Governor’s Scholar

Outstanding 2020 seniors earn recognition, event canceled

Iowa’s top academic students have been chosen for the 2020 Governor’s Scholar Program. The Governor’s Office, the Iowa High School Athletic Association, and its title sponsor, the Iowa Farm Bureau, are presenting this recognition which began in 2003. The 425 seniors being honored were selected by their high schools as the highest academic achievers. All students will receive a recognition plaque and certificate to commemorate their achievement. The in-person ceremony for this year was canceled due to COVID-19 and the ongoing guidelines concerning public gatherings. With that in mind, the student honorees are being announced via news release, social media and the IHSAA website. Governor Kim Reynolds recognized the program and student accomplishments in a video available on the IHSAA website. The recognition plaques and certificates were sent to their homes in early May. “Iowa has a proud history of educational excellence, and this year’s honorees are a product of that tradition,” said Governor Reynolds in a letter to the students. “You are a role model for your community and all students across the state. In these unprecedented times, it is your generation who will lead us into new opportunities in science, technology, agriculture, education and business in the coming years.” Students have been encouraged to share their award utilizing #iahsseniors and the #IAGovScholar with social media posts. “With schools closed, friends and family being kept at a distance and our lives abruptly put on hold, I can imagine how disheartened this year’s senior class feels,” said Craig Hill, Iowa Farm Bureau president, in remarks to the student honorees. “Please know it does not take away from your accomplishments or the incredible things you will achieve in the future.” In addition to being recognized as the state’s brightest students, more than 99 percent of the group participates in school activities. More than 60 percent plan to pursue their post-secondary education in Iowa. “The principles learned through academic success, like those learned from participation in school activities, help develop outstanding young leaders,” said IHSAA executive director Tom Keating. “The partnership between the IHSAA and the Iowa Farm Bureau, along with the great cooperation of the Governor’s Office has made this prestigious program possible for many years.” Note: The largest 64 schools in Iowa, according to the Iowa Department of Education BEDS document, were invited to select two seniors who are the highest academic achievers for their first seven semesters. All other schools were invited to select one senior who was the highest academic achiever for their first seven semesters.

ACGC ADM, Adel AGWSR, Ackley AHSTW, Avoca Akron-Westfield Albia

School

2020 Iowa Governor's Scholar Award Selections

Bryce Littler Gabriella Snyder Jaiden Shahan Kaitlynne Henriksen Kailee Tucker Sherryl Mae Rowe

Name

Alburnett Algona Alta-Aurelia Ames Ames Anamosa

School

Johnathon Waskow Mihir Modi Chloe Kruger Cooper Downs Teagan Lipsey Josiah Brown

Name

Ankeny Ankeny Ankeny Centennial Ankeny Centennial Ankeny Christian Aplington-Parkersburg

School

Grace Hagedorn Samuel Wu Jeanne Peters Benjamin Rodriguez Dawson Lee Simpson Gannon Oberhauser

Name

Ar-We-Va, Westside Dalton Ehlers Assumption, Davenport Jacob Lyons Atlantic Evan Brummer Audubon Bree Andreasen Ballard Josh Clinton Baxter Maya Phelps BCLUW, Conrad Grace Stufflebeam Beckman Catholic, Dyersville Evan Schlarmann Bedford Brennan Sefrit Belle Plaine Lilly Parrott Bellevue Benjamin Parker Belmond-Klemme Wyatt Heideman Benton Community Kaitlyn Sievers Bettendorf Justin Hettlage Bettendorf Jason Jiang BGM, Brooklyn Emily Cline Bishop Garrigan, Algona Emma Fogarty Bishop Heelan, Sioux City Foster Johnson Bondurant-Farrar Lauren Lorentzen Boone Ryan Ungs Boone Sydney Woodruff Boyden-Hull Sydney Damstra Boyer Valley, Dunlap Kelsey Tremel Burlington Taylor Kesterke Burlington Mikaela Tarrence Calamus-Wheatland Chandler Gannon CAM, Anita Benjamin Tibken Camanche Markee Low Cardinal, Eldon Tristan Rupe Carlisle Jacob Foster Carlisle Ann Lent Carroll Owen Perrin Cascade, Western Dubuque Emma Sanders Cedar Falls Devin O’Loughlin Cedar Falls Ryan Westhoff Cedar Rapids, Jefferson Alexis Henderson Cedar Rapids, Jefferson Joseph Pregon Cedar Rapids, Kennedy Katie Jensen Cedar Rapids, Kennedy Elizabeth Stone Cedar Rapids, Washington Anna Bosking Cedar Rapids, Washington Johanna Hayes Cedar Valley Christian Abby Scroggs Center Point-Urbana Megan Sherman Centerville Gage Moorman Central City Nyvaeh Bowen Central Decatur, Leon Morgan Nordyke Central DeWitt Emma Kizer Central Lee, Donnellson Vanessa Hupp Central Lyon, Rock Rapids Joseph Tilstra Central Springs Jennifer Overy Central, Elkader Michael Heer Chariton Jackson Curnutte Charles City Bradley Andrews Cherokee, Washington Kayden Waldner Clarinda Dara Brandt Clarion-Goldfield-Dows Courtney Harle Clarke, Osceola Coel Reece

School Name

Governor's Scholar

Clarksville Janet Borchardt Clayton Ridge, Guttenberg Grace Meier Clear Creek-Amana Trace Johanson Clear Creek-Amana Sarah Grace Stewart Clear Lake Lydia Futrell Clinton Kaylee Camp Clinton Kira Price Colfax-Mingo Nyika Masga Collins-Maxwell Mikalya Houge Colo-Nesco Emily Brinkman Columbus Catholic, Waterloo Dylan Mack Columbus Community Taylor Howell Coon Rapids-Bayard Colby Heithoff Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln Jared Kaufman Council Bluffs, Abraham Lincoln Taylor Wilson Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson Desrei Arbolente Council Bluffs, Thomas Jefferson Bryan Renteria Hernandez Creston Eli Loudon Crestwood, Cresco Nicholas Braun Dallas Center-Grimes Sarah Frett Dallas Center-Grimes Bradley Ramsey Danville Isabella Smith Davenport, Central Lauren Posten Davenport, Central Samuel Saveraid Davenport, North Jacob Hansen Davenport, North Ashton Snarr Davenport, West Meghan Nahnybida Davenport, West Nhan Tran Davis County, Bloomfield Kaden Porter Decorah Conner Cook Denison-Schleswig Joshua Ahrenholtz Denison-Schleswig Sahira Vergara Denver Leah Ristau Des Moines Christian Isabella Main Des Moines, Abraham Lincoln Kristy Nguyen Des Moines, Abraham Lincoln Ryan Nguyen Des Moines, East Kade Dolphin Des Moines, East Cameron Mohne Des Moines, Hoover Daija Bates Des Moines, Hoover Elizabeth Jordan Des Moines, North Prithvi Jamadagni Des Moines, North Kalen Truong Des Moines, Roosevelt Katharina Schmidt Des Moines, Roosevelt Fez Zafar Diagonal Erin Sobotka Dike-New Hartford Jill Eilderts Don Bosco, Gilbertville Claire Strauel Dowling Catholic, W.D.M. Jack Drey Dowling Catholic, W.D.M. Kieu Pham Dubuque, Hempstead Sameer Faruquee Dubuque, Hempstead Alexis Lonning Dubuque, Senior Brian Day Dubuque, Senior Credence Wernke Dunkerton William Fettkether Durant Lucas Callison Eagle Grove Kennedy Soper Earlham Olivia Nicholson

School Name

East Buchanan, Winthrop Nicole Pettinger East Marshall, LeGrand Olivia Terrones East Mills Emma Seipold East Sac County Kayla Kraft East Union, Afton Molly McNeill Easton Valley Nathan Trenkamp Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont Shanna Fellows Edgewood-Colesburg Natalie Wessel Emmetsburg Lindsay Carter English Valleys, North English Nolan Grove Epworth, Western Dubuque Alisa Marin Epworth, Western Dubuque David Roth Essex Kelli Baker Estherville Lincoln Central Lena McCoy Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton Kami Waymire Fairfield Megan Higgins Forest City Calvin Aberg Fort Dodge Nick Bice Fort Dodge Kathryn Cochrane Fort Madison Madison McVey Fremont-Mills, Tabor Lillian Mahaney Garner-Hayfield-Ventura Madeline Hinz Gehlen Catholic, LeMars Josie Kolbeck George-Little Rock Matthew Haken Gilbert Elijah Stahr Gladbrook-Reinbeck Brianna Strohbehn Glenwood Delaney McMullen Glenwood Jaeda Wilson Glidden-Ralston Luke Handlos GMG, Garwin Cameron Mummert Graettinger-Terril Madison Hough Grand View Christian Gage Fry Greene County Kassie Lamoureux Grinnell Micah Benning-Shorb Griswold Kamryn Howell Grundy Center Joseph Janssen Hampton-Dumont Abe Scheideman Harlan Community Lucy Borkowski Harris-Lake Park McKenzie Heikens Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn Joseph Ahlers Heartland Christian Isabella Dingus Highland, Riverside Matt Butler Hillcrest Academy Jesse Slater Hinton Gabriel Clark HLV, Victor Meredith Schnebbe Holy Trinity, Fort Madison Samantha Pothitakis Hudson Alexander Reynolds Humboldt Holly Kirchhoff IKM-Manning Will Jorgensen Independence Caroline Reyner Indianola Thomas Krapfl Indianola Andreas Miller Interstate 35, Truro Jamie Smith Iowa City, City High Maryam Abuissa Iowa City, City High Joseph Bennett Iowa City, Liberty Rudy Nahra Iowa City, Liberty Harrison Voigt

School Name

Iowa City, West Natalie Young Iowa City, West William Zhang Iowa Falls-Alden Sydney Truex Iowa School for the Deaf Jada Bushman Iowa Valley, Marengo Hannah Shade Isaac Newton Christian Elliot Potter Janesville Kennedy Eastman Jesup Allie Borgerding Johnston Matthew Ding Johnston Anna Janni Kee, Lansing Elena Rolfs Keokuk Isabel Vandenberg Keota Jaime Schulte Kingsley-Pierson Eva McCoy Knoxville Ethan Murra Kuemper Catholic, Carroll Kamryn Schreck Lake Mills Mason Fritz Lamoni David Eason Lawton-Bronson Bailey McKenna LeMars Kara Albrecht LeMars Chloe Calhoun Lenox Jaela Cox Lewis Central Phillip Cooper-Ohm Lewis Central Isabella Smith Linn-Mar, Marion Srikar Vanavasam Linn-Mar, Marion Savannah Zhou Lisbon Emma Bock Logan-Magnolia Violet Lapke Lone Tree Natalie Patterson Louisa-Muscatine Rachel Ostergren Lynnville-Sully Mallory Loftus Madrid Rory McDermott Maharishi School Evelyn Winer Manson Northwest Webster Matthew Helmers Maquoketa Chloe Swanson Maquoketa Valley, Delhi Chance Downs Marion Josephine Hancox Marion Jasmine Pizano Marquette Catholic, Bellevue Halle Kilburg Marshalltown Austin Shomo Marshalltown Kaci Uhde Martensdale-St. Marys Grace Wood Mason City Jacob Mehmen Mason City Erika Sloan Mediapolis Nolan Schmidgall Melcher-Dallas Sarah Hyatt Meskwaki Settlement Kaitlynn Jefferson MFL MarMac Destiny Berns Midland, Wyoming Taylor Bahnsen Mid-Prairie, Wellman Ingrid Gingerich Missouri Valley Emma Anunson MMCRU Kaitlyn Goth MOC-Floyd Valley Tessa Burg Montezuma Carissa VanZee Monticello Emma Brighton Moravia Megan Hutchinson Mormon Trail, Garden Grove Zachary Hofmann

School Name

Governor's Scholar

Morning Star, Bettendorf Sarah Schroeder Moulton-Udell Chelsey Boettcher Mount Ayr Jaycee Knight Mount Pleasant Aurora Vansickel Mount Vernon Caroline Voss Murray Rylee Newton Muscatine Elizabeth Howard Muscatine Ryan Lukkarinen MVAOCOU Cody Rosburg Nashua-Plainfield Jayne Levi Nevada Eliana Hornbuckle New Hampton Lydia Gessner New London Allyson Farley Newell-Fonda Megan Morenz Newman Catholic, Mason City Emily Shatek Newton Courtney Dawson Newton Taryn Lovan Nodaway Valley Reagan Weinheimer North Butler, Greene Madison Klingenborg North Cedar, Stanwood Toby Hollis North Fayette Valley Payten Lehmann North Iowa Christian Kaitlin Davis North Iowa, Buffalo Center Joseph Goetz North Linn, Troy Mills Faithe Cavalier North Mahaska, New Sharon Alex Knockel North Polk, Alleman Ryan Byrd North Scott, Eldridge Jordan Neymeyer North Scott, Eldridge Grace Sampson North Tama, Traer Takoa Kopriva North Union Murrae Laverty Northeast, Goose Lake Chad Williams Northwood-Kensett Lindsey Davidson Norwalk Jason Brooner Norwalk Evan Voogd Notre Dame, Burlington Matthew Briggs OABCIG Sarah Petersen Oelwein Nicholas Dittmer Ogden Edward Chumbley Okoboji, Milford Martha Stein Orient-Macksburg Vinh Nguyen Osage Clarissa Huisman Oskaloosa Kamryn Banks Oskaloosa Karson Swim Ottumwa Ashley Fish Ottumwa Hasya Joshi Panorama, Panora Molly Simmons Paton-Churdan Kaleb Fisher PCM, Monroe Kathryn Henkenius Pekin Delaney Harbison Pella Jacob Nedder Pella Grayson Parisee Pella Christian Erica Nikkel Perry Angela Hernandez Pleasant Valley Aadil Manazir Pleasant Valley Dilan Nair Pleasantville Josie Hutchings Pocahontas Area Josie Sommerlot

School Name

Postville Robert White Prairie, Cedar Rapids Gabrielle Robinson Prince of Peace, Clinton Katie Gorden Red Oak Sophia Walker Regina, Iowa City Abigail Burger Riceville Sullivan Fair Ridge View Russell Brummer River Valley, Correctionville Carissa Burnham Rivermont Coll., Bettendorf Anna Senjem Riverside, Oakland Delaney Murphy Rock Valley Kaylee Vande Hoef Rockford Cooper Kuhlemeier Roland-Story, Story City Matthew Mehrtens Ruthven-Ayrshire Katie Long Saint Ansgar Erik Gerdts Saydel Gabriella Neddermeyer Scattergood Friends Grace Shortt Sergeant Bluff-Luton Alexa Heitman Seymour Kaitlyn Couchman Sheldon Hannah Uhl Shenandoah Roxy Denton Sibley-Ocheyedan Claire Hoppe Sidney Olivia Larsen Sigourney Ben House Sioux Center Brooklyn Vander Velde Sioux Central, Sioux Rapids Caleb Rock Sioux City, East Rylei McNaughton Sioux City, East Alexa Ringling Sioux City, North Phung Thanh Sioux City, North Raquel Valladolid Sioux City, West Jessie Le Sioux City, West Annie Tran Siouxland Christian Jonah DeRoos Solon Kenji Fisher South Central Calhoun Zane Neubaum South Hamilton, Jewell Logan Austin South Hardin Alexander Hassan South O’Brien, Paullina Shelby Enger South Page, College Springs Amorette Mackey South Tama County, Tama Makayla Backen South Winneshiek, Calmar Abraham Schmitt Southeast Polk Leah Bergman Southeast Polk Kari Chamberlain Southeast Valley, Gowrie Erin Zeka Southeast Warren, Liberty Cent. Justice Rowe Southwest Valley Adam Harris Spencer Natalie Kroll Spencer Emma Lowder Spirit Lake Cail Donkersloot Springville Kyle Koppes St. Albert, Council Bluffs Abby Barnes St. Edmond, Fort Dodge Clare Condon St. Mary’s, Remsen Emma Galles St. Mary’s, Storm Lake Samuel Peters Stanton Easton Hultman Starmont Sarah Pech Storm Lake Tyler Dvergsten

School Name

Storm Lake Jessica Slight Sumner-Fredericksburg Cayden Bergman Tipton Kamryn Chapman Treynor Clarissa Weitzel Tri-Center, Neola Amanda Brich Tri-County, Thornburg Emma Miover Trinity Christian, Hull Ellie Regnerus Tripoli Madeline Freiberg Turkey Valley, Jackson Junction Liza Herold Twin Cedars, Bussey Kirsti Utterback Underwood Zachery Teten Union, La Porte City Rachel Hellman Unity Christian, Orange City Jocelyn Zonnefeld Urbandale Reese Dial Urbandale Cal Watson Valley Lutheran, Cedar Falls Lauren Dawson Valley, West Des Moines Ashley Falcon Valley, West Des Moines Connor Liu Van Buren County Madison Bartholomew Van Meter Parker Fryar Vinton-Shellsburg Lillie Lamont WACO, Wayland Elizabeth Birchfield Wahlert, Dubuque Keeley Carney

School Name

Governor's Scholar

Wapello Eryka Dickey Wapsie Valley, Fairbank Gavin Hyde Washington Leah Marek Waterloo Christian School Anne Ochsner Waterloo, East Abigail Williams Waterloo, East Victoria Williams Waterloo, West Alexus Imbouathong Waterloo, West Blaine Williams Waukee Isabella Avilez Waukee Emma Shepard Waukon Katelyn Benzing Waverly-Shell Rock Parker Boevers Waverly-Shell Rock Ryan Sand Wayne, Corydon Katelyn Nickell Webster City Garrett Whitmore West Bend-Mallard Madison Wickman West Branch Mia Olson West Burlington Blake Stumpf West Central Valley, Stuart Kaila Findley West Central, Maynard Aryel Allwood West Delaware, Manchester Luke Farmer West Fork, Sheffield Collin Witte West Hancock, Britt Josef Smith

School Name

West Harrison, Mondamin Karter Nelson West Liberty Laura Millage West Lyon, Inwood Jordan DeSmet West Marshall, State Center Grace Mustaine West Monona, Onawa Alexis Lander West Sioux, Hawarden Shayden Blankenship Western Christian, Hull Cassie Van Otterloo Westwood, Sloan James Mendenhall Whiting Olivia Brown Williamsburg Abigail Whitehill Wilton Jacob Reifert Winfield-Mt. Union Nathan Crow Winterset Mikaela Hunter Woodbine Adam Sherer Woodbury Central, Moville Gracia Widman Woodward Academy Taylor Bellon Woodward-Granger Reese Jamison Xavier, Cedar Rapids Andrew Dupont Xavier, Cedar Rapids Christine Hilario

School Name

For more information visit: www.iahsaa.org/iowa-governors-scholar

We honor Winter Sport Champions, Governor Scholar Honorees, and look forward to the future.

We will see you next time.