Kimball graduation: Stull, Hanks and Keller named Kimball co-valedictorians

Kimball High School will be represented by a trio of co-valedictorians for the graduating Class of 2015. Colton Stull, Jessica Hanks and Rowdy Keller were named the top students of the graduating class. Commencement ceremonies will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, in the KHS Gym.

Stull and Keller have attended school in Kimball their entire lives, while Hanks moved to town in the fifth grade.

Stull, the son of Stephen and Vicki Stull, said his favorite high school memory comes from the subdistrict basketball game against Bridgeport his junior year. The Longhorns defeated Bridgeport in Sidney.

"All year there had been talk about who was better between us and Bridgeport," he said. "They beat us once and we had beat them twice up to that point. It was just the crazy atmosphere. The whole town was pretty much there for both teams. We were able to pull that one off in the last second."

Hanks' favorite memory also comes from participation in sports. She participated in basketball and track four years, volleyball her freshman through junior years and cross country her senior year.

"I loved being a part of it and being competitive and just spending all that time with my teammates and having the opportunity to partake in all the games that we had and all the practices and making memories," she said.

Keller's favorite memory comes from his freshman physical education class.

"That was pretty crazy. We had a lot of fun in the class," he said.

Each of the three have been quite busy in high school. Hanks, the daughter of Gene and Kristy Hanks, participated in band, jazz band and quiz bowl, was a four-year class officer, and was a member of National Honor Society, math honor society and was a four-year member of Interact Club. She also participated in basketball and track four years, volleyball for three years and cross country for one year.

Being able to participate in an array of activities was something Hanks thoroughly enjoyed during high school.

"All the opportunities that you are able to partake in at such a small school (is tremendous)," she said. "Without the people who did sports and band and clubs and everything, this school wouldn't run. It's a lot different than a big school where you pick one thing and specialize in it. I'm just so glad I've had the chance to dabble in everything and try things out. It's been very helpful preparing me for the rest of my life."

Stull participated in band and jazz band for three years, was a three-year class officer, was in National Honor Society, the math honor society and served on the student council for two years. He also participated in three sports - football and basketball all four years and track his freshman, junior and senior years.

Keller, the son of Doug and Theresa Keller, participated in Mathletes, Future Farmers of America, cross country and wrestling.

Keller's favorite class was anatomy and physiology because the human body is "pretty intriguing." He plans to attend Boise State University in the fall and major in forensic science.

Stull most enjoyed his math and business classes. He plans to attend Creighton University in the fall and will major in finance and economics.

Hanks' favorite classes also mirror her future plans. Her favorite classes were her English classes, and she plans to attend Chadron State College in the fall. She will major in secondary language arts education and gain coaching endorsements in volleyball, basketball and track.

The teachers that had the most influence on Stull were Wade Brashear and Erin Aerni.

"Brashear, because the business classes are going to be the most applicable for me next year and he just taught me about psychology and life in general," Stull said. "Mrs. Aerni, she helped me become a better writer and reader, and I just enjoyed her classes."

Aerni also had a strong influence on Hanks.

"I'm slightly biased because she teaches my favorite classes. She was the one who has mostly inspired me to become an English teacher and I'm very thankful to her for that," Hanks said." She's been a mentor to me both in school and outside of school. I'm heavily involved in the same church as her. She's just been a wonderful influence on me."

Keller said the two teachers that most influenced him were Vicki Mitchell and Brashear.

"They've really pushed me the most," he said.

As the final days tick down towards Saturday's graduation ceremony, the memories are also more prevalent to the co-valedictorians.

"Just all the fun we've had here at the school," Stull said. "I'm not usually an emotional person, but I will probably be a little emotional that last day because there's a lot of people here who have influenced my life in a lot of ways, mainly who I am today. Just thinking back on all those memories and all the learning experiences I've gone through."

"Over the last few weeks, all I could think about was how I'm so ready to get out of here and ready for it to be done," Hanks said. "As the end gets closer, the more nostalgic and sentimental I've become, and, like Colton said, there's so many people here who have influenced me and I have so many ties to this place. It's going to be hard to say goodbye to it all."

Although Keller will miss Kimball, he is also excited to see a new place and a new state.

"I think it will be kind of exciting to see someplace new, meet new people," he said.

The small school atmosphere was also something that was special to all three.

"Just the relationships you have with everybody, because we're such a small school that you know everybody, pretty much, in the whole school," Stull said. "Over the years you build those relationships up and it's almost like you're friends with the teachers. Even though they are your teachers, you can have fun with your teachers."

"I liked that it was a small school. You kind of knew almost everybody," Keller said.

The three are also thankful of their experiences at Kimball High School.

"Thanks to all the people who have influenced our lives and made us who we are today, set us up for bright futures, hopefully," Stull said.