We congratulate Milan’s top of the class
SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Pictured left to right are Co-Valedictorians Ben Hartwell and Matthew Riehle, and Salutatorian Lucy Ortt.
This year’s top of the class for Milan High School includes co-valedictorians Benjamin Hartwell and Matthew Riehle, and salutatorian Lucy Ortt.
Hartwell, the son of Supaporn Kradtap and William Joseph Hartwell, plans on attending IU Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences to major in biology. He also wants to focus on genetics.
During high school, Hartwell was involved in National Honor Society (NHS), Academic Science Team, Academic Math Team, ISSMA (piano), and band. He was also on the JV Tennis team and Varsity Swim team. He participated in fundraisers and community service for both NHS and band. Outside of school, he has been a church pianist since the age of nine. He enjoys reading, video games, playing (and learning) musical instruments, making simple terrariums, and learning new things.
Hartwell was influenced most by his AP teachers, saying “they had a big impact on my high school career. I can take college level classes now and test out of them to open my college schedule for other classes.” He said it was a win for him and in the long run would save him money.
Hartwell’s advice for incoming seniors is there will be hard times, and they will seem overwhelming in the moment, but trudge on with a cool head, and after some time, the past will have gone by like a memory. He adds to not forget your past though, stating “your decisions in trying times really show who you are, and the past should not just be remembered, but improved on in the present and future.”
Riehle, son of Eric and Lisa Riehle, is looking forward to attending Marian University to major in marketing and minor in accounting. He will also be running track there.
While in high school, Riehle played varsity basketball, varsity soccer, and varsity track, where he was a sectional and regional champ and placed 15th in the state in the 400m dash. He was president of NHS. Riehle also participated in community service through his church, community, and school. His hobbies include sports, video games, and doing magic card tricks.
Riehle’s advice to incoming seniors is to “look ahead to see what you can get done. Being ahead of the game is better than falling behind with college.” He also encourages these students to enjoy their last year, since you never know what could happen. Riehle recommends you “find the things you really like and put your time and effort into them.”
Ortt, daughter of Dennis and Katherine Ortt, is planning on attending Indiana University. After college, her goal is to attend medical school and become a doctor.
Her school activities include soccer, tennis, swim, academic team, band, jazz band and NHS. Outside of school, she enjoys painting, drawing, sewing, and reading.
The teacher who influenced Ortt the most was Mrs. Small-Summers. According to Ortt, Small-Summers “taught me how to move on from mistakes while also learning from them at the same time.”
She would share with the incoming seniors to not worry too much about mistakes. As Ortt says, “we all make mistakes, but as long as we atone for them and learn from them, we’re heading in the right direction.”
