Congratulations to the following students in the Class of 2014 at Lapeer West High School. Great job!

Allison Chojnacki, daughter of David and Joy Chojnacki, has maintained a 4.0 grade point average throughout her high school career. Allie was active in basketball, soccer, and volleyball. She is the recipient of numerous Scholar Athlete awards. She participated in National Honor Society. Allison has also been an active member of the community: tutoring, volunteering at the Humane Society, and working at soup kitchens. She also spent last summer job shadowing a veterinarian. Allie was dual enrolled her senior year at the University of Michigan-Flint. She was in the Medical Careers Acceleration Program. In the fall, she will be attending Michigan State University to pursue a career in veterinary science.

Victoria Carlson, daughter of Steve Carlson and Shirley Harris-Carlson, graduated with a 3.99 grade point average.  She was a member of the varsity golf team for two years and was awarded second team All-Conference both years. Both years that Tori participated in golf, Lapeer West won Regionals. Tori was also very committed to her gymnastics career; she was a member of the level 9 national team twice, and qualified for Regionals twice as a level 10.  She was dual enrolled as a senior in high school. Tori was awarded the Academic Prestige Scholarship at Central Michigan University where she will start in the fall.

April Crowe, daughter of Robert and Heather Crowe, has maintained a 3.99 grade average throughout her high school career. April dual enrolled with the University of Michigan-Flint in their business program her senior year. She has been involved in the National Honor Society, and a three-year member of the Lapeer West Yearbook Staff. She is a four-year varsity soccer player attaining All-League first team, All-Districtfirst team, and All-State honorable mention. She plans to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level in the fall. April also participated in basketball and golf while at Lapeer West. Throughout her high school years, April has been an active member of the community by making blankets for patients at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac. In the fall, April plans to attend Aquinas College and major in Sustainable Business.

Christen Thompson, daughter of Christopher and Brenda Thompson, is graduating with a 3.99 grade point average. She has been a member of the Lapeer West marching band, concert band, and symphony band. Christen was a member of the National Honors Society, and president of the Lapeer West Key Club. During high school, Christen traveled with the People to People Student Ambassador Program to Australia and Europe. In her junior and senior year, she became very involved in learning American Sign Language. In the fall, Christen will attend Grand Valley State University as a member of the Frederik Meijer Honors College where she will major in allied health sciences with an emphasis in American Sign Language.

Timothy Brown, son of Ed and Lisa Brown, is graduating with a 3.98 grade point average. While attending West, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Resistance, and Mentoring Program. Tim also played on the lacrosse and varsity football teams. He received Honorable Mention All-League his senior year in football. Beginning this fall, he will attend Lake Superior State University to study Fisheries and Wildlife Management, and has received the Board of Trustees Distinguished Scholarship.

Victoria Martindale, daughter of Ron and Denice Martindale, has maintained a 3.98 grade point average. Through her years at Lapeer West she has participated in many extracurricular activities including Student Council, National Honors Society, Science Olympiad, Cross Country, Volleyball, Softball, and Track as well as dancing at Studio 93 in Hadley. All four years she has been a part of Science Olympiad and has brought more than one medal home each year. The last three years she was on the Varsity Cross Country team where she earned Scholar Athlete each year and was the team captain this year. Her favorite subjects are science, math and art. This year her art piece was selected to be displayed in Lansing for the 2014-2015 Michigan Department of Education Exhibition. She was also dual enrolled at University Michigan-Flint in the pre-engineering program. This fall, she will be attending Lawrence Technological University to earn her degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Alternative Energy. She hopes to work with Wind Turbines and other renewable resources in the future.

Kevin Essenmacher, son of David and Donna Essenmacher, graduated with a 3.97 grade point average. Kevin dual enrolled with the University of Michigan-Flint Pre-Engineering program this year. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Resistance, and Mr. Rubick’s Bear Club. Kevin participated in football, track and field, and served as an Assistant JV Basketball Coach. He received First Team All Flint Metro League Honors in football, as well as Honorable Mention the previous year in football. He also placed second in Chemistry at the Metro League Math and Science Competition. He will be attending Alma College, where he will pursue a degree in Physics, while also continuing his football career.

Leah West, daughter of David and Jan West, is graduating with a 3.96 grade point average. Leah has been a member of the National Honors Society for the past two years and has played various sports. She played Varsity basketball for 2 years and was on Varsity soccer for three years. Leah has earned Honorable Mention and second team All-District in soccer as well as being a Scholar Athlete.  In the fall she will be attending Central Michigan University on a academic scholarship to pursue a major in biomedical science and minor in science. After getting her undergraduate degree she will go on to graduate school to become a physician’s assistant.

Jessica Laidler, daughter of Dan and Dawn Laidler, is graduating with a 3.95 GPA. Jessica has been a member of her youth group since seventh grade, and has been involved in many activities and volunteer events. She has worked at the East-Side Mission in Flint for over four years, and continues to be a part of the organization as much as possible. She has been on the Yearbook committee at Lapeer West for three years. She also played volleyball for three years, and was a Scholar Athlete all three years. As a student, she has taken many different art classes. These include Studio Art, in which she placed third at the Flint Art Show. Jessica plans to Attend Olivet University to study Business and Marketing, while minoring in Photography.

Aleena Miriam Dababneh, daughter of Dr. Malik and Dr. Avelina Dababneh graduated with GPA of a 3.9. While Aleena was in high school she was a part of the National Honor Society and Lapeer West’s own Panther Partners. She also played soccer for three years and danced in regional and national competitions all four years. Aleena has been very involved in Lapeer West’s art program. She has received many awards, and her art has been shown many galleries including the Lapeer Art Gallery. Though Aleena isn’t sure what exactly which direction her studies will take her, she is planning on attending Grand Valley State University to pursue a career in the medical field.