By HOLLY GASKILL
Southern Wells honored its Top 10 students in grades 9-12 with a special breakfast program on Tuesday.
The program featured presentations from two school alumni, Andrew Pursifull (’04) and Zane Herr (’15), who shared their post-high school experiences and advice with the students.
Pursifull is an agricultural project manager for Maurer-Stutz, Inc., in Poneto. He received his bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering from Purdue University and has since worked at several companies within the greater Fort Wayne area. He also represents Chester Township on the district’s board of trustees.
While admitting he didn’t enjoy public speaking, Pursifull used the opportunity to talk with students about taking on difficult tasks. Pursifull has found that the “right thing and the hard thing are often the same thing,” and that the risk is worth the potential for s uccess.
“This world is starving for strong leaders right now,” Pursifull said.
Pursifull then referenced his own experience choosing to run for school board and how it felt daunting to ask his peers to support his leadership and speak in a candidate forum. However, he highlighted that because of the risk, he’s now had the opportunity to better serve and connect with the community.
Herr also attended Purdue, receiving his degree in agricultural systems management. He has since returned to his family farm, which has also opened Dash 90 Wines. Herr also serves on the Wells County Convention and Visitors Commission, which aims to support local tourism efforts.
Referencing the several vacant rows in the front of the cafetorium, Herr encouraged the students to take initiative in the high school and continued education. Herr said he often found himself in those front few rows, prioritizing his education and new opportunities.
Herr also encouraged students to continue investing in the community, noting that the community in Wells County is not something to overlook.
“It’s really resonated with the older I’ve gotten how fantastic everybody in this community is,” Herr said.
Students honored at the breakfast were considered the “top 10” in their respective classes by their grade point averages. They were, in alphabetical order: freshmen Kinley Allred, Joshua Aulbach, Cash Banter, Gavin Howell, McKenna King, Carson Liddy, Sophia Meeks, Gunner Murray, Lillia Paxson and Elisabeth Penrod; sophomores Kolbie Beavans, Peyton Ellis, Keith Gartin, Shaylinn Geesaman, Gracie Reeves, Adeline Sabinske, Dannicka Sorensen, Emily Steffen and Braden Yencer; juniors Quinten Darling, Avery Gaskill, Alyssa Green, Ashlie Needler, Alaina Nusbaumer, Kenzie Paxson, Dominic Ramirez, Collena Reeves, Caroline Ripperger and Derek Rockwell; and seniors Joshua Bricker, Malaina Culbertson, Perrin Gates, Caleb Johnson, Ella Lahr, Peyton Long, Tessa Maul, Evan Pennington, Keith Pluimer and Tristen Worster.
holly@news-banner.com
