The Aberdeen High School class of 2017 will graduate at 6 p.m. Friday at Stewart Field. Here is a look at the school’s top graduates for 2017.
Braden Castleberry-Taylor
The son of Penny Castleberry-Taylor and Brad Taylor of Aberdeen will graduate with a 4.00 GPA and is one of the valedictorians of the Class of 2017. After graduation Braden plans to attend the University of Puget Sound and major in education. He hopes to become a teacher and to return to his hometown to teach and coach at Aberdeen High School. He was a four-year varsity letter winner in football, a two-year team captain, and a 1st Team All-League wide receiver. He was also selected to play in the state football All-Star Game. Braden was a three-year varsity letter-winner in basketball, a two-year team captain, and was named 2nd Team All-Conference. He earned three varsity letters in track and was a team captain for two years. He won the Jud Graham Award as the outstanding junior male student and was the Executive Treasurer for ASB. Braden was chosen as the Rotary Student of the Month for October.
Amelia Davison
The daughter of Michelle Davison of Montesano will graduate with a 4.00 GPA and is one of the valedictorians of this year’s graduating class. She is considering attending the University of Washington or Washington State University and plans to study mathematics and engineering. She hopes to become an engineer or a vet technician. Amelia has played with the Aberdeen High School concert band and wind ensemble. She is a Running Start student and has also earned her AA in Science from Grays Harbor College.
Malia Marks
The daughter of Molly and Jonathan Marks of Aberdeen will graduate with a 4.00 GPA and is a valedictorian for her class. She plans to attend Harvard University to study bioengineering and medical research. She hopes to one day form a non-profit research organization to address the health concerns of the world’s poorer countries. Malia was a four-year member of the marching band and was the Low-Brass Field Marshal from 2015 to 2017. She was voted “Most Spirited’ member of the AHS Marching Band. She was a PLU Northwest Honors Band tuba player in 2016-2017 and played tuba in the orchestra pit for the AHS production of “The Sound of Music.” She has composed, recorded, and released two musical records that have appeared on iTunes. Malia was a foreign exchange student and did medical volunteer work in Cuzco, Peru, and served as a research intern at Grays Harbor College where she worked on a vaccine for F. psychrophilum, a bacteria that attacks salmon, to be used on fish farms. She participated in Food Ball from 2013 – 2017, has volunteered at the 7th Day Adventist Food Bank for several years, and at Christmas she sings carols at local nursing homes.
Malia has acted in several plays at the Driftwood Theater and was named “Best Actor in a Small Role” for her work in “The House of Agatha Mysterie.” She is the first Aberdeen High School student to receive a 5 on the Advanced Placement Biology Exam and she will also graduate this June with her AA in Medicine and Math from Grays Harbor College and as valedictorian of her class.
Emily May
The daughter of Dr. Gregory May and Dr. Anne Marie Wong of Aberdeen will graduate with a 4.00 GPA and as a valedictorian of the Class of 2017. She plans to attend the University of Portland and major in biology. She hopes to have a career in physical therapy or medicine. Emily is a four-year varsity swimmer and was a four-year district champion and state participant. She was a team captain as a senior and a NISCA All-America Academic Award recipient. She is a school record holder and has won the Coach’s Award (10th grade), the Randy McDougal Award (11th grade), and the Bus Fairburn Award (12th grade). She was a Top Scholar Athlete Award winner all four years. Emily was a three-year member of the varsity golf team and a three-year participant in districts. She received the Coach’s Award her sophomore year and was a team captain her senior year. She was a Top Scholar Award winner for four years. Emily plays French horn with the Aberdeen High School Wind Ensemble and piano with the Jazz Band. She has been a member of the Marching Band for four years and served as field marshal during 11th and 12th grades. She also served as class representative (9th and 10th grades) and president (11th and 12th grades) on the Governing Body of the Band. Emily was the Boys’ Swim Team manager in 9th and 10th grades and a member of the Renaissance Action Team in 10th grade. She was a member of the American Red Cross High School Leadership Program and a student leader at Outdoor School in 10th grade. She is the pianist for the choir at St. Mary’s Church where she is also a Eucharistic Minister. She was a People to People Student Ambassador and a Washington Cultural Exchange swimmer. Emily is a World Class Scholar and as a Running Start student will graduate from high school with her Associate of Arts degree from Grays Harbor College.
Jake Metke
The son of Chris and Amber Metke of Aberdeen will graduate with a 4.00 GPA and as a valedictorian of his class. He plans to attend the University of Washington and major in business. He hopes to pursue a career in business and marketing. Jake is a four-year varsity letter winner in baseball and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. He was a team captain, received the Coaches Award, and was named All-League his junior year. He also played varsity basketball and was a four-time Top Scholar Athlete. Jake is a World Class Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He is a manager for the Cat’s Cave student store, a four-year ASB vice-president, and the vice-president for Future Business Leaders of America. He was a Food Ball chairperson during his junior and senior years and received a People’s Choice Award. Jake was Rotary Student of the Month for January.
Ryan Solan
The son of Steve and Susan Solan of Aberdeen will graduate with a perfect 4.00 GPA and is a valedictorian for the Class of 2017. After high school Ryan plans to attend the University of California at Berkeley and major in computer science. He has completed eight years of math including calculus BC, linear algebra, and an independent computer programming course to prepare for his college major. He has also dedicated countless hours to tutoring other students in math. He hopes to one day head his own technology company. Ryan is a member of the National Honor Society and a World Class Scholar. He is a Math Olympiad Regional Champion and a state competitor as well as a Business Week CEO, Outdoor School student leader, and a Rotary Student of the Month. Ryan is a four-year varsity tennis player, team captain and 2-year team MVP who was selected First Team All-League this year. He received the Coaches Award as a sophomore and was Rookie of the Year as a freshman. He qualified for districts all four years. He also enjoyed playing basketball for four years and was named a Scholar Athlete each year.
Ryan is an avid piano player who has been playing since kindergarten and enjoys playing contemporary music. He is a video game enthusiast and ranked tournament competitor for Super Smash Brothers and has housed a competitive gaming community from his home throughout high school.
Jeran Paris
The son of Christina Paris of University Place, Washington, and James Paris of Molalla, Ore., will graduate with a 3.991 GPA and is the salutatorian of this year’s class. He plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University to study business and economics or biology. He hopes to enter business or the medical field and wants to be able to travel as part of his job. As a freshman and sophomore at Aberdeen High School Jeran played in the marching, jazz and symphonic bands and played saxophone, trumpet, and euphonium. He earned varsity letters in cross country, track and field, and swimming and diving where he was named most improved and received the Coaches Award. He was named a scholar athlete in each sport. As a junior Jeran participated in the Rotary Foreign Exchange Program and spent a year in Finland. While there he passed the Finnish Proficiency Exam, played hockey, floorball, and handball, and fell in love with Finnish saunas. Jeran returned to Aberdeen High School for his senior year and played in the Marching Band and Wind Ensemble and was a member of the JV soccer team. He has been a lifeguard at the YMCA during his sophomore and senior years and was an Easter Seals WA Camp Stand by Me counselor.
Kristen Donovan
The daughter of George and Suzy Donovan of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.988 GPA and is ranked eighth in this year’s graduating class. Kristen plans to attend the University of Washington this fall and is still deciding on a major and a career path. She is a World Class Scholar and has been on the honor roll all four years of high school. She was an AHS Yearbook staff member in grades 9 and 10 and was the photo editor in grade 10. She is a full-time Running Start student who is listed on the President’s Honor Roll and will graduate from high school with an AA degree in business from Grays Harbor College.
Hannah Palmer
The daughter of Tina and Troy Palmer of Cosmopolis will graduate with a 3.984 GPA and is ranked 9th in her class. She plans to attend Seattle Pacific University after high school to study history. She would like to someday be a history professor and share her love of history with others. Hannah is a four-year member of the Aberdeen Girls Swim Team and has earned three varsity letters. She was a Top Scholar Athlete award winner all four years and was chosen for the Coaches Award her junior and senior years. She was a member of the Aberdeen High School Symphonic Choir her freshman and sophomore years and played the bells in the Marching Band her junior and senior years. Hannah has been a Running Start student for the past two years and will also graduate from Grays Harbor College with her AA in History. In her spare time she loves to read, draw, and play video games, and enjoys spending time with her dogs Kona and Lexi.
Kyle Hurd
The son of Tyler and Kelly Hurd of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.929 GPA and is ranked 10th in his class. Kyle plans to attend Pacific Lutheran University to study music. He is a 4-year state competitor in cross country and a 3-year state track competitor in the 1600 meters. He played with the Aberdeen High School Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and Pep and Marching bands. He also played for musical productions presented by the high school and was accepted as the first horn in the WMEA All-State Concert band. Kyle is a Running Start student and at Grays Harbor College he plays with the symphony and jazz band, and for the college’s musical productions. He will graduate from high school with his AA degree from the college. Kyle has volunteered with Food Ball and the Relay for Life and is a member of a local running club. He enjoys making music and videos that he posts on YouTube and wants to invite you to subscribe to his YouTube channel appropriately titled “Kyle Hurd.”
Haley Farrer
The daughter of Erin and Ryan Farrer of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.916 GPA and is ranked 11th in this year’s class. Haley plans to attend Brigham Young University and major in nutrition and business. She has been a key member of the high school volleyball, basketball, and golf teams. She was a varsity golf captain and two-year captain of the varsity volleyball team as well as a three-year Top Scholar Athlete Award winner. She won the volleyball MVP Award and was a two-year Evergreen League Volleyball All-League Honorable Mention. She has served as a coach for 5th grade Girls AAU Basketball, YMCA Girls Basketball, and Grays Harbor Special Olympics golf, and was the co-director of the Grays Harbor Youth Golf and Volleyball Camp. Haley is a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) where she was a state qualifier and regional champion in the Help Desk category. She has been the FBLA Historian for four years. Haley is a member of the Aberdeen High School chapter of the National Honor Society where she serves as its president. She was her class president from 6th through 9th grades and class secretary from 10th through 12th grades. Haley has helped plan and organize the annual Food Ball competition for the past four years and has chaired multiple events. Haley also is a summer camp leader and mentor, a member of the Leadership class at AHS, and a volunteer at a local nursing home. She was the Rotary Student of the Month for April.
Through her church Haley is a member of the LDS youth group and LDS Stake Youth Committee. She has earned the Personal Progress Medallion and will soon graduate from the LDS Seminary class. She was also a member of the Church Community Clean-up Crew.
Lisa Voshell
The daughter of Kathy and Joe Voshell of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.909 GPA and is ranked 12th in this year’s graduating class. Lisa will attend the University of Portland Pamplin School Of Business and has been awarded their Presidential Scholarship. She hopes to become the chief executive officer of a corporation or own her own business. Lisa participates in volleyball and golf at Aberdeen High School and is a member of Link Crew, which supports and mentors underclassmen. She was a Business Week CEO her junior year and as a member of AVID was an AVID representative. Lisa has been a work-crew trainer at McDonald’s for the past two-and-a-half years.
Ryan Allmaras
The son of Charlene and Michael Allmaras of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.852 cumulative grade-point average and is ranked 14th in the Class of 2017. Ryan plans to attend Grays Harbor College for two years before transferring to a four-year university with a good science program to study software engineering. He has a strong interest in math, science, engineering and computer science. He wants to get as much work done as he can at GHC so that when he transfers he will accrue as little debt as possible.
Katelynn Reeson
The daughter of Chris and Dave Reeson of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.837 GPA and is tied for 15th in her class. Katelynn plans to attend the University of Washington next year and pursue a career in a medical field as a nurse, physical therapist or doctor. She has earned two varsity letters in soccer. She received theJV Team First Award and was named First Team All-League Goalkeeper as a junior. Katelynn has earned three varsity letters in softball and has been a starter since her freshman year. As a freshman she received the Coaches Award and as a sophomore she was named Offensive MVP and a First Team All-League outfielder. She has also received a Top Scholar Athlete Award each year. Katelynn has been a 4-year member of the concert, pep and marching bands and has earned a letter each year. She has been on the Aberdeen High School Honor Roll all four years of high school and, as a Running Start student, has been named to the Presidents Honor Roll every quarter she has attended Grays Harbor College. She will be graduating from high school with her AA degree from the college. Katelynn volunteers after school at her parents’ daycare to help the children with their schoolwork.
Jessica Schrotberger
The daughter of Vicki and Peter Ross of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.837 GPA and is tied for 15th in this year’s class. Jessica plans to attend Central Washington University and major in communications. She hopes also to be able to study abroad. She is a member of the Concert, Pep, and Marching bands at Aberdeen High School and has participated in musical productions at the high school. She is an AVID and American Sign Language student and has been employed as a tutor at Robert Gray Elementary School for the past two years. Jessica wants to thank her parents for their support.
Sukhmeen Jandu
The daughter of Ravinder and Bhupinder Jandu of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.829 GPA and is ranked 17th in her class. Sukhmeen will attend the University of Washington and plans to major in biology. She hopes to become a pediatrician. She participated in swimming and golf at Aberdeen High School and received the Outstanding Sportsmanship Award in swimming. She is interested in travelling and helping others around the world. Sukhmeen is a Running Start student and will graduate from high school with her AA in Pre-Med from Grays Harbor College.
Kathryne McGregor
The daughter of Brian and Joy McGregor of Aberdeen will graduate with 3.818 GPA and is ranked 18th in the Class of 2017. Kathryne will attend Pacific Lutheran University and is planning a double major in art and journalism. She hopes to be a Disney animator and a travel photographer and videographer. She is a member of the high school Pep Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, and Marching Band where she was a field marshal. In 2015 she was a member of the Dallas Brass Honor Band and Gordon Shaw’s Symphony, and in 2017 she was chosen for the PLU All Northwest Honor Band. She worked as a volunteer dance DJ at Miller Junior High in 2015 – 2016. Kathryne is a member of the Renaissance Action Team, an employee of the Aberdeen High School After-School Program, and was an Outdoor School counselor in 2015. She is also a member of the varsity Girls Golf Team and was a Highlands Junior Golf Camp volunteer in 2016. Kathryne was a Timberland Library Summer Reading Program volunteer in 2013 – 2014 and a Grays Harbor Talk intern in 2014 – 2015. She is a Running Start student and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society who has also completed her AA in English and Art from Grays Harbor College. In her free time Kathryne likes to draw and paint, read and review books, take photographs, travel, play music, and write.
Pilar Garcia
The daughter of Luis Garcia of Hoquiam and Josefa Espinoza of Aberdeen will graduate with a 3.804 GPA and is ranked 19th in this year’s class. She plans to attend the University of Washington to study economics. After earning her degree, she will continue on to law school and hopes to become an immigration attorney. Pilar has been a varsity captain and a four-year Top Scholar athlete in volleyball and a Top Scholar athlete in golf for three years. She has been the AVID president for two years and has been a member of Future Farmers of America , Future Business Leaders of America, and Yearbook. Pilar has volunteered with the “Socktober” clothing drive, Food Ball and her church choir. She has also contributed her time to Feed the Hungry, Oktoberfest, and “Ribfest.” She has been on the President’s Honor Roll at Grays Harbor College six times and will graduate this June with her AA degree from the college.
