The top 10 students of the Brown County High School Class of 2017 were honored at a dinner April 26 at the Artists Colony Inn. Learn more about them.
1. Sean ‘Nic’ Lopes
Nic Lopes, son of Sherie Lopes and Lee Lopes, is first in his class and serves as senior class president. He will attend Purdue University in the fall for electrical engineering.
At Purdue, Nic plans to rush a fraternity and study abroad in Switzerland. He will then enroll in a program for patent law. He plans to work as a patent attorney and eventually become either a partner in a firm or begin his own.
He worked at the Brown County IGA for two years and has volunteered for many different organizations, most notably Big Brothers and Big Sisters where he strove to create a positive environment in education for kids in need.
Nic’s interests mainly focus on travel, history, existentialism, mechanics and social engagement.
2. Michael Hess
Michael Hess finished second in his class. He is the son of Cheryl and David Hess.
During his high school career he was a member of Science Olympiad, HOSA, Coding Club, Quiz Bowl, Spanish Honor Society, Academic Super Bowl and various other academic clubs. He was the co-founder of Physics Club, recognized as a National Merit Scholarship commended student and recognized as an Advanced Placement scholar with honors.
Outside of school, he works at the Nashville Fudge Kitchen and volunteers at Brown County Health and Living Community and the Lu Laboratory at Indiana University. His laboratory findings have been published in one peer-reviewed research journal and have been submitted to another.
He received a gold rating on the Level III National Spanish exam; he was invited to the National HOSA competition for Forensic Medicine; and he placed first in the state Game On! competition through Science Olympiad.
He was the recipient of the QuestBridge National College Match Scholarship and the initial recipient of the Eli Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship. He was also a finalist for the Wells Scholarship at Indiana University and the B.S./M.D. Scholarship at the University of Southern Indiana.
He plans to attend Claremont McKenna College to study neuroscience and computer science to pursue a career as either a neurosurgeon or a research scientist. Some of his other interests include quantum physics, computer engineering and psychology.
His favorite memory of Brown County High School was taking Spanish III Honors with Alice Mannix because every day was challenging, but humorous as well.
3. Elizabeth Jenson
Lizzy Jenson, the daughter of Mike Jenson and Ann Francis-Jenson, is third in her class. She is the president of National Honor Society and the Thespian Honor Society.
She is a member of French and Science Honor Societies, through which she volunteers her time as much as possible. She also works with the Brown County High School Student Council and Brown County Dance Marathon. She holds the position of senior class secretary.
Next fall, Lizzy will be attending Indiana University on a merit scholarship and will major in biology. She hopes to spend a year abroad in college and to see as much of the world as possible.
After college, she hopes her career will take her all over the world so she can pursue her passion for traveling and the outdoors. Because of her penchant for English and writing, she also hopes to publish at least one book in her lifetime.
4. Elisabeth Huls
Elisabeth Huls is the daughter of Johanna Weinzapfel and Luke Huls. She is fourth in her class.
Elisabeth has been president of Brown County High School Student Council for two years, a member and leader of Spanish Honor Society, a member and leader in Science Honor Society, a member of National Honor Society, a class officer, a leader of Prom Committee, participated in the Brown County Dance Marathon team, a member of History Club, Science Academic Team captain and a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters.
She is a four-time state History Day qualifier and a two-time qualifier for the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland. She also worked alongside Dr. Curtis Lively researching the dynamics of parasite and host interactions during her senior summer at Indiana University.
Along with academics, Elisabeth is a four-year letterman and team captain in volleyball and tennis. She has played year-round volleyball for Hoosierland Volleyball Club for five years and tennis through the USTA. Elisabeth is currently a housekeeper for the Iris Garden Cottages and Suites, as well as a coach of a 14s team for Hoosierland. She was honored on the Academic All-State team for volleyball, and is a Lilly Endowment Scholar and an IUPUI Presidential Scholar.
After graduation, she intends to attend IUPUI and majoring in biology and Spanish on a pre-med track. Eventually, Elisabeth plans to specialize in pediatric gastroenterology. She wants to become bilingual in Spanish so she is able to better communicate with her patients and perhaps work outside of the United States.
She cannot wait to see the world and travel as much as possible. Elisabeth loves to spend time with her cat, Sirius, and to hike. She also enjoys taking wrong turns while driving and getting lost. Elisabeth’s most special experience at BCHS has been playing tennis and learning from Coach Thom Miller.
5. Brittany Miller
Brittany Miller is ranked fifth in her class. Her mother is Kathy Morgan and her two sisters are Stephanie Quillen and Carly Morgan.
Brittany is a member of the History Club and National Honor Society. She is also a member of the youth group at Columbus First Church of the Nazarene.
Brittany works at the Brown County IGA. She has enlisted in the United States Air Force and will be leaving for basic training in June.
Brittany hopes to travel across the world. She also plans on eventually getting a degree in aerospace engineering. Her hobbies include reading and spending time with her sisters. Her favorite television series is Game of Thrones and her favorite book is “Wild” by Cheryl Strayed.
Her favorite memory at BCHS is having the opportunity to interview different veterans in the community through History Club.
6. William Cole Smith
Cole Smith rank sixth in his class. His parents are Bill and Julie Smith.
Cole played tennis for four years and golf for two years. He currently works at Mainstream Fiber.
He will attend Indiana University to get an undergraduate degree in physics. He plans on attending graduate school, but isn’t sure specifically what he wants to study yet or what career he wants to pursue.
7. Victoria Akles
Tori Akles is the daughter of Anthony and Diana Akles. She participates in multiple extracurricular activities including the after-school theater program, the high school’s show choir and the girls varsity golf team.
Tori is also a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Thespian Honor Society, Science Honor Society and the Brain Games team. During the summer, she volunteers in her church’s vacation Bible school and participates in Nazareth Farm, a five-day community service retreat that her church sets up every year.
The most accomplished award she feels she has received is the Technician of the Year award. Last year she received this award after working as a stage manager for both drama department shows, as well as working with other tech crews and acting as part of the chorus during the musical.
Tori will attend the University of Indianapolis this fall and major in biology. She plans to enter the school’s doctoral program to become a physical therapist.
Someday, she wants to travel around the world. She has visited a number of national parks and other tourist locations around the United States, but she wants to see all of the other lifestyles and environments of different countries.
Tori loves to sing and read, especially the “Inheritance Cycle.” Her favorite color is yellow, her favorite song is “Lost Boy” by Ruth B and she loves doing improvisation with her friends.
One thing she will always remember from her time as a student at BCHS is the first show she ever participated in, “The Music Man.” It was during this show that she found so many of her friends and it has helped shape her and make her the person she is today.
8. Haley Abraham
Haley Abraham is ranked eighth in her class. Her parents are Robert and Lisa Abraham. She attended school in Monroe County until she transferred to BCHS at the beginning of her freshman year.
She has earned a varsity letter all four years of high school in cross country and track. Haley has been a part of the high school’s newspaper and yearbook staffs, Spanish Club, Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society.
She currently works at Old Navy in Bloomington and in the summer is a counselor for Brown County Parks and Recreation Summer Camp.
Haley earned the Superintendent’s Award her junior and senior years during the cross country season and during the track season of her junior year. For cross country, she has also received the Mental Attitude Award, MVP Award and Academic All-Conference Award. She is most proud of her Mental Attitude Award because this award shows she is dedicated to her team and always tries to have a positive attitude.
Haley will attend Indiana State University in the fall where she will study early education and minor in Spanish. She plans to become an elementary school teacher and more specifically fulfilling her dream of teaching second grade. Her favorite teacher was her second-grade teacher.
Her hobbies include running, spending time with friends and being around little kids. Haley said her favorite memory from Brown County High School was the entire atmosphere and all the friends she made. She said it was a very different type of school from what she was used to, but she was thankful she chose Brown County over Bloomington North.
9. Dawson Dunnuck
Dawson Dunnuck is ranked ninth in his class. His parents are David and Cheryl Dunnuck. He has one sister, Mekenzie Dunnuck
Dawson is a varsity golf player and he played football for three years. Dawson also raced dirt bikes for over 10 years. He is active in National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, French Honor Society, student council, French Club and History Club.
Dawson has been a part of Nashville Christian Church youth group for many years. He also does some volunteering at Mother’s Cupboard. Dawson is also employed at the Nashville General Store.
Dawson received an award for outstanding engineering student. He also received one for most promising underclassman for golf, as well as the Superintendent’s Award for academics in football.
Dawson plans to attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and major in mechanical engineering. He would like to become a mechanical engineer and hopes to eventually retire in France.
His favorite BCHS memory is getting to watch some of the games here at home, like football or basketball.
10. Molly Snyder
Molly Snyder is ranked 10th in her class. She is the daughter of Ronna and Steve Snyder.
Throughout her high school career, Molly has played volleyball and softball for two years and was also a band member for three years. Molly is a member of both the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Molly volunteers at the Brown County Humane Society, helped set up for the most current Spanish Honor Society induction, volunteered at the concession stand with the Spanish Honor Society and she participated as a tutor in the new BCHS National Honor Society’s tutoring program.
Molly received honor roll awards for all four years of high school. She was also the recipient for the 2013-2014 Outstanding Biology Student award, the 2014-2015 Outstanding Chemistry Student award and was awarded the Outstanding Spanish Student for 2013-2014, 2014-2015 and 2015-2016. Molly was named the Rotary Student of the Month for December 2016 and recipient of the 2014-2015 Golden Glove Award on the BCHS girls junior varsity softball team.
This fall, Molly will be attending Franklin College in Franklin to major in biology, more specifically zoology, and minor in psychology in hopes of becoming a zoologist or animal behaviorist. She would like to pursue her strong passion for animals and how different organisms function.
Along with her biology-psychology career path, Molly has strong desires for dedicating herself as an ambassador for people of all ages with autism as well as their families, friends and associates.
Aside from her academic interests in biology and psychology, Molly also loves painting, drawing, coloring, singing, listening to mostly pop, classic country and ’80s music, reading, solving puzzles, playing the Shanghai Rummy card game and watching videos including animated movies.
Molly’s special BCHS memories are mostly of the times she visited with her guest of honor for the recognition dinner, Barb Kelp. She also has special memories of the times she has spent with her friends who have become like brothers and sisters to her. Her favorite BCHS memory was attending prom for the first time last year with Tyler Lee.
