2026 Star News Graduation | Page 11

Elk River Star News Saturday, June 6, 2026 | 23
Mikayla Menth
Parents: Dave and Jenna
Menth Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Mikayla took a total of six PSEO classes this past year, in addition to AP Statistics, AP Calculus AB, and College Human Physiology through the University of Minnesota. She was also a captain of the Elk River Gymnastics Team.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Mikayla’ s most memorable high school experience was going to the Lakeville gymnastics invitational. It was special because it was an
Gabriella Tobin
Parents: Brian and Christine Tobin Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Gabriella is involved in many things, including athletics. She was apart of Elk River Girls Basketball, receiving a varsity letter and academic all state. She also is leading the Elk River Girls Lacrosse team as a captain this spring. Outside of sports she is involved in the community, and as president of The National Honor Society she has been involved heavily in helping others in the community. Another way Gabriella impacts the community is by participating in yearly mission trips in order to help those in need, with this upcoming mission focusing on people in the Big Lake / Elk River area!
2. What was your most
Lars Nelson
Parents: Kristina Nelson and Paul Nelson Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Lars was involved in AP Physics and AP Calculus BC. Also he played Football and Wrestling.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
His most memorable high school memory was welding.
3. What are your plans for the future?
entire day of watching and competing in gymnastics. She also got to spend a lot of quality time with her teammates.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Mikayla will attend the University of St. Thomas to study neuroscience. Afterward, she plans to continue her education to become a psychiatrist.
memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Gabriella’ s most memorable high school experience has been going to state for lacrosse all four years of her high school career. It has been special for her as she has been able to experience the high pressure stakes and help her team succeed.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Gabriella plans to attend Young Harris College to pursue a degree in biology, on a pre-chiropractic route, and play Dll lacrosse.
He plans on going to UW-Platteville to wrestle and majoring in Electrical Engineering.
Taylor Voss
Parents: Jeremy and
Brita Voss Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Taylor has been a committed member of the Elk River Girls Swim and Dive team for five years, serving as captain her junior and senior seasons. She also managed the Elk River Boys team for four years. In addition to athletics, she has been active in NHS for three years on the fundraising team. While balancing these activities, Taylor has maintained a rigorous schedule of AP and PSEO courses and is on track to graduate with her associate’ s degree from Anoka Ramsey Community College.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Taylor’ s most memorable high school experience came during her senior year when the Elk River Boys Swim and Dive team won sections. After facing
Riley Kerber
Parents: Tom and Nora
Kerber Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Riley has been a member of the speech team for all 4 years of high school, this year achieving a Varsity Speech Letter and serving as a captain of the speech team. He has volunteered to be a peer coach for other members of the speech team and shown his commitment to the community by being a member of the Elk River chapter of NHS for the last three years. Additionally, Riley joined DECA his senior year and advanced through the State DECA Competition to compete at the International Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia this year.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Riley’ s most memorable part of high school is
a season‐ending injury in her own swim season, she was grateful to finish her high school swimming journey as the manager of the 2026 section champions. She describes the electric atmosphere of the meet, the excitement on deck, the intensity of each race, and the overwhelming pride shared by the team, as something she’ ll never forget. Being surrounded by teammates and coaches who meant so much to her made the moment even more special, turning a challenging year into one of her favorite memories.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Taylor plans to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, majoring in genetics, cell biology, and development. After completing her undergraduate degree, she intends to pursue medical school with the goal of becoming an OB / GYN physician.
the art classes he took with Mrs. Rebrovich. The drawing and painting room is very bright and the art classes he greatly appreciates the art classes he took in high school. The art hung up around the school and the showcases that the school has for students were always interesting and Elk River artists were always memorable.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Riley intends to join the Honors program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. He plans on exploring business and finance related majors in the Carlson School of Management.
Lauren Havemeier
Parents: Michael and
Julie Havemeier Town: Zimmerman 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Lauren was involved in Varsity Volleyball at Elk River and participated in advanced classes such as AP Literature.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Her most memorable high school experience was going to the US Bank Stadium to
Emily Brummer
Parents: Joe Brummer and Angie Brisbin Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Emily is a captain on the girls lacrosse team. She also has spent her time taking college level courses and volunteering through the National Honors Society.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Emily’ s most memorable high school experience was playing on the Elk River Girls Varsity lacrosse team for the past 6 years. Emily
Payten St. Aubin
Parents: Stephanie and
Jason St Aubin Town: Elk River 1. Highlight your involvement in high school classes and extra-curricular activities this past year.
Payten participated in gymnastics all four years of high school and three of those she was a captain. During her gymnastics career she competed mixed junior varsity and varsity and went to state as an individual on the balance beam. Throughout high school, Payten has taken many AP and Post-secondary enrollment( PSEO) classes. Her favorite of her classes has been AP Calculus AB and BC. She has earned high scores on her AP exams and maintained her GPA while taking many college classes.
2. What was your most memorable high school experience? Why was it special?
Payten’ s most memorable high school experience was going to state for gymnastics.
see Elk River Football win state twice.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Lauren plans on going to school at GCU to become an Athletic Trainer.
loves her team and also loves to compete.
3. What are your plans for the future?
Emily plans to get her bachelor’ s degree in Biology and then go to grad school to work in the healthcare field.
Surrounded by some of her closest friends, she was so proud to represent her school at this level. The day was so much fun and she is very grateful she got to experience it. Payten plans on attending the University of Wisconsin
3. What are your plans for the future?
Madison and majoring in biomedical engineering in math. She loves math and science and is excited to further her education focusing on these subjects. After college she was to work as a biomedical engineer with a focus on medical device design and manufacturing.