TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
Merrill High School (MHS) held their Class of 2022 Senior Awards Ceremony on May 25, 2022, in the MHS Auditorium. Students were recognized for their academic and other accomplishments, and presented with a combined total of $673,070 in local scholarships.
Kasie Holt, Scholarship Coordinator and Counselor at MHS, said MHS Seniors also reported receiving $605,245 in outside scholarships.
All told, that totals nearly $1.3 million in scholarships awarded to the MHS Class of 2022 to be applied toward their post-secondary education.
MHS Principal Shannon Murray (who will be the District’s new Superintendent of Schools effective in July); current Superintendent Dr. John Sample; and Board of Education President Kevin Blake were all on hand to share in the success of this year’s graduating Seniors.
Top Academic Seniors were recognized: Decilyn Clark, Molly Dallman, Lydia McIntyre, Bailey Orzech, Elizabeth Schmidt, Tessa Wheat, Laney Zuelsdorff, Jackson DeJong, Grace Koehler, Felicia Mayfield, Amelia Skoviera, McKenna Smith, and Olivia Stevenson.
International students were introduced: Telina Marmorat (from France), Emily Schilken (from Germany), and Greta Scomazzoni (from Italy).
Gold tassels
The following students received gold tassels: Brenna Allen, Anika Bartz, Annie Becker, Samuel Bennett, Damien Benzinger, Emma Boquist, Kierra Boyd, Danielle Broesch, Ayden Brown, Cali Brown, Kayla Burrow, Madalia Burrows, Jordan Bush, Decilyn Clark, Sarah Crockford, Molly Dallman, Jackson DeJong, Nicole Doering, Lauren Duginski, Fletcher Ellenbecker, Brandon Ellerman, Brindelyn Eternicka, Jackson Fink, Riley Fritcher, Caitlyn Geiss, Hailey Gerbig, Cory Gigl, Andrew Gille, Hannah Glaza, David Golisch, Angela Hinner, Callen Hoeppner, Isabella Hoff, Marissa Hoffman, Jack Hoock, Evan Jaeger, Carter Jensen, Samuel Johns, Grace Koehler, Lydia Koehler, Danielle Korman, Danyelle Kottke, Alissa Kracht, Monica Lane, Elizabeth Leander, Jordyn Leopold, Olivia Losee, Madison Malm, Evelyn Marcott, Emma Marlowe, Maria Marvin, Felicia Mayfield, Lydia McIntyre, Michael McRae, Andrew Moyer, Bailey Orzech, Emma Pajtash, Zoey Parrett, Alexander Peacock, Aiden Pehlke, Jonnie Pierschalla-Zastrow, Tanaya Pillai, Adam Polak, Megan Proulx, Ariana Raddatz, Kayoda Raddatz, Melony Rampart, Henry Reimann, Gaven Reindl, Alynn Renzelmann, Daniel Ricci, Matthew Rydeski, Dru Sabatke, Abigail Schmidt, Elizabeth Schmidt, Brennan Schneider, Courtney Schneider, Claire Schultz, Grace Schultz, Isaiah Scott, Amelia Skoviera, Draven Slewitzke, McKenna Smith, Jordan Smukowski, Steven Spoehr, Brenna Steinagel, Olivia Stevenson, Eric Stoltz, Bailey Turenne, Levon Van Der Geest, Abrehm Van Wie, Ashton Voermans, Anthony Vogel, Haven Wakefield, Tessa Wheat, Darrin Wiederhoeft, Tyler Wieloch, Mackenna Wimmer, Taylor Zastrow, and Laney Zuelsdorff.
Scholarships and awards
Students were recognized for the following achievements and scholarships during the program:
Omarion Banks
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Anika Bartz
Kate Goodrich Elementary School PTO
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
** Senior Athletic Award
** WI Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
Wyatt Bathke
** Senior Athletic Award
Annie Becker
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
** Senior Athletic Award
** WI Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
Samuel Bennett
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
** President’s Education Award
Colton Betro
Merrill Firefighters Scholarship
Merrill Varsity Blueline Club & Youth Hockey Association Scholarship
Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship
Kierra Boyd
Al & Elayne Saeger Memorial Scholarship
Ana Blair’s Boutique Future Female Leaders Award
Sonnentag Foundation Scholarship
Titans Promise Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
Ayden Brown
David H. Eckerle Memorial Scholarship
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Bryce Brown
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Cali Brown
Eagles Auxiliary #584 Scholarship
FFA – Casey Klimek Scholarship
Gleason Community Club Scholarship
Lincoln County Farm Bureau
Lincoln County Sports Club Scholarship
Lucas Anderson Memorial Scholarship
River Country Co-Op Scholarship
Kayla Burrow
WA Marquardt Scholarship
Ana Blair’s Boutique Future Female Leaders Award
Mechanical Contractors Association of Northwest Wisconsin, Inc.
Small Business Scholarship
Jordan Bush
Alan C. Vecchio Memorial Scholarship
Sgt. Ryan Jopek Memorial Scholarship
Decilyn Clark
Lee J. & Lillian Leidiger O’Reilley UW-Madison Scholarship
Lincoln County Tavern League Scholarship
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Sarah Crockford
WA Marquardt Scholarship
Molly Dallman
Al & Elayne Saeger Memorial Scholarship
Gleason Area Lions Club Scholarship
Sally Pfund Memorial Scholarship
Steger Family Scholarship
** National Honor Society Cords
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** President’s Education Award
Jackson DeJong
Martin & Marcella Lahni Scholarship
Rich & Jane Poirier Scholarship
William T. Evjue Scholarship
Merrill Administration Association Education Scholarship
Academic Excellence Scholarship
United Steelworkers Local 2-319 Scholarship
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Cayden Diels
** Senior Athletic Award
** Mickelson Athletic Award
Emily Dinges
Walter & Mabel Fromm Technical Scholarship
Lincoln County Tavern League Scholarship
Nicole Doering
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
Church Mutual Insurance Company Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
Lauren Duginski
Al & Elayne Saeger Memorial Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Fletcher Ellenbecker
Walter & Mabel Fromm University Scholarship
Silver M Club Scholarship in Memory of Gordon Dotter
** National Honor Society Cords
Brandon Ellerman
Agra Industries – Designing Scholarship
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Rotary Club Technical Scholarship in Memory of Roger Nelson
Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship
** Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Caitlyn Geiss
Stephanie “Stevie” Smith Memorial Scholarship
** President’s Education Award
Cory Gigl
Kiwanis Club Scholarship
Andrew Gille
** President’s Education Award
Hannah Glaza
Park City Credit Union Scholarship
Liberty Champion Award
Middle America Scholarship
David Golisch
Kiwanis Club Scholarship
Edward H. Staats & Mary Staats Memorial Scholarship
Senior Athletic Award
** President’s Education Award
Xavier Gronholm
Paul Simon Memorial Scholarship
Angela Hinner
Jessica & David Alft Memorial Scholarship
Sherry Simon Success Scholarship
Edward H. Staats & Mary Staats Memorial Scholarship
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
** National Honor Society Cords
Emily Hintz
Matthew Zocher Memorial Scholarship
WA Marquardt Scholarship
** Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship
Callen Hoeppner
Boyd & Dorinda Gustke Family Scholarship
Jered Severt Memorial Scholarship
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
Isabella Hoff
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Incredible Bank Scholarship
Steelworkers Union Local 319
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Jack Hoock
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Merrill Baseball Association Scholarship
** President’s Education Award
Evan Jaeger
Pine River Elementary School Scholarship
X to C Golf Scholarship
Merrill Golf Booster Club Scholarship
** John Philip Sousa Band Award
** National Honor Society Cords
** Junior Optimist Cord
** President’s Education Award
Samuel Johns
Gerald & Charmaine Whitburn Scholarship
** President’s Education Award
Zach Klimek
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Grace Koehler
Agra Industries – Welding Scholarship
Pine River Elementary School Scholarship
Mitchell Metal Products Scholarship
Lincoln County Beef Producers Scholarship
Rotary Club – Technical College Scholarship
Technical Excellence Scholarship
Charmaine Whiteburn Women’s Leadership Scholarship
** President’s Education Award
Lydia Koehler
Shirlaine Drew Memorial Scholarship
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Danielle Korman
Merrill Police Department Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Senior Athletic Award
** National Honor Society Cords
Danyelle Kottke
FFA Alumni Scholarship
Rotary Club University Scholarship
Eagles Auxiliary #584
Merrill Lions Club Scholarship
Medford Coop Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
** National Honor Society Cords
Alissa Kracht
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Monica Lane
Al & Elayne Saeger Memorial Scholarship
Academic Presidential Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Wisconsin Valley Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Jordyn Leopold
Eagles Aerie #584 Scholarship
Eagles Auxiliary #584
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Ana Blair’s Boutique Future Female Leaders Award
Olivia Losee
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Jacob Lueck
Haunted Sawmill Scholarship
** Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship
Madison Malm
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Emma Marlowe
Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship
Merrill Optimist “Youth of the Month” Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Senior Athletic Award
** National Honor Society Cords
Maria Marvin
Tim Volz “79” Memorial Scholarship
Allie Maschke
X to C Golf Scholarship
Merrill Golf Booster Club Scholarship
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Felicia Mayfield
Lee J. & Lillian Leidiger O’Reilley UW-Madison Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
Lydia McIntyre
Gerald & Charmaine Whitburn Scholarship
Kate Goodrich Elementary School PTO Scholarship
Elks Most Valuable Student State Scholarship
Sholund Estate Scholarship
Edward H. Staats & Mary Staats Memorial Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Michael McRae
Merrill Baseball Association Scholarship
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
Bailey Orzech
Al & Elayne Saeger Memorial Scholarship
Aspirus Merrill Hospital Scholarship
Ana Blair’s Boutique Future Female Leaders Award
** Junior Optimist Cord
Emma Pajtash
Lincoln County Medical Society Scholarship
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Civic Leaders Scholarship
St. Bernard Scholarship
St. Catherine Award
St. Cecilia Music Scholarship
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Zoey Parrett
Park City Credit Union
Ana Blair’s Boutique Future Female Leaders Award
Weinbrenner Shoe Co. Scholarship
Alexander Peacock
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
Stephany “Stevie” Smith Memorial Scholarship
Aiden Pehlke
Silver M Club Scholarship in Memory of Arnold Krombholz
William Hinke & Jeanne Kroeplin Scholarship
Jonnie Pierschalla-Zastrow
Aspirus Merrill Hospital Scholarship
David & Emily Streich Scholarship
Elsie H. Heckman Memorial Scholarship
** Technical Excellence Scholarship
** Bierman Family Foundation Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
Tanaya Pillai
Jefferson School PTO Scholarship
** Outstanding Vocal Performance Award
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Paige Plautz
Blanche Krueger Youth Bowling Scholarship
Calumet College Athletic Scholarship
Edward H. Staats & Mary Staats Memorial Scholarship
Adam Polak
Paul Simon Memorial Business Scholarship
Incredible Bank Finance Scholarship
Ariana Raddatz
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
STEAM Scholarship
UW-Stevens Point at Wausau Merit Scholarship
Henry Reimann
** Senior Athletic Award
** WIAA Scholar Athlete Award
Gaven Reindl
Agra Industries – Engineering Scholarship
Knights of Columbus Scholarship
** New Blue Devil First Year Student Scholarship
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Alynn Renzelmann
Merrill Lions Club Scholarship
Kate Goodrich Elementary PTO Scholarship
Sherry Simon Success Education Scholarship
Church Mutual Family Scholars Program Scholarship
Church Mutual Women’s Leadership Initiative Scholarship
Concordia of Wisconsin Music Scholarship
Concordia of Wisconsin Presidential Scholarship
Mutual of Wausau Insurance Co. Scholarship
Northern Wisconsin Chapter CPCU Society Scholarship
Wausau Lyric Choir Scholarship
** Outstanding Vocal Performance Award
** President’s Education Award
Daniel Ricci
** President’s Education Award
Matthew Rydeski
Betty Latzig Making a Difference Scholarship
Anna Schlegel
FFA Alumni Scholarship
Gleason Area Lions Scholarship
Abigail Schmidt
Washington Elementary PTO Scholarship
Elizabeth Schmidt
Leonard Niles Anson Memorial University of Notre Dame Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Klug Athletic Award
** President’s Education Award
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Brennan Schneider
Carl & Wella Orin Memorial Scholarship
Courtney Schneider
Lawrence & John Frederick Agriculture Scholarship
Lincoln County Beef Producers Scholarship
Lincoln County Farm Bureau Scholarship
Nicklaus Agriculture Scholarship
Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club Scholarship
Claire Schultz
Lee Wardall Memorial MTA Scholarship
Washington Elementary School Scholarship
Southern Illinois University Division 1 Athletic Scholarship
University Excellence Scholarship
Grace SchultzUniversity of South Dakota University Division 1 Athletic Scholarship
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Amelia Skoviera
Leone Torzewski Memorial Scholarship
Rich & Jane Poirier Scholarship
Optimist Club Scholarship
Academic Excellence Scholarship
AG Country Farm Credit Services Scholarship
State Farm Companies Foundation Scholarship
Honors First Year Scholarship
** Outstanding Vocal Performance Award
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
McKenna Smith
Herbert F. & Elizabeth S. Guenzl UW-Madison Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
Brenna Steinagel
Aspirus Merrill Hospital Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Olivia Stevenson
Ron & Ellen Nicklaus Scholarship
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Bailey Turenne
Silver M Club Scholarship in Memory of Mike Zuelsdorff
Trustee Distinguished Scholarship
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
** Senior Athletic Award
** Klug Athletic Award
Levon Van Der Geest
Robert & Jo Ann Opsahl Scholarship
WA Marquardt Scholarship
Abrehm Van Wie
Walter & Mabel Fromm University Scholarship
Silver M Club Scholarship in Memory of Jim Langenkamp
Ashton Voermans
Genevieve Bowell Scholarship
Anthony Vogel
Walter & Mabel Fromm Technical Scholarship
Riley Warren
Walter & Mabel Fromm Technical Scholarship
Tessa Wheat
Evelyn Broecker Memorial Scholarship
Marshfield Clinic Health Scholarship
Martin & Marcella Lahni Scholarship
Pointer Promise Scholarship
Presidential Gold Scholarship
Community Blood Center High School Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Senior Athletic Award
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** National Honor Society Cords
Tyler Wieloch
** Youth Apprenticeship Star of the Quarter
Taylor Zastrow
Leota Davis Memorial Scholarship
PRMS Student Council Scholarship
** Kolbe & Kolbe Millwork Co. Inc. Scholarship
** Merrill Ice Reflections Figure Skating Club Scholarship
** Pointer Promise Scholarship
** Presidential Gold Scholarship
** Junior Optimist Cord
** Outstanding Vocal Performance Award
** National Honor Society Cords
Laney Zuelsdorff
Herbert F. & Elizabeth S. Guenzl UW-Madison Scholarship
Star Scholars Scholarship
Merrill High School Softball Class of 2022 Scholarship
** MHS Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee
** Mickelson Athletic Award
** Senior Athletic Award
** WIAA Scholar Athlete
** Wisconsin Valley Conference Scholar Athlete
** Junior Optimist Cord
** National Honor Society Cords
** President’s Education Award
*Outside Scholarship
**High School Award/Recognition