Top of the Class: Jarod Koenig

Jarod Koenig is the valedictorian for Saxony. (Elizabeth Dodd) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo]

School: Saxony Lutheran High School

Hometown: Perryville, Mo.

Parents: Brian and Dianna Koenig

Post-Graduation Plans: I plan to attend Southeast Missouri State University this fall to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree in business. After that, I would like to attend the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS) Seminary in St. Louis to gain a graduate degree and become an LCMS pastor.

High School Activities: Saxony Small Group Ministry, The Crusader School Newspaper, Saxony Drama Ministry, academic team, Student Council, golf, Drama Club, National Honor Society, Missouri State 4-H Council, Perry County Chamber of Commerce Teen Council, Sereno 4-H Club, member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Perryville, Cape Girardeau Youth United Way

Honors: Daughters of the American Revolution good citizen award, Missouri 4-H Key Award, Danforth Foundation "I Dare You" Award, Perryville First Act Scholarship, Perryville Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, Rotary Camp Enterprise Scholarship, FCS Financial Scholarship, Missouri 4-H Foundation Dennis Gallup Memorial Scholarship, Governor's Scholarship to Southeast Missouri State University

GPA: 4.00

Favorite High School Memory: My favorite high school memories were performing the musicals "South Pacific" and "Fiddler on the Roof" at the Perry Park Center Theater. We all had so much fun and put on some pretty cool shows.

Summer Plans: This summer I plan to work for my dad on the farm, continue working at the Perry Park Center Theater, travel with the Missouri State 4-H Council and spend time relaxing with my friends.

What will you miss about High School? I will miss all of my great friends at Saxony, as well as every day in publications class, because they were always interesting and fun. I will also miss my great teachers, since they taught me so much and I'm sure their classes were easier than college classes will be.

Explain your prop: My prop is best of show ribbons that I won from projects that I entered into different 4-H fairs. They are from projects such as computer presentations, photographs, and plants that I grew. This prop represents how dedicated I am to the 4-H organization as I am on the Missouri State 4-H Council and will be running for Missouri State 4-H president on June 4th in Columbia Mo. at Missouri State 4-H Congress.