Antwerp High School:
Antwerp Local School’s Class of 2026 recognizes Leigha Doster as one of their Top Scholars. She graduates with a 3.986 GPA. Leigha is the daughter of Wendy Doster and plans to attend Purdue Fort Wayne to major in Elementary Education. Leigha said she has always enjoyed working with children and was inspired by her aunt, who teaches first grade. During high school, she participated in Cross Country for six years, Track for six years, Cheer for three years, and National Honor Society for two years. Her honors and recognitions included Honor Roll status with a GPA between 3.67 and 4.0, Top Student in AP Biology, Student of the Quarter, and a $2,000 scholarship from Purdue Fort Wayne. Outside of school, Leigha enjoys running, baking, spending time outdoors, hanging out with friends, and shopping. Her most memorable high school experience was qualifying for regionals during her senior year with the girls cross country team and sharing one final race together with her teammates.
Antwerp Local School’s Class of 2026 recognizes Raelynne Zuber as one of their Top Scholars. She graduates with a 3.961 GPA. Raelynne is the daughter of Ryan and Amber Zuber and plans to attend Ohio University to major in Nutrition Sciences/Pre-Physician Assistant. Raelynne hopes to become a physician assistant so she can help people recover and improve their everyday lives. Throughout high school, she earned numerous honors including Student of the Quarter awards in World History, English, Pre-Calculus, and Principal’s Student of the Quarter; Most Improved awards in Softball and Cross Country; Top English Student honors in 2023 and 2024; Top Chemistry Student; Rotary Award for Cross Country; GMC Honorable Mention Cross Country; Cheerleading Leadership Award; Coaches Awards in Softball and Cheerleading; Honor Roll all four years; All-Ohio Outstanding Student Leader; Four Year Academic Excellence Award; AP Statistics Top Student; Quill and Scroll Award; Diploma with Honors; and the Scholar Athlete Award. Raelynne was highly involved in school activities, serving as a Student Council Representative for four years, participating in National Honor Society as a junior and serving as vice president her senior year, and working with Student Technology Services for four years. She also participated in Varsity Competition Cheer, Varsity Basketball Cheer, Varsity Softball, Varsity Cross Country, and Junior Varsity Volleyball, while volunteering for Special Needs Summer T-ball, the SpongeBob Musical technology crew, and performing as Grandma in The Addams Family High School Musical. She also participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes all four years. Her community service included volunteering at Literacy Night and the School Book Fair for four years, trail maintenance with the Paulding Soil and Water District, Student Council Service Day projects, Antwerp Pharmacy promotion videos, Mini Archer camps in volleyball, cheer, and cross country, the Veteran’s Memorial Video, the Class of 2025 Graduation Video, cancer fundraiser events, blood drives, and National Honor Society Christmas for Kids shopping. Raelynne also worked as a tumbling instructor at MAC Gym from 2022-2026 and served as Student Technology Services Student Manager from 2022-2026. Her most memorable high school experience was becoming part of the first girls cross country team in school history to win the GMC title and the first team to qualify for regionals since 2011.
Antwerp Local School’s Class of 2026 recognizes Hampton Jon Rogge as one of their Top Scholars. He graduates with a 3.959 GPA. Hampton is the son of TJ and Diana Hammer and Brett Rogge and plans to attend University of Saint Francis to major in Biology/Pre-Physician Assistant. Hampton chose the field because he enjoys working in a team-based environment and hopes to expand healthcare access in his community while promoting wellness and preventative medicine in rural and underserved areas. Hampton was active in numerous extracurricular activities including Student Council, National Honor Society, Varsity Football, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Baseball, and Varsity Track and Field. His honors included Top Student awards in Algebra I, Geometry, and Biology I; Student of the Quarter; Highest Honor Roll all four years; University of Findlay Dean’s List recognition; University of Findlay College Credit Plus Student of the Year; Academic A Award; Antwerp Scholar Athlete honors; GMC Scholar Athlete; Basketball Most Improved Player; Basketball Coaches Award; District 7 Honorable Mention in Basketball; District 7 All Academic Team; Football Coaches Award; GMC Second Team Defensive Back honors; Prom Attendant; and Homecoming Attendant. He also earned the Franklin B. Walters Scholarship, the University of Saint Francis Trustees’ Scholarship, Legacy Grant, Out of State Grant, Governor’s Merit Scholarship, JP Crain Scholarship, and the VFW Post 5087 Scholarship. Hampton contributed to the community through Fall Festival volunteering, Student Technology Services, PASS, raking leaves for community members, Christmas for Kids, coaching Mini Archers Basketball, and coaching Flag Football. His leadership roles included serving as National Honor Society Secretary and as captain of both the football and basketball teams. Hampton also gained work experience through Student Technology Services, Friend Flooring, and as the Antwerp volleyball announcer. Outside of school, he enjoys fishing, working for his grandfather and uncle at Friend Flooring, going to the movies, and spending time with friends. His most memorable high school experience was setting the school record for passing yards in a football game during his junior year against Ayersville.
Hicksville High School:
Hicksville Local School recognizes Kennedy Christine Adams as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Kennedy is the daughter of John and Heather Adams of Hicksville and plans to attend Black Hawk College to study General Science. Throughout her academic career, Kennedy earned Honor Roll recognition from 2014 to the present, was named a High School Scholar Athlete from 2023 to the present, and received the 2021 Essential Ace award. Kennedy has been active in numerous extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, where she currently serves as Treasurer, and Student Council, where she currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer. She has also participated in Volleyball from 2017-2025, Basketball from 2016-2026, Softball from 2015 to the present, and Travel Softball from 2019 to the present. Kennedy also earned an athletic scholarship to continue her education and athletic career at Black Hawk College.
Hicksville Local School recognizes Aleyah Keeley as the Class of 2026 Valedictorian. Aleyah is the daughter of Clay and Emily Keeley of Hicksville and plans to attend The Ohio State University to major in Mechanical Engineering while minoring in Military Science. Her academic achievements include Honor Roll recognition and the Scholar Athlete Award. Throughout high school, Aleyah served as Student Council President and National Honor Society President while also participating in Varsity Golf, Softball, Cross Country, FFA, and serving as a Student House Leader. Her scholarships and recognitions include the Army ROTC National Scholarship, Governor’s Merit Scholarship, and Ohio State University Grant.
Hicksville Local School recognizes Cross Alexander Zeedyk as Class of 2026 Salutatorian. Cross is the son of Clint and Angela Zeedyk of Hicksville. He plans to attend Hillsdale College to study Finance. His academic honors include four-quarter Honor Roll recognition from 2022-2026, High School Scholar Athlete honors from 2022-2026, Outstanding Algebra II Student in 2024, Outstanding Environmental Science Student in 2025, and qualification for the Ohio Area 1 Envirothon State competition in 2025. Cross has been heavily involved in extracurricular activities including National Honor Society, where he served as Vice President, Hicksville Initiative Student House Leader, Varsity Football where he was a two-time team captain, Wrestling where he served as Senior Captain, and Track and Field. He also earned the Inspiring Teens Magazine Issue 98 Scholarship.
Paulding High School:
Paulding Local School Class of 2026 recognizes Trenton Manz as this year’s Valedictorian. He graduates with a 4.492 GPA. Trenton is the son of Will and Joanna Manz and plans to attend Defiance College to pursue a degree in Education with the goal of eventually teaching science at the middle or high school level. He hopes to remain in Paulding County and may later pursue a master’s degree in Administrative Education to become a principal or another type of school leader. Trenton said he feels called into education because of the support he has received from the staff, community, and leadership at Paulding High School and hopes to provide future generations of Paulding Panthers with that same support…