On the morning of June 2, FHC held its annual Underclassmen Awards Ceremony in the main gymnasium.  After honoring students in all grades with 3.3 or higher grade point averages, individual honors were given to the following students:

Junior Brooke Bacigal was an Odyssey of the Mind Michigan State Champion. Their group took first place in their problem and division and Brooke was the winner of the Ranatra Fusca Award for exceptional creativity. They also were second in the World Finals in their category.

Casey Distin, John Clancy, Jonathan Pelotes, and Daniel Slaw: Junior Casey Distin earned a first place finish for his Entrepreneurship Promotion project at the DECA state competition this year. John, Jonathan and Daniel were recognized as DECA state competition finalists.

Ryan Sutton, Kevin Wang, Nick Sherard, Evelyn Pae, and Daniel Slaw: These students were recognized for their accomplishments in Debate. Ryan Sutton placed 6th in the Novice Division in the State Finals at GVSU and 14th place Extemporaneous in the MIFA State Finals. Kevin Wang earned a 6th place finish at the GVSU state finals, Nick Gerard earned a 5th place finish in Broadcasting Forensics at Regionals, Evelyn Pae was a semi-finalist at the Holland Forensics Invitational 5th place in extemporaneous for Forensics in Regionals and Daniel Slaw earned a 6th place finish in Informative Forensics in the Regional Competition.

Scott Hadley, William Xu, Isabelle Popp, Katherine “Katie” Knister, Rea Parocaran, Nicholas Ettinger: These students took first place at the Grand Rapids Community College’s Math Competition this past winter.

Sam Aidala

Adam D’Amato

Ruchir Gupta

Nick Ettinger

Abby Wolf

Raneem Sannah

Sarah Chaudhry

Ben Whitlow

Alex Martin

Scott Hadley

Amanda Wang

These students earned medals at the regional Science Olympiad competition for placing 6th or higher in their respective areas. Ruchir Gupta and Nick Ettinger also placed 6th at the state competition for the “It’s about time” event.

These student are being recognized for their excellence in the 2015 Michigan Interscholastic Press Association newspaper contest:

Jordan George, First place sports columnist

Caroline Kuiper, First place – News Story Package

Kendra Turley, Honorable Mention – Informative Feature writing

Hannah Helmbrecht was a medal winner at the Scholastic Art Show

and the MAEA Regional Art Show @ the Grand Rapids Art Museum

Alicia Vizzuraga was a medal winner at the Congressional Artfest Show @ the Gerald R. Ford Museum

These students earned a division 1 rating at the MSBOA district ten solo and ensemble festival.

Ryley Olson

Olivia Thomas

Mason Shatney

Kate Killman

Susan Candela

Scott Hadley

Logan Vredenburg

Tim Bennett

Addie Morris

Connor Genschaw

Jacob Cieply

The Following students earned a 1st Division rating at the State solo and Ensemble festival.

Mason Shatney

Jacob Cieply

Susan Candela

Ryley Olson

Olivia Thomas

Scott Hadley

Kathryn Martin also a I at State and was selected to represent FHC at All-State at the Michigan Youth Arts Festival in Kalamazoo earlier this month.

Rachel Clayton, Aubreigh Doran, Bridget O’Connell, Jacob Starkie, Christian Donald, Catherine and Allyson Stapleton not only earned first divisions in district 10, but went on to represent FHC at State Festival.

These students scored a 202 or above on their PSAT / National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).  These high performers have shown outstanding academic potential and are among the highest-scoring participants.

Brooke Bacigal

Timothy Bennett

John Boezwinkle

Samuel Dolphin

Benjamin Fox

Ruchir Gupta

Colleen Hillard

Cooper James

Joshua Kooistra

Sofia Stanescu-Bellu

Allyson Stapleton

Lawrence Tech Award for Excellence in Science and Mathematics – In recognition of outstanding achievement and accomplishment.  – Cecelia Batterbee

Kettering University Technology Award – An interest in engineering, mathematics, technology, or sciences.  A positive attitude, problem solving skills, and leadership qualities.  The purpose of the award is to encourage & honor students in STEM programs.  – Jessica VanElls

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Recognize the academic achievement of young people, to motivate students toward careers in science, engineering, and technology.  – Ruchir Gupta

St. Lawrence University – Recognizes a student who takes great pride in the commitment of active service in the community and demonstrates academic success.  – Maggie Obermeyer

Kettering University – Recognizes an outstanding junior for demonstrated commitment to academic excellence.  – Samuel Aidala

Dartmouth University – Recognizes a student who has excelled in academic and extracurricular endeavors, of strong character, has a positive effect on the life of the school community.  – Ruchir Gupta

Harvard University – Awarded to an outstanding junior who displays excellence in high character, combined with achievements in other fields.  Through their intelligence and variety of achievements, exemplify Harvard’s commitment to excellence.  – Cooper James
Trinity College – Recognize outstanding junior for their academics, extracurricular achievements, leadership as demonstrated by engagement with fellow students & faculty.  – Joshua Kooistra