Return to Archived Stories

This year's graduating class is the largest from PAHS since 1997, when the school also graduated 119 students. The senior class at PAHS is the largest grade currently in the school district.

This year's graduating class features 50 honor students, including nine students who will graduate summa cum laude (3.8 grade point average or higher). It also has 23 students who have been inducted in the National Honor Society.

The commencement ceremony will feature a welcome from superintendent Howard Caldwell, a senior address by valedictorian Wendy Bennett, songs by the high school band and choir, scholarships and awards from Dean Hanson, president of Paynesville Citizen's Scholarship Foundation, and the presentation of diplomas by high school principal John Janotta and members of the school board.

Graduating with summa cum laude honors this year are: Laurie Barten, Wendy Bennett, Jennifer Bruntlett, Scott Buermann, Jennifer Gully, Lisa Hemingson, Jennifer Hess, Heather Roos, and Jonathan Schefers.

Graduating with magna cum laude honors (GPAs of 3.5 to 3.8) are: Travis Atkinson, Melissa Bachman, Jenna Berry, Nicholas Glenz, Jennifer Habben, Carla Hemmesch, Andrew Jones, Rachel Koehn, Krista Kotschevar, Amy Mueller, Daniel Pearson, Adam Rafferty, Adam Schaefer, Becky Schaumann, Craig Thomes, Scott Thompson, Stephanie Thomsen, Jacqueline Utsch, and Ryan Whitcomb.

Graduating with cum laude honors (3.0 GPA and above) are: Naomi Bork, Mark Braun, Kelli Fenske, Mesa Frenchick, Nathan Glenz, Kelli Heinen, Chistopher Jacobson, Maria Janotta, Crystal Jimenez, Jessica Lang, Adam Larson, Jason Leyendecker, Sara Lieser, Stacy Lieser, Wesley Lieser, Rita Lounsbury, Mallory Mackedanz, Steven Mages, Max Meagher, Kimberly Nelson, Wesley Schoenherr, and Ashley Wall.

(Editor's Note: More information about the Class of 2002 can be found in a special souvenir section in this week's edition of the Press.)