These are the top-ranked seniors from the 102 in Elma High School’s Class of 2020.
1. Grace Potts
Valedictorian
Grace, daughter of Vince and Darcy Potts, is active with FFA, ASB and the American Paint Horse Association. She also is a SkillsUSA competitor, holder of the 2019 national championship in chapter business procedure.
She has received scholarships from Oklahoma State University, National FFA and the Wynoochee Masonic Lodge, in addition to Karl M. Kock Memorial and Warren Family scholarships. She plans to attend OSU to pursue a degree in agricultural economics.
2. Jalyn Sackrider
Salutatorian
Jalyn, daughter of Brannon and Rebecca Sackrider, is a member of the school’s volleyball, basketball, and track and field teams. She also is active in FFA and a National Honor Society inductee.
With help from the Jeanette DeYoung Mowe Scholarship, she will enter the Evergreen State College this fall to play basketball and pursue a degree in education. Her goal is to become a high school mathematics teacher and basketball coach.
3. Kayli Johnson
Kayli, daughter of Lisa Saila and Jason Johnson, earned four varsity letters in each of three sports: soccer, basketball, and track and field. She competed at the state level with all of those teams, and she has volunteered over the years to coach and help with fundraisers.
She plans to enter Centralia College on a basketball scholarship and study to become an architect/engineer.
4. Kaelyn Burgher
Kaelyn, daughter of Jayson and Jessica Burgher, has served as a student representative on the school board and as a 4-H camp counselor. The National Honor Society inductee also is active in FFA and plays on the soccer, basketball and golf teams.
With boosts from a WWU Admissions Scholars Award and a Warren Family Scholarship, she plans to attend Western Washington University with an eye toward becoming an elementary school teacher.
5. Kolton Morgan
Kolton, son of Joe Morgan and Tonya Morgan, has been active in ASB and FFA during his high school years.
With a Grays Harbor Community Foundation scholarship in hand, he plans to attend Washington State University to get a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering. He eventually hopes to earn a medical degree and become a surgeon.
6. Mallory Rae Schneider
Mallory, daughter of Adririan Albillar and Ben Schneider, is line captain of the competition drill team and a member of band and GSA.
She is a Running Start student at South Puget Sound Community College. She intends to finish her associate’s degree there, then enlist in the U.S. Air Force. Her ultimate goal is to become a labor and delivery nurse.
7. Violet Hardy
Violet, daughter of Chevonne Hardy, is a member of the EHS chamber choir and drama club. As a Running Start student at Grays Harbor College, she’s also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society.
With several academic scholarships in hand, she intends to complete the nursing program at GHC and then transfer to either the University of Washington or the University of Texas for a bachelor of science in nursing. She is looking to specialize in either pediatric or ER nursing. Eventually, she would like to earn a master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner.
8. Paige Hammer
Paige, daughter of Aubria and Jeff Niemi, is an Elma High cheerleader and a Running Start student on the president’s list at Grays Harbor College. She plans to transfer to a four-year college and eventually earn a master’s degree to pursue a career in teaching.
9. Judith Geesaman
Judith, daughter of Zach and Stephanie Geesaman, is a member of band, the golf team and Future Business Leaders of America. She plans to study nursing at Grays Harbor College for two years and then transfer to a university in pursuit of a career in that field.
10. Kali Kay Rambo
Kali, daughter of Gabe Rambo and Sadie Wirkkalla, has played basketball, softball, and volleyball throughout her high school years. This fall, on a softball scholarship to Lower Columbia Community College, she intends to start working toward her career goal of becoming a middle-school physical education teacher.
