Ten students from Helias Catholic High School are sharing the title of valedictorian this year.
Graduates Stephanie Atkinson, Sam Donovan, Baylee Francka, Brock Gerstner, Laura Hartman, Andrew Pierle, Jared Rackers, Matthew Rehagen, Abbey Verslues and Jeremy Wolters were all honored as the school's top-achieving seniors during Sunday's graduation ceremony. Each student obtained a GPA of 4.0, which is the highest possible average on the school's unweighted scale.
Principal Jean Dietrich said the prestigious honor is meant to recognize the student's academic efforts.
"It recognizes their body of work for four years," Dietrich said. "In order to be valedictorian, you have to be a good student for four years."
Although the 10 valedictorians and 173 other graduating seniors may not know what lies down the road, Helias President Stephen Jones has high hopes for the group. In his closing reflection, speaking to all those in attendance, Jones expressed confidence in the class.
"My prayer is that you all continue to strive for what God has created you to be," he said on Sunday afternoon. "And God has created you to be saints."