Riley Herron
Student of Thomas and Sandra Herron, Riley has been a member of the math team for three years, since 2023, and the pit orchestra for this year’s musical, Fiddler on the Roof. She has enjoyed participating in band, especially in her role as a section leader in the flute section of the marching band.
After graduation, Riley plans to attend Oakland University to study computer science. She is most proud of being selected as one of three students to assist in the check-in and repair process of student computers as a student tech.
Charlotte Drake
Student of Bryce and Tricia Drake. During Charlotte’s time at Hastings High School, she has sought to make the most out of her education, taking seven AP and multiple honors courses. In addition to her academics, she has been a member of several clubs, including the Math Team, TATU, and NHS, and currently serves as the president of the Hastings SADD Club. Along with her many clubs, Charlotte has participated in band for seven years, held the position of color guard captain for two years, and has been part of the musical casts for Matilda, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and now Fiddler on the Roof.
Outside of school, Charlotte participates in dance, having danced for a total of 13 years and competed for nine. Not only is Charlotte a dancer, but she is also an assistant teacher at the local dance studio, Expressions Dance Centre.
After graduation, Charlotte plans to attend college to study environmental science and engineering. She is currently researching the universities that she would like to attend. One thing Charlotte is most proud of while attending Hastings High School is learning how to communicate in such a way that she feels comfortable speaking to just about anyone!
Josalyn Russell
Student of Katie Hawthorne and Tim Russell, Josalyn was involved in various extracurricular activities, including Varsity Volleyball as senior libero and captain, youth group as an influential member, Link Crew as a two-year leader, and an active member in Key Club and Math Team.
During volleyball, she received Most Improved Player, Leadership Award, and Most Valuable Defensive Player.
Academically, Josalyn received the National Society of High School Honors recognition, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition, College Board National School Recognition Award, Academic Highest Honor Roll, and Academic All Conference.
After graduation, Josalyn plans to attend Michigan State University or Florida State University to study accounting. Josalyn is most proud of getting accepted into Florida State University.
Lauren Gee
Student of Brad and Julie Gee, Lauren played varsity tennis for three years, basketball and volleyball for two years, and varsity golf for one year. Her achievements in sports include being awarded Academic All-Conference, as well as receiving the distinguished Most Valuable Player recognition for her participation in playing doubles on the tennis team.
Lauren has also participated on the Math Team, been awarded membership in National Honors Society, supported underclassmen as a leader in Link Crew, and served on the Student Council.
Additionally, Lauren participated as a lead in the musical Fiddler on the Roof. Her achievements academically include earning the Art Department Award and the AP Scholar with Honor Award. She has dedicated time to volunteering for YMCA youth sports, events at Northeastern Elementary, and various events at the high school.
After graduation, Lauren plans to pursue a bachelor's and an advanced degree in nursing. Though she has not yet decided which school she will attend, her top choice is Michigan State University. She looks upon her completion of numerous AP and Dual Enrollment College Classes as achievements that position her to excel in her post-high school education, allowing her to take upper-level college classes early.
Lauren also takes pride in and is grateful for the people that she has surrounded herself with, as well as those she has met through her extracurricular activities.
Carter Krzysik
Student of Len and Alice Krzysik, Carter has participated in three years of track and field and four years of cross country, earning several varsity letters and being nominated as one of the cross country team’s captains this year. He was nominated to represent Hastings High School at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation State Leadership Seminar the summer before his sophomore year.
Carter is heavily involved in music, having participated in every ensemble offered by the band, making his first on-stage appearance as the constable in the musical this past weekend. Carter has also participated in several community bands, occasionally helping with the middle school bands, and serving as the marching band’s head drum major. This past summer, he attended Smith Walbridge Clinics, the oldest and arguably most prestigious drum major camp in the country, where he earned his Drum Major First Class, a nationally recognized award honoring musical and marching knowledge, conducting ability, and leadership skills.
Carter has been involved in scouting since the age of 6. He has earned countless awards and recognition, including being voted to the highest youth-appointed position of Senior Patrol Leader, being nominated to the highest adult-appointed position of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, and earning the highest, most prestigious rank in scouting, Eagle Scout. While in scouting, Carter helped to start a tradition of “high adventure” trips in his troop. Most recently, he led a nine-person crew on a nine-day backpacking trip in New Mexico.
Carter plans to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. And finally, the thing Carter is most proud of during his time at Hastings High School is earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
Mazie Waterman
Student of Shad and Kathy Waterman, Mazie has participated in basketball in both her freshman and sophomore years. She joined and participated in Link Crew during her junior and senior years.
Mazie looks forward to continuing her education by majoring in Sociology, either at the University of Michigan or Oakland University. After this, she is planning on putting in two more years of schooling at a graduate law school. Once her schooling is finished, she is hoping to start a career in family mediation, where she will help find solutions to family conflicts.
The one thing that she is most proud of while attending Hastings High School is her personal growth, her motivation towards her academic successes, and improving her confidence and leadership through her involvement in activities during high school.
These experiences have helped Mazie develop strong communication skills, empathy, and a desire to help others work through challenges. She is grateful for the opportunities and support she has received at Hastings and looks forward to making a positive impact in the lives of others.
Collin Tossava
Student of Tyler and Casey Tossava, Collin is a part of the FFA and regularly helps with community events such as the Barry County Roubaix bike race. Collin is also a proud member of the Hastings National Honor Society, where he has logged over 50 total hours of community service.
During Collin’s time at Hastings High School, he was awarded the Agriculture Department award in his junior year, and he has earned highest honors each year with a GPA of 3.95, until his senior year, when he raised his GPA to above a 4.0 by taking on more challenging AP classes.
After graduation, Collin plans to pursue the medical sciences and become a radiologist or pursue another related career.
The thing that Collin is most proud of while attending Hastings High School is the lifelong friendships he was able to form, not just with his peers, but also with his teachers, who were the driving force in helping Collin become the kind of student that he is today.
Ethan Holman
Student of Dan and Kendra Holman, Ethan is the President and former Vice President of Key Club. He also participated in TATU and SADD clubs.
Ethan is a member of Hastings High School's bands, contributing greatly to its success, especially during the marching season, where he was honored with a solo during his junior year when the band performed the half-time show, “The Beatles.”
Ethan has also been a long-standing member of the Jazz band for most of his high school career. Ethan has also been honored and awarded for his academic achievements in Social Studies.
Ethan plans on attending Eastern Michigan University to gain his bachelor’s degree in psychology before entering the master’s program for Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
Ethan is proud of the way he was able to push himself to achieve academically while still pursuing his amateur Jiu-Jitsu career, making connections with his peers, and balancing his rigorous schedule.