CCHS seniors awarded at Recognition Night

By Travis Fischer, tkfischer@charlescitypress.com

Graduating students of the Class of 2025 received more than 50 scholarship awards during Senior Recognition Night on Wednesday, May 7.

Sneaking in ahead of the Senior Night ceremony, Phoebe Pittman took the opportunity to welcome Charles City’s latest inductees into the National Honor Society.

“For over a century, the National Honor Society at Charles City High School has recognized students who exemplify the four pillars of scholarship, leadership, service and character,” said Pittman. “Tonight we continue that tradition by welcoming a new group of these outstanding individuals who embody these values.”

This year’s inductees include Addison Tracey, Alexander Graeser, Anya Ruzicka, Gracie Opp, Isabel Crawford, Jadyn Van Horn, Jenna Aikey, Jordin Ritter, Natalie King, Payton Hadley, Savannah Baldus, Koryn Osier, Mya Rimrod, Alexandria Wedeking, Kaitlin Heckers, Lilie Mohring, Nicholas Williams, Bennett Hansen, Kaleigh Krueger, Kayla Streich, Cassandra Burkhardt, Morgan McMurchy, Bryce Walker, Jackson Kowalski and Brynn Roethler.

“Congratulations to each of you on this achievement,” said Pittman. “Your hard work, leadership, service and character have brought you here tonight and I have no doubt that you will continue to make a positive impact in your school, community and beyond.”

Moving into the Senior Recognition Night, high school counselor Laurie Smith welcomed the community to see the seniors awarded 57 scholarships.

“I have seen firsthand how hard these kids have worked over the past few months to be sitting here tonight,” said Smith.

Smith presented Trevor Carolan with the Dorothy Davis Scholarship; Terry Cooks and Brooklyn Molitor with the Helen Koebrick Nursing Scholarship; and Natalie King with the Debes Scholarship and the RJ Hagman Speech Scholarship.

Representing Dollars for Scholars, Kathy Herrick presented scholarships to Tayleigh Lantz, Shaley Baltes and Laurie Baking.

For the Allan Hastings Scholarship, the Hastings Family awarded the scholarship to Trevor Carolan.

Representing the American Legion Auxiliary, Mary Mooberry presented a scholarship to Payton Hadley.

Bill Eckenrod presented the Mike Eckenrod Scholarship to Terry Cooks and Blake Heoft.

For the Comet Jerry Scholarship, the Hartwell Family awarded the scholarship to Braxton Lahr and Payton Hadley.

Representing First Security Bank, Kurt Herbrechtsmeyer presented Jordin Ritter with the Bill Burge Scholarship; Quinn Heidebrink with the Robert and Maxine Eggert Scholarship; and Gabriella Deverell, Natalie King and Payton Hadley with the First Security Bank Scholarship.

For the Bryan Brandau Memorial Scholarship, Casey Brandau awarded the scholarship to Carter Haberkorn.

Ginger Williams presented the Charles City Class of ’85 Scholarship to Savannah Baldus and the Friends of the Charles City Public Library Scholarship to Koryn Osier and Addison Tracey.

Representing NIACC, Paul Rottinghaus presented scholarships to Jenna Aikey, Abby Assink, Brandy Bettesworth, Gabriella Deverell, Alexis Eaves, Brayden Ellis, Catherine Field, Carter Haberkorn, Payton Hadley, Quinn Heidebrink, Cole Jones, Natalie Keyes, Logan Knapp, Tayleigh Lantz, Izzie Marth, Brooklyn Molitor, Jordin Ritter, Barbara Soifer and Isabelle Vance.

Doug King presented the Vulcan Lodge Scholarship to Xavier Scott and Jose Flores.

Lauren Heuberger presented the Elaine M. Lane Scholarship to Jenna Aikey, Savannah Baldus and Addison Tracey; the Freda Buchan Scholarship to Jadyn Van Horn; the Margaret Wolf Scholarship to Mya Rimrod; and the Minnie Jane Sylvester Scholarship to Ali Blickenderfer.

Cathy Rottinghaus presented the PEO Star Scholarship to Payton Hadley.

Representing Alpha Delta Kappa, Marilyn Buttjer presented Phi Chapter Darla Arends Educational Scholarships to Jenna Aikey, Gabriella Deverell, Blake Hoeft, and Jadyn Van Horn.

Melissa Jones presented the Charles City Noon Kiwanis Scholarship to Gabriella Deverell.

Representing CUSB, Cindy Randall presented Anya Ruzicka with the CUSB Bank Scholarship.

Representing Floyd County Medical Center, Mackenzie McNeill presented Emerson Bohlen with the FCMC Employee Club Scholarship.

Representing ISU Extension, Michelle Schubert presented Nicholas Williams with the Iowa State University Hixon Opportunity Award.

Payton Hadley and Xander Graeser received the Rotary Club Outstanding Senior Student Scholarship.

From First Security Bank, Brad Miller presented Emerson Bohlen, Koryn Osier and Xander Graeser with the Cora E. Krueger Scholarship; Natalie King and Lilie Mohring with the Kate McLeod Educational Fund Scholarship; Marissa Avelar with the Michael Baker Memorial Scholarship; Quinn Heidebrink with the Philip Vail Carroll and Margaret L. Carroll Scholarship; and Jordin Ritter with the Wayne and Mayme Swant Scholarship.

Associate Principal Susan Johnson presented Isabelle Vance and Kylie Blunt with the Floyd County Farm Bureau Scholarship; Emerson Bohlen, Nick Williams and Ellie Gassman with the Charles City Community Education Scholarship; and Payton Hadley with the Barry Basuk Scholarship.

Laurie Smith, on behalf of Sarah Fraser, presented Kylie Blunt with the Bruce Crooks Memorial Scholarship; Jadyn Van Horn with the Boeding, Speltz, & Wernimont Family Dentistry Scholarship; and Ellie Gassman with the PEO Sisterhood Scholarship.

Finally, Principal Levi Miller presented Gracie Opp with the NBJ Corporation Scholarship; Emerson Bohlen with the Bernie Saggau Award, and the Governor’s Scholarship to Jadyn Van Horn.