14 | Saturday, June 7, 2025 Elk River Star News
Whitney Langley
Parents: Trevis and
Becky Langley Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Whitney was a member of the national honor society, and participated in various sports throughout her high school career including basketball, lacrosse, and the inaugural season of girls flag football.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Whitney’ s most memorable high school experience was her senior year as a whole. It was special
Ava Nelson
Parents: Deanna and
Joseph Nelson Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
During high school, Ava has been actively involved in both academics and extracurricular activities. She has been a dedicated member of the varsity tennis team, balancing her athletic commitments with academics. Ava is a member of the National Honor Society, where she has demonstrated leadership, service, and strong character.
In addition to these commitments, she has challenged herself with rigorous coursework and has maintained a strong GPA. Her ability to manage responsibilities and stay engaged in multiple areas reflects her drive, time management skills, and passion for personal growth.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Ava’ s most memorable high school experience was competing in her state championship tennis match this fall. The energy of the moment, combined with the overwhelming support from because there were so many fun activities like senior sunrise and football games which really brought all of her friends together and created lifelong memories.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Whitney plans to attend Colorado State University and study biomedical engineering.
her friends, teammates, and family, made it truly unforgettable. It was the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, and being surrounded by her community reminded her of how far she had come. The experience not only marked a personal achievement but also deepened her love for the sport and her appreciation for the people who supported her journey.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Next year, Ava will be attending Sacred Heart University, where she will compete as a Division I collegiate tennis player. She plans to dual major in Business Analytics and Finance. Ava looks forward to growing both academically and athletically while taking advantage of new opportunities to develop as a student, athlete, and leader.
Helayna Winter
Parents: Justin and Justine Winter Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Helayna has excelled in taking multiple AP and college-level classes including AP Language & Comp, AP Statistics, AP Literature & Comp, College Algebra, and Principles of MacroEconomics. Helayna has taken many business, accounting, and marketing classes. Helayna was a part of the National Honor Society where she volunteered the majority of her time to a local women’ s health clinic. She also participated in National Speech and Debate her freshman year of high school Helayna also took piano lessons for 9 years.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Helayna’ s most memorable high school experience
Jack Gangl
Parents: Emily and
Keith Gangl Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
In addition to enrolling in numerous college classes, Jack has taken nine AP classes and passed all of the AP exams. Jack is also a three-time state tennis player along with being a National Honor Society member.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special? was competing at the state level for National Speech and Debate her freshman year of high school. She performed a ten-minute, fully memorized speech about classical music. It was special to be around so many successful individuals who were passionate and spoke freely, especially as it was her first year. She overcame her fear of public speaking and learned the importance of professionalism.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Helayna will be attending Bethel University this fall to study Accounting and Finance.
Jack’ s most memorable high school experience was going to State for tennis his sophomore year.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Jack will be attending Saint John’ s for BioChemistry and playing tennis.
Katherine Oliveira
Parents: Ryan and Julia
Oliveira Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Kate spent her time in high school involved in Elk River Girls Hockey, Elk River Zimmerman Girls Lacrosse, National Honors Society, Yellow Ribbon, and DECA.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
One of the greatest high school memories that Kate has is attending football and hockey games. She loved spending time with her friends at the games and enjoys watching
Owen Westberg
Parents: Chad and
Sarah Westberg Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Owen has been involved in many advanced classes and extracurricular classes. He is involved in math team, hockey, band, and track and field.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Owen’ s most memorable high school experience is setting new school records
NICHOLAS ANDERSON
Parents: Dave and Stacey Anderson Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Nick has been involved in many advanced classes and was a part of the Black Elk Jazz Band and the Math League.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Nick’ s most memorable experience in high school was playing in the pep
sports. Both state tournaments are some of her most memorable experiences.
3. What are your plans for the future?
In the future Kate will be attending Michigan State University to study Kinesiology. She hopes to get into Physical Therapy or Athletic Training after getting her degree.
in track and field. 3. What are your plans for the future? Owen’ s plans for the future involve attending Texas A & M University in College Station and pursuing a degree in engineering.
band at the State Tournament football game.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Nick is going to North Dakota State University and majoring in mechanical engineering.