Name: KC Kolke Age: 16 Grade: Junior at Stow-Munroe Falls High School GPA: 3.8 Keys to Awesomeness: With an A average, KC is as competitive in the classroom as he is on the field. He is a standout athlete over several sports, and, according to coaches, he’s a team player and a natural leader. Accomplishments: Soccer may be his favorite sport, but KC excels in baseball and basketball as well. On the soccer field, he is considered to be one of their best and fastest players who can play multiple positions on both offense and defense. Last week, he scored three goals in the same game against …
Name: Nate Pigman Grade: 3rd, Highlind Elementary Accomplishment: Every year, the Stow Fire Department encourages elementary school students from around the city to enter drawings into their smoke alarm poster contest. In 2010, Nate beat out 11 other finalists to take the grand prize, and his work has been featured on the city’s fire safety van for the last several months. Nearly 300 students enter each year. and the next contest will be held this December. "Nate loves to draw, and puts a lot of time and detail in every picture," his mother, Kim Pigman, said.
Name: Nick Conrad Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior GPA: 3.3 Nick will attend Kent State University in the fall to further his career as a linebacker in football. Along with football, Nick also played lacrosse as a high school student. "Nick Conrad has a passion for the game that shows through in his style of play at linebacker," Head Football Coach Mark Nori said. "He is an intense football player who, simply put, loves to play." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an email to Editor Amanda Harnocz. Please include the Whiz Kid's name, school, …
Name: Jason McPeek Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior Jason recently signed his letter of intent to play baseball with the University of Akron this fall. "We are proud of Jason and happy he will be continuing his baseball career at the University of Akron," Athletic Director Cyle Feldman said. "Jason is very talented and will represent the Stow-Munroe Falls High School well." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an e-mail to Editor Amanda Harnocz. Please include the Whiz Kid's name, school, grade, age, a photo and why he or she should be featured.
Name: Tess Barsody Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior GPA: 4.0 Tess signed her letter of intent to John Carroll University to participate in track and field. Along with track and field and cross country, Tess was also a National Honors Society member. She was a four-year letterman in both sports. "Tess was appointed as a team captain for both her junior and senior year in track and field," Girls High School Track Coach Aaron Morris said. "She was a team captain for cross country her senior year. She was a varsity member of each regional qualifying team in cross country all four years…
Name: Mike Greenwell Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior GPA: 3.2 Mike signed his letter of intent to play football at Otterbein University. Along with being quarterback for the high school football team, Mike also lettered in basketball as well. "Mike did an exceptional job at leading our team at the quarterback position this year," Head Football Coach Mark Nori said. "He is an extremely hard worker and dedicates himself to getting better each day." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an e-mail to Editor Amanda Harnocz. Please include the Whiz Kid…
Julie Rooney, daughter of Tim and Janet Rooney of Munroe Falls, is being recognized as one of the top 10 students from the Stow-Munroe Falls class of 2011 on Thursday at graduation. Describing herself as a competitive, fun-loving intellectual, Julie was a member of the National Honor Society and the varsity basketball and softball teams during her four years at the high school. She was recognized by the Breakfast Optimist Club of Cuyahoga Falls with the Youth Appreciation Award and also received the Stow Booster Athletic Commitment Award. Julie is looking forward to majoring in pre-law …
Zach Halasz, son of Sue and Dave Halasz of Stow, describes himself as a "rational and deep-thinking" man. During his four years at Stow-Munroe Falls High School, Zach was a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club, Academic Challenge and the Speech and Debate team. He played in both the marching and concert bands, where he served as president his senior year. During his junior and senior years, Zach was a cast member in the class plays. The summer before his senior year, Zach was selected to participate in Buckeye Boys State, a week-long leadership camp at Bowling Green State …
Galen Marchett, son of Vincent and Pennie Marchetti of Stow, describes himself as a "gentleman and a scholar." (We're pretty sure he's read Catcher in the Rye.) During his high school years, Galen was a member of the National Honor Society, swim team and marching and concert bands, where he played the alto saxophone. He is a proud recipient of the Harvard Book Award, a select recognition given out by Harvard Alumni for academic excellence. A National Merit Scholarship Corp. recipient, Galen plans to attend Cornell University and major in physics. “I am looking forward to conducting research …
Justin Thomas, son of Stow residents Jason and Angie Thomas, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. In addition to being a member of the National Honor Society, Justin was a member of the varsity track and cross country teams, where he served as team captain of the track team in 2010 and team captain of the cross country team in 2011. He was awarded the Youth Appreciation Award from the Optimist Club of Cuyahoga Falls and two Rotary Achievement Awards from the Stow-Munroe Falls Rotary, one award for academics and the other for …
Stow resident Colin Anderson, son of Keith and Charla Anderson, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. Colin was a member of the National Honor Society and the Speech and Debate team, where he earned the title of the 2010 Congressional Debate District Champion. He enjoyed playing the trumpet in the marching band for four years and concert band for eight years. Colin plans to major in aerospace engineering at The Ohio State University, where he has been awarded the Morrill Excellence Scholarship, Maximus Scholarship and the …
Ryan Hamilton of Stow, son of Karen and Thomas Hamilton, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. Recognized as an AP Scholar with Distinction, he received the Rotary Achievement Award, PTSA Academic Award and was a member of the National Honor Society where he served as a tutor. Musically, Ryan was a Marching Band Squad Leader and enjoyed playing drums in the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Musical Pit Orchestra and String Orchestra. Ryan was also a member of the cross country team and lettered in volleyball. Ryan is planning to …
Hilary Feskanin, daughter of John and Sharon Feskanin of Stow, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. A member of the cross country team since freshman year, Hilary served as team manager her senior year. She also ran the one-mile and two-mile in track and took up swimming as a member of the swim team her senior year. Hilary was a member of the National Honor Society and enjoyed playing the trumpet for eight years in the marching and concert bands. Hilary plans to attend the University of Dayton and major in engineering with a …
William Thorsson, son of Robert and Lynn Thorsson of Stow, doesn’t just talk about leadership, he lives it out. During his four years at the high school, William was president of National Honor Society, treasurer for the Speech and Debate team, treasurer for the Interact Club (“a teenage version of Rotary,” he explains), Academic Challenge competitor and tennis team member. He participated in the Stanford University Education Program for Gifted Youth, where he took three weeks of summer studies in discrete mathematics. Outside of school, William has served as a captain and participant for the…
Matthew Toro, son of Michael and Villa Toro of Stow, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. During his time at the high school, Matthew was a member of the cross country team for three years and the track and field team for two years, where he ran distance. He played percussion in both the marching and concert bands and was a cast member in the senior class play. He enjoyed participating in Poetry Out Loud, a national recitation of poetry in front of other people. Matthew plans to major in history at Kent State University, where …
Abby Gresser of Stow, daughter of Mark and Mary Ellen Gresser, will be recognized during graduation Thursday for being one of the top 10 students in the 2011 class. She was a National Merit Finalist as well as a member of the National Honor Society. Abby enjoyed her role as editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, The Stohion, during her senior year and was a cast member in the junior and senior class plays. Outside of school, Abby volunteers her time on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad's Polar Express holiday train ride program, where she is an elf and reads The Polar Express to the “…
Name: Sarah Parsons Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School senior Sarah is a four-year letter winner as part of the high school girls basketball team. Sarah played point guard this season and was also one of the captains of the team. "[Sarah] had an outstanding season and was certainly one of the main reasons that we were successful," Head Girls Basketball Coach Bob Podges said. "She was the latest in a long line of great point guards at Stow high School." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an email to Editor Amanda Harnocz. Please include the Whiz Kid's …
Name: Alex Shaver Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Junior Alex is a three-year letter winner with the high school girls basketball team and was also one of the captains this past season. Alex is the fourth leading scorer in girls basketball and she still has one more season remaining. "Alex was our leading scorer and has a unique ability to score inside and outside," Girls Basketball Head Coach Bob Podges said. "[She is] one of the best athletes that I have ever had the opportunity to coach." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an email to Editor …
Name: Kevin Herman Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior GPA: 4.07 Kevin signed his letter of intent to play football with Ohio Wesleyan University. While at SMFHS, he also played baseball, participated in National Honors Society and Hitting for Home. "Kevin is a special person as well as a player," Head Football Coach Mark Nori said. "His hard work, dedication, and commitment to not only athletics, but academics, affords him great opportunities and has helped him build a sold foundation for success in the future." Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send…
Name: Marena Toth Grade: Stow-Munroe Falls High School Senior GPA: 3.4 Marena won the Reinhart Relays on Apr. 23 by jumping 16 feet and 1.5 inches in the individual long jump. That jump set a school record for the relay long jump. Marena also broke a 31-year-old record at the Mayfield Relays on Apr. 26 by jumping 17 feet and 5.75 inches. She also won the 200m and 100m and was also on the winning 200m relay team. Know someone who should be featured as a Whiz Kid? Sure you do! So, send an email to Editor Amanda Harnocz. Please include the Whiz Kid's name, school, grade, age, a photo and why he …
