Students represent top of high school class

Top 10 say farewell to fave classes, look to future

In talking with the majority of the students that comprise the Moses Lake High School Top 10, one thing becomes readily apparent.

The Class of 2004 has personality to spare.

They are very at ease with themselves, with each other and with their position at the school.

Perhaps most important of all, they know how to laugh at a newspaper reporter's jokes. Especially the unfunny ones.

Natalie Baerlocher said her favorite high school class was Films and Novels.

"It was just fun; I feel I got to know everybody in the class," she said.

Corri Johnson's favorite class actually took place in Running Start, and was her English 101 and 102 class.

"I really grew a lot as a writer, and I just love English so I think it helped me grow a lot in that area," Johnson said.

"It's a cross for me between wood shop and history with Mr. Jacobs," said Josh Breiling.

"Actually, I'd say math classes," Brayden Willis said. "They've always kind of come easier to me."

"Mine is a toss up between history and anatomy and physiology," Rhiannon Leach said.

"I had AP English," said Kevin Jackson. "It was just one of my favorites. Had a lot of literature and writing."

"It was either AP English or AP Biology," said Amaris Guy. "AP English because it was extremely challenging. It really helped me improve as a writer and think about what I was doing. A lot of people didn't pass that class well. And then AP Biology just because of the people that were in it. I think mostly all of us take high-level classes because of the people that are there …"

Every hand shot up without hesitation when asked who's excited to be graduating.

"Oh yeah," Guy said.

"I'm just looking forward to getting into college, getting started with the rest of my schooling," Jackson said.

"No more homework," Leach said. "I get two months of nothing."

"I guess the college experience, kind of freedom, away from home," Willis said.

"For me, I guess it would be like more choices, like beginning the rest of my life," Breiling said. "'Cause up to high school, it's mostly like you've got to take certain classes, but now it's like you get to do what you want to do."

"I'm just excited to learn something new," Johnson said. "I'm going to a college where I don't know anybody at all. So it'll just be really cool to go to a place where I can meet all new people and do something totally different."

Baerlocher said she didn't really know what she was excited about.

"I know I'm excited, but I don't know why," she said. "Everyone else is excited; it got me excited."

When asked if there was a message to the overall community, the group appeared stumped. It was Breiling and Guy who ultimately came to the rescue.

"I'd say the future quality of your life depends on the effort you put into it, now," Guy said.

"Be more involved with your school, because I wasn't as much as I would like to have been now," Breiling said. "That and just apply yourself, because I'm obviously not that smart, but anybody that can apply themselves, they can get good grades, they can do whatever."

Top 10

? Kevin Jackson, GPA, 4.0. Kevin has earned several scholarships and plans to attend Brigham Young University. He is undecided as to a major. Kevin has been involved in student government, cross-country, track, Science Olympiad and Knowledge Bowl while at Moses Lake High School. He is the son of Chandra and Scott Jackson.

? Corri Johnson, GPA 4.0. Corri plans to attend Northwest College in Kirkland, Wash., after having completed a year of college through the Running Start program. She plans a career in occupational therapy. Corri has been a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and has volunteered with several organizations in the community. Corri is the daughter of Penny and Ken Johnson.

? Natalie Baerlocher, 3.99 GPA. The daughter of Kyra and Bruce Baerlocher, Natalie will attend Washington State University this fall and plans to major in mathematics. She has been a member of the Math Team, Science Olympiad, cross country and Key Club, as well as the National Honor Society.

? Brayden Willis, GPA 3.988. Brayden has been a member of the National Honor Society and the Math Team, and has achieved Eagle Scout rank in the Boy Scouts of America. He will attend Brigham Young University this fall and would like to pursue a career in dentistry. He is the son of Vivian and Richard Willis.

? Natalie Jones, GPA 3.988. Natalie is the daughter of Cathryn and Brent Jones. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Key Club, Pep Club and has played varsity soccer, serving as captain in her senior year. She was also involved with the Sister City Student Exchange Program, having traveled to Yonezawa, Japan. Natalie plans to attend BYU-Idaho in the fall and will major in biology, with a career goal of dental hygiene.

? Amaris Guy, GPA 3.988. Amaris will attend Brigham Young University in the fall and will major in biochemistry. She plans to attend medical school following her undergraduate work. Amaris has been a member of the National Honor Society, Link Crew, Science Olympiad and has performed in several spring musicals at the high school. She is the daughter of Monique and Robert Guy.

? Joshua Breiling, GPA 3.982. Joshua plans to continue his studies at Big Bend Community College in the fall and will transfer to a as yet undecided four-year college after earning an associate of arts degree. He has been a member of the select choir, the National Honor Society and Phi Theta Kappa, as a Running Start student. He is the son of Marne and Jeffery Breiling.

? Rhiannon Leach, GPA 3.979. Rhiannon will attend the University of Washington in the fall and will major in psychology. She plans on pursuing a degree in medical and practice in pediatric oncology. Rhiannon has been active in Key Club, National Honor Society, Math Team and the choir. She is the daughter of Mana and Blake Stephens.

? Amanda Thomas, GPA 3.975. Amanda is the daughter of Verginia and John Thomas. She has been involved in gymnastics, and is a Running Start student at Big Bend Community College, where she has been named to the President's List, National Dean's List and National Honor Roll. Her major is communications, and after earning an associate of arts degree, will transfer to a four-year college, of which she is uncertain.

? Leigh Porter, GPA 3.970. Leigh is a Running Start student at Big Bend Community College. She will earn an associate of arts degree in June and will move to Seattle where she will work for Washington Mutual Bank. She plans to attend Western Washington University in the spring of 2005. She has been a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club and played volleyball. Leigh is the daughter of Leslie and Tom Porter.