Because of their commitment, determination, and hard work, the Clearwater and Clear Lake senior class of 2016 has immerged with the skills, focus, and drive to succeed that will take them forward into the next phase of their lives.

 

These up and coming young adults are ready and eager to take on the world.

 

Brianna Zachman, Clearwater, parents Tom and Jenny Zachman.

 

Zachman is graduating from Tech High School and plans to finish her generals at St. Cloud State University before transferring to another college for her doctorate in sports medicine. During high school she was involved in Spanish, volleyball and National Honor Society, volunteered at the St. Cloud Hospital, and was a Clearwater Ambassador. 

 

Zachman said she was going to miss seeing all her friends, as they are all going off in different directions.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Live it up, have fun and enjoy your time.”

 

Bethany Haus, St. Augusta, parents Sondra and Charles Haus.

 

Haus is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending Minnesota State University Mankato for biology. In high school she played cello in orchestra, volunteered at the hospital, received her Girl Scouts Gold Award, and participated in swimming, National Honor Society and Knowledge Bowl.

 

Haus said she would miss playing in orchestra the first thing in the morning, as it was her first period class for the last three years. 

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Enjoy your youth, growing up happens so fast you don’t realize it.”

 

Ashley Meline, Clearwater, parents LeRoy and Sheri Meline.

 

Meline graduated from Annandale High School May 20 and plans on going to St. Cloud Technical College for her generals before transferring to a four-year college to major in marine biology. She participated in dance and volleyball in high school, and did a lot of volunteering at the Humane Society, along with making blankets for the women’s shelter in St. Cloud.

 

Meline said she will miss going to high school and knowing all her friends are there with her.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Get involved throughout high school. Go to all the sporting events, prom and activities that you can.”

 

Jordin Campbell, Clear Lake, parents John and Lois Campbell.

 

Campbell is graduating from Tech High School, and plans to attend St. Cloud State University for her generals before heading out of state to major in education. During high school she played violin in orchestra and was involved in dance and Link Crew.

 

Campbell said she will miss seeing all the people she’s gone to school with since the first grade.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Stay close to people and make the most of your time in high school. It only lasts four years and goes quickly.”

 

Amber Mechtel, Clear Lake, parents Nathan and Kari Mechtel.

 

Mechtel is graduating from Becker High School, and will be attending the University of Minnesota Mankato for graphic design. In high school she participated in school plays and the Becker Dazzlers.

 

Mechtel said one of her favorite high school memories was participating in her first play, because it introduced her to a new group of friends.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Don’t be afraid to try new things ever.”

 

Cassidy Paul, Clear Lake, parents Todd and Cindy Paul.

 

Paul is graduating from Tech High School, and plans on attending St. Cloud State University for either elementary education or nursing. During high school she participated in volleyball and volunteered at the Clearview library every morning.

 

Paul said she was going to miss her volleyball team and all the friends she’s grown up with for the past 12 years.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Do your homework, stay organized, but still take time to have fun. Join as many things as you can.”

 

Paige Anderson, Clear Lake, parents Saul and Lisa Anderson.

 

Anderson is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending Mankato State University. During high school she participated in soccer.

 

Anderson said her favorite high school memories are meeting new people.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Take your time, it goes by fast.”

 

Bryce Goenner, Clear Lake, parents Brian and Barbara Goenner.

 

Goenner is graduating from Tech High School and plans on attending North Dakota State University to study engineering. During high school he was on the swim team and played percussion in band.

 

Goenner said he will miss having his mom make all his meals because he’s going to have to fend for himself and it’s not going to taste the same.

His advice to future seniors, “Do your homework and remember, you’re a student athlete not the other way around.”

 

 

Woodman is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for liberal arts before transferring to Carlson School of Business for his business management degree. In high school he participated in football, soccer, hockey, lacrosse, golf, tennis, Link Crew and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

Woodman said he’s going to miss team bonding and playing sports, along with the teachers who care and understand what you’re going through.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Don’t slack your freshman through junior years. Get it done otherwise you’ll be regretting it.”

 

Ethan Gray, Clear Lake, parents Paul and Kathryn Gray, 

 

Gray is graduating from Tech High School and plans on attending Carlson School of Business for either international business or public nonprofit management. During high school he participated in football, soccer, track, band, choir, National Honor Society, student council, Link Crew, Culture and Climate Group, and was on the Central Minnesota Division Student Council Board.

 

Gray said he was going to miss going to places he knows with the friends he’s been with for 12 years along with seeing them every day.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Get involved, the four years goes by very quickly. The more stuff you’re in the more people you’ll meet.”

 

Justin Hagstrom, Clear Lake, parents Dan and Jodi Hagstrom.

 

Hagstrom is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending St. Cloud State University for pharmacy. In high school he was involved in hockey, baseball, football, Link Crew and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

 

Hagstrom said he’s going to miss going to hockey practice everyday, which he did for three years.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Don’t take it for granted, cherish the moment. The time you have here goes fast.”

 

Andrew Lieser, Clearwater, parents James and Laura Lieser.

 

Lieser is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending St. Cloud State University for generals. During high school he was involved in football, golf and badminton club. 

 

Laser’s football team didn’t win any games during his freshman year, so one of his favorite high school memories is the team’s first win during his sophomore year.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Try your best, do your best. A lot of kids slack off and it doesn’t help them in any way.”

 

Andrew Setrum, Clear Lake, parents Gary and Marcia Setrum.

 

Sectrum is graduating from Tech High School, and plans on attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls for communication sciences and disorders. From there he plans on getting his PhD in audiology. In high school he participated in hockey, football, baseball and band.

 

Sectrum said he’s going to miss hanging out with his friends.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Be extraordinary in the ordinary.”

 

Jacob Kampa, Clear Lake, parents Dale Kampa and Linda Loiselle-Kampa.

 

Kampa is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending college in Duluth for engineering. During high school he was involved in orchestra, band and jazz band.

 

Kampa said he will miss seeing his friends every day.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Do your homework on time so you don’t have to mess with it later.”

 

Erin Heisick, Clear Lake, parents Charles Heisick and Darlene Primus.

 

Heisick is graduating from Tech High School and plans on attending the University of Eau Claire for an English major. In high school she was involved in soccer, choir, National Honor Society and Link Crew.

 

Heisick is going to miss having everything so familiar, the same people around she’s grown up with. 

 

Her advice to future seniors, “Be open to new experiences and new people, and don’t be afraid to say yes to new opportunities.”

 

Cody Hennek, Clear Lake, parents Joe and Sharla Hennek.

 

Hennek is graduating from Tech High School and will be attending St. John’s for pre-physical therapy, after which he plans on attending grad school at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. During high school he participated in football, baseball, track and choir.

 

Hennek said he was going to miss his football team because they were like a brotherhood.

 

His advice to future seniors, “Invest early and get out when it’s high.”

 

Erin Wehlage, Clearwater, parents David Wehlage and Barbara Blenker.

 

Wehlage is graduating from Tech High School and plans on attending St. Cloud State University for biomedical sciences and then neurosciences. In high school she played violin in orchestra and was the manager of the boys’ hockey team. She was also involved in choir, National Honor Society, Link Crew and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

 

Wehlage said she was going to miss having her best friend so close.

 

Her advice to future seniors, “It goes fast. It may not seem to at the time, but it does. Know there is more after high school. Things might seem terrible right now but it’ll get better.”