On May 13, Pattonville High School honored its academically successful students in the Top 10 Assembly, an event that recognizes and congratulates the Top 10 seniors of the class based on their GPA’s.

Ms. Beth Moritz has been a coordinator for this event for many years. “I love honoring the Top 10 and recognizing kids’ academic accomplishments. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the seniors and also provide inspiration for the rest of our students.”

Mortiz calls students in order by GPA, starting with the 10th ranked senior. The students then walk to the center of the gym, and their colleges and majors are announced. They are also presented with a t-shirt from the college they plan on attending, and they have their photograph taken.

Normally, this event would have been held during the end of the school year, and the whole school would be present in a large assembly. But due to the pandemic, the “assembly” was live streamed to homerooms and the only members in attendance were the students themselves, Ms. Moritz to announce the students, a few photographers, and superintendent Dr. Tim Pecoraro.

Students’ parents were not able to attend; however, there was a Youtube link provided where they could watch the students walk. This event shows that the school year is drawing to a close, and it acknowledges the hard work these students have put into their academic careers.

Seniors Grace Ohlsen and Mya Harris were two of these seniors honored. Harris ranked third. “I felt incredibly honored to be recognized in the ceremony. It required a lot of determination and tenacity on my behalf, but I also could not have done it without the wavering support of my teachers.” Harris will be attending Duke University.

Ohlsen ranked fifth. “I am less proud of reaching Top 10 than I am of challenging myself to balance a difficult schedule with my extracurricular activities and social life.” Ohlsen will attend University of Colorado.

Even with this unpredictable year, the school still wanted to find a way to celebrate its students’ achievements. With all the chaos this hectic year brought, these 10 students did not give up. In fact, they pushed themselves even harder.

Seniors Recognized at Top Ten

10. Abigail Hachmeister – University of Minnesota, Morris

9. Eliana Johnson – Southeast Missouri State

8. Bree Voss – University of Missouri, Kansas City

7. Maya Blumenthal – Wellesley College

6. Jordyn Lodes – University of Missouri, Columbia

5. Grace Ohlsen – University of Colorado

4. Tajh Martin – Columbia University

3. Mya Harris – Duke University

2. Lily Holland – Truman State University

1. Isabella Tucci – Rhodes College