On Wednesday, April 15, Ste. Genevieve High School celebrated its students’ academic honors for the 2025-2026 school year at the 36th annual Dan Clark Honors Banquet at the Ste. Genevieve R-II Performing Arts Center.
At this year’s event, junior Clementine Birkenstock gave the opening remarks. The guest performers for the evening included choir students Lucy Hunsley, Ava Rayoum, Camden Bourisaw, Carter Hogenmiller, London White-Hume, Tegan Graves, Kyndra Oehlert, and Katie Vogt, who performed “Bound for Jubilee,” arranged by Joyce Eilers, and “I Choose Love” by Mark A. Miller. Representing the SGHS band, Tegan Graves, Sophia Jordan, and Henry Hadel performed “Riverwood Dance” by Gavin Lendt as a saxophone trio. This group qualified to perform at the state level.
Next was the presentation of the Patched Overalls Experience, a project managed by Mr. Tyson Schaffner, that offers one student each year the opportunity to fulfill a dream experience between their junior and senior year. This year, Mrs. Carrie Staffen introduced senior Eleanor McKlin, who traveled to Putnam, Vermont, for a week-long workshop last July on Art of Filmmaking.
Though Eleanor built confidence through collaboration and new connections, she discovered that a career in filmmaking was not the right fit for her. Through this experience, reflection and hands-on work, she came away with a clearer understanding of her future path—recognizing that learning what you don’t want to pursue can be just as valuable as discovering what you do.
For this upcoming summer, junior Camille Melahn was chosen to participate in the Patched Overalls Experience, and she shared that she plans to attend a two-week program in Costa Rica to learn about marine biology and conservation.
The guest speaker for the evening was Ms. Taylor Werner, a Ste. Genevieve High School alumna and former standout student-athlete. A multiple-time Missouri state champion during her time at SGHS, she went on to compete at the collegiate level, earning 10 NCAA All-American honors, including six First-Team selections, and finishing as a two-time NCAA national runner-up. She turned professional in 2020, competing for Puma, and has since represented the United States on national and international stages, including a finalist finish at the Olympic Trials in the 5,000 meters, a U.S. Championship in the Road 6K, and a silver medal at the Pan American Games. In 2023, she recorded an impressive 15:03 in the 5,000 meters, placing her among the top distance runners in the country. Her career has taken her across the globe, including time with the Melbourne Track Club in Australia, and she most recently signed professionally with Asics in 2026. Beyond her accomplishments, she continues to exemplify the character, humility, and work ethic that made her such a respected teammate and leader during her time at SGHS.
Ms. Taylor Werner spoke to students about growth, perseverance and the importance of discovering who you are beyond achievements. Drawing from her experiences as a competitive runner, she reflected on the highs and lows of pursuing success, and how those moments helped shape her perspective. She spoke openly about the pressure to succeed and how that mindset impacted her, ultimately leading her to step back and reevaluate what success meant to her. “You are enough. It doesn't matter where you're from, your mistakes, what you look like, what you like or dislike, or what you succeeded or failed at—you are just as important as anybody else on this earth. At the end of the day, your opinion of yourself is the only opinion that matters. No award or success is going to change how you see yourself. Find something you're passionate about. Go for it. And if you fail, learn from it and try again. See what happens. You'll be shocked at what doors open and who you'll become. So tonight, celebrate yourself. You're doing something. You're trying. And it's worth everything.”
Each summer, many SGHS students are chosen to represent our district at leadership conferences throughout the state of Missouri. The following students were recognized at the banquet for being chosen to represent our school at the following conferences, and were sponsored by the following organizations and individuals:
Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership: sophomore Gabriella Watts; the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve
Missouri Boys State: juniors Simon Fritsch and Trenton Weber; the American Legion Post 150, Bloomsdale American Legion
Missouri Girls State: junior Kennedy Bowen; the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary
Missouri Leadership Seminar: sophomore Aniston Cremer; the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve
Missouri Scholars Academy: sophomore Reese Wibbenmeyer; Clint Wolk - Ste. Genevieve Vision Care
Rotary Youth Leadership Award: sophomore Rebecca Palmer; the Ste. Genevieve Rotary
Sophomore Pilgrimage: sophomore Finn McClard, the GFWC Woman’s Club of Ste. Genevieve
Each year at the banquet, the students in the top 10 percent of each class are recognized. Following the class honors, one student is awarded for his or her performance for each course offered at the high school. Congratulations to all of the students on their recognitions!
Top 10% of Class:
Freshmen:
Adrian Bauman
Blayre Bauman
Alexander Brantner
Kate Fischer
Karah Gibson
Claire Giesler
Henry Hadel
Mabrey Jokerst
Sophia Jordan
Felix Lin
Charlotte Mees
Parker Meyer
Abbey Stomberg
McKinnley Vogt
Tucker Winch
Alexia Wolk
Sophomores:
Nino Batucan
Corbin Gray
Dominic Johnson
Gracie Ladd
Finn McClard
Maria McGuire
Brayden Pfaff
Gabriella Watts
Ashlyn Wezner
Reese Wibbenmeyer
Halle Wichern
Aila Wolk
Ava Zerwig
Juniors:
Nate Basler
Clementine Birkenstock
Kennedy Bowen
Jeremy Donze
Anna Fischer
Simon Fritsch
Jake Parker
Jersey Quinn
Elcie Schweigert
Hazel Schwent
Maddox Sutton
Trenton Weber
Seniors:
Jacey Bauman
Luke Ferranto
Kennedi Fischer
Emma Gegg
Gavin Gegg
Lucy Hunsley
Vivian Kiefer
Eleanor McKlin
Cecilia Mooney
Paul Taylor
Abigail Woodard
Each of the following students (listed alphabetically by surname) earned a medal for outstanding academic achievement in his or her individual class:
Alex Basler — Broadcasting
Nate Basler — Algebra III
Blayre Bauman — Fundamentals of Art
Jacey Bauman — College Algebra; French V
Alivia Bays — Studio Art
Alysa Beckermann — Fish & Wildlife Management
Eli Bennett — Guitar II
Clementine Birkenstock — French III
Colton Brace — Team Sports
Alexander Brantner — Boys Physical Education
Jacob Brissette — Computer Science
Emmerson Browne — Economics
Chloe Choate — Housing, Environments & Design
Raelyn Cooper — World Foods
Hydee Dallas-Lemons — Foods, General
Ashton Damm — Personal Finance
Jeremy Donze — ACT Prep; English III
Jason Engel — Agricultural Construction
Keely Fallert — Introduction to Business
Anna Fischer — Painting
Kate Fischer — World History
Kennedi Fischer — Advanced Biology; Statistical Reasoning
Destiny Fite — Spanish IV
Simon Fritsch — Advanced Chemistry; PreCalculus
Sophie Garcia — Spanish V
Audrey Gegg — Agricultural Management
Emma Gegg — Intro to EMT
Gavin Gegg — Physics
Alyssa Gibson — Mythology
Connor Grass — Advanced Industrial Woods
Tegan Graves — Modern Band
Corbin Gray — Computer Applications
Wyatt Grein — American History; Earth Science
Gwen Grither — Family & Consumer Sciences I
Josephine Guilford — Creative Writing; Film Composition & Lit
Tylin Hager — Business Technology II
Lucas Horrell — CP American History
Lucy Hunsley — Chorale; Performance Theatre
Aubrey Joggerst — Child Development; Journalism
Dominic Johnson — Accounting; Spanish II
Mabrey Jokerst — Multimedia/Website Design
Sophia Jordan — French I
Logan Keyser — Adaptive Physical Education
Vivian Kiefer — Organic Chemistry
Tinka Knoblauch — Geometry
Kyrah Kreitler — Drafting & Design
Gracie Ladd — Algebra II
Madison LaGarce — Spanish I
Felix Lin — CP Geometry; Multimedia/Video Production
Allison Loudenback — Marketing Production
Marlena Lueken — Band
Sophia Marqua — Health
Maria McGuire — Fundamentals of Music
Eleanor McKlin — Advanced Film; Calculus; CP English IV; French IV; Guitar I; Western Civilization
Camille Melahn — Multimedia/Photoshop
Isaiah Messer — Technical Theatre
Kamrie Meyer — Agricultural Science I
Brenna Mitchem — Women's Choir
Anya Naeger — Integrated Science
Blake Naeger — Landscaping
Camille Ogden — Adaptive Physical Education
Jake Parker — Ceramics
Kaia Plati — English II
Jersey Quinn — CP English III
Kierstyn Reeves — Psychology; Show Choir
Hunter Reyering — Automotive Service Technology II
Caroline Roth — Drawing; Forensic Analysis; Sociology
Josef Rottler — Chemistry
Micah Scherrer — Automotive Service Technology I
Wyatt Schmelzle — Algebra I
Elcie Schweigert — Sculpture
Caden Schweiss — Body Conditioning
Hazel Schwent — Trigonometry
Paige Schwent — CP American Government
Brenden Sexton — Modern America
Justin Slinkard — Contemporary Issues
Joshua Staffen — Spanish III
Jacob Sulser — Animal Science
Levi Sutton — Industrial Woods
Maddox Sutton — Physiology & Anatomy
Chloe Tarrillion — Cadet Teaching
Paul Taylor — Multimedia/Media Production
Lily Tedford — Resilient Bodies and Minds
Gabriella Tunnell — Algebra 1.5
Gabriella Watts — CP English II
Chloe Wehner — Yearbook
Kamdyn Wehner — Nutrition and Wellness
Payton Weibrecht — English I
Urijah Weiss — Agricultural Science II; American Government
Reese Wibbenmeyer — CP Biology; Introduction to Industrial Technology
Alexia Wolk — CP English I; French II; CP Integrated Science; Girls Physical Education
Bryna Wolk — Biology
Madden Wolk — Business Technology I
Abigail Woodard — Public Speaking
Dr. Boyd shared a special thank you to the following for their role in the event:
the sponsors of the 36th Annual Dan Clark Honors Banquet: presentation partner MLC (formerly Mississippi Lime); sponsor Lhoist North America; and sponsor Bloomsdale Excavating, Inc.
Mrs. Alex Collier and our FCCLA students for providing the wonderful meal;
National Junior Honor Society members who served during the event;
Lori Dunn, Brandy Henderson, Stephanie Brumfield and Kassey Schmelzle for their hard work and dedication they provide to the students and staff;
program assistants Laci Snyder and Shaelyn Wolk;
and the SGHS faculty who do an exceptional job day in and day out for our students.
In closing the ceremony, SGHS Principal Dr. John Boyd shared a message centered on perseverance and the importance of support systems, drawing on his experience as a runner. He reflected on how running shoes are often taken for granted until they wear out or fail, noting that the right pair can make all the difference in carrying a runner through difficult miles.
He connected that idea to the students being recognized, emphasizing that success is rarely achieved alone. He highlighted the role of parents, teachers, coaches, and friends who provide encouragement, guidance, and support along the way—often in ways that may go unnoticed in the moment.
“Students, as you continue your journey—whether it’s in college, careers, athletics, or life—remember this: success is rarely about a single moment. It’s about the miles you’re willing to run and the people who help support you along the way,” he said.