The Philomath High School’s Class of 2024 will turn their tassels on Saturday at Clemens Field in a graduation ceremony scheduled to begin at 11 a.m.
Seniors finish classes Thursday and are scheduled to go on their traditional walk to the various campuses Friday morning. School staff also had plans early Friday to serve the Senior Breakfast. The baccalaureate occurred June 2 and the honors convocation took place June 5.
Philomath Academy’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. June 12 on the school’s west lawn.
Five valedictorians
The Class of 2024 features five valedictorians: Bailey Bell, Riven Benson, Simon King, Andrew Leonard and Ava Theurer.
All five valedictorians achieved a 4.0 grade point average.
Each student was asked to answer questions about themselves and following is a rundown of their responses:
Bailey Bell
Parents: Steve Bell, Molly Bell
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “There are many teachers that have had an impact on me during my time in high school, and it would be hard to single out any one person as my biggest influence. I appreciate the work and care that all of my teachers have contributed.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activities at PHS were soccer, tennis, theater and ASB The friendships and connections that I have made with my peers through extracurricular activities have been valuable to me.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school for me was having almost all of my freshman year online due to COVID. My class missed out on normal freshman orientation and having normal freshman sports seasons. It was challenging to feel like I was really a part of the high school until we returned in person.”
Plans after high school: “Next year I will be attending Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, to study their combined major of biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology and compete on the varsity women’s soccer and tennis teams.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “Hopefully in 10 years I will be living somewhere in the Pacific Northwest and pursuing a doctorate degree. I picture myself enjoying nature, backpacking a lot, and doing some awesome field research.”
Riven Benson
Parents: Stine Benson, David Benson
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “Mrs. Heidinger. She always encouraged me to keep going with art as well as offering me a safe space to relieve stress. She has always been proud of me and has always shown me support in any activity I was doing, especially academically.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activity at PHS was art club. Me and some friends started an art club last year with the help of Mrs. Heidinger. This club has given me so much leadership experience as well as being able to interact with a wider variety of my peers.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school for me was finding a way to balance all of my different activities including: school, AP classes, horse training, archery competitions and practices, art club fundraisers, and my job.”
Plans after high school: “My plans after high school are to go to OSU majoring in bioengineering and to start teaching horse-riding lessons at the barn I have been going to for almost 10 years now. I also hope to travel and explore the world around me as much as I can.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I hope to see myself develop my degree into biomedical engineering so I will be able to help manufacture devices to work with the bodies of humans and animals to make their lives easier and to work with other medical professionals to put these devices to use.”
Simon King
Parents: Michael King, Martha King
In Philomath schools: Since eighth grade
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “The faculty member that has had the most influence on me is Mrs. Moade because I have had a lot of class time with her and she has cared about teaching me things I don’t understand and listening and caring about me personally.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activity at Philomath was running track for three years.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school was getting injured and having to try and be successful while feeling like I was missing out and was really sad.”
Plans after high school: “My plans after graduation are to attend George Fox University to study business and run track and field.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I see myself with a fulfilling job, a happy family and hopefully not too much college debt.”
Andrew Leonard
Parents: Jason Leonard, Heather Leonard
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “I’d say Dr. Cerny has had the most influence on me. Physics and chemistry have been some of my favorite classes I’ve taken and opened my eyes to new things. The field that each class goes over is so vast and Dr. Cerny knows so much about it. I have really appreciated his willingness to answer any questions and share his knowledge. Through these experiences I understand better what it takes to understand something, how to ask questions and what I want my future to look like in regards to my career. He has strengthened my love for learning with the fascinating topics he is an expert of.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “My favorite extracurricular activity has been running on the cross-country team. While I have enjoyed all of the extracurricular activities, cross-country is my favorite for several reasons. It’s been a great way for me to meet other people, having practice every day with people I don’t usually see often builds relationships that I haven’t seen elsewhere. The team dynamics were always so much fun and going through the pain of actually doing cross-country brought us closer together. I’m thankful for the excellent coaches as well who provide great advice and are pleasant to be around.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The hardest part of high school was calculus class. Having homework nearly every day was brutal and discouraging, but after making it through I realized it developed me in many necessary ways.”
Plans after high school: “My current plans are to study mechanical engineering at Oregon State University with a minor in business and begin a successful career while starting a family.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years I see myself working an engineering job, pursuing my hobbies, driving a cool car and beginning to raise kids with my wife.”
Ava Theurer
Parents: Marty Theurer, Sarah Theurer
In Philomath schools: Since kindergarten
PHS faculty member with biggest influence: “Mr. Dunham has had the biggest influence on me in high school because he has always encouraged me, recognized my hard work and has treated me with trust and respect both as an ASB leader and an English student.”
Favorite extracurricular activities: “Volleyball and ASB.”
Most challenging part of high school: “The most challenging part of high school for me was staying motivated and pushing myself to keep working hard when I could’ve settled for less.”
Plans after high school: “After high school I plan on attending Oregon State University to major in animal science and eventually get into the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at OSU.”
Where you see yourself in 10 years: “In 10 years, I see myself beginning my career as a large animal veterinarian, working hard and enjoying my job.”
CLASS OF 2024 • Favian Isael Aceves-Martinez, Sawyer Robert Ainsworth, Kallen James Albin, Kameko Willow Araki
• Jenica Rose Baker, Madison Ray Barron, Bailey Sierra Bell, Riven Finley Benson
• Aiden Joshua Bien, Kayli Bai Blake, Quentin Bennett Blowers, Deziray Maree Bootenhoff
• Aidan Hendrick Bruce, Brooklynn Marie Campbell, Daniella Correia Carlisle, Marie Isabelle Challe
• Lukas Todd Champion, Natilee Madison Clancy, Phoebe Sue Coen, Gabriel Jack Colligan
• Jonathan Curtis Doig, Elijah Rowan Donmoyer, Tanner William Dowless, Lukas Matthew Dunn
• Nadia Jade Durski, Alexa Marie Eckhold, Gradin Segullah Fairbanks, Kane Lee Fergason
• Jacob Brice Foster, Sadie Marie Francis, Hayden Adam Fuller, Caleb Ruiz Garcia
• Osvaldo Garcia-Bazan, Kylee Anne Gassner, Jared Adam Gerding, Kaya Rose Gerding
• Madelynn Grace Gerding, Elijah James Gerig, Gwendolyn Louise Giesy-Hamilton, Noah Wayne Gray
• Isabella Marie Griebel, Sonia Thanh Bao Grube, Alora Madeline Gudge, Magnolia June Gunn
• Casimir Alexander Gurski, Jacob Michael Hamlet, Connor James Harms, Danielle Delynn Harris
• Owen Harrison Heiken, Xavier Larry Hins, Case Rylan Hoch, Marissa Ann Hogan
• Austin Tyler Hunsaker, Cody Nathaniel Islas Santos, Ashlyn Rose Jorgens, Madison Joyce Juhl
• Henry Nikos Katsikis, Garrett A King, Simon Robert King, Christopher Allen Knutson
• Preston Lee Kramer, Nicholas Adam Lattymer, Ginevra Lauzzana, Andrew Bryce Leonard
• Peyten Dawn Lesire, Leaf Anna Lewis, Kash Thomas Lindsey, Mickayla Bree Martin
• William David Mason, Emma Jean Maxey, Tyler Clayton McGuyer, Jadyn Danielle McMullen
• Marshall Ammon Morrison, Ellie Jade Morton, Kaden Alan Muir, Shane Robert Muir
• Kelsey Ann Olsen, Ryan Andrew Pearce, Hunter Neal Pedder, Keila Perea-Bazan
• Jacob Andrew Peters, Caroline Grace Puckett, Nicholas Steven Purcell, Elise Rose Reese
• Megan Leelynn Reese, Presley Jo Reichhuber, Emmalyne Sophya Robinson, Mac T Robinson
• Eevi June Rolfe, Lorelei Elizabeth Schell, Hailey Alyssa Ann Schermerhorn, Thomas William Smith
• Clara Rae Stanley, Mase Gregory Stearns, Keihin Connor Stokes, Ava Louise Theurer
• Owen Patrick Thomas, Ahnika Kate Tryon, Gavin Rockford Tuttle, Elijah Mathew Ulm
• Bohdan Voloshyn, Kaylee Alara Webster, Walker Raymond Westbrook, Leif Aaron Wiger
• Abigail Anne Workman