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PERU — St. Bede Academy Principal Michelle Mershon announced the names of the top 10 students for the class of 2018. These students have honorably represented St. Bede Academy in scholastic and non-scholastic events, service to St. Bede and the surrounding community, and in character with the Benedictine tradition.
Valedictorian Magdalen N. Daluga is the daughter of Thomas and Patricia Daluga of Princeton. She is a member of St. Louis Roman Catholic Church and graduated from St. Louis Catholic School. Maggie plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh and major in chemical engineering, with plans to work abroad for a multi-international company after receiving her bachelor's degree. In addition to winning the Hugh O'Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership Award and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) Citizenship Award, Maggie was also named as a National Merit Commended Scholar and placed fifth in chemistry at the 2017 Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE) state competition. Maggie has been active in volleyball, Scholastic Bowl, the InterAct Club, Last Supper Club, Lectio Divina, and has been a member of the Ambassadors and the Stage Rats, while serving as the vice president for the student government. She also volunteered her time as an alter server, coordinated school blood drives for the American Red Cross and was a docent at Hegler Carus Mansion.
Salutatorian Kaelyn Condon is the daughter of Michael and Christy Condon of Spring Valley. She is a member of Faith Church in Peru and graduated from JFK in Spring Valley. Kaelyn will be attending Illinois State University and plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in nursing, with a goal of becoming a nurse practitioner. She was a state qualifier in track and field, an Illinois State Scholar and the local winner of the Wendy's Heisman Award. Kaelyn also made the News-Tribune's All-Academic Team and was on the Youth Advisory Council for Sen. Sue Rezin. She has participated in track and volleyball for four years, basketball for one year and served as the team manager for wrestling her senior year. Kaelyn belonged to a variety of clubs, including Student Government, Ambassadors, WYSE, InterAct, Spanish, Lectio Divina, Stage Rats and yearbook, while volunteering at St. Margaret's Hospital and several summer camps at St. Bede.
Hailey Ator is the daughter of John and Julie Ator of LaSalle. She is a member of the First Congregational Church and graduated from Lincoln Jr. High in LaSalle. She plans to attend Iowa State University to major in construction engineering with a minor in Mandarin Chinese, with the intention of working in China after graduation. Hailey was named as an Illinois State Scholar and received the Arion Award, the Marine Corps Semper Fidelis Award and Chinese Award, plus made the academic all-conference. She also scored as the Most Improved Bowler, the Bowling MVP, an all-area team bowler and a sectional bowling qualifier. Hailey has been involved in bowling and softball for four years, tennis for two years and volleyball for two years. She belongs to the Chinese Club, the Venturing Club, Lectio Divina, the Pep Band, Stage Rats, WYSE and Bridge Pal. She also likes to volunteer at local events that benefit the community.
Allison Borkowski is the daughter of Andy and Jenny Borkowski of Ottawa. She is a member of St. Francis of Assisi, and a graduate of Wallace Grade School in Ottawa. With plans to attend Miami University of Ohio, Allison intends to pursue a degree in international studies and analytics while concentrating on international relations. She plans on being a part of the U.S. State Department or being involved in an international trade corporation after graduation. Allison has made the academic all-conference for four years in a row, played volleyball and softball for four years, and basketball for one year. She has been a member of the Student Government for four years and served as treasurer her senior year; other clubs include Ambassadors, InterAct Club, Lectio Divina, Spanish Club and Tea Club. Volunteer activities for Allison include assisting with several sports camps at St. Bede and serving as a camp counselor at Camp Tuckabatchee.
Jacob A. Jagiella is the son of Dcn. Tom and Kathy Jagiella of Peru. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Peru and graduated from Peru Catholic School. Jacob plans to major in chemical engineering and is currently deciding between the University of Illinois and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He was named as a National Merit Commended Scholar, won the Junior Chemistry Award, placed second in chemistry at the 2017 Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE) state competition and is an Eagle Scout. Jacob played football his freshman year and was the equipment manager for the football team his sophomore year, he also participated in track for two years and Scholastic Bowl for one year. He has done community service for the Boys Scouts of America and served as both a lector and altar server at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and St. Bede Abbey Church.
Marina Mitchell is the daughter of Dr. Robert Mitchell and Tracy Mitchell of Peru. She graduated from Peru Parkside. Marina plans to attend the Benedictine University, where she will major in biology with hopes of becoming a physician or a PA-C. She received the Benedictine University's Presidential Scholarship, was recognized as a 2018-19 Illinois State Scholar and was a nominee for the Elks Teen of the Month. Marina was involved in cheerleading and band, and was a member of the Last Supper Club. She also represented St. Bede at Rotary meetings and volunteered as a peer tutor.
Joseph Peacock is the son of Jeff and Kay Peacock of Princeton. He is a graduate of St. Louis Catholic Grade School and belongs to St. Louis Roman Catholic Church in Princeton. Joseph plans to enlist in the U.S. Air Force and serve as a security forces specialist. He has received the DAR Good Citizenship Award, DAR Outstanding Cadet Medal, Civil Air Patrol Amelia Earnhardt Award, Civil Air Patrol Billy Mitchell Award, Civil Air Patrol Red Service Ribbon, the Award for Foreign Language Excellence in Spanish, St. Bede Academy Good Citizen Award, Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence and was a 2016 team qualifier for the St. Bede cross-country team. Joseph played football for two years, ran cross-country for two years, track for one year, and belonged to the Rocket Club, Lectio Divina, Car Club and the Venturing Club. Joseph volunteered in his community by serving as a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol, was a Safety Town group counselor for five years and performed a variety of lawn services for elderly neighbors.
Natalie Vaessen is the daughter of Peter and Barbara Vaessen of Sublette. She graduated from Holy Cross School and is a member of Holy Cross Church in Mendota. She will attend Sauk Valley Community College for her associates degree in fine arts before transferring to a four-year university to continue her arts degree. Natalie has been on the honor roll all four years at St. Bede and was named an Illinois State Scholar, has been recognized by the LaSalle Rotary and received a Yearbook Award. She has participated in the Spanish Club, Stage Rats, Yearbook Committee, Ambassadors, Prom Committee, Eucharistic Minister, Lectio Divina, the Last Supper Club, the Venturing Club and the Pep Club. Natalie volunteers at her church's youth groups and fundraisers, works the concession stand at her old grade school and helps at a variety of St. Bede fundraisers.
Luke Wamhoff is the son of Matthew and Jennifer Wamhoff of LaMoille. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Peru and a graduate of Holy Cross Elementary School in Mendota. Luke will attend the University of Alabama or the University of South Florida to earn a degree in chemical engineering with a pre-med track, with a goal of becoming a medical doctor or surgeon. He was named an Illinois State Scholar, received the National Youth Leadership Forum for Medicine and was on the high honor roll. Luke was involved in track and field for four years, baseball for three years and cross-country for two years, and was also part of the Venturing Club. Luke volunteered as an altar server at Holy Cross and St. Bede Abbey, summer camps for baseball and track, and several community fundraisers.
Kenneth N. Wiltse is the son of Mark and Nicole Wiltse of Spring Valley. He is a graduate of Peru Catholic School and a member of Saint George Greek Orthodox Church in Spring Valley. Kenny plans is attend the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana to study kinesiology with a goal of becoming a physical therapist and relocating to South Florida. He has been on the honor roll for all four years at St. Bede, received the St. Bede Excellence in Service Award, been in the top five of his senior class, was named an Illinois State Scholar, participated in the Three Rivers Conference All-Academic Youth Leadership Summit, and received the U of I System Salute to Academic Achievement. Kenny has participated in baseball for three years, basketball for two years, golf for one year and cross-country for one year, and belonged to the Venturing Club, the Last Supper Club, the Spanish Club, Ambassadors and Lectio Divina. He volunteers as a Little League announcer and umpire, coaches youth basketball and football, teaches kids at the SBA International Camp for Kids, the IVCC Math Camp for Kids and the PCS Science Camp, and is an altar server.