Alexandria Cruz, daughter of Rico and Traci Cruz of Empire, is the valedictorian of Glen Lake's Class of 2007.

Described as a student who is “an effective time manager” with an impeccable work ethic and a innovator, Cruz has taken rigorous course work at Glen Lake in addition to online Advanced Placement biology, and government and politics. Her accumulative grade point average was 3.969.

A 4-year member of the Laker soccer team, Cruz plans to student linguistics at the University of Michigan.

Marissa Treece, daughter of Nate and Tina Treece of Maple City, is salutatorian with a GPA of 3.962. She was also named the Michigan Female Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Athletic Club, and is the reigning state champion in the 800, 1,600 and 3,200 meter runs.

She will attend the University of Notre Dame.

The “Top 10” students’ names will appear on a plaque in the school’s “wall of fame” near the large gymnasium. Rounding out the group are:

• Dane Hillard, son of Kim and Donna Hillard of Glen Arbor, graduated with a GPA of 3.946. During his high school career, he has distinguished himself in the classroom, in band, and performing with a rock and, “Stygian Shore.” A self-described “geek”, Hillard will attend the University of Michigan and plans to study engineering.

• Jennifer Bush, son of Reuben and Brenda Bush of Maple City, graduated with a 3.901 GPA. Bush is described as a “quiet and confident leader” and a student with an flawless work ethic. She will study geology at Michigan Technological University.

• Sean Niemisto, son of Patrick and Mary Kay Niemisto, enjoys to think and engage in academic debate. He achieved a 3.874 GPA while taking a rigorous college preparatory course. He is also an accomplished musician and with Hillard is a member of “Stygian Shore.” He will study at Michigan.

• Eric Otto, son of Francis and Stella Otto of Maple City, accumulated a 3.864 GPA while attending the Manufacturing Technology Academy. He was vice-president of the strategy team for the U.S. First Robotics Challenge. He was 4-year soccer player and member of the track team and is pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout. He will study at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York.

• Tara Novak, daughter of Jan and Kenneth (Chopper) Novak of Cedar, graduated with a 3.851 GPA. Novak was on the National Technical Honor Society at the Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center for her participation in the Agric-Science program. She was also a 4-year standout on the softball field and volleyball court for the Lakers. A winner of a presidential scholarship from Northwestern Michigan College, she will attend courses there in the fall.

• Cara Smith, daughter of Jeff and Linda Smith of Cedar, earned a 3.837 GPA in courses at Glen Lake and Northwestern Michigan College. She will study fashion product design at the University of Cincinnati.

• Molly Harkness, daughter of Dan and Anka Harkness of Cedar, challenged herself with course work in addition to having internships and earned 17 college credits through NMC. With an accumulated GPA of 3.818, she will attend Northern Michigan University.

• Samantha Rader, daughter of Steve and Sue Rader of Glen Arbor, graduated with a 3.807 GPA. She showed service to the school and the community through her participation in sports and the Pals program. Rader would like to work in international relations or foreign affairs and will be a student in the fall at Principia College.