BACK: Bryce Noble, John Salata, Nathan Faraher, and Ben Voticke
FRONT: Allison Holtcamp, Megan Wright, Brianna Kraus, Sophia Ponto, and Olivia Tomac
Not pictured: Nicole Kane
We all know that colleges look at a student’s GPA and SAT/ACT scores when deciding who they choose to admit. Class rank is another factor that is used to evaluate how students performed in relation to their classmates and who will be admitted to college, as well as certain college programs. Scholarships may also hinge on class rank, with the most successful students receiving the best scholarships. While this is important, I believe a huge benefit of class rank is motivation. Giving students a number and ranking them in a list makes some students work harder in their classes. They thrive on competition and intrinsic motivation based on numbers. This mindset will serve them well, as they move beyond high school.
Olivia Tomac has been in Hanover schools since kindergarten and is one of the top ten students of the class of 2022 at Hanover Central High School. After high school, Olivia plans on attending Indiana University Northwest to major in graphic design. Her favorite thing about her time in high school was being in the band. “From music to friendships, to the memories, it will definitely be the thing that I miss the most.” She was involved in the concert, marching, jazz, and pep bands as well as the environmental club, National Honor Society, and yearbook.
After finding out that she was one of the top ten students in her class, she was super proud of herself since it has always been a goal for her, since freshman year. She felt very accomplished that not only was she in the top ten, but some of her friends were, as well. Olivia has her mom to thank for always being such a big supporter and a friend to her.
Another student in the class of 2022 top ten is Megan Wright, who has also been in the Hanover district since kindergarten. Megan plans to attend Indiana University Bloomington to major in psychology and minor in Spanish. Her goal is to become a child psychologist. She has been involved in advanced concert band, the dance team (both JV and Varsity), student council, National Honor Society, captain’s council, and environmental club.
Megan’s favorite thing about high school has been being a member of the dance team because this is where she has made some of her best friends. Once the top ten students were announced, Megan was super excited and felt that all of her hard work had paid off throughout high school.
Allison Holtcamp is another one of the top ten students in the class of 2022. She has been in the Hanover district her whole life. Allison is planning on attending Mississippi State University to major in animal and dairy sciences with a veterinary medicine concentration. She was accepted into the MSU’s Early Entry Program (EEP) in which she will complete college in 7 years with a guaranteed spot in MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine to become a veterinarian.
Allison has been involved in varsity softball as the team captain, varsity cheerleading as the team captain, student council, National Honor Society, captain’s council, and environmental club. She also is proud to say that she helped start Hanover’s first work-based learning program, where she goes to school for half of the day and then works at the St. John Animal Clinic. Her favorite thing about high school has been all of the senior year activities. When finding out that she was one of the top ten students, she was “filled with pride and job that my hard work had paid off.”
Nicole Kane has been in Hanover schools all her life and was one of the students of the class of 2022 in the top ten. After high school, she plans to attend Purdue University West Lafayette to major in physics. In the long run, she wants to pursue a doctorate in astrophysics. Nicole’s favorite thing about high school has been being able to see her friends and favorite teachers. She was involved in the National Honor Society, key club, garden club, environmental club, and was captain of the English and fine arts academic teams. Being a part of the top ten students in her class, it was exciting to see her hard work pay off.
After being in the district from kindergarten to senior year, Bryce Noble is one of the top ten students in the class of 2022. Bryce plans to run cross country and track at Taylor University in Upland, IN while studying chemistry and computer science. In high school, Bryce was involved in track, cross country, basketball, captain’s council, NationalHonor Society (treasurer for freshman and sophomore year), and advanced band. His favorite thing about high school has been creating memories with friends through different activities. Although he expected it, Bryce was very excited when he found out that he was one of the top ten students.
Nathan Faraher has been in the Hanover district for 10 years and is a part of the top ten students in the class of 2022. He is unsure of which college he wants to attend and is also trying to figure out what he wants to major in, but the goal is to attend college. His favorite thing about high school has been the friends that he has made over the years.
Nathan has been involved in trap and skeet, thespian society, National Honor Society, student council, captain’s council, marching and pep bands, key club, spell bowl, speech and debate, and garden club. Nathan was very happy to be a part of the top ten students because he knew that he was making his parents proud. He also wants to thank all the staff that “poured effort into my education since coming to Hanover. I remember and appreciate you all immensely.”
Since elementary school, Ben Voticke has been in the Hanover district and is now one of the top ten students at Hanover Central High School. Hoping to study history or law, Ben isn’t sure where he wants to attend college yet. He has been involved in trap and skeet, National Honor Society, and campus life. He has enjoyed high school because of seeing and talking to his friends every day. Ben was surprised to find out that he was one of the top ten students in his class.
Brianna Kraus has been in the Hanover district for the past 4 years and is one of the top ten students in the class of 2022. She moved here from Perrysburg, OH, and will definitely miss the memories that she has made at Hanover. Brianna plans to attend Purdue University West Lafayette, where she has already been accepted, to major in English and creative writing. Her favorite things about high school have been senior year soccer as the varsity goalkeeper, her freshman Homecoming dance, reading Jane Eyre, and Mr. Denton and Mr. Gustas.
Along with soccer, Brianna has been involved in the National Honor Society, speech and debate, key club, improv club, intermediate choir, and advanced choir. She had instant relief when finding out that she was one of the top ten students. She had already been asking about class rankings prior to the announcement. She worked so hard for this and was so happy that all 7 of her AP classes had finally paid off.
Being a Hanover kid from kindergarten to now, John Salata is one of Hanover Central High School's top ten students in the class of 2022. He plans on attending Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) to earn a master’s degree in computer science. John’s favorite thing about high school has been playing in the band and getting to form some great friendships.
John has been involved in marching band, environmental club, National Honor Society, math and science academic teams, and serves as a class officer. This year he was able to serve as a teacher’s assistant for the Computer Science Principles class at HCHS. He was very surprised to be one of the top ten students but welcomed the surprise. John said, “The past 4 years were some of the best times ever and I am really going to miss the people here.”
Sophia Ponto has been in the Hanover district throughout her whole educational life and is the last of our top ten students in the class of 2022. She plans to attend Purdue University to major in neurobiology and then go to Northern Arizona University after she gets her undergraduate degree. Her favorite thing about high school has been road trips, sleepovers, and all the fun memories with her best friend. Sophia was involved in show choir, National Honor Society, environmental club, key club, and tennis. Without surprise, she was grateful that her hard work was recognized when she found out that she was in the top ten students in her class.
Congratulations to our top ten students. This just comes to show that hard work really does pay off. We wish you all the best of luck in life after high school, whether you are going to college or not, we know that you will succeed! Way to make Hanover proud and don’t forget, once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!
