Three share valedictorian for Posen Class of ’13
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
Posen High School (PHS) is proud to announce honor students from the class of 2013. Three valedictorians will lead eight honor students in commencement ceremonies June 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Valedictorians Kari Ataman, Warren Beach and Anna Couture will lead the celebration. Alexandra Werth is the salutatorian.
Kari Renee Ataman (4.00) is the daughter of John and Lisa Ataman. She has been a class officer and a member of the student council all four years. Ataman was the vice president for four years as well as student council secretary for four years. She was a member of the pep club for four years and served as president during her senior year.
Ataman was inducted into the National Honor Society (NHS) as a sophomore and served as treasurer as a senior. She has been involved in trip club for four years and served as treasurer for three years.
She also was involved with Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Educational Talent Search (ETS), Upward Bound, Northeast Michigan Youth Advisory Council (NEMYAC), youth trustee elect for the Community Foundation of Northeast Michigan and National Society of High School Scholars. She had perfect attendance and was named student of the week. The President’s Education Award program also bestowed upon her an outstanding academic excellence honor.
Ataman earned first-team all-conference honors in volleyball as a senior and academic all-conference. She also has been involved in track for four years and was a boys’ basketball statistician for four years. Additionally, she earned the floor burn award in volleyball.
Ataman was Miss Posen pageant’s first runner-up.
After graduation, Ataman would like to attend Northern Michigan University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing and specialize in oncology, as well as obtain a minor in wildlife biology.
Warren Beach (4.00) is the son of Curtis and Toni Beach. He has been involved with pep club, NHS, student council, SADD, trip club, Presque Isle County Teenage Republicans (TARS), NEMYAC, ETS and ski club. He also was a class officer.
He participated in track, basketball, football and Rogers City High School cross country.
He earned an academic letter, as well as varsity letters. Additionally, he was student of the month.
Beach’s plans after high school include attending Saginaw Valley State University.
Anna Marie Couture (4.00) is the daughter of Pat and Donna Couture. She has been a standout athlete for the Vikings, earning 12 varsity letters and many postseason accolades in all the sports she participated. She also was PHS’ female athlete of the year as a junior.
Couture not only was class president, but she was trip club president, student council president, SADD president, NHS vice president and pep club treasurer. She was involved with ETS, St. Casimir Catholic Church youth group and the NEMYAC. She also was named student of the week.
She was all-conference honorable mention, softball, 2009 and 10; all-conference, softball, 2011 and ’12; all-district team, softball, 2010, ’11 and ’12; all-region, softball, 2010, ’11 and ’12; all-state honorable mention, 2010 and ’11; all-state, softball, 2012; all-conference honorable mention, girls’ basketball, 2010 and ’11; all-conference second team, girls’ basketball, 2011 and ’12; all-conference honorable mention, volleyball, 2011 and ’12; all-conference, volleyball, 2012 and ’13; all-conference, girls’ basketball, 2012 and ’13. She also was a Michigan High School Athletic Association scholar athlete award finalist and was North Star League all-academic, 2011 and ’12.
After graduation, Couture plans to attend Alma College to pursue a degree in either business or health sciences. She also plans to play softball for the Scots.
Alexandra Cadence Werth (3.99) is the daughter of Owen and Kristin Werth. She is a member of NHS, ETS, NEMYAC, SADD, trip club, pep club, ski club and participated in varsity track and field. She also won the 2012 Miss Posen pageant.
Her high school honors include: Alpena High School excellence; academic excellence in geometry; academic excellence in intro to physics; academic honor roll; Alpena News student of the week; general business excellence award; PHS academic excellence.
Werth plans to attend the University of Michigan for four years and then either law school or ophthalmology school.
Andrew Budnik (3.83) is the son of Timothy Budnik and Crystal Boyke. He was involved in NHS activities and was an ETS member. He also was a member of the Posen football team.
He received a perfect attendance award and has been on the honor roll throughout high school.
He plans to attend Alpena Community College in the fall and pursue a degree in computer information systems.
Danielle Rhode (3.60) is the daughter of Jodi Berg and Gary Rhode. She is a member of SADD, pep club, ETS, NHS, TARS, trip club, Rogers City High School (RCHS) Key Club and PHS ski club.
Among her awards and honors were: varsity letters in basketball, volleyball and softball; RCHS academic honor certificate award; RCHS academic honors bronze award; RCHS achievement in mathematics; RCHS excellence in English; North Star League all-academics; and all-conference honorable mention, softball; coach’s award: junior year, softball and basketball; Optimist Club student of the month, January 2010; student of the week, sophomore, junior and senior years; certificate of appreciation for Friends Together; and Michigan Electric Co-op Teen Days certificate of appreciation.
She plans to attend Grand Valley State University and go into radiation therapy.
Kristina Marie Wisniewski (3.46) is the daughter of
Wisniewski was the winner of the Miss Congeniality award during the 2012 Miss Posen pageant, a homecoming representative and student of the week.
She plans to attend Alpena Community College in the fall and is undecided as to her career path.
Eric Rice (3.33) is the son of Beth and Mike Rice.
He is involved with trip club and ski club. He also participated in football and track.
Future plans include studying pre-engineering in college.