SGHS Celebrates 2023 Graduation

Congratulations to the Class of 2023 on their graduation from Ste. Genevieve County R-II School District! We are beyond proud of you, and wish you the best as you move forward. See specific recognitions and awards from the ceremony below!

Check out photos from the Graduation Ceremony here.

Salutatorian: Madeleine Rose Terry: See Madeleine’s speech here, at the 02:04:00 mark. 

Valedictorian: Collin Joseph Fritsch: See Collin’s speech here, at the 02:16:00 mark.

Special Awards:

Four special awards are presented at graduation to two girls and two boys in the senior class. These students are voted on by the entire high school teaching staff and they represent outstanding characteristics such as: Character, leadership, citizenship, and scholarship. The recipients of the 2023 Danforth “I Dare You” awards are:

  • Madeleine Rose Terry

  • Nolan Christopher Walls

 

The two recipients of the 2023 Outstanding Senior Girl & Senior Boy awards are:

  • Outstanding Senior Girl is Lindsey Allison Crump

  • Outstanding Senior Boy is Collin Joseph Fritsch

 

Instrumental and Vocal Music Awards:

The three recipients of the Instrumental and Vocal Music Awards are:

  • John Philip Sousa: Jamison Angela Kemper

  • National Choral Award: Chayse Isabelle Bequette

 

Athletic Awards:

The two recipients of the 2023 Athletic Awards are:

  • Armella Peterson Award for Outstanding Senior Female Athlete: Alli Lea Byington

  • Mal Kimmel Award for Outstanding Senior Male Athlete: Aiden Ray Boyer

National Honor Society

The Dragon chapter of the National Honor Society is the most prestigious of the co-curricular groups at the high school level. Members are selected by a faculty committee and are students who reflect outstanding accomplishments in the areas of scholarship, character, leadership and service. All four areas are equally considered, and students selected for membership must continually strive to use their talents and skills for the improvement of society. Members include: 

  • Katarina Ahne

  • Chayse Bequette

  • Hannah Bley

  • Alli Byington

  • Lindsey Crump

  • Collin Fritsch

  • Jamison Kemper

  • Dru Koetting

  • Ariella Taylor

  • Madeleine Terry

  • Maya Watts

  • Brynna Wehner

  • Lani Yamnitz

National Art Honor Society

Members of the National Art Honor Society are selected by demonstrating outstanding abilities in the visual arts including participation in art shows and sales, and museum and gallery exhibitions. Students must also receive letters of recommendation from teachers in the areas of creativity, dedication, service and character and must have achieved an “A” average in Fundamentals of Art and maintained that average in every art course thereafter. Members include: 

  • Hannah Naeger

  • Miranda Ponder

  • Ariella Taylor

  • Brynna Wehner

A+ Schools Program

This is the 21st graduating class from Ste. Genevieve High School as A+ seniors. To meet the requirements of the A+ Schools Program, students must earn a 2.5 non-weighted cumulative grade point average, a 95% cumulative attendance average, a record of good citizenship, a score of Proficient or Advanced on the Algebra I End-Of-Course Exam or alternate qualifier and must have completed at least 50 hours of unpaid tutoring or mentoring. As certified A+ students, they are eligible for tuition assistance to attend any Missouri community college or vocational/technical school. These students include: 

  • Collin Abt

  • Katarina Ahne

  • Emily Allebach

  • Hannah Bley

  • Lily Boyd

  • Aiden Boyer

  • Jacqueline Brown

  • Alli Byington

  • Cylie Carlson

  • Lindsey Crump

  • Dayton Decker

  • Nicole Fischer

  • Madison Flieg

  • Jillian Gegg

  • Tessa Grass

  • Cody Hoehn

  • Braden Huck

  • Gavin Huck

  • Richard Hunter

  • Jacob Johns

  • Jamison Kemper

  • Dru Koetting

  • Julia Lemons

  • Cassidy Lorance

  • Ava Meyer

  • Alexis Parmer

  • Taylor Parson

  • Nicholas Plati

  • Jayden Rhinehart

  • Ariella Taylor

  • Madeleine Terry

  • Aiden Trollinger

  • Nolan Walls

  • Maya Watts

  • Brynna Wehner

  • Callie Winch

  • Mallory Wolk

  • Lani Yamnitz

FFA State Degree

The FFA State Degree is the highest degree a student may earn in FFA. This degree demonstrates the student has devoted an exceptional amount of time into their SAE and local chapter. It is awarded after receiving the aforementioned degrees. The FFA State Degree recipients for the Class of 2023 are: 

  • Carter Burr

  • Jillian Gegg

  • Kole Kramer

Senior Class Officers of 2023

  • President: Lindsey Allison Crump

  • Executive Member: Jamison Angela Kemper

  • Executive Member: Ariella Elizabth Taylor

  • Executive Member: Madeleine Rose Terry

  • Executive Member: Brynna Lane Wehner

  • Executive Member: Cameron Joseph Wolf

Students Enlisting in the Military:

The students below have enlisted to serve our country and have received their detachment dates:

  • Ryan Edmond Pinkley — United States Air Force

Cum Laude:

Students who have earned the distinction of Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.2 to 3.49. The students who have achieved the Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:

  • Collin Abt

  • Kaden Albert

  • Hannah Bley

  • Carter Burr

  • Aiden Boyer

  • Nicole Fischer

  • Carter Geralds

  • Tessa Grass

  • Kole Kramer

  • Cassidy Lorance

  • Ava Meyer

  • Alexis Parmer

  • Jayden Rhinehart

  • Mia Schweigert

Magna Cum Laude:

Students who have earned the distinction of Magna Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.5 to 3.79. The students who have achieved the Magna Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:

  • Katarina Ahne

  • Chayse Bequette

  • Lily Boyd

  • Koltin Capps

  • Braden Huck

  • Richard Hunter

  • Jamison Kemper

  • Jacob Johns

  • Hannah Naeger

  • William Vaughn

  • Nolan Walls

  • Maya Watts

  • Callie Winch

  • Mallory Wolk

  • Jacob Yates

Summa Cum Laude:

Students who have earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude are graduating with a cumulative non-weighted grade point average of 3.8 or higher. The students who have achieved the Summa Cum Laude distinction for the Class of 2023 are:

  • Alli Byington

  • Lindsey Crump

  • Collin Fritsch

  • Jillian Gegg

  • Dru Koetting

  • Miranda Ponder

  • Ariella Taylor

  • Madeleine Terry

  • Brynna Wehner

  • Cameron Wolf

  • Lani Yamnitz

George Washington Carver Award

The George Washington Carver Award is an academic award that was established in 1986 by former Governor John Ashcroft. Governor Michael L. Parson and Dr. Margie Vandeven, Commissioner of Education, are pleased to continue this award that honors the outstanding achievement of seniors in Missouri’s high schools. The George Washington Carver Award is named for an outstanding Missourian and scientist.

In making the announcement to establish the award, former Governor Ashcroft said, “George Washington Carver is the kind of role model I believe Missourians need to hold up to their children.  There is no better way to honor both Mr. Carver and your top students than by giving our very best high school seniors the George Washington Carver Award. I would like to recognize high academic achievement by making this award available to the top 10 percent of each high school’s graduating class in the State of Missouri.”

George Washington Carver achieved his dream of finishing high school and later college; although, he was born a slave and denied the opportunity for much formal schooling in his early years. He first studied art, but later chose science and agriculture as his profession and became one of America’s great practicing natural scientists. Carver spent most of his adult years at the famed Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, devoting his life to the improvement of agriculture in the South. His scientific efforts made him well known throughout the United States, and commercial applications of his research have greatly improved the quality of life for all Americans.

The students who received the George Washington Carver Award for high achievement during their four years in high school are: 

  • Alli Lea Byington

  • Lindsey Allison Crump

  • Collin Joseph Fritsch

  • Jillian Grace Gegg

  • Dru Elizabeth Koetting

  • Miranda Brielle Ponder

  • Ariella Elizabeth Taylor

  • Madeleine Rose Terry

  • Brynna Lane Wehner

  • Lani Renee Yamnitz

President’s Award for Education Excellence 

The following students have earned the President’s Award for Education Excellence:

  • Collin Joseph Fritsch

  • Jillian Grace Gegg

  • Braden Joseph Huck

  • Jacob Dean Johns

  • Jamison Angela Kemper

  • Ava Rae Meyer

  • Miranda Brielle Ponder

  • Madeleine Rose Terry

College Preparatory Studies Seal on Diploma:

In order to qualify as a recipient of the Ste. Genevieve County R-II College Preparatory Studies Seal on Diploma students must complete a rigorous high school program cooperatively planned by the school, the student and the student’s parents.  

These students have completed a strong academic program, as specifically outlined, in the subject areas of English/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Specified Core Electives while maintaining a 95% or higher cumulative attendance rate.

The following students have earned the Ste. Genevieve County R-II College Preparatory Studies Seal on their Diplomas:

  • Alli Lea Byington

  • Lindsey Allison Crump

  • Dru Elizabeth Koetting

  • Madeleine Rose Terry

  • Brynna Lane Wehner

Student Council:

The following students served as Student Council representatives:

  • Katie Ahne

  • Aiden Boyer

  • Alli Byington

  • Lindsey Crump - President

  • Tessa Grass

  • Jacob Johns

  • Jamison Kemper

  • Dru Koetting

  • Arie Taylor - Executive Board Member

  • Maddie Terry - Executive Board Member

  • Brynna Wehner

  • Lani Yamnitz - Executive Board Member

2023 Local Scholarship Recipients:

The following students were recognized for receiving local scholarships. Ste. Genevieve High School sincerely appreciates the support of the community and businesses that fund these scholarships, and we are proud of the dedicated commitment to education that exists within our community. These scholarships are appreciated by the students and will help them to achieve their goals.

The following seniors from Ste. Genevieve High School have received scholarships from local businesses and organizations:

Katarina Ahne:

  • Missouri State Tech - Robotics & Automation; Scholarships - Dennis P. Flieg Memorial, Riverside Landscaping, Inc., SGHS Band Boosters, Lieutenant Colonel J. Felix St. James Camp

Devyn Basler:

  • Mineral Area College - Criminal Justice; Scholarships: Bill Karl Memorial

Chayse Bequette:

  • Southeast Missouri State University - Musical Theatre; Scholarships - R&K Excavation, SG County Democratic Club, SGHS R-II Faculty

Hannah Bley:

  • Jefferson College - Business Management; Scholarships: Little Saline Sportsman Club, SGHS Band Boosters

Lily Boyd:

  • Grabber School of Hair Design - Cosmetology; Scholarships: GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve (Helen Smith), SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA), Ste. Genevieve VFW Post #2210

Aiden Boyer: 

  • Mineral Area College - Undecided; Scholarships - SG Legion Riders, SG Riverdogs, DESE Teacher Recruitment, Dennis P. Flieg Sons of the Legion

Carter Burr: 

  • American Welding Academy - Welding; Scholarships - SG Women’s Horseshoe League, SG County Tech Foundation, Flieg Family Agriculture

Alli Byington:

  • Missouri State University - Physical Therapy; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SG Lions Club, Karen McKersie Memorial, Mid-America Rehab, Ste. Genevieve County Memorial Hospital

Lindsey Crump:

  • Mineral Area College - General Studies/Anthropology; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS Student Council, Environmental Products, Inc., GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve (Young Woman), SGHS Mentors

Dayton Decker:

  • State Technical College of Missouri - Heavy Equipment; Scholarships: Army SGT., Michael Beckerman Memorial, SGHS FFA, Dennis P. Flieg FFA Memorial 

Nicole Fischer:

  • Northwest Missouri State - Nursing; Scholarships: Dennis P. Flieg Sons of the Legion, SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA), Heil Oil

Madison Flieg:

  • Mineral Area College - Psychology; Scholarships: Duane Donze Memorial Music/Theatre, Dennis P. Flieg Legion Ball

Kaden Flye: 

  • McKendree University - Marketing; Scholarships: Nancy L. Breig Memorial, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Tyler Wolk Scholarship

Collin Fritsch:

  • Missouri University of Science & Technology - Chemical Engineering; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Local Small Business, Lost Acre Tractor Club, Ste. Genevieve NEA

Jillian Gegg:

  • University of Missouri-Columbia (MIZZOU) - Animal Science/Pre-Vet; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SG Community Foundation, SGHS Future Farmers of America (FFA), Dennis P Flieg FFA Memorial, Flieg Family Agriculture, Chamber of Commerce

Tessa Grass:

  • Mineral Area College - Dental Hygiene; Scholarships: American Legion Post 150, Ste. Genevieve R-II MSTA/CTA, MO Farm Bureau

Cody Hoehn: 

  • State Technical College - Heavy Equipment; Scholarships: Lakenan Insurance, Elk’s Trade School Scholarship

Braden Huck:

  • University of Central Missouri - Science, Professional Pilot; Scholarships: Lost Acre Tractor Club, Missouri Farm Bureau, Ste. Genevieve Fair Board

Richard Hunter:

  • Missouri Baptist University - Sports Management; Scholarships: SGHS Boys Basketball, Vern Bauman Contracting

Savannah Jerman:

  • University of Missouri-Kansas City - Undecided; Scholarships: LafargeHolcim

Jamison Kemper: 

  • Truman State University - Chemistry Education; Scholarships: SGHS All-Sports Boosters, DESE Teacher Recruitment, Flieg Family Education, Linda Coleman Henson Memorial, SGHS Band Boosters, Robert C. Howe Scholarship

Dru Koetting:

  • Missouri State University - Business/Marketing; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, Mikel Stewart Memorial, Weingarten Jaycees

Cassidy Lorance:

  • Renaissance Beauty Academy - Cosmetology; Scholarships: Dennis P. Flieg Memorial

Ava Meyer:

  • Jefferson College - General Education/Psychology; Scholarships: Zell Area Jaycees

Hannah Naeger:

  • University of West Florida - Marine Biology; Scholarships: Wolk’s Insurance Agency, American Legion Auxiliary #150

Lexi Parmer:

  • Aesthetics Institute - Esthetician; Scholarships: American Legion Post #150

Thomas Pecaut:

  • Ranken Technical College - Diesel; Scholarships: SG Plaza Tire

Miranda Ponder:

  • Missouri State University - Digital Arts; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, Betty Geraghty Memorial/Art Guild

Mia Schweigert:

  • Jefferson College - Business; Scholarships: SG Fury

Ariella Taylor:

  • Southeast Missouri State University (SEMO) - Mass Communication Advertising; Scholarships: SGHS R-II Faculty, SG Elk’s #2674, Bloomsdale Bank, Eric Scott Leathers, LLC, SG Rotary Club, Nikki Reed Memorial

Madeleine Terry:

  • University of Missouri-Columbia - Pre-Law; Scholarships: Bethany Bequette Memorial, SG Elk’s #2674, Leeta Berry Memorial, Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Hoffman Memorial

Aiden Trollinger:

  • Mineral Area College - Informational Technology; Scholarships: Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Ste. Genevieve NEA

Nolan Walls:

  • Jefferson College - Nursing; Scholarships: SG County Tech Foundation

Maya Watts:

  • Mineral Area College - Elementary Education; Scholarships: Lindsay Roth Memorial, Nancy L. Breig Memorial, Flieg Family Education, Peggy J. Johnson Memorial, SGHS Future Teachers of America (FTA)

Brynna Wehner:

  • Missouri State University - Graphic Design/Computer Science; Scholarships: SG Elk’s #2674, SGHS All-Sports Boosters, Citizens Electric, Armella Peterson

Callie Winch:

  • Jefferson College - Radiology; Scholarships: Ste. Genevieve R-II MSTA/CTA, Vern Bauman Contracting

Cameron Wolf:

  • Missouri University of Science & Technology - Electrical Technology; Scholarships: European Entitlements, SG Vision Care, MRV Banks, Ste. Genevieve Jaycees

Chloe Wolk:

  • Jefferson College - Early Childhood; Scholarships: SG Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Belle Ever After Boutique

Lani Yamnitz:

  • Mineral Area College - Interior/Architecture Design; Scholarships: SG Rotary Club, Mark Woodson Memorial/Knights of Columbus, Mikel Stewart Memorial, SG Men’s Horseshoe League

The selection committee would like to thank the following area businesses and organizations that contributed scholarships to the students of Ste. Genevieve High School:

Small business donors include: the Artisan/Baetje Farms; Basler Funeral Home; Belle Ever After Boutique; Bloomsdale Excavating, Inc.; Computer Solutions; Dew Drop Inn; Donze Construction, Inc.; Drury Marketing, Inc.; Equipment Pro, Inc.; Fallert Bus Service; Kozy Kitchen; Local Union #2030; Lumber Dealers, LLC; Lurk Custom Cabinets; Rosie’s Posies, LLC; Sara’s Ice Cream; Save-A-Lot; Shuh & Sons Plumbing, LLC; Ste. Genevieve Farmer’s Market; T. Drury Contracting, Inc.; United Brotherhood of Carpenters.