Domeier one of three valedictorians

By JONAH STAFFORD

Staff Writer

Anton Domeier

Anton Domeier, the son of Mark and Michelle Domeier of Ellendale, graduates as one of this year’s valedictorians. Domeier played the trumpet in NRHEG’s concert, jazz, honor and marching bands. He also served as a drum major for the marching band his junior and senior years. Domeier acted in NRHEG’s one act plays, the Spring play, and was a member of the school drama club. He competed on the track and field, baseball, basketball, and knowledge bowl teams and was also involved in the yearbook committee, student council, and National Honor Society.

After graduating, Domeier said he will miss the many activities he was involved in and the friends he made within them the most. While Domeier expected to graduate as a valedictorian, he said he is proud of himself for that achievement. He recommends that younger students “don’t procrastinate” if they wish to excel as well. “It pays to do things on time,” said Domeier. His favorite classes at NRHEG were Concert Band and Spanish, while his least favorite was Money Management. Domeier’s favorite teachers were Mr. Otstot and Mr. Zidlicky, who he praised as “phenomenal band teachers.” Outside of school, Domeier works as a team member at Arby’s. If he could give his freshman self any one piece of advice, it would be to “fix your hair.” Domeier looks forward to “making new friends and having new opportunities” as he embarks on his future plans of attending Minnesota State University, Mankato as a graphic design major and working in the graphic design field.

Eva Wayne

Eva Wayne, daughter of Brandon and Jodi Wayne of Ellendale, is one of NRHEG’s three valedictorians this year. At NRHEG, Wayne was a competitive and sideline cheerleader, trapshooter, and played in the concert, jazz, pep, and honor bands. She was a student council member and class officer, serving as secretary and Class President. Wayne was also involved in the National Honor Society, DECA business competition team, yearbook club, Knowledge Bowl, Trigstar, prom committee, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. During her years at NRHEG, Wayne was a prolific local musician. She provided special music at New Richland’s Trinity Lutheran Church, local nursing homes, NRHEG’s National Honor Society induction ceremonies, and performed at last year’s New Richland Area Foundation Holiday Piano Concert. Wayne helped lead elementary cheer camps, was part of the Celebrate Me week staff, live-streamed events for Petsinger Media Group, helped with reading and craft activities at NRHEG Elementary, and was an American Red Cross blood drive volunteer. Wayne works as Head Lifeguard at the Owatonna Country Club, where she leads private and group swimming lessons (and formerly was a water aerobics instructor). She has been a piano accompanist at Trinity Lutheran Church for three years and is a former office assistant at Wayne, Norrid, Wetmore Wealth Management and babysitter.

Wayne had this to say about being named as a valedictorian this year: “I am very proud to have achieved valedictorian honors, as it has been a goal of mine for many years. Maintaining a high GPA required a great amount of drive, tenacity, and persistence. I want to thank all of my teachers, mentors, and family, because I could not have attained this honor alone. I am looking forward to continuing my education and expanding my horizons as I attend college.” She did not necessarily plan to earn her title as valedictorian, but had a goal “to gain as much knowledge as possible,” and took as many college classes as possible while at NRHEG to prepare for her future. “My parents are incredibly proud of my determination and the amount of discipline I have shown throughout my high school years. They believe being named valedictorian is an exciting way to end my time at NRHEG,” said Wayne.

Wayne said she will miss “the routine of high school,” which included the sporting events, her cheer team, the teachers, and living with her parents. One of her favorite NRHEG memories was attending the National High School Cheerleading Competition and visiting Walt Disney World with all of her “best friends” while on that trip. Her favorite classes were AP (Advanced Placement) European History, College Calculus, College Algebra/Trigonometry, and Spanish III. Wayne’s least favorite was Physical Education, while she claims to have enjoyed all of her classes at least a little. Her favorite teachers included Mrs. Schaub, “due to her endless kindness toward students and ability to make us all feel loved,” Mrs. Buendorf, who “helped me discover an interest for a subject I had not favored before,” and Señora Olson, who she described as having a “way of making each one of her students feel special.” “She is a gem and makes our school shine,” Wayne said of Olson.

Wayne looks forward to meeting new people, making new connections and experiencing a “new way of life” as she embarks on her studies at the University of St. Thomas, where she plans on majoring in business law and compliance. If she could give any advice to her freshman self it would be not to compare herself to others, “accept imperfections,” and “trust the process.” Wayne recommends that younger students “push themselves” by trying college-level classes when given the option, “do their own work,” and “ask for help from teachers when needed.” As she prepares to leave for St. Paul in the fall, Wayne feels particularly grateful to those who have supported her in her high school journey and beyond. “I feel very blessed to have been a part of the NRHEG communities and have so many people cheering me on along the way,” said Wayne.

Bree Ihrke

Graduating with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Bree Ihrke is one of this year’s valedictorians at NRHEG Secondary. Bree is the daughter of Chris and Sara Ihrke and hails from Geneva. As a student at NRHEG, Ihrke played on the girls’ volleyball and softball teams. She was also a member of the Student Council, DECA, Letter Club, the yearbook committee, prom committee, concert choir, and was nominated as a member of the 2022 NRHEG Homecoming Court.

This year’s Homecoming week was among Ihrke’s favorite senior memories. Ihrke was an active member of NRHEG’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes and volunteered at her church. Her favorite subject at school was math, while her least favorite was science. Two of Ihrke’s favorite teachers at NRHEG were Mrs. Schaub and Ms. Hatton. “I know I can always go to either of them if I need anything,” said Ihrke. Outside of school, she works at Sequoia Landscaping Company in Ellendale.

  “I feel super happy and blessed,” said Ihrke, who did not expect to be named as one of this year’s valedictorians. She added that her parents and family are proud of her for this achievement. Ihrke advises younger students to “always work hard and try your best,” and said that taking the time to study before tests is “always worth it.” After graduating, Ihrke said she will “miss playing sports with my best friends” the most. Her future plans include studying at the University of Minnesota as an architecture major and she looks forward to moving into her dorm, making new friends, and going to sporting events on campus. In 10 years, Ihrke sees herself as a college graduate working in her field of choice. If Ihrke could give advice to her freshman self, she would say to “be as involved as possible,” as it is a great way to meet new people and make friends.