Centralia and W.F. West High Schools Name Top Scholars

No. 7 Hayden Blaser

Hayden Michelle Blaser is the daughter of Joe and Kim Blaser. She is ranked seventh in her class based on the Top Ten Index and is a salutatorian, while taking honors classes and AP calculus. She also was a member of AOK club. Hayden has been actively involved in music and sports throughout all four years. She has played the flute since fifth grade and has participated in many solo and ensemble contests. Hayden will also be a twelve -time varsity letter winner, playing volleyball, basketball and tennis. This year, Hayden helped her volleyball team become academic state champs. Her junior year, she went to state for tennis and placed seventh in doubles. Hayden will be attending Centralia College this fall, where she will earn her associate’s degree. She hopes to transfer to a four-year university where she will study in the field of science. Hayden would like to become a pharmacist or science teacher. 

No. 2 Madison Crews

Madison Renee Crews is the daughter of Ivan and Sandy Crews. She is ranked second in her class and achieved the distinction of co-valedictorian while taking every available honors and AP course.  Madi was active in Link Crew, Key Club, YoungLife and Leadership. She also played the violin for nine years and was vice president and president of Orchestra Club, in addition to freshman class treasurer and ASB treasurer.  Madi lettered one season in soccer and all four years in softball, earning second and first team All League recognition as an outfielder.  As a four-year letterman in basketball, she tied the district scoring record freshman year, was named to the All League second team sophomore year, All League first team junior year, and was the Evergreen Conference co-MVP her senior season, along with three All-Area selections. She also broke all-time records at CHS for most career points, steals and assists.  Madi will play basketball at Lower Columbia College next year and begin her journey toward a degree in communications.

No. 9 Joseph Evans

Joseph Roco Evans is the son of Erland and Margarita Evans. He is ranked ninth in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index. He accomplished this while taking a challenging course load consisting of honors and Running Start classes. As a Running Start student, Joseph has taken 111 credits at Centralia College, which includes third-year calculus, third-year general chemistry, and second-year engineering physics. Joseph played the trumpet in band from the fifth grade up until his sophomore year, and in jazz band from the seventh grade up until his sophomore year. Although Joseph’s main passion is dedicated to studying the behaviors of the natural world, he has developed an interest in botany, and enjoys hiking, running, swimming and challenging his body along with his mind. This coming fall, Joseph intends to attend Washington State University. There he will study physics. Although he is unsure where this will lead his career, he knows that he wishes to attend graduate school and eventually earn his doctorate.

No. 4 Kaitlynn Johns

Kaitlynn Kaye Johns, daughter of Douglas and Melony Johns, has achieved her long-term goal of graduating in the Top Ten, placing fourth in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index. Kaitlynn has participated in sports all four years, including volleyball, track and one year of basketball, earning a three-year varsity letter in volleyball along with being voted “Most Inspirational” twice by her teammates, and a four-year varsity letter in track, earning MVP for women's field events her junior year. She took honors classes in English and science freshman and sophomore years and was a grade ahead in math. This year, Kaitlynn joined Photography Club as the club president where she competed in the Southwest Regional Competition, placed third and earned a spot in the state competition. Next year, Kaitlynn will attend Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, majoring in elementary education. After earning a degree, Kaitlynn hopes to remain in Washington while teaching at the second or third grade level.

No. 1 Elizabeth Johnson

Elizabeth Anne Johnson is the oldest daughter of Chad and Carolyn Johnson. She is ranked first in her class based on the Top Ten Index and is proud to share the honor of valedictorian with Madison Crews and Christian Peters.  She has taken honors and Running Start classes, as well as AP Spanish.  She has participated in leadership at the class and club level, including band president and National Honor Society president her senior year.  Lizzie participated in the jazz and concert bands throughout all four years of high school.  She and Hannah Jeffries qualified to perform at the State Solo and Ensemble Contest in the Small Percussion Ensemble Category. She joined choir during her senior year.  Elizabeth hopes to pursue a career as a singer/songwriter after earning a four-year degree in songwriting. If all else fails, she plans to pursue a career in one of her other areas of interest, such as mathematics, welding or rally cross racing.

No. 6 Christian Peters

Christian Lee Peters is the son of Shawn and Bob Peters.  He is graduating as a valedictorian and sixth in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index.  In addition to honors courses, Running Start and extra-curricular activities, Christian has been involved in athletics.  He is a four-year letterman, participating in both basketball and baseball and was part of the 2015 state championship baseball team. Christian has been recognized as an All-Area, All-State and All-Academic athlete.   In addition to athletics, Christian has been a part of 4-H, FFA, Key Club, Honor Society and sports medicine.  After graduation, Christian will be studying business while attending the University of Portland and has signed to play baseball for the Portland Pilots.

No. 5 Payton Pocklington

Payton Kite Pocklington, daughter of Bruce and Kerri Pocklington, has made the most out of her high school experience by participating in a broad range of athletics, academics, and extra-curricular activities. Placing fifth in her class based on the Top Ten Index, Payton has taken many honors and college level classes while participating in Running Start. She is a four-year letterman in soccer and fastpitch and a three-year letterman in basketball. She also was a Link Crew leader for two years, a part of the 2015-2016 leadership class, a member of Pep Club, and was a coach of many Tiny Tiger Camps. Payton’s favorite part of high school was attending all of the sporting events and “super fanning.” Next year Payton will attend Eastern Oregon University on a fastpitch scholarship. She is still undecided on what she will major in; however, she looks forward to her big move and the exciting adventure ahead of her.

No. 3 Leticia Ramirez

Leticia Ann Ramirez, daughter of Ruben and Teresa Ramirez, is excited for her next steps. Leti has taken Running Start, AP and honors courses at Centralia High School and ranks third in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index. Leti is actively involved in athletics, both in and out of school. She played volleyball and fastpitch at CHS. In addition, Leti is active in her community. She is an active participant in KEY Club, is a member of the National Honor Society and participates in the Lewis County Special Olympics Torch Run each year since middle school. She has worked regularly at the community’s Summerfest activities and with the local police association’s Night Out With Santa. Leti enjoys travel and the adventures it offers; ziplining, snorkeling, spelunking, kayaking, white water rafting — anything outside. Leti plans to attend University of Washington in the fall, where she will study social sciences, majoring in psychology and law, societies and justice.

No. 10 Rose Robbins 

Rose Elizabeth Robbins is the daughter of Steve and Laurie Robbins. Rose is ranked 10th in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index. She has taken honors and AP courses all throughout her high school career, taking honors and AP English all four years, and taking advanced math and science courses. She has been involved in many activities both inside and outside of school. Her biggest activity is soccer, and it is also a passion of hers. She has had a varsity letter all four years of her high school career, and was also a captain for her soccer team. She has also been involved in clubs such as Sports Medicine Club, which will help her to get a head start toward her career goal. Next year, Rose plans to play soccer and attend Saint Martin’s University. She plans to receive an undergraduate degree in either biology or pre-physical therapy. From there she hopes to attend a school offering a doctorate program in physical therapy, receive her doctorate in physical therapy, and go on to have a successful career and life.

No. 8 Melissa Zion

Melissa Zion is the daughter of Craig and Laura Zion. She has taken AP and honors courses and is ranked eighth in the class of 2016 based on the Top Ten Index. Melissa has been involved in many activities both in and out of school. Melissa has been a four-year letterman in fast pitch, as well as being a three-year letterman in volleyball. Throughout high school, she has been involved in many clubs such as Science Club, Sports Medicine, and Key Club. This year she has served as the president of Key Club, and the secretary of Sports Medicine Club. Melissa is very active in the community, regularly volunteering with the Centralia Police Officers Association, as well as volunteering at the local animal shelter. Melissa plans to attend Whitworth University this fall where she will study pre-medicine and major in biology. Her dream is to attend medical school and eventually become a pediatric cardiologist. 

No. 1 Nathan Anglin

Nathan Davis Anglin, son of Mike Anglin and Jennifer Miller, will graduate with honors in humanities and STEM, and a cumulative GPA of 4.0. He is ranked first in his class. In high school Nathan has participated in football and basketball while being the treasurer of the Ping Pong Club and a group leader in the National Honor Society. Nathan has been involved in the lives of younger kids through Little Dribblers camp and STEM Day. He plans to attend the University of Washington and is undecided about future career plans.

No. 5 Niko Bhagwandin

Niko Ray Bhagwandin, son of Omroa and Annie Bhagwandin, will graduate with honors in STEM and a cumulative GPA of 3.952. He is ranked fifth in his class. During his freshman year at Onalaska High School, Niko was the class vice president and a member of the Science Club. He also played basketball and ran cross country. Since transferring to W. F. West, he has participated in Knowledge Bowl and National Honor Society and was heavily involved with the FIRST Robotics Competition team. He was the design lead this year and the team earned the Excellence in Engineering award and was a PNW district finalist. The team also qualified for the World Championships in St. Louis. He plans to attend the University of Washington College of Engineering as a pre-engineering student. Niko’s goal is to create robots that improve our everyday lives and push the limits of our technological advancements.

No. 1 Jared Chung

Jared Paul Chung, son of Drs. Paul and Iris Chung, will graduate with a cumulative GPA of 4.0 and is ranked first in his class. He is currently finishing his second year in the Running Start program. Jared played on the W.F. West tennis team for two years, the Pacific Northwest Chamber Orchestra for two years, and was on the Poseidon swim team for two years. He was also a member of the Global History and Culture Club, as well as the National Honor Society. As a Running Start student at Centralia College, he was elected for student government, and he joined the college’s Multicultural Club, Science Slub, Student Policy Council, Diversity Committee, and Honor Society — Phi Theta Kappa. He was also awarded a Capstone Grant for his chemistry presentation based on his independent research. Jared plans to attend Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee, this fall. He plans to major in biochemistry and hopes to later pursue a medical mission career in ophthalmology.

No. 3 Hannah Cummings

Hannah Lynn Cummings, daughter of Brian and Stacey Cummings, will graduate with honors in English, humanities and STEM, with a 3.98 cumulative GPA. She is ranked third in her class. While in high school, she participated in Spirit Club, National Honor Society, tennis, golf, cheer, ASB, wind ensemble, HOBY and Young Life. She will be attending the University of Idaho and majoring in communication science disorders in hopes of becoming a speech language pathologist.

No. 5 Dane Hannum

Dane Michael Hannum, son of Steve and Gretchen Hannum, is graduating with honors in humanities and STEM, with  a cumulative GPA of 3.952. He is ranked fifth in his class. He is president and co-founder of the Ping Pong Club and was vice-president of his class his freshman year. He has also participated in Interact Club, is a member in good standing of the National Honor Society and ran for the track and field team his senior year. Throughout his time at W.F. West, Dane has been involved in many activities such as STEM Day and BioTech Day. Next year Dane plans to go to Western Washington University and to major in biology with a pre-medicine focus. After Western he plans to go on to medical school to become a dermatologist.

No. 2 Madeline James

Madeline Ashley James, daughter of Ron and Nicki James, will graduate with honors in English, humanities, and STEM with a 3.99 cumulative GPA. She is ranked second in her class. She has been a Bearcat cheerleader all four years of her high school career and qualified for state competition three of those years. She has also been involved in Spirit Club and National Honor Society. During her senior year, she was one of the ASB treasurers and had the privilege of being a part of W.F. West leadership. Next year, she will attend Western Washington University to major in elementary education. After getting her degree in teaching, she hopes to become a second grade teacher.