributed many hours to community service including tutoring, volleyball summer clinics, sports bookkeeping, and Special Olympics, to name a few. After high school, she plans to attend The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to study political science with a minor in criminal justice. She then plans to further her education in law school and practice political law.
Autumn Bletch, the daughter of Brad and Nicole Bletch of Almont Township, is Almont High School’s salutatorian and will graduate with a GPA of 4.2692. Throughout her high school career, Autumn has participated in varsity tennis for three years, varsity golf for two years, and varsity basketball for two years. In golf she was awarded BWAC First Team All-Conference honors and was a two-time state finalist with her team. Autumn is a four-year student council member and currently holds the position of class president. She co-organized a golf outing fundraiser earning more than $2,000 for Almont High School’s Class of 2023. She is also a member of the National Honor Society, serving on the board as secretary and assisting with the school blood drives. Autumn was selected for WNEM TV-5 Mid-Michigan’s “Best and Brightest” honor and received the College Board Small Town and Rural Community Recognition Award. The most influential people in her life are her parents. While providing her with their unending love and guidance, they taught her how to work hard while also encouraging her to always have fun. Upon graduation, Autumn will attend The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, majoring in psychology.
Bella Moussiaux is the daughter of Matthew and Courtney Moussiaux of Bruce Township. Bella has attained a 4.2594 GPA and is ranked third in the Almont High School 2023 graduating class. Throughout her high school career, Bella has participated in JV volleyball for one year, JV and varsity basketball for a total of two years, varsity tennis for three years, and varsity golf for two years. During her golf career, Bella competed with her team in two state finals and was named First Team All-Conference for her junior and senior year seasons. Bella has also been an active member of the Student Council for four years and a National Honor Society member for two years where she co-led a school book drive. Additionally, Bella has been a two-year member of the LINKS peer-to-peer program and she was recently nominated for WNEM TV-5 Mid-Michigan’s “Best and Brightest” award. She has also been a Michigan Christian Youth Summer Camp counselor and volunteered at the Almont tennis summer camp. The most influential people in her life are her parents because they have shown her what it is like to be hardworking, determined, and selfless; and she is grateful for their love, support, and grace, and for the sacrifices they have made for her. Upon graduation, Bella will attend Michigan State University, but, at this time, is undecided on her major.
Grace Koenig, the daughter of Ed and Patti Koenig of Imlay Township, graduates fourth in her class with a 4.2417 GPA. Grace has participated in varsity softball for four years, JV volleyball for one year, varsity volleyball for three years, JV basketball for one year, and varsity basketball for three years. Grace has been captain of all three sports teams and she twice received All-BWAC, All-Regional, and the All-District awards for softball as well as honorable mention All-State. She was also named to the All-Academic team in volleyball and basketball, as well as First Team All-Area in basketball. In addition, Grace was selected as a Scholar-Athletic for the BWAC Academic All-Conference Team. Grace has participated in the student council for three years and currently holds the office of secretary. She is also a two-year member of the National Honor Society where she provided tutoring services, and assisted with the blood drives and a book drive. She also participated in Girl Scouts and helps run children sports camps in the Almont area. Next fall, she will be attending Central Michigan University to continue her softball career and plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Isabella Giannetti, daughter of Silvio Giannetti and the late Dana Giannetti, resides in Almont. Isabella has maintained a cumulative 4.2322 GPA and ranks fifth in her graduating class. Isabella is a two-year member of the National Honor Society where she serves as treasurer and participated in a career choice workshop for second grade students and assisted with the AHS blood drive. She has also participated in Rachel’s Challenge for one year, student council for four years, and for her academic accomplishments was nominated to the BWAC Academic All-Conference Team, and received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award. Isabella completed challenging courses at Almont High School including four AP classes, ten dual enrollment courses, and an online calculus course. Athletically, Isabella participated in various sports throughout high school, including JV tackle football her freshman year, JV volleyball her sophomore year, and varsity track her freshmen, junior, and senior years. Isabella plans on pursuing a doctorate in cardiovascular surgery, by majoring in biology on the pre-medicine track at The University of Michigan – Ann Arbor.
Graduating sixth in the Class of 2023 is Gabriella Thomas, the daughter of Zachary and Martha Thomas, of Almont. Gabriella has an accumulated GPA of 4.2319. In 2022, she was a recipient of the Society of Women Engineers Madame Curie Award, the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, and the AP Scholar Award. She has been a member of the Almont varsity dance team for four years and served as co-captain for her junior and senior years. Gabby is a four-year member of the Almont Marching and Concert Band and plays the clarinet. She also served as the clarinet section leader for one year and the marching band drum major for two years. Gabby has been a National Honor Society member for two years and co-led the AHS food drive and she participates in youth group through her church. The most influential people in her life are her parents; they are both hardworking and helpful. In the fall, she will attend the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor to study neuroscience.
Avis Schapman is the daughter of Bret and Laura Schapman of Almont. She graduates seventh in her class with a 4.1483 GPA. Avis has received the College Board’s National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award and was the recipient of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizens Award. During high school, Avis played JV basketball for two years and JV volleyball for three years. She has also played varsity basketball and tennis for two years. Avis has been a member of the Four County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee for six years, holding the office of president for two years. She is also a four-year student council member and two-year National Honor Society member and currently holds the office of Vice President. Avis was also a first-year member of Rachel’s Challenge. She has played the baritone saxophone in Marching and Concert band for all four years of high school and has been a section leader since her junior year. Avis has been a member of the LINKS peer-to-peer program for two semesters. She has also shown lambs in 4-H since she was 8 years old, is active in her church, and refs for youth basketball games. The most influential people in her life are her parents, grandparents, great-grandmother, and Linda and Larry Lewis. They have taught her to be caring, hardworking, and selfless and Avis appreciates the support they continuously provide to her. Avis is planning to attend Michigan Technological University to pursue a career in environmental science and with a focus on applied ecology.
Devin Johnston is the daughter of Ray and Lane Johnston of Imlay Township. She graduates eighth in her class and has obtained a 4.0186 GPA while being named a First-Team All-State 3rd baseman in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons. Devin has been named softball team captain for two years in a row. As a three-year member of the varsity track team, she earned All-State accolades in the 100m and 200m dash in 2022 and was named the BWAC MVP in 2022, team MVP in 2021 and 2022, and served as team captain for one year. Devin also participated in varsity volleyball for four years, was a National Honor Society member for two years, and a student council member for four years. In NHS she participated in the school blood drives and co-led a book drive. The most influential people in Devin’s life are her parents. From a young age, they have pushed her to not only be the best athlete she could be, but also academically. They have provided motivation, set standards for her, and never let her quit on herself. She would not be who or where she is today without their guidance. She will be attending Eastern Illinois University majoring in Hospitality and Tourism with a minor in Business where she will also be continuing her track and field career.
Ranking ninth in the Class of 2023, with a 3.9456 GPA is Clayton Roszczewski, the son of Richard and Karen Roszczewski of Attica. Clayton has been on the AB Honor Roll for all four years of high school. He participated in JV baseball and basketball for one year, varsity tennis for two years, varsity golf for one year, and varsity basketball for three years. He was the captain of the basketball team and tennis team his senior year, earned District First Team awards in both sports, and placed third in the 2022 Regional Tennis meet. Clayton was selected as a Scholar-Athlete for the BWAC Academic All-Conference Team. This fall, Clayton plans to attend Grand Valley State University to pursue a degree in mechanical engineering.
William Kalmar is the son of Bill and Gretchen Kalmar of Imlay Township and graduates tenth in his class. William has achieved a 3.9361 GPA throughout high school, whilst participating in varsity football, powerlifting, and varsity track and field. He was awarded the BWAC Academic All-State award in football, as well as receiving academic recognition from the football team with the Highest GPA Senior Award. William participated in football for nine seasons, six of them while in Almont, including two years playing for the Almont varsity football team. In high school, he also competed in varsity powerlifting and varsity track and field for two years each. Outside of sports, William is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and participated in the NHS Recycling Team. The most influential people in Will’s life are his parents for providing for him and motivating him through school. After high school, William plans to attend Michigan State University to major in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and plans to pursue further education in the field of neuroscience.
Elise Maisano is the daughter of Chris Maisano and Karen Eby of Berlin Township. Elise ranks tenth in her class, has attained a GPA of 3.9361, and has earned college credit for six dual enrollment courses. In the fall of her junior year, Elise won the Gold Award for the Scholastic Art and Writing Competition for a photo taken in her digital photography. Elise participated in JV volleyball for two years and has been on the varsity equestrian team for three years. She was also actively involved in the student council for four years. Outside of school, she participated in Girl Scouts and 4-H. The most influential people in her life are her mom because she never gives up when working to accomplish her goals, and her trainer, Kari Fritsch who has truly helped to make Elise the person she is today. Kari is the hardest worker Elise has ever met and she also is the most caring human; never failing to put others first. Elise will be attending Oakland University in the fall and plans to major in business.
Editor’s note: Many thanks to Joyce Burkland, Almont High School’s Secretary to the Principal, for compiling this year’s Top Academic Achievers.
