Mendota High School seniors, left to right, Brett Mumm, Brandi Muldoon and Kiandre Morris share their excitement as they prepare to take part in the high school's graduation ceremony on May 19. (Reporter photo by Bonnie Morris)

MENDOTA - Mendota High School’s Class of 2018 took part in graduation ceremonies on May 19 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 graduating class included 102 students and was led by eight high honor academic graduates: Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus, Jessie Dooley, Madeline Hoelzer, Natalie Landgraf, Morgan Marquis, Gabbi Peasley and Ana Reyes. All eight are Illinois State Scholars.

Speaking on behalf of the high honor graduates was Benjamin Bokus. Also speaking during the ceremony were Rylee Klema, senior class president; Marie Barnickel, Student Council president; and Jim Lauer, board of education president.

Jeff Prusator, superintendent, presented the MHS Class of 2018 and diplomas were granted by Jim Lauer and Denise Aughenbaugh. Music was provided by the MHS band under the direction of Chris Dortwegt.

Mendota High School students, front row left to right, Haley Fittanto and Jasmine Guzman; back row, Amy Lewis, Rylee Faber, Marisol Diaz, Tatyanna Carreon and Maria Guzman, share the remaining moments of their senior year while waiting for the graduation ceremony to begin. They were among 102 seniors graduating with the MHS Class of 2018. (Reporter photo by Bonnie Morris)

A number of awards and scholarships were announced for the first time during the ceremony including the American Legion Awards, presented by Charles Betz to Samuel Becker and Marie Barnickel; and the Jay Fitzgerald Agriculture Scholarship, presented by Bailey Gassaway to Marie Barnickel.

Jan Phalen presented First State Bank Scholarships to Marie Barnickel and Natalie Landgraf; the Jason Kent Johnson Memorial Award was presented by Brian Fox and Jeremy Johnson to Grace Brandner; Aaron Sester presented the Aaron Olsen Scholarship to Sam Becker; and Marc Daley presented the Scott Rider Scholarship to Tony Aughenbaugh.

Several other scholarships were presented by Denise Augenbaugh including the Morris Morgan Award to Gabrielle Peasley; the James Dankenbring Scholarship, presented on behalf of Monica Zimmerlein and the Dankenbring family to Sam Becker, Natalie Landgraf and Chase Stremlau; the Oden Jordan/Kiwanis Club Scholarship to Olivia Arteaga; and the Jacob Family Scholarship to Bryson Prusator.

Aughenbaugh also recognized Ricky Martinez, who was awarded the State Seal of Biliteracy for demonstrating a high level of proficiency in English and a second language; and Andres Medellin, who received a Perfect Attendance Award for having perfect attendance for all four years of high school.

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

AGCI Foundation Scholarship-Samuel Becker; American Red Cross Scholarship-Marie Barnickel; Arion Award-Natalie Landgraf; Ashley Award-Morgan Marquis; Bohn-Nielsen Scholarship-Morgan Marquis; Booster Club Scholarships-Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus, Elijah Otterbach; BPW Scholarships-Karina Arteaga, Morgan Marquis, Cheyenne West; DAR/SAR Recipients-Marie Barnickel and Samuel Becker; DeCap Scholarship of Excellence-Samuel Becker; DeKalb Agricultural Accomplishment Award-Owen Wixom; DLA Architect Scholarship-Natalie Landgraf; George Diehl Agriculture Award-Marie Barnickel and Owen Wixom; English Award-Natalie Landgraf; Financial Plus Credit Union-Benjamin Bokus; Karen Fischer Scholarship-Pamela Taylor; Greg Frey Award-Dario Rocha; Jody Herman Smith Sholarship-Chase Stremlau; Illinois Valley Hispanic Partnership Council Scholarship-Adrian Espinoza and Iris Espinoza; Kilmartin 3 Sport/4 Year Awards-Benjamin Bokus, Brandy DeLao, Adrian Espinoza, Brittany Menzel, Preston O’Sadnick, Bryson Prusator, Owen Wixom; Klein Family Scholarship-Marie Barnickel; Lee Co. Farm Bureau-Larry J. Green Scholarship-Marie Barnickel; LeRette Scholarship-Iris Espinoza; Lions Club Fine Arts Scholarship-Natalie Landgraf; Masonic Lodge Scholarship-Madelyn Jones; MEA Scholarship-Bryson Prusator; Mendota Fire Dept. Scholarship-Rylee Klema; Mendota Quarterback Club Awards: Joe Rollins Award-Arturo Serrano; George “Ted” Lewis Award-Bryson Prusator; Ray Jauch Award-Preston O’Sadnick; Dean Lubbs Award-Kiandre Morris; Paul Kimrey Award-Benjamin Bokus; WGLC 100/1% Award-Dario Rocha; Fred Morris Agricultural Scholarship-Owen Wixom; Dr. Musick Scholarship-Gabrielle Peasley; National FFA-ADM Scholarship-Marie Barnickel; News Tribune All-Academic Team-Samuel Becker, Natalie Landgraf, Morgan Marquis; James Noakes Scholarship-Chase Stremlau; Jim O’Neil Award-Marie Barnickel; OSF Medical Staff Scholarship-Morgan Marquis; Perfect Attendance Award-Andrew Medellin; PFLAG of Sauk Valley Scholarship-Natalie Landgraf; President’s Education Awards-Karina Arteaga, Olivia Arteaga, Anthony Aughenbaugh, Marie Barnickel, Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus, Grace Brandner, Jenifer Bresley, Jessie Dooley, Iris Espinoza, Madeline Hoelzer, Natalie Landgraf, Morgan Marquis, Gabriela Nanez, Gabrielle Peasley, Kaine Pizano-Olson, Bryson Prusator, Ana Reyes, Pamela Taylor, Cheyenne West; Prudential Spirit of Community Award-Merit-Natalie Landgraf; Pulley Awards-Benjamin Bokus, Natalie Landgraf, Samantha McLain, Gillian Pattermann; Mike Ross Agricultural Scholarship-Owen Wixom; Rotary Club Scholarships-Marie Barnickel, Grace Brandner, Rylee Klema, Natalie Landgraf, Pamela Taylor; Karen Salvani Memorial Award-Brittany Menzel; Science Award-Gabrielle Peasley; Social Studies Award-Bryson Prusator; Sousa Award-Jessie Dooley and Madeline Hoelzer; Spanish Awards: Heritage Award-Francisco Romero; Non-Heritage Award-Natalie Landgraf; Stephenitch Education Scholarship-Haydon Schmidt; Student Council Award-Marie Barnickel; Sublette Toy Show Scholarship-Marie Barnickel, Owen Wixom; VFW Scholarship-Haydon Schmidt; Don Whitmore Award-Rylee Klema; Women of the Moose Scholarship-Marie Barnickel; and the Gerald Wood Award-Benjamin Bokus.

The BNC All Academic Team includes seniors Rutilio Arteaga, Anthony Aughenbaugh, Marie Barnickel, Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus, Grace Brandner, Kevin Cuevas, Adrian Espinoza, Iris Espinoza, Emma Guelde, Rylee Klema, Natalie Landgraf, Amy Lewis, Morgan Marquis, Brittany Menzel, Gabriela Nanez, Jonathan Patino, Gabrielle Peasley, Kaine Pizano-Olson, Bryson Prusator, Ana Reyes, Francisco Romero, Cheyenne West.

Also honored during the ceremony was Aaron Sester, who was named Teacher of the Year at MHS.