PERRYSBURG — Twenty graduating seniors were honored at the 29th annual Achievement of Excellence Awards banquet.

The banquet, presented by the Wood County Educational Service Center, was held April 18 at Penta Career Center.

The event showcased the bonds between each district’s top two students and teachers. Students asked their favorite teacher to talk about their achievements as part of the ceremony.

Achievement recipients for 2024 included:

Bowling Green

Ardan Carlisle, whose favorite teacher was Elainie Lillios, who is a professor of composition at Bowling Green State University.

She explained how Carlisle excelled in his college-level courses and read her letter of support for his application to Washington University St. Louis, where he will study mathematics.

Niharika Mallik, whose favorite teacher was Josh Iler, who teaches anatomy and physiology.

Iler said Mallik will have earned her associate degree before her high school diploma and called her “a rock star.” He said she is “extremely intelligent … and pretty annoying” – traits needed to be a scientist.

She will attend Northeastern University in Boston to study biomedical engineering with the goal of curing cancer.

“Cancer doesn’t have a fighting chance because she’s going to do her best,” Iler said.

Eastwood

Abigail Rothenbuhler, whose favorite teacher was Debra Streacker.

“She’s been a joy. She’s been a surprise. And she is one of my many accomplishments,” said Streaker, who has taught Rothenbuhler Spanish for five years.

“She has become an influencer … there are many around her who watch what Abigail does and says,” Streacker said. “You and other students like you remind me why I love to teach.”

Rothenbuhler plans to study civil engineering at Ohio State University.

Kayla Gedert, whose favorite teacher was Libby Dulaney.

Dulaney, who had Gedert in her German class from eighth grade to her junior year, recalled how two years ago the class traveled to Italy, Austria and the Czech Republic. During a riverboat cruise in the rain, Gedert and another student reenacted the scene from “Titanic.”

“I have that memory saved forever,” Dulaney said.

Gedert plans to study aerospace engineering at Ohio State University.

Elmwood

Margaret Bentley, whose favorite teacher was Kelsey McKibben.

McKibben, who teaches English, played on the fact that Bentley had been born on Valentine’s Day, claiming the senior doesn’t do anything half-hearted and has a heart of gold.

“She’s true to herself and wise beyond her years,” McKibben said.

Bently plans to study biology at Miami University.

Riley Daniels, whose favorite teacher was Abbie Murray, who also teaches English.

“I know inside that pint-sized body she has a huge heart,” Murray said, and went on to crack a number of short jokes.

She said Daniels has had a positive experience on life because she’s always looking up and “great things do come in small packages.”

The senior plans to study physical therapy at Bowling Green State University.

Lake

Genesis Rhodes, whose favorite teacher was Tracy Orians, graduated in January and is pursuing dual degrees in biology and pre-health at Bowling Green State University.

Isabel Hosley, whose favorite teacher was Anna Stewart.

“She know how to set her priorities. She has expectations for herself she lives up to,” said Stewart, who teaches English. “She speaks her mind. She knows who she is as a person.”

Hosley plans to study biology at the University of Toledo.

North Baltimore

Sara Casey, whose favorite teacher was Stefanie Waldvogel.

If she comes to me with a question, it’s because she has exhausted all other options, said Waldvogel, who teaches English

Her future teachers and patients will be so lucky to know her, she said.

Casey plans to study dental hygiene at Owens Community College.

Joshua Fennell, whose favorite teacher also was Waldvogel, plans to study aviation at BGSU.

Waldvogel said Fennell did not take the easy route to be at the top of his class. He is taking four dual enrollment courses this year, the most allowed at North Baltimore.

His precision to detail to make sure everything is done flawlessly will serve him well as a pilot, she said.

Northwood

Lainee Partin, whose favorite teacher was Andrew Dickey.

Dickey said he had Partin in his American history/government class as a sophomore and when challenged with writing a song about monopolies, she performed a Justin Bieber song.

“She made it her mission to be the best prosecutor we ever had” during a mock trial her junior year.

It was with this project that she found her calling, he said.

Partin plans to study English and pre-law at Ohio Northern University.

Brian Hollabaugh, whose favorite teacher was also Dickey.

Dickey said he also had Hollabaugh as a sophomore and had heard from the freshmen teachers that he was a good student, a talker and needed to be motivated.

“He lived up to that,” Dickey said.

Hollabaugh plans to study finance and is undecided where.

Otsego

Ava Cardenas, whose favorite teacher was Melody Freeland.

Cadenas has an “unparalleled level of conviction” whether on the lacrosse field or in the classroom, said Freeland, who teaches Spanish.

She tackles every lesson with enthusiasm, Freeland said.

Cardenas plans to study biomedical science at the University of Michigan.

Jaycie Studer did not attend the ceremony. She plans to study nursing at Southeastern University and her favorite teacher is Robert Furlong.

Penta Career Center

Eona Janto, whose favorite teacher is Jill Heintz.

Janto joined Penta’s medical technology academy as a junior and has since demonstrated outstanding qualities, Heintz said.

“There’s no greater reward for a teacher than seeing their students do well. Students like you are easy to teach,” Heintz said.

Janto plans to study pharmacy at the University of Toledo.

Alycia Larson, whose favorite teacher is Tricia Hornyak.

Hornyak explained she is not a teacher but an admissions representative. She said when she looks for seniors to serve as Penta ambassadors, she looks for those she can trust.

“I can trust her to speak with adults with respect,” Hornyak said about Larson. “She is always willing to help when needed.”

Larson plans to attend Mercy College of Ohio and study to be an EMT.

Perrysburg

Allison Ludwig, whose favorite teacher is Jennifer Mitchell, whom she had in fourth grade.

As an elementary teacher, she always wonders about her students, Mitchell said.

“The senior version of Allison is exactly how I aways pictured,” she said.

She took her curiosity, leadership and love of learning with her as she grew older, Mitchell said.

Ludwig plans to study biomedical engineering at Case Western Reserve University.

Julia Xi, whose favorite teacher is Tara Zechman.

Zechman joked that she was the first math teacher chosen by a student, and said Xi was the “most meticulous math student I have ever taught.”

Xi has sought out math competitions and has taken high-level math courses in college.

Xi plans to study computer science and math but is undecided where.

Rossford

Alyssa Cox, whose favorite teacher is Miki Hodge.

Hodge, who teaches English, said Cox was “too humble to enjoy the spotlight for her academic achievements.”

“She is a bulldog like no other,” Hodge said.

Cox plans to play soccer at Bluffton University and is undecided on a major.

Joshua Grix, whose favorite teacher is Graciela Sofo-Roberts.

“I would not have my love for the Spanish culture or language without such a consistently supportive role model in my life,” Grix wrote about Sofo-Roberts.

The Spanish teacher explained how Grix showed her compassion as she struggled emotionally and mentally his freshman year.

She said Grix plans to travel to Spain and Italy this summer and hopes he continues to wander.

He plans to study biomedical engineering but hasn’t decided where.

Also during the ceremony, Brent Baer, superintendent for the Wood Court Board of Development Disabilities, was presented the Partner in Education Award for his support of the ESC and its initiatives.