Ten outstanding seniors - Peter Bendel, Tucker Bird, Garrett Crouse, Anne Dye, Anna Imsande, Hayleigh Husby, Dylan Norby, Kinleigh Richartz, Macy Skillings, and Marlena Weghorn - have been named valedictorians of the MHS Class of 2023. To achieve this honor, students must have a cumulative high school GPA of 4.0 through the first semester of their senior year.
These students not only excelled academically but were active in sports, extra-curricular activities and volunteering. Read more about each of these students below.
Peter Bendel will be attending UW- River Falls majoring in physics.
Peter played bass in the orchestra and the jazz band throughout high school. He has been a member of the Science Olympiad Team all four years and was a team captain his senior year. Peter has participated in Chess Club, serving as president his senior year, and has been a cross country and track team member. Peter is also a member of the National Honor Society.
Peter is the son of Julie and Chris Bendel.
Tucker Bird will be attending UW-Whitewater majoring in business.
While in high school, Tucker played on the soccer team, was captain and received an All-Conference honorable mention his senior year. Tucker also participated in track and field, FBLA, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Tucker is the son of Jodi and Mike Bird.
Garrett Crouse will be attending Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, Virginia, majoring in biological engineering.
During high school, Garrett was very active in the music program, playing trumpet in the band and piano in the jazz band. Garrett participated in the District Solo & Ensemble Festival each year and advanced to State for numerous piano solos. In addition, Garrett is a member of the National Honor Society and has spent many hours volunteering at summer school, sporting events, and tutoring younger students.
Garrett is the son of Lisa Crouse and Andrew (Karen) Crouse.
Anne Dye will be attending Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, majoring in biomedical engineering.
Anne is a member of the Science Olympiad team and was a captain her senior year. She helped the MHS school newspaper get reestablished this past year and was one of the paper’s writers. Anne played on both the tennis and softball teams. In addition, Anne is a member of the National Honor Society, and during her four years of high school, she completed over 100 hours of community service. Anne will be receiving a Global Education Achievement certificate with her diploma.
Anne is the daughter of Christine and Tom Dye.
Anna Imsande will be attending the University of Minnesota, majoring in finance. After finishing her undergraduate degree, Anna plans to attend law school and become an attorney.
Anna is a member of the Student Council and FBLA, serving as an officer in both organizations. She is on the Science Olympiad team and was a captain her senior year. Anna has been on the cross country and track teams throughout high school, was a cross country captain, and qualified for State her junior and senior years. Anna is a member of the National Honor Society and has completed over 90 hours of community service. Anna will be receiving a Global Education Achievement certificate with her diploma.
Anna is the daughter of Kristin and Jeff Imsande.
Hayleigh Husby will be attending the University of Washington in Seattle, majoring in environmental studies.
Hayleigh played on the soccer team throughout high school and was captain her senior year. She was also a member of the dance and tennis teams. Hayleigh has been an active member of FBLA, serving as an officer, the Science Olympiad team and the Thirst Project. In addition, Hayleigh is a member of the National Honor Society.
Hayleigh is the daughter of Denise and Mark Husby.
Dylan Norby will be attending The State University of New York - Binghamton, where he will be a pre-medicine major. He will also be diving for the Bearcats NCAA Division I diving team.
Dylan is a two-time state diving champion, winning the title in his junior and senior years. In addition to being team captain of the swim and dive team, he also participated in soccer, and was All-Conference in cross country and track & field. Dylan has been active in the Student Council, served on the graduation committee, and is a member of the National Honor Society.
Dylan is the son of Jennifer and Travis Norby.
Kinleigh Richartz will attend Barrett Honors College at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona, where she will major in psychology with a minor in Spanish. After completing her undergraduate degree, she plans to complete a master’s program in speech communication disorders and become a speech-language pathologist.
Kinleigh has been an active member of FBLA, DECA, the Spanish Club, and the Thirst Project. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and served as a Link Crew leader. During her high school years, she has completed over 75 hours of community service. Kinleigh will be receiving a Global Education Achievement certificate with her diploma.
Kinleigh is the daughter of Becky and Corbin Richartz.
Macy Skillings is currently attending Chippewa Valley Technical College. She enrolled in the nursing program in January 2023 after completing high school early. After obtaining an associate degree in nursing, she plans to earn a BSN at UW Eau Claire and hopes to become a labor and delivery nurse.
In addition to obtaining her CNA license through a program offered at Menomonie High School her sophomore year, Macy was a member of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and the National Honor Society. Additionally, Macy completed over 70 hours of community service while also working part-time at the American Lutheran Home.
Macy is the daughter of Angie and Randy Skillings.
Marlena Weghorn will be attending UW Milwaukee to study Art Education with plans to become an art teacher.
Marlena was actively involved in choir and theater - both school and community - throughout high school. She has participated in both Science Olympiad and track and field. In addition, Marlena spent her junior year studying abroad as an exchange student in France.
Marlena is the daughter of Julie and Steve Weghorn.
