The high school staff is asked to vote for a senior student who they believe best exemplifies the personal qualities of Bill Burch. On behalf of the Southeast Polk High School Staff, it is our pleasure to announce this year's Bill Burch Award Recipient is Mariah Kacer.

Mariah not only best exemplifies the personal qualties of sincerity and compassion toward others but she is also hard-working, ambitious, and optimistic. Mariah is a model student who worked hard in class, challenged herself academically, and gave a lot back to the school. This year she was president of Student Council and with the help of her peers, implemented many activities to increase the positivity within our school. She was also an active member of Best Buddies, National Honor Society, Ambassador, and the Rythametts.

Congratulations Mariah!

The National Merit Scholetarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships that began in 1955. High school students enter the National Merit Program by taking the PSAT - a test which serves as an initial screen of approximately 1.5 million entrants each year - and by meeting published program entry/participation requirements.

In September, approximately 16,000 of the top students are notified that they have qualified as Semifinalists. In February, semifinalists are notified if they have advanced to Finalist standing. Prior to this year, Southeast Polk High School has had 34 Finalists in the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Congratulations to Kayla Armantrout for being named a National Merit Finalist.

Each year, one student from Southeast Polk High School is awarded with the distinction of being our school's Des Moines Register Academic All State student. Students are selected based on their academic accomplishments, contributions to their community, and other talents. The Des Moines Register published their Academic All State students in a special section of their Sunday Register in April and on their website.

This year's Des Moines Register Academic All State student from Southeast Polk High School is Olivia Laube.

The MVP student group currently consists of approximately 185 student leaders. These students have taken on the responsibility of facilitating discussions with underclassmen on a wide variety of challenging violence and injustice based societal issues.

Student leaders involved with the program attempt to raise awareness, open a dialogue, and inspire leadership by empowering individuals with tools to lead and concrete options to effect change in their peer cultures, school, and community.

The outstanding senior MVP mentor has been instrumental in the success of the program. This individual has gone above and beyond in their effort to support the MVP program, and inspire students at the high school to change social, cultural, and institutional norms that support abusive behaviors.

The mentor strongly models the MVP approach to prevention education which includes a strong emphasis on leadership, responsibility, and high qualities of character. I have greatly appreciated the time, effort, and dedication they have given to the MVP program at Southeast Polk.

The MVP staff leaders, along with The Center for Violence Prevention at the University of Northern Iowa, would like to honor Isaiah Wagner as our outstanding senior MVP mentor. Congratulations.