From the classroom to the basketball court, from the track to the auditorium, to beyond the walls of their school, Brown County High School’s Class of 2022 has dedicated themselves to their studies, athletics, clubs, activities and their community.
There are 13 students who earned summa cum laude honors this school year.
Starting with the class of 2019, Brown County High School no longer names a valedictorian or salutatorian. Instead, students can earn the tiered honors of cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude, as is done in college.
Summa cum laude students have to complete 48 credits in approved coursework; earn an Indiana academic honors or technical honors diploma; and earn a cumulative grade-point average of 4.0 or above. Students are ranked for honors after completing seven semesters.
These are the biographies this year’s highest-honored graduates wrote for themselves.
Freya Baldwin
Freya Baldwin is the eldest child of parents Aaron Baldwin and Jessica Cosby. She will graduate summa cum laude.
Her weekends and free days are spent running her grandmother’s generational local shop, “The Brown County Weavery.” Here, she churns hours away studying for her tests and completing homework while doodling on the sidelines. By remaining grounded locally, Freya believes that experience under a worldly relative’s wing will help her grow creatively and socially. In the community she is recognized alongside her grandma for her artistic works, as she has won several awards in young artist shows throughout her childhood.
Art has been a heavily prominent aspect of her life, but in her high school career, Freya has been enlightened by natural sciences and history. Attending university, she hopes to pursue a degree in environmental and animal sciences while minoring in her precious fields of drawing.
Abigail Bowman
Abigail Bowman is the daughter of Roland and Lisa Bowman and is graduating summa cum laude.
Abigail has played two sports throughout her high school career, playing varsity volleyball for four years and varsity tennis for three years. Abigail has been the volleyball team captain for four years, has been awarded MVP (most versatile player) and the Ace Award. She broke the school record for most aces in a single season.
She has also participated in student council for three years, History Club for three years, has been a class representative for two years and has been in National Honors Society for two years. Recently she was awarded the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.
Outside of school, Abigail has worked at the Brown County YMCA as a lifeguard and at Hope for Hearts Farm as the barn manager. She is also the head volunteer at Hope for Hearts Farm and volunteers in the Brown County Youth Volleyball program.
After high school, Abigail plans to become an assistant volleyball coach for a local high school and attend Indiana University to study human biology for her first two years, then transfer to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis to study dental hygiene.
Kelli Branson
Kelli Branson is the youngest daughter of Elizabeth and Sean Branson. She is the president of Brown County High School’s Science Honor Society as well as the vice president of History Club. She was also a part of National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society.
Kelli has participated in marching band for five years and winter guard for four years. She was the color guard section leader this past year as the winter guard captain in her last season.
She has participated in 4-H for 10 years showing rabbits, chickens, ducks and most recently geese. Kelli plans on majoring in international studies at Indiana University Bloomington.
She hopes to continue her studies after undergraduate and hopefully enter a global career to help others.
Mackenzie Crum
Mackenzie Crum is the daughter of Michael and Michelle Crum. This year she will graduate summa cum laude.
She has been involved with concert band for seven years, pep band for four years, jazz band for three years, marching band for two years, Legacy for two years, community band for one year and winter guard for one year.
She has participated in the Youth Music Showcase for six years playing the mandolin and has received numerous gold ratings at ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest playing the tenor saxophone.
She is also a member of the National Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
When she is not busy with band, Mackenzie can be found volunteering at the Brown County Music Center.
After high school she plans on attending IUPUI to pursue a degree in radiation therapy.
Annika Evenson
Annika Evenson is the daughter of Dale and Kelly Evenson.
She is the co-president of History Club and the vice president of the Student Life chapter of student council.
She is also involved in National Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Interact Club and class representatives. Annika was recently awarded the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.
She has also played golf for all four years and tennis for three years. She was in the Top 10 for golf Western Indiana Conference All-Conference the past two years.
She has worked at Fallen Leaf Bookstore for the past two years and has recently started working at the front desk of the Abe Martin Lodge.
Annika plans on attending the University of Evansville for exercise science on the pre-physical therapy track and eventually earning her doctorate of physical therapy.
Josephine Fields
Josephine Fields is the daughter of Connie and Gary Fields.
She is a five year member of the Brown County Theater Department, performing in six productions and designing costumes for eight productions. She is also a three year member of Rhapsody show choir, served as an editor of the yearbook for three years, is a three year alum of the American Civil Liberties Union Summer Advocacy Program and competed at the national level for National History Day two times.
Josephine also participated in the Indiana University Open Program where she took classes on political science, gender studies and history. She was a member of social studies academic team, fine arts academic team, History Club, Bring Change to Mind, National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society.
Her sophomore year, Josephine founded Students for Equity and serves as the chair and communications director. Her junior year she was selected to participate in the Bezos Scholars Program, a year-long community change project where she developed the Brown County POP (Pursuing Our Purpose) Festival.
She is a 2021 Questbridge Scholar and a 2022 Indiana Academic All-Star. Josephine was selected to receive the Lilly Endowment Scholarship, but turned it down for a scholarship to Boston College.
After high school, Josephine will attend Boston College and double major in secondary education and political science with a minor in restorative and transformational justice. She wants to teach high school social studies and eventually work in education public policy.
Josh Miller
Josh Miller is the son of Thom and Jill Miller.
Josh has participated in four years of varsity tennis. He was awarded WIC All-Conference, WIC Academic All-Conference and Sectional Champion. He also played two years of varsity basketball and earned WIC All-Conference and WIC Academic All-Conference and Indiana Basketball Coaches Association Academic All-State Honorable Mention.
He is a part of the National Honor Society and earned the Governors Work Ethic Certificate.
He spends his weekends working as a paintball referee and zipline guide at Explore Brown County.
Josh is attending Purdue University for aerospace engineering technology.
Abby Padgett
Abby Padgett is the daughter of Dan and Tammy Padgett, and is also incredibly proud to be the older sister of her best friends Ava and Libby.
Abby has been heavily involved throughout her high school career in athletics, performing arts and various school clubs and activities.
She currently serves as committee chair and treasurer for Students for Equity and is the secretary for History Club. She is involved in the POP Festival, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society, Interact Club and more.
Golf has been a constant throughout her high school experience, as she’s had the honor of playing on the girl’s varsity team for the past four years. Some of her golf accomplishments include making WIC All-Conference this past year as well as being named on the 2021 Academic All-State Team.
Abby’s involvement in the performing arts includes her roles in the productions of “Matilda” in her sophomore year, and “Mamma Mia!” her senior year. She has also greatly enjoyed being a member of Brown County’s varsity show choir Rhapsody for the past two years.
Outside of school, Abby has maintained a part-time job since her freshman year. She is currently working at the Artist Colony Inn as a hostess.
Following graduation, Abby will attend Indiana University Bloomington to obtain her bachelors degree in human biology to begin her pursuit of becoming a forensic scientist, medical researcher or maybe even a doctor.
Jack Redding
Jack Redding is the son of Dave and Karen Redding.
While at Brown County for the last two years Jack has played football for one year where he earned WIC All-Conference, WIC Academic All-Conference, team captain and Academic All-State titles. Right now he is in his second year of track and field throwing shot put and discus.
In addition to athletics he has been a part of Eagle Manufacturing for the past school year where he earned September Employee of the Month making apparel, yard signs, banners and more.
Jack is a part of the National Honors Society and plans to work at Deer Run Park this summer.
In August he ships to Fort Sill Oklahoma for 10 weeks where he will do basic training for the National Guard and then he will go to Fort Huachuca Arizona for 16 weeks to become an intel analyst and begin his eight-year career in the Guard. After military training Jack plans on studying computer science at IUPUI.
Aden Rice
Aden Rice is the daughter of Jason and Stacy Rice.
She is a four year member of Rhapsody show choir and is currently one of the senior dance captains. This year she also participated in the spring musical “Mamma Mia!” as Rosie.
In addition she is also the president of Interact, the co-president of History Club, the student council vice president of Student Hype, vice president of Science Honor Society, a member of National Honor Society, a part of the class representatives as well as a member of the Superintendent Student Advisory group.
She also recently received the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.
Aden also works part time at the Abe Martin Lodge. She is currently undecided in her post-high school plans.
Mary Rygiel
Daughter of Christena and Lance Rygiel, Mary Rygiel is a junior who has been granted early graduation due to her completion of credits, hard work and dedication.
Mary serves as a member of the History Club, Interact Club and student council. Mary also is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Science Honor Society.
Mary has also been awarded with the Governors Work Ethic Certificate upon graduation.
Outside of school work, Mary has participated in varsity volleyball for three years, tennis for two years, track and field for one year and football cheer for one year.
Mary also maintains a summer job lifeguarding at the Brown County State Park and a part-time job lifeguarding at the Abe Martin Lodge during the school year.
Upon graduation, Mary will continue her education at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University where she will major in marketing with a minor in international business.
Tristen Shields
Tristen Shields is the son of J. Nicole and Corey Shields.
He is the president of Brown County High School’s Bring Change to Mind chapter. He has been the head of the education committee for Brown County Students for Equity and is a member of the National Honor Society and the Science Honor Society.
He has done math academic team for two years, and Science Olympiad and science fair, each for one year.
He is an active member of the Brown County High School band program, having played percussion for the wind ensemble, marching band, jazz band and the musical pit.
He is an Eagle Scout who actively volunteers both with his troop and on his own at Mother’s Cupboard.
He plans to attend the University of Arizona and double major in physics and astronomy.
Samantha Smith
Samantha Smith is the daughter of Melissa and Brian Smith. Samantha is a member of National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Honor Society and Thespian Honor Society.
She has participated in the after-school theater program during her freshman year, her sophomore year and the first half of her senior year.
She was also previously involved in History Club and the Brown County Dance Marathon.
She played tennis for two years and received a varsity letter her sophomore year.
Samantha is a recipient of the Governor’s Work Ethic Certificate.
She has volunteered at the Brown County Public Library and now currently works there. She also volunteered through the Brown County Community Foundation as a member of the advancement committee for a few months in her senior year.
Samantha plans to attend Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus in the fall and has yet to decide on a major.
