2024 Scholar Athlete Finalists

Baylor Eftink

An outstanding two-sport athlete, Eftink had an 11.09 out of 11 GPA in his junior year and participated in numerous activities including FBLA, FCCLA, BETA, STUCO, Pep Club and FFA. He has also completed over 100 hours of community service and currently ranks first in his class.

Madilyn Asher

Described as an outstanding athlete and representative of Bell City High School, Asher graduated as Valedictorian with an 11.72 out of 11 GPA and was a starter for 4 years on the varisty volleyball and cheerleading squad. In addition to academics and athletics, Asher was also a member of FBLA, FCCLA, BETA, Student Council, Yearbook, Pep Club and FCA and had over 250 hours of community service.

Reed Layton

With a 4.267 weighted GPA, Layton finished 3rd in his class while excelling in Cross Country, Basketball, and Track and Field earning numerous accolades while balancing success in the classroom. According to his Athletic Director, “his character, citizenship and demeanor is unbelievable and second to none.”

Cameron Settle

A two-sport athlete, Settle finished his senior year with a 11.769 weighted GPA and was salutatorian of the class of 2024. During his time at Poplar Bluff High School, he participated in NHS, DECA, FBLA, Pep Club, FCA, and attended Missouri Boys State. He plans to attend Union University and major in Forensic Science.

Kennedy Zgaynor

A three-sport standout athlete who set several records, Zgaynor graduated with an 11.143-weighted GPA and was a member of FBLA, FCA, Math Club, Beta Club, NHS and College Ambassadors. She plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University to throw javelin and pursue a degree in nursing.

John Clinton Poole

Poole was co-valedictorian and graduated high school with a perfect GPA while playing baseball. He was also involved in numerous student organizations including Key Club, NHS, FBLA, Student Council and Pep Club, was selected for Missouri Boys State, and volunteered at numerous community events. In his nomination, his Athletic Director said, “He is a student first, then a very committed servant to the school and community in the most selfless manner, and a very dedicated athlete to his sport.”

Christi Tejeda

Tejeda was a member of the tennis, basketball and track teams and graduated with a 3.57 GPA. She was involved in several clubs and organizations and completed both the A+ scholarship program and the Kennett Career & Tech Health Occupations program. She committed to serve in the US Army completing basic training between her junior and senior years at Fort Leonard Wood where she will return to in July to receive her orders and complete her training, graduating as a Military Police Officer.

Cooper Shackles

A three-sport athlete, Shackles graduated with a 4.081701 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and was ranked third in his class. He was also a 3-time Academic All-State for football, and earned Academic All State honors in track his sophomore and junior year. His athletic director called him “a leader on the field and in the classroom.”

Macy Burger

A three-sport athlete for four years, Burger graduated fourth in her class with a 4.03 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Described as a leader both academically and athletically, she was named softball academic all-state 2020-2023 in addition to numerous other athletic accomplishments. She was voted on by the coaches at Kelly High School for the Johnny Merrick Award.

Karson Ward

A state qualifier in Cross Country and a basketball athlete, Ward was selected by the school coaches as being the top student for showing sportsmanship while maintaining good character and good grades. He had a 3.95 out of 4.0 GPA and goes above and beyond to push and lift up his teammates.

Hannah Hover

After two back-to-back ACL tears, Hannah Hover was able to come back and be a strong senior leader for her softball team and graduate with a 4.135 out of 4.00 GPA. She received a 30 on her ACT, completed 29 college hours, and was Valedictorian of the Neelyville Class of 2024.

Beau-Hunter Warren

Described as a model student-athlete, Warren had a 4.170 out of 4.0 GPA and was a standout football and baseball player. He earned academic all-state in both football and baseball three times and has been an active member in most every club at school including FBLA, BETA, and Student Council where he served as President.

Laney Stone

As a part of a well-accomplished senior class, Stone served as a leader on the volleyball, basketball and softball teams and was a part of five district championships and two quarterfinal appearances. She graduated with a 4.162 GPA and participated in several clubs and committees including BETA, FBLA, and student council.

Jacob Brown

Brown was a standout in the classroom and on the track during his time at Notre Dame. He graduated with a 4.21 out of 4.0 GPA and earned all-state honors as well as setting a school record in the 4x100.

Vita Galati

A two-sport tennis and soccer athlete, Galati excelled in both sports and academics graduating with a 4.18 GPA on a 4.0 scale. She was a tennis state qualifier multiple times and her athletic director called her “an example of what a student-athlete represents at Notre Dame.”

Kobe Watson

A three-sport athlete, Watson earned academic all-state honors in football and baseball and had a 4.116 out of 4.0 weighted GPA. He was described by his Athletic Director, “as a great student athlete and representative of our school.”

Logan Schiwitz

Described as a tremendous student athlete, Schiwitz was a member of the Cross Country, Basketball and Track teams earning multiple accolades in each sport. She graduated with a 4.09/4.0 (weighted) GPA and was described by her athletic director as “setting the best example for other students and a positive representative of the school community.”

Asher Britt

Committed to Quincy College to play Basketball, Britt was a member of numerous student organizations including FBLA, BETA, Art Club, Student Council, History Club and NHS. He finished his high school career with a 4.412 out of 4.0 GPA and was described by his athletic director as “a model student-athlete and a dream to coach.”

Carson Spies

A two-sport athlete, Spies graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was salutatorian of his class. He earned All-District, All-Conference, and All-State Basseball honors and was All-Conference, All-District, All-Region and All-State in Football. He was also a Student Council officer.

Ayne’ Held

Held is a three-sport athlete who earned All-State, All-District, All-Region and All-Conference softball honors and broke the school record in the Javelin. She was also involved in Student Council, the industrial arts program with two projects placing in the state championship, and scored a 30 on her ACT. She plans to attend Maryville university.

Nate Borders

Borders, a MVC All-Conference Basketball recipient and Track athlete, had a 4.15 GPA and was described by his athletic director as, “a leader in his class with excellent character and a positive attitude.”

Kiely Woodfin

A leader in the classroom and on the volleyball court, Woodfin graduated as Valedictorian with a 4.26 GPA and received All-District and MVC All-Conference Volleyball honors. Her athletic director described her as “a true joy to coach and teach.”

Abby Volz

Voted by her high school coaches for showing exemplary sportsmanship towards her teammates and coaches, Volz goes above and beyond to encourage and motivate her fellow teammates. A member of the Cross Country and softball team, Volz graduated with a 4.17 out of 4.0 GPA.

CJ Blankenship

A two-sport athlete, Blankenship graduated as the class of 2024 valedictorian with a GPA of 3.993 on a 4.0 scale and was an academic all-state honoree. In addition to athletics, Blankenship was also active in BETA, where he qualified for state and national competitions, and FBLA, and was an FCA officer.

Natalie Collier

Collier graduated with a 3.716 GPA on a 4.0 Scale and was active in volleyball, softball and rodeo as well as other clubs including FBLA, Beta Club and FCCLA where she competed on the national level. She is a two time MHSRA Finalist, has served as MHSRA Secretary and was a National High School Rodeo Association Member for two years.

Lilly Johnson

With a 4.4 GPA on a 4.0 scale, Johnson was the first player in school history to be named all state in basketball. She is described by her athletic director as a “very hard worker and team player who did everything she could to make her team better either on the court or on the sideline.”

Luke Ballin

A two-sport athlete and three-year state qualifier in cross-country, Ballin set a school record in his senior year and graduated as Valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. He is set to attend the University of Missouri – Kansas City where he will pursue a career in architecture.

Meg Garner

A two-sport athlete with a 3.94 GPA, Garner was the Class of 2024 salutatorian and plans to pursue a career in Veterinary Medicine at Southeast Missouri State University.