Colusa High School honored the seven students who are slated to graduate in June at the top of their class.
Known as the Super Seven, this year’s crop of seniors were celebrated for their academic achievements at a dinner on March 25, inside the Trinity United Methodist Church Friendship Hall.
The Super Seven Dinner was first started by the Colusa Woman’s Club in 1974 and was held annually to recognize the top students from the junior and senior classes. It was passed to hosting organizations throughout the years that included Soroptimist International of Colusa County, the Torchbearer Gamma Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi, and the Colusa Lion’s Club.
Colusa Unified School District, for the second year, partnered with the Colusa Rotary Club to honor the hard work and achievements of just the seven highest-achieving students from the Class of 2024: Jacob Cerney, Elouiza Faris, Grace Graybill, Seth Kalisuch, Griselda Macias, Jake Sutton, and Joscelyne Gonzalez Valdes, as well as their parents and their teachers of influence.
The dinner was spearheaded by Colusa Rotary Club President Nic Weber and Past President Jon Wrysinski, who had been a top junior and senior when he attended Colusa High School. Wrysinski and wife Colleen, also a Colusa Rotarian, raised two children of their own who were Colusa Super Seven students both their junior and senior years.
Jake Cerny is the son of Mike and Cindy Cerny. His interests in school include science, physics, sports, and math. He participated in cross country all four years, track for three years, and soccer. He is a member of the California Scholarship Federation, Future Business Leaders of America, and participates in Young Life. His interests include running, hiking, listening to music, playing video games, spending time with friends, and watching movies. After graduation, he plans to attend a four-year university to pursue a degree and career in mathematics. Cerny named Physical Education Instructor, Coach Eric Lay as the teacher who has had the most influence in his school career.
Elie Faris is the daughter of Rob and Sheryl Faris. Her interests in school include economics and government, physics, English, calculus, and environmental science. In school, she has participated in volleyball, cross country, basketball, softball, FBLA, and the Environmental Sciences Academy. She is a volunteer with the Chico Boys and Girls Club and is a lifeguard at the Colusa Town Pool. Her hobbies include reading, traveling, and shopping. After graduation, Faris plans to attend a four-year university to study physics. She also named Coach Eric Lay as her Teacher of Influence but named her grandparents Mike and Linda Dunbaugh as her greatest supporters.
Grace Graybill is the daughter of Joel Graybill and Maricela Verduzco. Her main interests in school are science, Environmental Science Academy, and art. Throughout high school, she has participated in gymnastics, track, coaching, and tutoring. Her hobbies include painting, camping, hiking, baking, and cooking. She coaches gymnastics at Riley’s Gymnastic Academy. After high school, she plans to attend a four-year university and major in kinesiology. Graybill named CHS English Teacher Stephanie Stever as the teacher who was most influential in her school career.
Seth Kalisuch is the son of Dak and Pamela Kallisuch. He has played baseball and basketball all four years of high school, three of which were as a member of the varsity teams. His main interests in school are math and the Environmental Science Academy. In his free time, Kalisuch enjoys watching or reading about sports. He also enjoys hiking and skiing and takes pride in being both a successful student and athlete. After high school, he plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Arizona to pursue a degree in sports and entertainment management. Kalisuch named Biology/Environmental Science Instructor John Wirt as the teacher having the most influence on his school career.
Griselda Macias is the daughter of Juan and Maria Macias. Her favorite subjects in school are the sciences. She is also involved in Spanish Club, the Environmental Science Academy, and FFA. She participates in tennis and is a member of the California Scholarship Federation. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, listening to music, going out to eat, and shopping. After graduation, she plans to become an ultrasound technician and hopes to travel the world. Macias named CHS Science Instructor Benjamin Haney as her Teacher of Influence.
Jake Sutton is the son of Jeff and Jennifer Sutton. His primary academic interests include math and Colusa High School’s Environmental Science Academy. He plays basketball and golf and has enjoyed learning how to run a business while supporting his community and helping to improve Colusa High School as Associated Student Body president. His hobbies include hanging out at Jackpot, playing basketball with his friends, working at the golf course, and napping. Sutton plans to attend the University of Arizona after graduation to pursue a business degree. He named Burchfield Kindergarten Teacher Jill Boeger as his Teacher of Influence.
Joscelyne Gonzalez Valdes is the daughter of Maria Valdes. Her academic interests include math, English, science, and Spanish. She played tennis and golf her junior year, and has participated in yearbook, FFA, and FBLA. Her hobbies include reading, biking, writing, and coloring, and works for her family’s business Moonlight Events. After graduation, Gonzalez Valdes plans to attend Butte College before transferring to a university to pursue a master’s degree in accounting. She named CHS Counselor Jessamin Proctor as having the most influence on her school career.