Avondale Schools, an achievement-oriented learning community focused on student leadership and success in academics, the arts and athletics, is pleased to announce its honored students from the class of 2012.

Brianna Marzolf, daughter of Brian and Tina Abbate-Marzolf of Auburn Hills, is valedictorian for the class of 2012, graduating with a 4.2698 GPA. Brianna’s academic awards include Excellence in Education, Youth Assistance and the Pam Brininger Award.  She participated in “Circle of Friends” for four years, was an officer for the National Honor Society, Peer Mediation and a member of Spanish National Honor Society. Brianna participated in four years of varsity softball where she received All-State Scholar Athlete for three years; the Purple & Gold Award for leadership and citizenship; All-League, three years; and Athens Invitational All-Tournament team, three years. Brianna will be attending the Michigan State University Osteopathic Medical Scholars Program, a part of the Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine, and plans to become a physician.

Katelyn Leniczek, daughter of Anthony and Julie Leniczek of Troy, graduates as salutatorian with a GPA of 4.2156.  She will be attending Michigan State University in the fall to study biochemistry or chemical engineering. Katelyn participated in junior varsity volleyball as a freshman and sophomore and was a member of Amnesty International Club for the past two years. She served as president of the French Honor Society her senior year and was a member for two years.

Abbey Nawrocki, daughter of Michael and Karen Nawrocki of Auburn Hills, graduates third in the academic top ten with a GPA of 4.1809. Abbey was involved in the Avondale Choir program for the past six years; was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and spent the past three years on the Varsity tennis team. She tutored in the high school Academic Center and was a member of the National Honor Society.  Abbey will be attending Wheaton College in Illinois to study foreign language education, English as a second language and linguistics.

Cameron Brown, the son of Darren and Jackie Brown of Rochester Hills, graduates fourth with a GPA of 4.1739. Cameron plans to study engineering at the University of Michigan. He was a member of National Honor Society for three years, Spanish Honor Society for two years and played soccer for three years. He received the Environment Committee ‘Member of the Year’ Award as a junior and the Scholar Athlete Award three times for soccer.

Jonathon (Jon) Phou, the son of Laura Phou and Meng Leng Phou of Auburn Hills, graduates fifth in the top ten with a 4.1717 GPA. His activities include Amnesty International, Circle of Friends, Habitat for Humanity, Spanish Honors Society and Academic Center tutoring. Jon was the co-founder of Ping Pong Club and a co-captain of the junior varsity tennis team his freshman year. As a junior and senior, he was co-captain of varsity tennis, where he played #1 singles and received All-League recognition two years in a row. Jon was a scholar athlete all four years and was voted the tennis MVP. He participated in the Accelerated Learning program at Oakland Community College and the Science and Engineering Program at Kettering University. He will attend the Honors College at Oakland University and received a full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, the Oakland University Legacy Scholarship and the Auburn Hills Rotary Scholarship. He plans to dual major in English and Molecular Biology.

Alex Petrovici, the son of Mihai and Lidia Petrovici of Auburn Hills, graduates sixth with a 4.1596 GPA. Alex was active in the Recycling Club, Amnesty International Club, National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society. He received the Distinguished Scholar award from Oakland University and plans to major in Biochemistry and ultimately pursue a medical degree.  Alex has been an active member of the local Romanian community since he arrived in America at the age of six.

Fallon Richie, the daughter of Kevin and Tammy Richie of Auburn Hills, graduates seventh in her class with a GPA of 4.1457. She was involved in Varsity Swim and Tennis and served as captain of both teams her senior year and was a four-year OAA Scholar Athlete. Fallon was an OAA All-League athlete in tennis and a three time recipient of the Purple and Gold Award for leadership and citizenship. Fallon participated in the Avondale Student Ministries Club where she was a student leader for the past two years. She was a member of the Spanish Honor Society and the National Honor Society and was named a finalist in the 2012 J.A. ‘Be Entrepreneurial’ Competition. Fallon will be attending Hope College, where she was awarded the Presidential Scholarship.

Joseph (Joe) Spurlin, the son of Wade and Tina Spurlin of Auburn Hills, graduates eighth in the top ten with a 4.1432. Joe was named a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student for his performance on the PSAT. He was a member of Peer Mediation and the Senior Class Board. Joe played varsity hockey and tennis for three years. He was a co-captain on both the hockey and tennis teams his senior year and received All-League recognition in both his junior and senior years for hockey. Joe also received All State Academic recognition for both hockey and tennis. Joe received numerous scholarships: the Regents Merit Scholarship and the M-Pact Scholarship from the University of Michigan, the OU Presidential Scholarship from Oakland University, the Trustee Award and the Michigan Competitive Scholarship from Kalamazoo College, and the Dean’s Scholarship from the College of Wooster. He will study chemistry at the University of Michigan.

Kara Olsavsky, the daughter of Steve and Julie Olsavsky of Rochester Hills, is graduating ninth in her class with a 4.125 GPA. Kara was a four-year theatre and choir student, a member of the National Honor Society and a peer mediator. Kara will attend Oakland University and study communications.

Rabiah Nargis, daughter of Sibth Mohiuddin and Ather Jehan of Auburn Hills, completes the top ten graduates of 2012 with a GPA of 4.113. Rabiah was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society and volunteers regularly at the Islamic Association of Greater Detroit. Rabiah will attend the Irvin D. Reid Honors College at Wayne State University, where she was awarded the Presidential Scholarship.

Rounding out the top 15 Avondale High School Honored Seniors for the Class of 2012 are:

• Danielle Anticuar, 4.0434 GPA; daughter of Victoria Michalek of Rochester Hills; attending Belmont University
• Alexandra Anticuar 4.0264 GPA; daughter of Victoria Michalek of Rochester Hills; attending Northern Michigan University
• Jessica Angell, 4.0244 GPA; daughter of Jeffrey and Charlene Angell of Troy; attending University of Michigan
• Morgan Janes, 4.0089 GPA; daughter of John and Kelly Janes of Auburn Hills; attending Central Michigan University
• Sarah Welch, 4.0085 GPA; daughter of Steve and Wendy Welch of Auburn Hills, attending Oakland University

About Avondale Avondale School District is a collaborative community of teachers, staff and families working together to assure student success. The district, encompassing portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, Troy and Rochester Hills, celebrates the richness of a diverse student population and strives to be a model school community that prepares students to be lifelong learners and contributing citizens to the world that awaits them upon graduation. Learn more about Avondale Schools, an AdvancED certified district, at www.avondale.k12.mi.us.