Valedictorian, salutatorian announced
The two students graduating at the top of Weyauwega-Fremont High School’s Class of 2016 took challenging courses but also subjects they love.
They grew through their involvement in extracurricular activities and found countless ways to serve area communities.
Jordan Rucks is this year’s valedictorian, and Mikaela Hintz is the salutatorian.
Jordan Rucks
Rucks, the daughter of Brad and Susan Rucks, finished last semester with a cumulative 4.149 weighted grade point average.
“I decided to take Spanish as my foreign language for all four years of high school. I also took many science electives like Chemistry 1, 2 and 3, Physics 1 and 2, Anatomy and Physiology and AP Biology. I also pushed myself and took AP English and AP U.S. History,” she said.
Her favorite class was English, because she loves to read books and write papers.
“I challenged myself by taking advanced courses without any study halls all four years,” Rucks said.
Outside of the classroom, she participated in athletics and other extracurricular activities.
“I have played softball and volleyball all four years of high school. I also am involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, Morals and Ethics Club and FFA,” Rucks said. “Along with that, I have served the past two years as the Student Representative on the Board of Education. My involvement in these organizations has helped me build character and stay dedicated.”
She volunteers in a variety of ways.
“I help teach fifth-grade religious education classes at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Weyauwega. I also have volunteered at Weyauwega’s community dinners and at the Fremont Daycare Center. Along with that, I have volunteered at the Fox Valley Warming Shelter and at Father Carr’s Place To Be,” Rucks said.
She chose to volunteer at those places because she wants to help make a difference in the lives of others.
“I learned that I want to try to make a living off of helping people for the rest of my life,” she said.
In the fall, Rucks will head to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she plans to get a degree in social work.
“The reason I want to pursue a degree in social work is because I want to help improve the lives of others,” she said.
When asked who inspired her during her past four years at Weyauwega-Fremont High School, she said many people did.
“My parents have been my No. 1 supporters since day one. They always have pushed me to work hard and encouraged me when I was down,” Rucks said. “My sister has also been a big inspiration in my life. Cassie has inspired me to never give up.”
Mikaela Hintz
Hintz, the daughter of Paul and Lisbeth Hintz, completed the past semester with a cumulative 4.042 weighted grade point average.
“I took advanced science classes, as well as art and music, because I had a strong interest in pursuing a career in a scientific field but also wanted to be a well-rounded person,” Hintz said in describing her class choices.
Her favorite classes were AP Biology and art.
She said biology was one of her favorite subjects because it covers a wide range of interesting topics, and art was one of her favorites because it allowed her to take a break from the same kind of thought process she used in her traditional academic classes and let her develop other creative skills.
“I have taken many AP classes in a variety of subjects, and I completed my English courses a year ahead of my classmates,” Hintz said.
Her extracurricular involvement included FFA CDE judging, jazz band, volleyball, track and field, piano, FCA, NHS, Solo and Ensemble and drama club.
“My involvement in many different activities taught me how to manage my time and helped me to become a multi-faceted person,” Hintz said. “Some of my extracurricular activities have inspired my passion for music. My experience in track and field has taught me the finer points of being a leader and how to develop bonds with my teammates.”
She volunteered throughout the area.
“Through NHS, I have been able to volunteer at the local community dinner, as well as at a local daycare,” Hintz said. “These experiences allowed me to have a better connection with my community that I might not otherwise have had because I do not live in town.”
Hintz will be attending Lawrence University in the fall, where she plans to study biology.
“I have chosen biology because of my lifelong interest in natural and life science and because of the many exciting research and discoveries occurring in the field today,” she said.
Hintz said many people inspired her during her years at Weyauwega-Fremont High School.
“My family and friends have been the greatest inspiration in my high school career. My friends were always supportive and were great role models,” she said. “They encouraged my individual personality and embraced my unique characteristics so that I had the confidence to focus on my academics.”