Class valedictorian a compassionate leader

Anna Leigh Niles, the Valedictorian at Westosha Central High School, is this year’s Outstanding Senior for the Westosha Report (Submitted/The Report).
Niles is Central’s Outstanding Senior

By Jason Arndt
Editor

Since her freshman year, Westosha Central High School senior Anna Leigh Niles has shown compassion towards others, including her classmates and the community.

Niles, who is the 2017 Valedictorian for Westosha Central, mentored younger students and demonstrated leadership inside and outside the classroom.

“Anna Leigh has been a freshman mentor for three years. She has devoted her time to make sure the freshmen in her advisories over the years have had a strong mentor and role model to look up,” said Westosha Central social studies teacher Heidi Zavacke, who leads the freshmen peer mentor program at the school.

With her wide array of accomplishments, Niles was voted as Westosha Report’s Outstanding Senior for Westosha Central by Report staff, which includes an advertising sales representative and editorial assistant.

Through Niles’ four years, she earned a 4.0 grade-point average, which garnered her multiple academic honors.

Her honors include an academic certificate, letter, medal, plaque. Niles’ accomplishments led to an AP Scholar acknowledgment, Southern Lakes Conference Academic Excellence Award, Student Academic Achievement Award and three scholarships.

Along with an Eagle Apprenticeship Scholarship, she also received a George Scholarship and Southern Prairies Health Scholarship.

While Niles excelled in the classroom, she also made contributions to the Westosha Central community through involvement in student clubs and in varsity athletics.

For three years, Niles served on the student council and FBLA/DECA. Also, as a member of National Honors Society, she held a secretary position.

Furthermore, Niles remained active in math organization Mu Alpha Theta and Spanish Honors Society for two years. Also, for one year, Niles was involved with Health Occupation Students of America.

Out in the community, she packed meals for nonprofit organization Feed My Starving Children, contributed to the annual Relay for Life and volunteered in the Helping Hands food drive.

Meanwhile, Niles volunteers at church, where she is part of a women’s bible study.

When Niles isn’t studying or serving the community, she contributed to Falcon athletics, including four years with both the soccer and basketball programs.

On the soccer field, she earned best defensive player and served as team captain for two years. Niles is involved with Kenosha Crew Soccer.

For basketball, however, Niles held the title of team captain for a year and earned best defensive player honors.

Niles attributes her success to a strong support group, including parents Rae Anne and Scott, according to her application.

“I am beyond grateful for my family, for always supporting me, my friends, for always making me smile, and to God, for all the incredible blessings and opportunities he has given me,” Niles wrote.

Niles, who works at Thompson’s Strawberry Farm, plans to study biology with a focus on pre-medicine at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Zavacke believes she can excel in higher education and beyond.

“Anna Leigh has a compassionate and supportive character,” Zavacke said. “She has strong leadership qualities that will serve her well in her future endeavors.”

Other nominees for Outstanding Senior were, in alphabetical order, Anneliese Ceisel, Julie Katzer and Sarah Verzal.

Ceisel, the daughter of David and M. Alexandria, is an AP Scholar, three-year National Honors Society member and has been involved in the French and Spanish honors societies.

Also, Ceisel received a Daughter of American Revolution Good Citizen Award along with an academic letter, certificate, medal and plaque.

Additionally, Ceisel was a state finalist for the 2017 Wisconsin Herb Kohl Excellence Scholarship. She is involved in the National Hispanic Recognition program.

As she notched academic honors, Ceisel was actively involved in student organizations, including the freshman mentor program, peer helpers and Mu Alpha Theta math organization.

With Mu Alpha Theta, she helped with the middle school math meet.

Through her four years, she stayed involved in the International Club and Global Awareness Club. She was secretary for one year with the Global Awareness Club.

Ceisel, who was on the 2016 prom court, also took part in FBLA and DECA.

Outside of the classroom, she took piano lessons and volunteered to set up and cleanup at the Westosha Senior Community Center events, including Easter and Christmas brunches.

Other volunteer efforts consisted of helping with the annual father/daughter dance, eighth grade activity night, miracle minute donation drives at various events, and participated in local reading initiatives involving Dr. Seuss.

During the holiday season, she contributed to two food to drives, one for Helping Hands and the other at Halloween, collecting food during trick or treat hours.

Ceisel also took a Belize Marine Ecology Course, a service learning initiative through Ecology Project International.

In athletic competition, she ran for the cross country team from 2014-16, serving as co-captain her senior year. Ceisel is a three-year member of the varsity soccer team.

When she isn’t studying or competing, Ciesel is a hostess and receptionist at The Club at Strawberry Creek, works at Ad-Lib Geocafe in Lindehurst and contributes to the Falcon’s Nest school store.

In the fall, Ceisel plans to attend Washington University in St. Louis, where she looks to study Cellular Biology.

Katzer, who is the daughter of Keith and Carol Katzer, thanked them for their unconditional support through her academic career.

In her application, Katzer, of Trevor, states without them, she would not have the confidence and skills to succeed in the future.
“I would not be where I am without the principles instilled by my parents at a young age,” Kazter wrote. “I would like to thank them for all of their encouragement and sacrifices over the past 18 years.”

With the support of her parents, Katzer notched several academic honors, including Class of 2017 Salutatorian.

Academic awards include Southern Lakes Conference Academic Excellence, which goes to students ranked in the top 10, an Academic Achievement Certificate, Medal and Highest Honor Plaque.

Katzer, who was named to the High Honor Roll for eight semesters, also earned an AP Scholar Award and American Legion Citizenship Award.

She is also a Wisconsin Academic Excellence Scholar, Herb Kohl Excellence Scholar and was a Coca-Cola Scholar semifinalist.
For her efforts, Katzer received induction into the National Honors Society.

Additionally, Katzer received student of month and was a homecoming court candidate.

As Kazter notched academic accolades, she also served as morning announcement speaker for one year, assembly speaker for two years.

On the student council, Katzer took on commitee leadership roles.

Leadership roles included homecoming, a winter/spring blood drive and diversity week.

Along with student council, Katzer served as freshmen mentor, and for four years, was a peer helper.

Katzer made contributions to the Association of Business Students, DECA and FCCLA. With DECA, she helped with the school’s daddy-daughter dance, competed at area conferences and participated in miracle minute donation drives.

For FCCLA, she served as lead aide for the Stairway to Heroin workshop.

Also, for three years, she was on Mu Alpha Theta, a student math organization.

In the community, Katzer helped organize Relay Life, offered Volunteer Income Tax Assistance for two years, contributed for two years at Westosha Senior Community Center and distributed gifts for the Giving Tree.

Kazter stayed active in the church community, coordinating childcare at a picnic for two years, volunteered to lead the rummage room.

At Westosha Lakes Church, she is a Helping Hands volunteer.

Furthermore, for one year, she volunteered as an election inspector and organized a Safe Harbor Humane Society fundraiser.

Katzer, who works at Burger King 20 hours per week, also offers babysitting and dog sitting services.

Katzer expects to attend the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where she plans to pursue an MBA with emphasis in accounting. She is an early acceptance and honors program member.

Verzal, of Bristol, is the daughter of Chris and Katie Verzal.

Through Verzal’s four years at Westosha Central, she stayed active within the school community and achieved multiple academic honors.

Her honors included a National Silver for her senior portfolio, scholastic art and writing awards and academic top 10 accolades.

Also, she received a Wisconsin Senate Scholar acknowledgment, an academic letter, medal and plaque.

With her academic achievements, Verzal was inducted into the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society, where she served as secretary.

Verzal, who plans to attend St. Norbert College in De Pere, also earned Trustee Distinguished Honor from the school.

Additionally, Verzal notched four varsity letters while a member of the Lake Geneva Badger co-op swim team, which won this year’s WIAA Division 1 sectional title.

Out of the pool, she was the vice president of the school’s International Club, served on the student council. The Geography Club was another organization she was involved with.

Honing her musical skills, Verzal was a member of the school pep and marching bands.

In the community, she volunteered at the Sharing Center and was an Exchange Student Summer Host. Verzal also was an election inspector.

While she stayed involved, Verzal worked 12 hours per week as a sales associate at the Gap Factory.

At St. Norbert College, she plans to study International Business and Language Area Studies and Pre-Law.


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