Performance in the classroom and not in athletic competition was the main focus of the War Eagle Conference's annual academic banquet. Top-performing students from the 11 member schools were recognized during the event hosted by Harris-Lake Park on March 22.

Students in grades 9-12 are recognized for being in the Top 5 percent of their class, based on grade point average. Seniors, juniors and their families are invited to attend the banquet, while the qualifying freshmen and sophomores are identified in the program.

Fifteen students from Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn High School qualified for recognition at the banquet. The following is the biographical information about the seniors and juniors that was listed in the program.

Senior Emily Heneman is the daughter of Molly and Tony Heneman. She has been active in pep, marching and concert band, school plays, and basketball and football cheer. A member of the National Honor Society, Emily plans to attend the University of South Dakota.

Jasmine Lux is the daughter of Tricia and Jake Elgersma, and Matt and Laura Lux. During four years of high school she has been involved in basketball, volleyball, track, dance team, choir, band, jazz choir, jazz band and FBLA/BPA. She has been on the "A" honor roll throughout high school and War Eagle Conference all-academic for basketball and volleyball for three years. Jasmine plans to attend Northwestern College to major in Biology and become a zoo veterinarian. She will also play volleyball and run track.

Junior Lance Berends, the son of Jeff and Holly Berends, has played football and basketball at H-M-S. He is undecided which four-year college he will attend, but plans to play football. His academic honors include "A" honor roll and football academic all-district.

Elise Haack is the daughter of Ryan and Erica Haack and is a junior. She has participated in volleyball, basketball and golf, and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Iowa to major in Biology and will continue on into the UI pharmacy program.

Another junior honoree is Abby Kunzman. She is the daughter of Jill and Chad Kunzman and has been involved in volleyball, softball, jazz band, band, student council, National Honor Society and FCA. She plans to attend college to major in Biology and continue on to pursue a career in Pediatric Dermatology.

H-M-S sophomores (Class of 2024) in the Top 5 percent of the class are Heather Elgersma, Adam Schierholz, Kinsey Schirmer and George Vargas. The freshmen (Class of 2025) include Samantha Berends, Kamryn Ebel, Blaine Finster, Gracie Knobloch, Frankie Mohni and Megan Otto.