Senior Spotlight

Last first semester

Brooke VanIwaarden Class of 2026

The first semester of the 2025-2026 school year is quickly coming to an end, putting Pennfield’s seniors in a unique position of excitement and uncertainty. Midterms are approaching, and so are big decisions about their futures. So, how are our seniors feeling?

Senior and cheerleader, Nick Kinzel, hit the ground running for his senior year. Kinzel found his first semester academically easy, as he’s consciously making positive decisions for himself and his future. He has many open opportunities, including being accepted to multiple colleges, which leaves him struggling to choose just one passion to pursue. Kinzel has no doubt or anxiety surrounding the end of his last midterms, stating, “While I get good grades, I don’t measure myself on that fact.”

KaiLynn Daghuer-Sides, a dual-enrolled senior, initially struggled to adjust to her new college schedule. With only 3 classes at the high school, it’s slowly setting in that this is her last first semester. When asked how she’s feeling, Daghuer-Sides stated, “I am feeling excited but also emotional. I think graduating is a bittersweet thing because I want to move on with my life, but it's going to be so new and different.”

Competetive cheer

Brooke Miller Class of 2028 & Erica Gregorie Class of 2028

Alyssa Dillard is a senior at Pennfield High School, and this is her third season of competitive cheer. Dillard's favorite aspect of competitive season is the atmosphere and the energy that comes with it. She started competitive cheer in her sophomore year and now varies between all stunting positions. One of her favorite memories is from last year's camp, when the entire team spent time together in the hotel room after a day at the waterpark. Dillard originally joined the competition team because she loved the sideline season, and it has grown into one of her favorite high school experiences. Dillard says, “I love the adrenaline rush when being out on the mat.”

Senior Spotlights:

natalie herbstreith

Brooke VanIwaarden

Class of 2026

Natalie Herbstreith, a senior at Pennfield, reverted to Islam on August 14, 2025. Herbstreith began showing interest in and studying the religion about 3 years ago, but took her research more seriously at the beginning of this year. She started wearing her hijab over the summer, and although she was nervous about standing out, she felt more comfortable in her own skin. “My life is more organized,” Herbstreith states, “I feel more at peace with myself.”

Hope Brewer

Brooke Miller

Class of 2028

Hope Brewer is a 12th-grade student who stays busy with sideline cheer, competitive cheer, and theater. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym and painting. Her favorite class right now is Aviation because she actually gets to fly a plane. To stay on top of her classwork, she uses the calendar app on her phone to keep track of assignments and due dates. If she could change something about school, she’d like to see the student body come together—like having a garden, school get-togethers, and other student events. In the future, Brewer plans to attend a university and earn a PhD in astrophysics. Her favorite school memory so far is the sophomore year pep rally, when all the lights were turned off and everyone participating had something that glowed in the dark. As for her favorite fast-food order, she can’t resist anything chocolate—especially chocolate shakes.

Alyssa Campbell

Clare Hackworth

Class of 2026

Alyssa Campbell, a senior at Pennfield High School, enjoys spending her free time flying hot air balloons and playing volleyball. Her favorite class is digital photography because she loves capturing moments through her camera lens. Campbell describes herself as a dedicated student who completes her classwork as soon as it is received. Her biggest pet peeve is “people chomping their gum,” and if she could change one thing about Pennfield, it would be the school’s phone policy. After graduation, Campbell plans to pursue a degree in teaching. One of her favorite memories from high school is being a three-year varsity member of the volleyball team. When it comes to food, she’s a fan of McDonald’s, especially the five-dollar meal deals.

Future plans

Avreen Kaur ’28 & Erica Gregorie ‘28

brady treadway

Brady Treadway is enjoying his last year at Pennfield and is excited to move on to a university. He feels that this year is fairly easy since he only has three classes and a break during the day. Treadway plans to go to KCC, where he already has experience through dual enrollment and enjoys the overall campus. His goal is to pursue a degree in criminal justice. A memory from high school is meeting the friends who supported him along the way. His most memorable teacher is Mr.Klepec, who encouraged class discussions that helped him learn and grow. Reflecting on his experience, Treadway said, “High school truly taught me how to work hard in school.” His advice to incoming high schoolers is to do all your missing work and not keep it all to the last minute. Overall, Treadway has had a great time here at Pennfield and can’t wait to see what his future holds.

riyanna smith

Riyanna plans to attend Marshall Cosmetology College because she is interested in specific forms of art, but not art in general. Instead, her focus is on hair, as it directly relates to her profession. Smith is happy that this is her last year of high school because she has been waiting for this moment throughout all four years, and she often felt tired of school and ready to move on. An important lesson high school has taught her is to work on herself and to persevere. Smith's inspirational teacher would be Mr. Kuhse because he goes above and beyond his way to make her happy, and she feels like that has motivated her throughout the years. Her favorite memory would have to be chit-chatting with Mr. Kuhse and Mrs. Sare. Smith said, “Just keep going, and it goes by fast.” She’s surprised at how quickly her high school years have passed and that she’s considered an adult with her own responsibilities. Looking back, she realizes how much she’s grown and feels ready to start the next chapter of her life.

hailey bolton

Hailey Bolton can't wait to get out of school because she truly wants a life of her own. Her plans after high school are to attend Arizona College, where she hopes to pursue a career in criminology. Bolton shared that Mrs. Gammons supported her throughout high school with encouragement and pep talks, which became one of her most cherished memories. Some advice she would give to those who are preparing to start their high school journey is that they shouldn’t leave their assignments to the last minute. Something that Bolton has learned over the course of high school is that education is important and should always remain a top priority, as it lays the foundation for future success and personal growth. All in all, Bolton feels excited about what lies ahead.

Blake Jinks

Bella Gillson ‘27

Senior Blake Jinks is currently taking AP Literature and is dual-enrolled in KCC, taking Introduction to Business and Accounting. His plans after graduation are to attend Concordia St. Paul for Pre-Seminary and Business, then transfer to Concordia Seminary. He feels God has led him to become a pastor. Blake is enjoying spending time with friends that he hasn’t seen in a while. He honestly can’t believe high school is almost over, since it feels like the time has flown by.

Senior creativity

Brooke VanIwaarden ‘26

Every year, seniors-to-be are given the option to paint a personalized parking spot, and with the start of school, we’ve had the opportunity to see how our seniors colored our parking lot. With the new creativity covering our blacktop, we can’t help but want to know more.

Senior Gavin McLane was originally going to paint a boat with a fishing pole. Just days before, however, he changed his mind and did his Military Occupation Specialty Logo. McLane said he “Used nothing but tape, $60 of paint, and motivation.” When asked if he would change anything about it, he expressed that it was pure perfection.

Senior Michaela Lindsey had no idea what to do with her parking spot; she just knew she wanted it to feel like her own. Eventually, she landed on Pete the Cat, a beloved childhood character. Lindsey said the hardest part was doing the outline in the harsh sun. Her favorite part, however, is how her name on the spot turned out.

Cole Robertson

Bella Gillson ‘27

Senior Cole Robertson plans to go to Western Michigan University for acting after graduation. Robertson said he began acting because of his desire to have a career planned out for him. He prefers to have a main role, so that he can be more challenged during performances and practices. Robertson’s favorite play that he has ever been a part of was “Icebergs,” because he met his friend, Walter, in it. He did not know what career he wanted to pursue a few years ago before he found acting, which interested him.

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