HOLLY, Michigan – While Holly High School seniors have already been out of school for nearly a week, the Class of 2010 won’t officially graduate until Friday, June 4 at Oakland University’s Orena.

Among Holly’s top 10 students are Lindsey Brendel, Lance Hopkin, Carly Warden, Alexis Schwerin, Lauren Powell,  Joshua Houldsworth, Cody Simpson, Valerie Smith, Chloe Konzer, and Wesley Ann Johnson.

Lindsey Brendel – Co-Valedictorian
The daughter of Kathleen and Marcus Brendel, Lindsey has been the recipient of many awards throughout her high school career, among them being named HHS nominee for the Congressional Medal of Merit Award for Outstanding Youth Leadership in 2010.  Additionally, she has been a member of the National Honor Society since 2008 and has received the Excellence in Health Education, Excellence in Fine Arts, Excellence in Meteorology and Oceanography, and Excellence in Fashion Design awards.

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Lindsey Brendel

A member of the Holly Thespian Society Troupe, Lindsey served as secretary and vice president, while also serving as the Show Choir’s historian. Additionally, she has performed in several plays and musicals throughout her time at HHS, while also being a member of the band program.

Lindsey will attend Oakland University in the fall to pursue a career in music, theatre and dance, and plans to audition and perform in university musicals and plays.

“I hope that with good training, hard work, and a lucky opportunity, I can become involved with the film industry that is coming to Michigan,” she said.

Lance Hopkin – Co-Valerdictorian
Lance is the son of Gretchen and Ronald Hopkin, and has been involved in many sports and extracurricular activities throughout his high school career.

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Lance Hopkin

He is a member of the National Honor Society, the Spanish Club, the Captains Club, and played varsity basketball, football, track and field, and tennis. Lance was named Flint Kiwanis Club Athlete of the Month, was named State Bank’s Athlete of the month multiple times in each sport he has played throughout the years, received the Holly Varsity Triple Threat Award, and was elected the most valuable player in basketball this year by his teammates.Lance broke the HHS record for rebounding in basketball, and received the Academic All State Award in football as one of the best student athletes in the state by the coaches union.

Hopkin plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall to pursue his undergraduate degree, and possibly continue on with grad school. “After completing college, I plan on finding a job that deeply inspires me and supports my family when I hopefully get married and have children,” he said.

Carly Warden – Co-Valedictorian
The daughter of Brenda and Greg Warden, Carly is a member of the National Honor Society, the varsity Dance Team, the varsity golf team, the Captain’s Club, student council, and Corps De Danse, a competitive dance team.

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Carly Warden

Carly plans on attending the University of Michigan this fall where she will pursue a degree in Biochemistry. “I will complete medical school at the U of M and enter the medical field,” she said of her ambitions.

Alexis Schwerin – Salutatorian
Alexis Schwerin is the daughter of Laurie and James Schwerin. She is a member of the National Honors Society the Interact Club, and participated in cross country and track and field.

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Alexis Schwerin

Alexis plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall where she will pursue a degree in Nuclear Engineering. With her degree, Alexis hopes to make a difference in the nuclear power industry.

Joshua Houldsworth
The son of Deanna and Ward Houldsworth, Joshua is a member of the National Honor Society, as well as the Captain’s Club. He participated in three years of playing football for the Bronchos, while also wrestling at the varsity level and setting numerous school and state records over his 4-year career.

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Joshua Houldsworth

Houldsworth will attend Columbia University this fall where he plans to pursue a degree in mathematics or biology.  Houldsworth aspires to become a NCAA champion wrestler and to someday get accepted into medical school.

Chloe Konzer
Chloe is the daughter of Angela and Kyle Konzer. She is a member of the National Honor Society, received Excellence in Physics, Chemistry, Biology and U.S. History. She was the Kiwanis Athlete of the Month, a two-time Athlete of the Week, served as Captain for the varsity tennis team, and was a two-time league and regional girls tennis champion.

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Chloe Konzer

With plans to attend the University of Michigan this fall, Chloe will pursue a degree in statistics. “I want to obtain an undergraduate degree in statistics from the U of M, and continue my education at Emory University, obtaining a graduate degree in actuarial sciences or biostatistics,” she said.

Lauren Powell
The daughter of Martha and Jon Powell, Lauren is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish Club. She participated in cross county as well as track and field, and has been involved in many youth groups and mission trips.

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Lauren Powell

Lauren plans on attending Michigan State University this fall where she hopes to pursue a degree in the medical field that coincides with her love of athletics.

Cody Simpson
Cody is the son of Judy and Mark Simpson. He is a member of the National Honor Society, HHS Student Council, the Spanish Club, took part in the Flint Metro League Math and Science competition in 2007, and participated in several American Red Cross blood drives over the years.

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Cody Simpson

Cody has plans to attend Oakland University this fall where he will pursue a degree in medical technology.  

Valerie Smith
Valerie is the daughter of Michelle and Jeffrey Smith.  She is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Technical Honor Society, FIRST Robotics, a member of the OCCRA robotics team, the recipient of the 2009 Michigan Industrial Technology Education Society (MITES) “Breaking Traditions” award. In addition, Valerie was an active participant in the HHS band program, playing in the Symphony and Marching band, and serving as low brass section leader during her senior year.

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Valerie Smith

Valerie plans on attending Kettering University this fall to pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Wesley Ann Johnson
Wesley finished her studies earlier this year at Holly High School and elected not to provide school officials with her biographical information.

HOLLY, Michigan –  With just a little over a week to go before Holly High School graduating seniors say goodbye, the students are making as many memories as they can, specifically this Friday when they take part in all the activities associated with “Farewell Friday.”

Beginning at 5:45 a.m. students are invited to attend a pep rally in the HHS gymnasium. Throughout the morning, Flint’s Channel 12 will be broadcasting live from the high school, holding a canned food drive to benefit food banks throughout the greater Flint area.

“Throughout the year, student council has been trying to raise an awareness of hunger,” coordinator for HHS Student Council Kim Wheeler said. “Earlier this year, we held a canned good drive to benefit St. Rita in Holly, so by working with Channel 12, it's a way of broadening that idea and taking it beyond the Holly community.”

Wheeler said students have been asked to bring a canned good or two to the pep rally. “We’re also hoping that residents who may be watching the broadcast from home will also bring in donations of canned goods to the high school on Friday morning.”

But the food drive is only one part of Friday morning's rally, with live band performances, dancing, and performances by the Holly High School choir and dance team, refreshments, and more.

“There will be sports teams, a couple bands that participated in the talent show, dancing – it’s just going to be really fun,” Wheeler said. “And it’s all for a great cause.”

At 8:30 a.m., seniors will switch gears, adjourning the pep rally to attend the Senior Awards Ceremony in which awards and scholarships will be distributed to deserving students.

Another pep rally – this time “The Spring Pep Rally” is scheduled prior to dismissal at 1:25 p.m. with more music, dancing and fun.

The day will culminate Friday evening with the Senior Dinner to be held in the Holly High School Commons area at 6 p.m.

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John Underwood

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly Area School students and parents are invited to attend “Life of an Athlete,” a dynamic presentation by NCAA All-American John Underwood, from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 23 at Holly High School.

An international –level distance runner and World Masters Champion, Underwood has coached or advised more than two dozen Olympians, including World and Olympic champions, compiling extensive research on the affects of chemicals on the brain and overall performance of athletes.

As Master Trainer for the New York Public High School Athletic Association drug program, Underwood is a crusader for drug-free sports at all levels.  

During the 90-minute program, Underwood will talk about the impact of chemical health on youth academics and athletics, the need for clearly articulated expectations of youth, how a coordinated community effort can change teen culture, and the responsibilities student athletes have as leaders in their school community.

The free event will be held in the Holly High School Kiva, 6161 E. Holly Road. For more information, call Susan Papple at (248) 328-3135.

HOLLY, Michigan – Twenty seven Holly High School band students participated in the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association District 3 Solo and Ensemble Festival on Saturday, Feb. 20 at Imlay City High School.

Director of Bands William Deal said all students performed as either soloists or members of ensembles, and had been practicing diligently over the past few weeks in preparation for the event. “All of the students performed at a level that earned them a medal, and those students who received a Division I rating qualified to attend the MSBOA State Solo and Ensemble Festival next month,” Deal said.

Students who participated in the district festival include, Max Allen, Colin Biezard, Julia Bovee, Sam Boyhtari, Ashley Brendel, Abby Darnell, Robert Dillenbeck, Mitchell Drake, Amber Feltrin, Nicole Feltrin, Kaytlin Glover, Larry Hilbert, Travis Kerton, Sarah Lauinger, Andrea Lewellen, Nicole Longrie, Joe McDonnell, Spencer McKay, Kayla Mills, Katjana Nagel, Eric Parker, Heather Russik, Justin Snyder, Justin Thorington, Kelsi Trest, Beth Williams, and Lindzy Worthington.

Deal said he is extremely proud of all of the students, and looks forward to March when many of the students decide to push their musicianship further by participating at the State Solo and Ensemble festival on March 27.