Meet La Porte High School's top of the 2013 Class, students who finished with a GPA of 4.0 or above.
Each student below shares some of their history in La Porte and what they are looking forward to in their lives going forward. Students are also wearing the shirt of the college they will attend this fall.
Jacob Applegarth Co-Valedictorian
Elementary School: Riley
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I plan to attend Butler University this fall, where I will be majoring in Chemistry and minoring in ethics. I will be in a pre-med program. I hope to someday be a pediatric oncologist.” Favorite Memory: “My favorite high school memory is Physiology and Anatomy class with Mr. Sheagley. I really enjoyed all the dissections we performed.”
Favorite subject: Chemistry
Advice for future students: “My advice is to work hard, have fun, and enjoy high school and all the opportunities it presents.”
Nathan Gerick Co-Valedictorian
Elementary School: St. John’s Lutheran School
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I will attend Indiana Wesleyan University this fall and double major in Biology and Humanities. I will run both cross country and track and field there. I then wish to attend Indiana University’s medical school. My end goal is to become an anesthesiologist.”
Favorite Memory: “I cannot point out any specific memory, but as a whole, I have been blessed with an incredible high school experience. My teachers and classes have been both challenging and fun. Also, I have been blessed with an incredible group of friends who have supported and encouraged me as well as injecting some fun into my high school experience.”
Favorite subject: Anatomy and Physiology. “I had a spectacular teacher, and the subject matter was challenging, riveting, and enjoyable all at the same time.”
Advice for future students: “Keep your priorities straight. High school can be a lot of fun, but don’t lose focus on the end goal: graduating with as high an academic record as possible. Work hard, stay focused, and stay out of trouble. Hopefully your high school will be as memorable as mine.”
Kurt Urbanski Salutatorian
Elementary School: Crichfield
Middle School: Boston Middle School
Future Plans: “I will go to Purdue North Central for 1-2 years while working part time in order to save money and select a major. Then I hope to transfer to Purdue University West Lafayette to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree and pursue a career focusing primarily on mathematics or chemistry.”
Favorite Memory: “I was a homecoming candidate for Spanish Club and got to ride in the parade in a classic Mustang convertible. I was a big part of the pep rally and the tailgate party. I got to take a lot of pictures and catch up with lots of friends I don’t see often. La Porte scored the first touchdown and the atmosphere in the student section was awesome. Even though we lost, everyone still had a great time.”
Favorite subject: Math
Advice for future students: “Stay out of trouble, respect your teachers and classmates, do your best, enjoy this time of your life, make the most of it, find good ways to relieve stress, don’t stress out over GPA. Filling out college and scholarship applications on time is more important.”
Whitney Hart
Elementary School: Crichfield
Middle School: Boston Middle School
Future Plans: “I plan to attend Butler University and major in Chemistry with a pre-med focus. I want to go on to med school and become a doctor.”
Favorite Memory: “One of my favorite memories in high school involved my Spanish teacher and her hatred of buttons. As a 4th year Spanish student, I have a good relationship with Senora Krause, so two of my fourth year friends and I chose to play a joke on her by covering one of her sacred worksheets in buttons and dragons. She freaked out when she found it, but she now loves it so much that she has it hanging on her desk.”
Favorite subject: Chemistry and Band
Advice for future students: “My biggest advice is to be yourself. Live your life the way you want to live it not based on what others say. Get out of your comfort zone a little big and join clubs to meet new people. Have fun!”
Carly Jackson
Elementary School: Kingsbury
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I will be attending Eastern Michigan University and major in Biology.”
Favorite Memory: “My favorite memories are racing in state finals for swimming and finding the perfect friends.” Favorite subject: Science and English
Advice for future students: “Do as much as you can. High school is over just as fast as everyone says, and you don’t want to look back and regret not doing something.”
Amber Underwood
Elementary School: Riley
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I am attending the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University of Bloomington.”
Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory is dressing up crazy with my friends for the homecoming football games.” Favorite subject: Psychology
Advice for future students: “Make friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. High school goes by so fast-make every moment count.”
Olivia Jongkind
Elementary School: Riley
Middle School: Boston Middle School
Future Plans: “I plan to study nursing at University of Indianapolis beginning this fall.”
Favorite Memory: “Some of my favorite times in high school happened with the marching band: competitions all day Saturday and rehearsals during the week. Marching band created a very tight family atmosphere for me.”
Favorite subject: Spanish and Science
Advice for future students: “Work hard, make memories, and enjoy all that high school has to offer!”
Benjamin Tarnow
Elementary School: Indian Trail
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “After high school, I plan to attend Purdue North Central and study nursing.” Favorite Memory: “My favorite memories were intramurals and basketball at lunch.” Favorite subject: Psychology
Advice for future students: “Make some new friends, be honest, and do not procrastinate studying for tests.”
Maria Sobecki
Elementary School: Crichfield
Middle School: Boston Middle School
Future Plans: “I will be attending Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame in the fall, where I will major in Biology. After that, I plan to earn a Doctorate of Physical Therapy so I can help others rehabilitate their injuries.”
Favorite Memory: “My favorite memory was receiving my letter of acceptance from Saint Mary’s and receiving the highest academic scholarship they offer. Watching the facial reactions of my mom, siblings, and friends was awesome. At that point, all of my hard work, dedication, and desire to excel had finally paid off.”
Favorite subject: Yearbook and Psychology
Advice for future students: “My sister Janelle always told me to ‘dream big.’ Put your mind to something and always give 100%. If you really want it, you have to work for it. It is worth it in the end.”
Paige Pope
Elementary School: Crichfield
Middle School: Boston Middle School
Future Plans: “I will attend Purdue University and study Mass Communication with a minor in Art and Design or History. Following that, I hope to work somewhere in the journalism field with a creative focus.”
Favorite Memory: “Spending time with my friends, particularly in Yearbook and French. I enjoyed getting to spend each day with the same wonderful group of people.”
Favorite subject: Yearbook, History, French, & Psychology
Advice for future students: “Enjoy the heck out of your time in high school. Take every opportunity you have, and never, ever lose sight of who you are. At the end of the day, make decisions that you are proud of.”
Rachel Garwood
Elementary School: Kingsbury
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I will major in Nursing and minor in Equistrian Denistry at Purdue University.”
Favorite Memory: “At show and tell in Mrs. Talackson’s 2nd grade class, Charlie Minich brought in his cow.”
Favorite subject: Math
Advice for future students: “Appreciate your time in high school early on because time flies and reality sets in senior year.”
Charlie Minich
Elementary School: Kingsbury
Middle School: Kesling Middle School
Future Plans: “I want to go Purdue University and major in Animal Science. After, I want to return to our family farm.”
Favorite Memory: “One favorite memory is when I killed my first deer. The other is when I played my first varsity football game.”
Favorite subject: Genetics
Advice for future students: “Start off strong freshman year. Many kids slack off and don’t care about grades, but then it is hard to bring your GPA up when trying to get into college.”