Mendota High School students, left to right, Lauryn Kelly, Alexis Diaz and Haylie Barrera, have some fun prior to graduation ceremonies on May 20. They were among 124 seniors graduating with the MHS Class of 2017. See additional graduation photos, page A2. (Reporter photo by Bonnie Morris)

MENDOTA - Mendota High School’s Class of 2017 took part in graduation ceremonies on May 20 in the high school gym. The graduates, their families and friends were welcomed to the 6 p.m. ceremony by MHS principal Denise Aughenbaugh.

The 124-member class was led by nine high honor academic graduates. They include Lucas Anderson, Esmeralda Arteaga, Ronald Johnson, Daniela McConville, Hope McDowell, Cameron Phalen, Harrison Schimmer, Gillian Sutton and Melissa Wohrley. All nine are Illinois State Scholars.

Speaking on behalf of the high honor graduates was Daniela McConville. Also speaking during the ceremony were Mari Biers, senior class president; Olivia Barrett, Student Council president; and Jim Lauer, board of education president.

Jeff Prusator, superintendent, presented the MHS Class of 2017 and diplomas were granted by Jim Lauer and Denise Aughenbaugh. Music was provided by the MHS band under the direction of Chris Dortwegt.

A number of awards and scholarships were announced for the first time during the ceremony including the Klein Family Memorial Scholarship presented by Rose Lewis to Daniela McConville, and the James Dankenbring Scholarship, presented on behalf of the family by Monica Zimmerlein to Bryar Lindenmeyer.

Jan Phalen presented First State Bank Scholarships to Cameron Schumacher and Paxton Kennedy; the Jason Kent Johnson Memorial Award was presented by Jeremy and Jared Johnson to Melissa Wohrley;Aaron Sester presented the Aaron Olsen Scholarship to Paxton Kennedy and Bryar Lindenmeyer; the OSF St. Paul Medical Staff Scholarship was presented by Dr. David Scholl to Lauryn Kelly and Kathryn McNally; and Garrett Rider presented the Scott Rider Scholarship to Bryar Lindenmeyer.

Several other scholarships were presented by Denise Augenbaugh including the American Legion Awards to Cameron Phalen and Melissa Wohrley, Morris Morgan Scholarship to Gillian Sutton, the Oden Jordan/Kiwanis Club Scholarship to Alyson Contreras, the Clara Cypreansen & Alfred O. Jacob Scholarship to Daniela McConville, and the Jay Fitzgerald Agriculture Scholarship to Daniela McConville.

Aughenbaugh also recognized Esmeralda Arteaga and Lillian Rodrigues, who were awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy for demonstrating a high level of proficiency in English and a second language.

Other awards and scholarships were announced during the graduation ceremony. They include (in alphabetical order):

American Red Cross Scholarship-Kathryn McNally, Cameron Schumacher; Arion Award-Samantha Masini; Ashley Award-Melissa Wohrley; Booster Club Scholarships-Bryar Lindenmeyer, Cameron Phalen; BPW Scholarships-Esmeralda Arteaga, Lauryn Kelly, Lillian Rodrigues, Gillian Sutton; DAR/SAR-Melissa Wohrley and Lucas Anderson; DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award-Daniela McConville; George Diehl Agriculture Award-Sydnee Hansen, Daniela McConville; Financial Plus Credit Union-Esmeralda Arteaga; Karen Fischer Scholarship-Aylin Arellano; Greg Frey Award-Isaac Delao; Health Profession Student Training Award-Melissa Wohrley; Hispanic Outreach Program Scholarship- Esmeralda Arteaga, Marco Arteaga, Aylin Arellano, Jocelyn Luna; IHSA All State Academic Team-Melissa Wohrley; Kilmartin 3 Sport/4 Year Awards-Haylie Barrera, Cruz Figueroa, Paxton Kennedy, Joseph LaShonse, Bryar Lindenmeyer, Kathryn McNally, Cameron Phalen, Kylee Zinke; LeRette Scholarship-Lauryn Kelly;

MEA Scholarship-Daniela McConville; Mendota Quarterback Club Awards: Joe Rollins Award-Jonathan Quintana, George “Ted” Lewis Award- Paxton Kennedy, Ray Jauch Award-Nicklaus Thorson, Dean Lubbs Award-Joseph LaShonse, Paul Kimrey Award-Luis Tellez, WGLC 100/1% Award-Isaac Delao; Fred Morris Agricultural Scholarship-Sydnee Hansen; Dr. Musick Scholarship-Lillian Rodrigues; National FFA-Chevrolet & Schimmer Chevrolet-Daniela McConville; News Tribune All-Academic Team-Melissa Wohrley/Honorable Mention-Lucas Anderson; James Noakes Scholarship-Zachary Ross; Jim O’Neil Award-Marco Arteaga; President’s Education Awards-Lucas Anderson, Aylin Arellano, Esmeralda Arteaga, Marco Arteaga, Elle Bottom, Sydnee Hansen, Katelynn Houle, Arielle Juarez, Nolan Kaleel, Lauryn Kelly, Paxton Kennedy, Bryar Lindenmeyer, Daniela McConville, Hope McDowell, Kathryn McNally, Cameron Phalen, Lillian Rodrigues, Harrison Schimmer, Annah Scholl, Gillian Sutton, Jacquelynn Wendel, Hannah Westphal, Sarah Westphal, Stephanie Westphal, Melissa Wohrley; Mike Ross Agricultural Scholarship-Stephanie Westphal; Rotary Club Scholarships-Alexis Sterling, Gillian Sutton, Melissa Wohrley; Karen Salvani Memorial Award-Mari Biers; Science Award-Cameron Phalen, Harrison Schimmer; Elias Setchell Award-Samantha Masini; Sousa Award-Melissa Wohrley; Spanish Awards: Heritage Award-Esmeralda Arteaga, Lillian Rodrigues, Non-Heritage Award-Cameron Phalen, and Outstanding Senior Spanish Student-Antonio Escatel; Stephenitch Education Scholarship-Esmeralda Arteaga; Student Council Award-Olivia Barrett; U.S. Air Force Certificate of Enlistment-Madelyn Bodmer; U.S. Army Certificate of Enlistment-Kianne Brown, Michael Dancy, Lilliana Delao; VFW Scholarship-Donovan Doughty; Don Whitmore Award-Bailee Tillman; Women of the Moose Scholarship-Mari Biers; the Gerald Wood Award-Paxton Kennedy; and the Mike Ross Agricultural Scholarship-Stephanie Westphal.

The BNC All Academic Team includes seniors Esmeralda Arteaga, Marco Arteaga, Ryann Avery, Olivia Barrett, Mari Biers, Elle Bottom, Kianne Brown, Emma Foley, Nolan Kaleel, Lauryn Kelly, Paxton Kennedy, Joseph LaShonse, Valerie Leonard, Bryar Lindenmeyer, Austin Lipe, Samantha Masini, Daniela McConville, Hope McDowell, Kathryn McNally, Cameron Phalen, Lillian Rodrigues, Cameron Schumacher, Sharlyn Sheehan, Alexis Sterling, Gillian Sutton, Jacquelynn Wendel, Hannah Westphal, Sarah Westphal, Stephanie Westphal, Melissa Wohrley and Kylee Zinke.

MHS educator Matt Gehm, who was named Teacher of the Year, was also honored during the ceremony.