Monroe Central High School Class of 2014 will graduate 98 seniors Saturday, May 24, 2014. The graduation activities will begin at 7:00 pm at the Monroe Central football field in Woodsfield. In case of inclement weather, the graduation ceremony will be at 7:00 pm at the Monroe Central High School gymnasium. Class members will graduate in red and black gowns. The class is advised by Julie and Steve Casto and led by the following officers:

Co-Presidents are Emily Williamson and Eric Smith. Co-Vice Presidents are Johnny Hupp and Morgan Thompson. Co-Treasurers are Michelle Dick and Hunter Thomas and Co-Secretaries are Anna Turner and Sammy Colburn

The following honor students will participate in the graduation program:

Monroe Central Academic Valedictorian is Michelle Dick and Monroe Central/Swiss Hills Valedictorian is Justin Casto. The Co-Salutatorians are Laycie Ball and Devin Jackson.

Graduating with First Honors is Laura Snider, Second Honors is Eric Ward is Third Honors is Mariah Traver and Fourth Honors are Bryan Duffy and Kara Dierkes.

Jerry Calder, Principal, will present the graduates their diplomas with assistance from members of the Switzerland of Ohio Board of Education.

Monroe Central High School’s 2014 Valedictorian is Michelle Dick. Michelle is the daughter of Tom and Holly Dick of Woodsfield, Ohio. Her academic achievements include Honor Roll, 2014 Americanism Test winner, National Honor Society, and a Kiwanis Scholar. She was Secretary of her junior class, and she is currently Treasurer of the Senior Class, along with the Spanish Club Vice President. Michelle earned Top Student awards in several classes: Algebra II, Spanish II, Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, Career Search, Pre-Calculus, Psychology, and Spanish III. She is an active member in Key Club, participating in many community service projects: food drives, Christmas caroling, etc. In addition, Michelle is a thirteen year participant of Girl Scouts, receiving many top seller awards. For part time employment, she works at Riesbeck’s Food Market in Woodsfield. In the fall, Michelle plans on attending Kent State and pursuing a major in Pre-Nursing.

Justin Casto, Vocational Valedictorian for Monroe Central High School/ Swiss Hills. Justin Casto, from Woodsfield, Ohio, is senior in Cisco Networking at Swiss Hills Career Center. He is also employed at BP Gas Station in Woodsfield. He’s had successful high school career, having earned multiple awards such as First Honors, Second Honors, Perfect Attendance, and Director’s List. His junior and senior years, Justin was a Kiwanis Scholar; this year, he received a $500 scholarship from this illustrious organization. He was inducted into the National Technical Honor Society his junior year and he has maintained that status.

In the fall, Justin will attend Marietta College to study Land and Energy Management, then switch majors to Petroleum Engineering when a spot opens up. He is looking forward to a promising future.

One of Monroe Central’s 2014 Co-Salutatorians is Laycie Ball. She is the daughter of Gina and the late James Ball of Woodsfield. Laycie has been a member of the volleyball, basketball and track teams all four years. Laycie is a member of the National Honor Society, a Monroe County Beacon Academic Achiever, PVC Scholar Athlete, Voice of Democracy Speech Competition Winner, and attended the Regional Scholars Leadership Conference last year. She has been invited to the Kiwanis Banquet and the school’s Academic Awards Banquet all four years. Laycie’s artwork has been on display in the Cleveland Clinic Art eXpressionsTM contest, in which she received a blue ribbon award, and in the Marietta Times Calendar Contest. She has been very active in her school’s Student Council over the last four years. She is also a member of the Art, Key, Ski and Spanish Clubs. In the fall, Laycie will be heading to Athens to attend Ohio University looking to pursue a degree in Applied Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. Along with that, she has hopes to pursue her love of art and become a freelance artist.

One of Monroe Central’s 2014 Co-Salutatorians is Laycie Ball. She is the daughter of Gina and the late James Ball of Woodsfield. Laycie has been a member of the volleyball, basketball and track teams all four years. Laycie is a member of the National Honor Society, a Monroe County Beacon Academic Achiever, PVC Scholar Athlete, Voice of Democracy Speech Competition Winner, and attended the Regional Scholars Leadership Conference last year. She has been invited to the Kiwanis Banquet and the school’s Academic Awards Banquet all four years. Laycie’s artwork has been on display in the Cleveland Clinic Art eXpressionsTM contest, in which she received a blue ribbon award, and in the Marietta Times Calendar Contest. She has been very active in her school’s Student Council over the last four years. She is also a member of the Art, Key, Ski and Spanish Clubs. In the fall, Laycie will be heading to Athens to attend Ohio University looking to pursue a degree in Applied Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. Along with that, she has hopes to pursue her love of art and become a freelance artist.

Laura Snider is the daughter of Daniel Snider and Heather Maxwell of Sistersville, West Virginia, and she is Monroe Central’s class of 2014 First Honors recipient. For the past four years, she has participated in French club, where she is secretary. Her senior year, Laura was inducted into the National Nonor Society. Laura has also attended the Academic Awards banquet receiving top of her class in World History, Physical Science, English, and American History.

In the fall, Laura plans to attend Marshall University where she will pursue a degree in the medical field.

Monroe Central’s Second Honors recipient is Eric Ward, the son of Marvin and Donna Ward of Jerusalem, Ohio. Eric has participated full time in the post-secondary program at Ohio University Eastern for the past two years. He has been a four year member of the football and baseball teams, where he has been a letterman and a PVC Scholar Athlete. Eric also played freshman basketball and has been a member of the Ski Club, Art Club, and Spanish Club. He has participated in Quiz Bowl and currently participates in the Talented and Gifted Program.

Eric has been a Kiwanis Scholar, was selected as a Regional Scholar, and has attended the Academic Awards Banquet. He is a member of the National Honor Society and has won the “I’m a Child of Appalachia” writing contest. Eric was selected as a member of the Homecoming Court and the Prom Court.

Eric will be attending The Ohio State University this fall, where he plans to major in Business.

Mariah Traver is the daughter of Tim and Loretta Traver of Rinard Mills, Ohio. Mariah was a member of the Monroe Central Marching Band for five years. During those years, she was awarded Most Improved band member, Up and Coming Musician, and the Most Inspiring band member. Mariah was also a member of the Spanish Club for 3 years and Key Club for 1 year. Mariah was a Kiwanis Scholarship Banquet honoree during her sophomore and junior years. As a junior, Mariah was inducted into the National Honor Society and was recently inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa at Washington State Community College as a post-secondary student. Mariah received First Honors, Principal’s List, and Dean’s List (Washington State Community College) throughout her years of high school. She was awarded as a high academic achiever in Spanish I, Computer technology, Spanish II, Spanish III, Healthy Living, Algebra II, and Honors English 11. She was also the Salutatorian of her 8th grade class at Skyvue Elementary School.

Mariah will be attending Washington State Community College, where she will begin her classes in the Associate Degree Nursing Program to receive her Registered Nursing License. Mariah then plans on continuing her education by taking the online program through Ohio University, where she will receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Bryan Duffy is the son of Kevin Duffy and Jacey Duffy of Woodsfield. He has attended Monroe Central High School for the past four years, and finished with a weighted GPA of 4.048, which earned him Fourth Honors among his classmates. Throughout his high school career, Bryan has participated in numerous sports. He is a PVC Scholar Athlete. He played football and basketball, all 4 years, lettering twice for both, and has been invited to play the Battle Against Cystic Fibrosis all-star game, for both sports, as well. Bryan excelled at basketball earning numerous awards and he was asked to play in the OVAC all-star games. He also played baseball for four years, and lettered three times. Athletics were not the only part of Bryan’s high school career: he excelled academically as well., as academics well. He was a consistent member of the Honor Roll and Principal’s list. He is a 3 time Academic Award winner. Bryan was a member of the Quiz Bowl team for two years, French Club three years, and Art Club two years.

After graduation, Bryan will attend Ohio University in Athens in the fall where he plans to major in Civil Engineering.

Kara Dierkes is Monroe Central’s Co-Fourth Honors recipient for the class of 2014. She is the daughter of Doug and Julie Dierkes of Woodsfield, Ohio. She has participated in many different clubs while being in high school. She was in Art and Key club for two years, Ski club for three years, and has been in French club for four years where she serves as Vice President. She has been involved in the prom committee and was voted as Treasurer of her Sophomore Class. She was also invited to the Academic Awards Banquet for two years in a row. After she graduates, she will be attending Ohio University in Athens.

The Class of 2014 includes: Kristen Nicole Leigh Baker, Laycie Marie Dywatco Ball, Alexander Lee Betts, Victoria Kathryn Bowman, Renea Dawn Briggs, Lauren Paige Burnett, Justin Daniel Casto, Jacob Marlin Chaplin, Ashley Nicole Childress, Michael Daniel Christman, Kaitlin Elizabeth Clark, Sammy Kain Colburn, Hunter Vernon Conner, Alicia Marie Copeland, Christopher Donald Creighton, Devin Michael Cremeans, Bradley Alan Davis, Brittany Nicole Derwacter, Kelsey Marie Dick, Michelle Jane Dick, Kara Ann Dierkes, Annie Marie Digity, Brandon Robert Duffy, Bryan Daniel Duffy, Shannon Tamara Echols-Vaughn, Jessica Marie Frontz, Peter James Frontz, Cordell Gabriel Gauding, Benjamin Joseph Greene, Zackri Tyler Groves, Alanna Pauline Gust, Casey Lynn Harriman, Tiffani Ann Helmick, Chelsie Marie Ann Hewitt, Nicholas Alan Hines, Brandon Michael Hoke, Casey Marie Holland, Chelsea Breanne Hupp, John Kenneth Hupp III, Devin Marvin Jackson, Michael Alan Jones II, John Christian Kemp, Chandler McCain Kuhn, Shane Michael Lent Kuhn, Kelsey Kay LaFollette, Regina Marie Lewis, Aaron Michael Love, Kyle Harland Love, Devan Mary Jane Lucas, Joshua Allen Lucio, Josie Laurel Mahoney, Taylor Franklin McGarry, Paul Dean McKnight, Jr., Charles Marshall Mozena, Cassidy Marie Neely, Curtis James Nixon, Chance Allen Parker, Taylor Nicole Pfalzgraf, Brittany Kae Piattm, Jared Ray Pittman, Benjamin Matthew Randall, Scott Wilson Reynolds, Andrew David Ritchie, Micah Ethan Roberts, Brandon William Rubel, Vanessa Robin Saffle, Jacob Seth Schuerman, Daniel Gregory Schumacher, Alison Rae Sloan, Eric Foster Smith, Laura Jeane Snider, Andrea Marie Stewart, Jasmane Joe Stewart, Colin Rae Stumbo, Jared Gregory Taylor, Hunter Norman Thomas, Morgan Elizabeth Thompson, Mariah Jeane Traver, Anna Marie Turner, William Alvin Vincent, Eric Daniel Ward, Derek Michael Weber, Brianna Mae Wells, Dakota Alexander Williams, Emily Autumn Williamson, Tyler James Wills, Joshua James Winland, Savannah Nicole Yoho, Aaron Nathaniel Yontz, Natasha Nicole Young.