Distinguished Graduates - Class of 2026

MICHIGAN CITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTINGUISHED GRADUATES: CLASS OF 2026

GRADUATING WITH HIGH DISTINCTION
**************************************************************
Riley Emshwiller-Sowards
Parents: Lisa Emshwiller and James Sowards
Activities: Tennis Academic All-State, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society-Secretary, Social Studies
National Honor Society President, Tennis Captain and MVP
College Attending: Ball State University
Major: Actuarial Science
**************************************************************
Alexis Gresham
Parents: Angela and Michael Gresham
Activities: High School Intern for South Shore Public Relations, 2 Years at Notre Dame Summer Scholars, official
College Board AP Scholar, National Honor Society Member, Rho Kappa Member
College Attending: DePaul University
Major: Marketing
**************************************************************
Abby Haring
Parents: Amy and David Haring
Activities: Volleyball, Tennis, National Honors Society, Rho Kappa
College Attending: IU Bloomington
Major: Exercise Science
**************************************************************
Amaya Harmon
Parent: Anthony Harmon
Activities: National Honors Society, Helping Hands, helped with a mural for a cat shelter and Naturally Wood
College Attending: Valparaiso University
Major: Psychology
**************************************************************
Desiree Jimenez
Parents: Jennifer and Gonzalo Jimenez
Activities: Dual Credit Program, Indiana College Core, attained 35 college credit hours, Earned a cord for Spanish.
College Attending: Purdue University Northwest
Major: Accounting
**************************************************************
Paige Merrill
Parents: Jennifer and Brian Merrill
Activities: French Club President, National Honors Society Member, Drama Club Member, Indiana All-State Honors
Choir 2024 Participant, Awarded 19 Vocal ISSMA Gold Medals across 5 years
College Attending: Ball State University
Major: Theatre Directing
**************************************************************
Mia Palomo
Parents: Diana and Noe Vega
Activities: La Porte County Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalist, Cross Country Sportsmanship Award,
AP Scholar with Distinction, Lilly Scholar at Purdue
College Attending: Purdue University at West Lafayette
Major: Chemical Engineering
**************************************************************
Madelyn Parry
Parents: Nicole and Brett Parry
Activities: Theatre, Cross Country, Track, Swimming, Rho Kappa
College Attending: Purdue University
Major: Chemistry and Spanish

**************************************************************
Mariana Ramos
Parents: Maria and Alejandro Ramos
Activities: HOSA President, National Technical Honor Society Member, High Honor Roll
College Attending: Purdue North West
Major: Nursing
**************************************************************
Alyssa Tracey
Parent: Christina Tracy
Activities: National Honors Society, Envirothon, Spanish Club, College Board’s National Recognition Program
Award, Early College
College Attending: Saint Mary’s College
Major: Chemistry w/ Biochemistry (pre-med)

GRADUATING WITH DISTINCTION
**************************************************************
Sahara Joyce
Parents: Latoya and Lamont Joyce
Activities: NHS Member, Rho Kappa Member, World Language Honor Society Member, Exchange Club Student of
the Month, Spanish Club Member
College Attending: General or Pediatric Dentistry
Major: Health Science with a focus on Dentistry
**************************************************************
Milad Mroueh
Parents: Mirna and Dr. Mohamed Mroueh
Activities: Student of the Month, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Finalist, Boy Soccer Varsity Captain,
Class of 2026 Vice President
College Attending: Purdue
Major: Biology
**************************************************************
Isabella Moore
Parents: Donielle and Jeff Moore
Activities: Played high school soccer (four years) and softball (three years), Honor Roll, National Honor Society,
German Honor Society.
College Attending: Ivy Tech
Major: Human Biology
**************************************************************
Makenna Nowatzke
Parents: Kim and Terry Nowatzke
Activities: Student Government President, Helping Hands President, Varsity Athlete, Band, and Japanese
College Attending: Purdue University
Major: Political Science
**************************************************************
Trinaston Rouse-Hart
Parent: Amanda Tyler
Activities Football All DAC, Football MVP, All County Player of the Year, Ivy Tech Graduate
College Attending: Undecided
Major: Construction
**************************************************************
Jennifer Serrano
Parents: Rosa Marquez and Sergio Serrano
Activities: HOSA member and treasurer, Top 6 state finalist for medical lab and science – HOSA, Soccer,
Cross Country, Choir
College Attending: Valparaiso University
Major: Health Science, direct entry, Physician Assistant
**************************************************************
Jonathan Shumate
Parent: Carmen and Thomas Shumate
Activities: Ivy Tech: Indiana College Core, Wrestling, Volunteer Service at Tannelhill Community Soup Kitchen,
National Honor Society, Sports Manager for Girls' Soccer (2 years)
College Attending: Valparaiso University
Major: Mechanical Engineering
**************************************************************
Isaiah Smoot
Parents: Latesia and David Smoot
Activities: National Honor Society, Basketball All-DAC, Basketball MVP
Plans: IU Bloomington or Purdue Fort Wayne
Major: Computer Engineering or Mechanical Engineering
**************************************************************
David Symons
Parents: Sarah Woodruff  Ken Symons
Activities: Marching Band (4 years), Jazz Band (4 years), Laporte County 4-H (10 years), Gold with Distinction at
ISSMA State Solo/Ensemble Competition
College Attending: Ball State
Major: Music (Bachelor's in Arts/Sciences)
**************************************************************
Ana’leesa Toney
Parents: Ellease and Richard Smith
Activities: Cheer Captain, President of the National Honor Society, President of the National Computer Science Honor Society
Homecoming Queen
College Attending: Valparaiso University
Major: Bachelor of Science in Nursing