Dexter High School held its 2011 graduation ceremonies Sunday, June 5 in the high school gymnasium. The class included 286 graduates.

Patrick Anderson

Parents: Brett and Jane Anderson

Activities and Awards: Patrick received the SEC All-Academic Award. He also earned the Presidential Scholarship and Heart and Mind Scholarship from Calvin College, as well as the University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship. Patrick served in the National Honor Society, was a varsity soccer captain and a rank leader in marching band. In soccer, he was named to the All-District Team, received the Coach's Award and was a Scholar Athlete. He also received the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is active in his church youth group.

Plans after graduation: Patrick plans to attend Calvin College, where he will study engineering.

Brandon Canniff

Parents: Beth and Gary Canniff

Activities and Awards: Brandon, along with his partner Lukas Hosford, was recognized as among the top 50 debate teams in the nation and also won the state tournament his senior year. He was a debate team captain as well as a member of the forensics team, in which he placed fourth in the state this year. A member of the Dexter High School band, Brandon achieved the levels of both squad and rank leader as an upperclassman. He was also a member of the Key Club, for which he was vice president for two years, Interact Club for which he was treasurer, and the National Honor Society. As a sophomore, Brandon was chosen to attend the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards. He played on the high school soccer teams for two years.

Plans after graduation: Brandon will attend the University of Michigan as a pre-admitted student to Ross School of Business.

Emily Kai Cortright

Parents: Gerald Cortright and Tomoko Murakami

Activities and Awards: Kai has played four years of varsity soccer and has received a Scholar Athlete Award for every season. She has been awarded with the Southeastern Conference All Conference Award, and the Southeastern Conference Championship Teams Award and has been a member of the All District Team. Kai has received multiple awards for Excellence in Spanish, Math, English and Science between her freshman and junior years. She is a drum major of the Dexter High School Marching Band and is a member of the Dexter High School Symphonic Band. Kai has also been an active member in both the National Honor Society and Key Club.

Plans after graduation: Kai plans to attend the University of Michigan College of Engineering to study biomedical engineering.

Acacia Dishman

Parents: Roseann and Jerome Dishman

Activities and Awards: Acacia participated in Cross Country (2007-2010) and was varsity co-captain in 2010; Track and Field (2008-2011) and was varsity co-captain in 2011 as well as Indoor Track and Field where she was creator of the “Winter Adventure Club” running group. She was a member of the National Honor Society (2010-2011), Key Club (2007-2011), Link Crew (2010-2011), Mustard Seed Youth Group (2007-2011) and forensics team (2008). Acacia was youth representative at St. Joseph Catholic Church Pastoral Council. She was a member of the concert/symphonic band (2007-2011) as a clarinetist and a member of the marching band (2007-2011), where she was featured twirler from 2008-2011. Her awards include: Most Improved Athlete (2008), “All for Naughts” Team Spirit (2010), Most Valuable Runner (2010), SEC All-Conference (2008-2010) and SEC Champion Cross Country (2010), and she received the Scholar Athlete Award for each of her four years.

Plans after graduation: Acacia plans to attend the University of Michigan and study engineering.

Justin Hart

Parents: Richard and Cynthia Hart

Activities and Awards: Justin received the Excellence in English Award his ninth,10th and 11th grades years as well as Excellence in Spanish I, II, III. He has also received the Excellence in Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Accelerated Chemistry and Economics awards. Last year he received the All Academic Achievement Award. Justin has played baseball throughout high school receiving a Scholar Athlete Award for each year. He was also the MVP of the varsity baseball team last year and was an SEC First Team member. Justin is employed at Meijer, where he has been working since 2009.

Plans after graduation: Justin will attend the University of Michigan in the fall and will study mechanical engineering.

Parker Latshaw

Parents: Thomas and Cheryl Latshaw

Activities and Awards: Parker is a dedicated member of Dexter's track and cross country team; during his senior year, he was captain for both sports. Throughout his cross country career, Parker has earned All-SEC, All-Regional, and Academic All-State honors. In addition, Parker helped his team to a second place finish in Division 2 twice and in Division 1 once. He has been a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in both Sciences Olympiad and Oceans Bowl. Parker enjoys playing his violin in the Dexter High School Chamber Orchestra. In addition to school activities, he is also a Boy Scout, having earned the Eagle Scout Award during his senior year. He is also an avid fly fisherman, camper, hiker and biker.

Plans after graduation: Parker plans to attend the University of Michigan and major in biochemistry or neuroscience.

Cameron Maisch

Parents: Jennifer and David Maisch

Activities and Awards: Cameron was a member of the state championship debate team and received fourth place in the State Forensics Tournament. She was also a debate team captain and vice president and founding member of the Interact Club. Cameron participated in band all four years and was the 2010-11 Color Guard captain. She was a member and event chair of the National Honor Society and was a Link Crew Freshman mentor for two years. Cameron was a member of the tennis team for four years and the swim team during the ninth and 10th grade.

Plans after graduation: Cameron will be attending the University of Michigan LSA Honors College and will major in humanities

Andrea Montoya

Parents: Rhonda and Patrick Montoya

Activities and Awards: Andrea participated in varsity volleyball and was captain this year; and was also Link Crew leader. She was a 4-H president in 2010 and vice president in 2008. She enjoys horseback riding and showing, dog showing (winning third Place Sweepstakes), and llama showing (winning the 4-H County Project Medal). Andrea is a volunteer at Therapeutic Riding Inc. and a National Honor Society member. She received the SEC All-Academic Award and the MIVCA Academic Individual Award.

Plans after graduation: Andrea will attend the University of Michigan and major in international studies.

Jeffrey Pituch

Parents: Mary and Ken Pituch

Activities and Awards: Jeffrey was water polo team captain as well as swim team captain. He was treasurer for the National Honor Society. Jeffrey received the SEC Sportsmanship Award and The President’s Volunteer Service Award (2009 and 2010) as camp counselor. He was Academic All-American and a member of the Dexter High School Orchestra during his four years.

Plans after graduation: Jeffrey will attend the University of Michigan Honors College.

Lauren Schoof

Parents: Phil and Kim Schoof

Activities and Awards: Lauren was selected as a National Merit Scholar. She received the University of Michigan Regents Scholarship and has been accepted into the Honors Program. She was the blood drive coordinator for the National Honor Society and also a four-year member of the Key Club. As a four-year Scholar Athlete, Lauren was a three-year member of the varsity softball team, earning All Conference Honorable Mention honors her sophomore and junior years. She was named captain of the varsity lacrosse team in her senior year.

Plans after graduation: Lauren will attend the University of Michigan Honors Program majoring in chemistry and pursuing a career in veterinary medicine.

Allison Sharrar

Parents: Tim and Mollie Sharrar

Activities and Awards: Allison graduated summa cum laude. She participated in varsity softball, was Link Crew Leader and was named a Scholar Athlete. She was a member of the National Honor Society. Allison received the SEC All Academic Award and Academic Letter all four years.

Plans after graduation: Allison will attend the University of Michigan Residential College. Her major is undecided.

Alexander Thompson

Parents: Jim and Jane Thompson

Activities and Awards: Alex received the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, the Regents of the University of Michigan Honors Scholarship and was selected as one of WXYZ-TV's "Brightest and Best." He was recognized as a Southeastern Conference All-Academic Scholar and is a member of the National Honor Society. He was also president of the Key Club as a senior and treasurer as a junior. Alex was elected captain of the State Runner-up Cross Country team as a senior, and earned the Dreadnaught Pride award. He ran cross country and track all four years and earned Scholar Athlete awards in both sports. Alex also participated in the symphonic and marching band, where he was a squad and rank leader.

Plans after graduation: Alex will attend the University of Michigan studying economics.