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The annual 2024 Pirate Awards Program was held May 2nd in the Avon Auxiliary Gym. Interim Superintendent, Brian Fields, was the Master of Ceremonies for this year’s event. Pastor Lorney Van Gerpen gave the opening prayer. Then the Avon High School Men’s Choir under the direction of Autumn Schultz sang “I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson. Afterwards, the banquet began and was catered by Dale Buchholz Catering. The Lion Club’s welcome was given by Kenny Powers followed by the Chamber of Commerce welcome given by Laurie Jurrens. Principal, Lindsey Fathke then introduced the class of 2024. Lindsey Fathke and Brian Field presented the Presidential Education Awards. The President’s Award for Education Excellence is an Award Established by the U.S. Department of Education to Recognize and Honor Students who have demonstrated outstanding educational achievement. It rewards students for their academic effort and success. Given at each of the three exit grades 6th, 8th, and 12th. Criteria Includes: GPA of 3.50 or Higher and an Advanced score in Math or English-Language Arts on the Smarter Balance. The award certificate was signed by the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education

2023-2024 Presidents Awards

Seniors: Jasmin Frank, Megan Gretschmann, Courtney Sees, Landon Thury, Viktor Voigt Grade 8: Kaydence Metzger, Easton Sees Grade6: RowanBrandt,Sydney Johnson,QuintonLeBeau, Zane Rush, Ashley Soukup The Jolly Roger and Yearbook dedication was presented byVoniHubbelltoTomCulver. Tom receiving this award was met with a standing ovation from all those in attendance. School counselor, Saddie Wynia then presented the DAR (a national service organization that is dedicated to promoting historic preservation, education, patriotism, and honoring the patriots of the Revolutionary War) and National Honor Society (NHS) Awards, Scholarships and announced the future plans of the AHS seniors.

DAR- McKenna Kocmich – she was selected by her classmates to receive this award NHS (National Honor Society ) - McKenna Kocmich, CourtneySees,LandonThury, Erica Cahoy, Allison Frank, Carmindy Ferwerda, Lila Vanderlei, Kaeli Wallinga Scholarships

Blue Jeans-Megan Gretschmann Goldenwest- Megan Gretschmann Bud Roos- Grace Vanderlei ZachJohnson-TylerTjeerdsma The Avon American Legion and Avon American Legion AuxiliarypresentedtheirBoys State and Girls State Representatives that will attend the week-long event in June. Boys Staters are Trevor Eggers and GunnarVoigt.GirlsStatersare Maesa Kuhlman, Ella Small, and Carmindy Ferwerda.

Mr. Fields then presented theOralInterpretationAwards on behalf of advisor, Sara Hento. The Avon Oral Interp Team had an excellent 23-24 season. Eleven students competed during the season. The Avon teamwontheDistrict3BChampionship for the third year in a row. Additionally, five events qualified for the state festival. The Readers’ Theatre team of Abby Gretschmann, Hope Kemnitz, Ella Hamilton, Lexi Vanderlei, Noah Watchorn, and Jake Namminga; Katie Swier in Storytelling, Noah Watchorn in Serious Prose, Ashley Tolsma in Humorous Prose, and Ashley Tolsma and KateSwierinDuet.Atthestate festival, readers’ theatre, storytelling and duet all received superior awards. The Avon team also was awarded a Class B Team Excellence Award for the fourth consecutive season. The students who were awarded with an outstanding performer award for their success during the season were Noah Watchorn, Ashley Tolsma, Kate Swier, Abby Gretschmann, Hope Kemnitz, Ella Hamilton, Lexi Vanderlei and Jake Namminga.

Loretta Knodel then presented the awards for Drama. Receivingawardsforfour-year participation were Caleb Wallingna and Noah Watchorn. Kate Swier received the “New Kid on the Block” award.

Vocal director, Autumn Schultz, presented the choir awards.

Outstanding Junior High choir award: Hoyt Brandt Outstanding high school choiraward:MadelynHuitema 4-yearchoirmemberaward: Madelyn Huitema, Kinda Mixon, Courtney Sees, Hayden Talsma, Landon Thury, Grace Vanderlei,CalebWallinga,and Noah Watchorn.

Band director, Joseph Sexe, then presented the band awards.

Outstanding Middle School Band Award: Raegan Brandt Outstanding High School BandAward:MadelynnHuitema 4-Year Band Award - Madelynn Huitema & Viktor Voigt The Science awards were presented by Paul Kuhlman, high school science teacher andAvonScienceClubAdvisor. He handed out two very large science awards to seniors, Courtney Sees and McKenna Kocmich both receiving the Dale Power’s Scholarships.

Courtney Sees ($2000 Majoring in Pharmacy at SDSU) McKenna Kocmich ($2000 Majoring in Nursing at SDSU) Troy Soukup and Charles Zacharias presented the archery team. The coaches did not give out awards as it is more of an individual sport, but wanted to introduce the entire team and congratulate them on a great season with a lot of improvement.

Headvolleyballcoach,Lindsey Fathke, presented the awards for the Lady Pirate volleyball team.

Courtney Sees – 1000 Digs Great Plans All- Conference & LMVC All Conference – Courtney Sees, McKenna Kocmich, & Lila Vanderlei Academic All-State: (3.5 or higherGPA)Asateam&Courtney Sees, McKenna Kocmich, & Grace Vanderlei All-State Honorable Mention: Courtney Sees Letter Winners: Courtney Sees, McKenna Kocmich, Grace Vanderlei, Macy Voigt, KaeliWallinga,LilaVanderlei, Kinley Doom, Karlie DeVries, Rilyn Thury, Jordyn Voigt, & Lexi Vanderlei Stat Awards:

90% Serve: Jordyn Voigt, Courtney Sees, McKenna Kocmich, Lila Vanderlei, Lexi Vanderlei, Kinley Doom Most Aces – McKenna Kocmich – 42 Most Kills – Courtney Sees – 422 Most Set Assists – McKenna Kocmich – 694 Most Service Receptions – Lila Vanderlei – 486 Most Digs – Courtney Sees – 513 MostBlocks–LilaVanderlei & Kaeli Wallinga – 12 Team Voted Awards: MVP: Courtney Sees Most Inspirational: Kinley Doom MostImproved:RilynThury Lady Pirate Award: Lila Vanderlei Footballseasonawardswere presentedbyPirateheadcoach, Justin Lukkes.

Statistical Awards

Leading Rusher- Aziah Meyer Leading Tackler- Terran Talsma Player Voted Awards:

Most Improved Linemen-Al'Shamon Gunter Most Valuable Linemen-Landon Thury Overall Team Most Improved- Tyler Tjeerdsma Pirate Madman- Terran Talsma Overall Most Valuable- Aziah Meyer Saddie Wynia presented the athletic award for cheerleading. McKenna Kocmich received the Outstanding Cheerleader Award.

Brad Poppe presented the athletic awards for the girls’ basketball team.

Most Valuable Player: McKenna Kocmich and Courtney Sees Best Defense: Rilyn Thury MostImproved:RilynThury Hustler: Lila Vanderlei All-ConferenceLMVC:McKenna Kocmich, Courtney Sees, LilaVanderlieandRilynThury All-Conference in the Great Plains Conference: McKenna Kocmich, Courtney Sees and Honorable Mention Rilyn Thury Academic All-State: McKenna Kocmich, Courtney Sees, Grace Vanderlei and Megan Gretschmann All-State 3rd Team: Courtney Sees Courtney also played in the 3ClassShoot-outandtheSouth Dakota Coaches Association All-Star Game.

Team Academic Award 3.66 Becky Haenfler was named Region 7 Assistant Coach of the Year.

Bailey Lagge presented the awards for the boys’ basketball team.

Team MVP- Landon Thury , Aziah Meyer Offensive MVP- Landon Thury DefensiveMVP-JohnFathke HustlerAward-JohnFathke Man-Maker Award- Paxton Bierema Most Improved Player-Alshamon Gunter Practice Player of the Year-Noah Watchorn TrackandFieldawardswere presented by head coach, Tim Leibel.

MVP - Paxton Bierema, Mylie Bares MostImproved-EastonSees, Raegan Brandt Most Inspirational - Kaeli Wallinga, John Fathke Brad Poppe also presented the award for Outstanding Fan which was awarded to Bridgette Muller. Then Mr. Fieldspresentedthestaffyears of service awards.

Bailey Lagge – 5 years Becky Haenfler – 10 years Connie Gretschmann – 20 years Lenny Lukkes – 25 years Brad Poppe – 35 years Julie Mudder – 35 years Bridgette Muller presented the final two awards of the evening. The first was the District Classified Staff Member of the Year Award which was presented to Raja Brandt. The secondawardwaspresentedto BeckyHaenflerfortheDistrict Educator of the Year. Closing remarks were then given by Mr. Fields. The program was then closed with a prayer by Pastor Lorney Van Gerpen.