Hudson Area High School would like to announce the Top Ten students for the Class of 2008. These ten students have worked very hard during their four years at Hudson High to earn this honor and we congratulate them on their success. Five seniors have the honor of being named Valedictorian for the Class of 2008.

Valedictorian Jenna Borck is the daughter of Dan and Becky Borck.

She has been treasurer of the National Honor Society, class Secretary, and was selected senior of the month in November. Jenna has been involved in football cheer, competitive cheer, softball and dance. Jenna has received several league, regional, and state runner-up titles throughout her cheerleading career. She also was first team all league, regional, and state.

She was granted the sportsmanship award and county honorable mention for softball her junior year. Jenna was an attendee of Girls State, Civitan, and was the MyLead alternate. She has helped with the little girls cheer clinic, blood drives, elementary parent group babysitting, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Jenna is currently a dual enrolled student at Jackson Community College. She also is participating in a co-op work program in accounting. Jenna plans on attending Adrian College in the fall majoring in Accounting.

Valedictorian Gannon Curtis is the son of Mick and Karole Curtis.

Gannon was selected September senior of the month and the 2007 Fall Homecoming King. Gannon was on the varsity football team for three years, where he was a senior captain and a Co-MVP last season. He ran track for two years and is playing varsity golf this spring. Gannon is a class representative for the Student Council, was inducted into the National Honor Society his sophomore year, and attended the 2007 Boys State program last summer. He has volunteered for blood drives as well as Science Olympiad Tournaments. Gannon has been accepted into the Michigan State University Honors College, where he will be studying pre-medical science.

Valedictorian Amanda Kern is the daughter of Tom and Sandy Kern.

She is the secretary of the National Honor Society and was selected Senior of the month for December. Amanda has been involved in sideline and competitive cheerleading, along with the Hudson High School Bowling team. She was in the play for two years, was on Science Olympiad and was one of the two representatives from Hudson at Girls State. She has helped with blood drives and is a lunch buddy with the Big BuddieslLittle Buddies program. Next year, Amanda plans on attending Spring Arbor University majoring in secondary education.

Valedictorian Taylor Haber is the daughter of Ron and Terri Haber.

She is the senior class president, a three year member of the National Honor Society and president of NHS. She was selected as senior of the month for January and recently participated in Teen Court. Taylor has attended the Pokagon Leadership conference each of her four years at Hudson High School. She was also selected as an American Legion Girl’s State Representative. Taylor is a four year member of the marching and concert band and selected for the county honors band. She has been on the Class of 2008 homecoming float committee each year and the prom committee during her junior year. She has also participated in the all school play for two years. Taylor was a two year member of the N competitive cheerleading team and a varsity sideline cheerleader. She is also a past participant in JV softball. Taylor is a member of the track and cross-country teams. She is a recipient of the LCAA Scholar Athlete and Sportsmanship awards and was named Tiger Athlete of the Week. Taylor has also been actively involved throughout high school with Hudson Soccer where she was a player, volunteer assistant coach and referee. As a volunteer, Taylor has been involved with Big Brothers/Big Sisters Lunch Buddies program, Sacred Heart Altar Server, Sacred Heart and Knights of Columbus fundraising efforts, Salvation Army Bellringer, Hudson Community Choir Cantata, NHS blood drives, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Community holiday party Santa’s helper, Hudson Band Boosters concessions, and HHS stadium clean-up. Taylor has received academic letters and pins in mathematics, English, foreign language, social studies, science, trig/precalculus, research and design, and physical education. She is also listed in Who’s Who Among American High School Students. Taylor is employed by Bob’s Market House of Hudson. She is also a childcare assistant in a family operated childcare. Taylor is a fifteen year dance student and enjoys playing piano. While currently undecided, Taylor will be attending Adrian College or Saginaw Valley State University where she will be majoring in business management.

Valedictorian Brett Merillat is the son of Gene and Kathy Merillat.

He has been the Vice president of Student Council for his Junior and Senior years and was the Vice President of his sophomore class. He has also been a member of the National Honor Society since his sophomore year. Brett has also participated in Cross Country, Basketball and Track through out his high school career and was captain of the cross country and track teams. He has been in band for four years and was a member of the Science Olympiad team his freshman year. Brett has been involved in Boy Scouts, in which he achieved the prestigious Eagle Scout Award. Brett served as Senior Patrol Leader. He has been a member of the Media Pioneers 4H club where he has served as treasurer for three years and was a Junior Livestock board member for two years. Brett has also been an active member of his church youth group. He has helped with blood drives and as Science Olympiad Volunteer.

Next year, Brett plans on attending Spring Arbor University where he will be majoring in pre-engineering and will also be a member of the Cross Country and Track teams.

Salutatorian Alisson Akers is the daughter of Tracey and Jim Moore and Jeff and Dawn Akers.

She is the leader of her section in band which she has been in for two and a half years. She has participated in both competitive and sideline cheer and volunteered at the school to help with other extra curricular activities. For the past year, Alisson has been involved with the all school play and helped compile her senior yearbook. She was accepted into the National Honor society her junior year where she has participated in blood drives and fundraising events. Alisson has held four jobs during her high school career, holding two of them during her senior year. Alisson is currently a dual enrolled student at Jackson Community College. In the fall Alisson plans on attending Western Michigan University, being admitted under university curriculum.

Salutatorian Taylor Smith is the son of Tim Smith and Sue Brockway of Hudson and Tamara Smith of Brighton.

Taylor received awards throughout high school in math, science, English and social studies at the Kiwanis banquets. Taylor was inducted into the National Honor Society his senior year. He has been involved in football and baseball during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. He has also been a part of the wrestling team for all four years where he was captain his junior and senior years as well as MVP his junior year. Taylor has also earned all state honors for wrestling in his sophomore, junior, and senior years; he was second in the state his junior year and third his senior year. Taylor has been involved in community service, helping out with the Hudson Public Library and the Hudson Wrestling Club, where he has helped for two years. Taylor will be attending Michigan State University in the fall where he will pursue a degree in secondary education.

Kellee Wonders is the daughter of Dan and Pam Wonders.

She is a member of the National Honor Society and a lunch buddy with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. She has spent many years in 4-H and her church youth group. She has volunteered with blood drives, Salvation Army Relay for Life and Hillsdale Community Health Center. She is a 3 year varsity basketball player and was captain all three years. She has played varsity volleyball for three years and is in her third softball season. Kellee was a dual enrolled student at Adrian College. Next year Kellee will attend Hillsdale College where she will be majoring in Pre-Med and will also be a member of the Women’s Basketball team.

Aleah Reese is the daughter of Kevin and Michelle Elarton.

She is ninth in her class, treasurer of her class and in the National Honors Society. Aleah has been a part of the Hudson volleyball team and the track team. She was chosen MVP in volleyball her junior year. Aleah is the captain of the track team. She has been in band for all four years of high school and participated in color guard during marching season. Aleah has volunteered for blood drives, Bean Creek Festival, and school carwash. Aleah is a member of the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program and is also a member of Country Kids, Inc. 4-H club for her first year. In the fall, Aleah plans to attend Jackson community College and transfer to University of Michigan for their nursing program.

Caleb Ely is the son of Amy and Rex Shaw and Lee and Pamela Ely.

He has been part of the Hudson Varsity football team for three years, where he was a captain his senior year. He was also team MVP both his junior and senior year. Caleb also was part of the Hudson Varsity Wrestling team for four years, where he was a captain his senior year. He has also been in band for four years, being a section leader all four years. Caleb also was elected Senior of the Month in October and is a member of the National Honor Society. Caleb worked at the Michigan State Police Post in Adrian in 2007 where he participated in various activities along with the State Troopers. He also has worked at Bob’s Market House for the past year. Caleb is an active member in his youth group where he is the vice-president. He has helped with blood drives and is a big buddy in the Big Buddies Little Buddies program. Next year, Caleb has plans on attending Michigan State University where he will be majoring in criminal justice.

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