STE. GENEVIEVE – 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.
- 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.
Photos
Guest performers and chorale students Lucy Hunsley, Ava Rayoum, Camden Bourisaw, Carter Hogenmiller, London White-Hume, Tegan Graves, Kyndra Oehlert and Katie Vogt, perform “Bound for Jubilee,” arranged by Joyce Eilers, and “I Choose Love” by Mark A. Miller.
Guest performers and band students Tegan Graves, Sophia Jordan and Henry Hadel perform “Riverwood Dance” by Gavin Lendt as a saxophone trio. This group qualified to perform at the state level.
Senior Eleanor McKlin, Patched Overalls Experience participant for Summer 2025, shares her experience in the program.
Junior Camille Melahn, Patched Overalls Experience participant for Summer 2026, shares her plans for the upcoming program.
Guest speaker Ms. Taylor Werner— a Ste. Genevieve High School alumna and former stand-out athlete, multiple-time Missouri state champion, NCAA All-American collegiate athlete, and professional distance runner.
Summer Leadership Conference Participants: (Front Row, Left to Right): Kennedy Bowen, Aniston Cremer, Finn McClard, Rebecca Palmer, Gabriella Watts. (Back row, Left to Right): Simon Fritsch, Trenton Weber, Reese Wibbenmeyer.
Freshmen Top 10 Percent: (Front Row, Left to Right): Mabrey Jokerst, Claire Giesler, Karah Gibson, Kate Fischer, Alexander Brantner, Blayre Bauman, Adrian Bauman; (Back Row, Left to Right): Tucker Winch, Alexia Wolk, McKinnley Vogt, Abbey Stomberg, Sophia Jordan, Henry Hadel, Charlotte Mees, Parker Meyer, Felix Lin.
Sophomores Top 10 Percent: (Front Row, Left to Right): Gabriella Watts, Maria McGuire, Gracie Ladd, Corbin Gray, Finn McClard, Dominic Johnson, Nino Batucan; (Back Row, Left to Right): Ava Zerwig, Halley Wichern, Aila Wolk, Ashlyn Wezner, Brayden Pfaff, Reese Wibbenmeyer.
Juniors Top 10 Percent: (Front Row, Left to Right): Elcie Schweigert, Jersey Quinn, Anna Fischer, Nate Basler, Kennedy Bowen, Jeremy Donze, Clementine Birkenstock; (Back Row, Left to Right): Trenton Weber, Maddox Sutton, Jake Parker, Simon Fritsch. Not Pictured: Hazel Schwent.
Seniors Top 10 Percent (Front Row, Left to Right): Eleanor McKlin, Emma Gegg, Luke Ferranto, Kennedi Fischer, Gavin Gegg, Lucy Hunsley, Jacey Bauman; (Back Row, Left to Right): Abigail Woodard, Cecilia Mooney, Paul Taylor, Vivian Kiefer.