Moses Lake High School's top ten

MOSES LAKE - When Moses Lake High School students graduate on Saturday, ten will stand out as some of the brightest stars in their class.

"Our goal in identifying the top ten is to represent the class of 2011 with ten of the most well-rounded students," said Moses Lake High School Principal Josh Meek.

The students are Daniel Noteboom, Kelli Clark, Frances May, Rebecca Oord, Stephanie Garza-Vela, Alexandra Hammond, Brittany Baze, Fiona Griffin, Jacob Hunt and Jordan Loera.

To be selected as one of the top students, a number of factors are used, including GPA, whether students are pursing a college-bound track, participation in extra curricular activities each year and taking upper level classes.

"This year's group does all that," said Meek. "It really represents the best of our best. This year's group has challenged themselves academically. All of the students, with the weighted GPA, are over a 4.0 and that speaks volumes to their commitment to doing well. I'm excited to see them grow into adults and the future that's ahead of them. It's a great group of kids."

All of the students were involved in a wide range of extra curricular activities, from school clubs, to sports, to church youth groups. Many took on leadership roles.

The students expressed their thanks to their parents, mentors and everyone that's supported them.

Daniel Noteboom

Noteboom participated in the Math team, Knowledge Bowl, Key Club, National Honor Society, swimming and track.

"You get the full experience of high school being involved in activities," he said.

He plans to attend the University of Washington to study engineering.

Kelli Clark

Clark participated in Key Club, Honor Society, FBLA, Mu Alpha Pheta, Science Bowl, Yonezawa, Japan Sister City Exchange Program, Girl State and tennis. She's active with Moses Lake Alliance Church and has gone on mission trips to Mexico and is going on another to Africa this summer. 

"This fall I'm going to the University of Washington, tentatively with an International Studies major," she said. "I really want to do relief and development work or mission work in Africa or central Asia. So just reaching out to those people in poverty and helping them in the ways that I can and also spreading the Gospel message to them."

Frances May

May participated in Key Club, FBLA, Girl State, and the Yonezawa, Japan Sister City Exchange Program. She also participated in Latin club and Bring a Light to Others at her old school in Oklahoma.  

She plans to study psychology at Boise State University. After that, she either wants to go to law school or pursue a doctorate in psychology.

Rebecca Oord 

Oord participated in Choir, Honor Society, Math Team, swimming and tennis. She credits sports with helping her to develop team work skills, as well as creating great friendships and memories.

She plans to study secondary education with an emphasis in mathematics at Whitworth University. Afterward, she plans to become a high school math teacher.

Stephanie Garza-Vela

Garza-Vela participated in Science Olympiad, Key Club, Honor Society, Mu Alpha Pheta and TRiO Upward Bound. She's also been active in the youth group at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. 

She plans to attend Stanford University, majoring in human biology and premed. She wants to become a doctor, perhaps specializing in pediatrics, she said.

Alexandra Hammond

Hammond participated in swimming, Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Science Team. 

She plans to study biology at Whitworth University. She also may study environmental studies or English, although she's not sure yet. She wants to eventually find a career that mixes both biology and journalism.

Brittany Baze

Baze participated in Knowledge Bowl and Speech and Debate.

She is enlisted in the United States Air Force to work in linguistics, she said. She's interested in government and hopes to get into politics one day.

Fiona Griffin

Griffin participated in Honor Society, Key Club, Yonezawa, Japan Sister City Exchange Program and has danced for 14 years at the Ballet Academy of Moses Lake. She plans to attend Western Washington University, although she's not yet sure what she wants to study.

Jacob Hunt

Hunt participated in basketball, soccer, cross country, Honor Society and band. He plays the oboe, saxophone, English horn, clarinet and piano. 

He plans to study music and premed at Brigham Young University in Idaho, then attend the University of Washington medical school. He ultimately wants to become a doctor and score film soundtracks.

Jordan Loera

Loera participated in Honor Society, basketball and track. Sports taught her responsibility, teamwork and leadership, she said. 

She plans to attend the University of Oregon on a basketball scholarship. She's not sure what she wants to study, but is considering education and graphic design.