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SPRING VALLEY — Hall High School has announced Gianna Pozzi is the valedictorian for the graduating class of 2021 and Zoe Morris is the salutatorian.
Pozzi, the daughter of JoAnn Pozzi of Spring Valley and the late Robert Pozzi Jr., plans to attend Baylor University as horsemanship rider on their D1 Equestrian Team, while majoring in biology on the pre-physical therapy track, minoring in Spanish. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Honorary Activities Club, Spanish Club and Science Club. She participated in volleyball, basketball and softball. She placed third in mathematics at ACES regional. She is an Illinois State Scholar, Elks Teen of the Year, Elks Teen of the Month, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Award winner and SAR recipient. She won the Francee Wolf Heart and Soul Award, Alice J Schibrowsky Memorial Award, Peg Cassiday Memorial Citizenship Award, Greg Colmone Scholarship and Lauren Dimond Memorial Scholarship. She has won numerous awards and titles through the American Paint Horse Association.
Morris, the daughter of Michael and Tracy Morris of Spring Valley, plans to attend the University of Iowa to major in pre-pharmacy and minor in Spanish. She is involved in softball, Pep Club and yearbook staff. She is co-captain of volleyball, co-captain of basketball, treasurer of Student Council, class representative and secretary of Spanish Club. She is an Illinois State Scholar, Elks Teen of the Month, Peg Cassiday Award recipient, Gold Tassel recipient, Community Service Cord recipient and National Honor Society inductee. She received all-conference honors in basketball and was named to NewsTribune all-area softball and basketball teams. She was the second runner-up homecoming queen.
Hannah Parente is the daughter of Candy Parente of Ladd and Sam Parente of Walnut. Her plans are to attend the University of Iowa to major in nursing and become a pediatric nurse practitioner. She was a member of Student Council, HAC, Spanish Club, WYSE, MHCC, volleyball and softball (where she received all-conference honors). She is an Illinois State Scholar, Student Council president, National Honor Society inductee, homecoming attendant and an Elks Teen of the Month. She is a volunteer at St. Margaret’s Hospital and a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) volunteer. She also helps film/livestream school events.
Payton Johnson is the daughter of Jamie Johnson of Spring Valley and Eric Johns of LaSalle. She participated in band and Student Council. She was an Illinois State Scholar and named a member of the National Honor Society. She volunteers for an area veterinarian and her church. She plans to attend Illinois Valley Community College to study biology and then transfer to a university.
Mark Parlier of Spring Valley is the son of Rebecca Elam and Jim Parlier of Spring Valley. He plans to attend the University of Illinois to study aerospace engineering. He has been in Scholastic Bowl, ACES, band and track. He is an Illinois State Scholar, winner of the John Ourth award, Gold Tassel recipient and the math stole winner.
Payton Plym is the son of Jennifer and Zach Plym of Seatonville. He participated in baseball, basketball and fitness club. He won the Francee Wolf Heart and Soul Award and the Father Garrahan Award. He plans on attending Black Hawk College to get an associates degree in science and play baseball and then transfer to a four-year university to get a degree in kinesiology and continue playing baseball. He volunteers at a local church and helps at youth sports camps.
Lance Kovacs is the son of Jason Arellano of Spring Valley and Agnes Kovacs-Swan of Amboy. He participated in track and field, cross country, band, Scholastic Bowl and yearbook. He is an Illinois State Scholar, was named to the TRAC band, medaled in biology at ACES and placed fifth in the state in English at ACES. He won the English stole, the social studies stole and the James A. Francisco 150% Power Mechanics Award. He plans to be a member of the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft mechanic.
Makenzie Galetti is the daughter of Denny Galetti of Ladd and Liz Perra of Peru. She has participated in track, National Honor Society, Spanish Club and Advanced Choir. She won the chorus stole. She was on both Hall Envirothon teams that advanced to state. She has served as a Science Fair judge and a pollinator class teacher. She plans to attend Illinois Valley Community College for two years then transfer to a four-year college to pursue elementary education.
Kami Walk is the daughter of Tony and Katy Walk of Spring Valley. She plans on attending Illinois State University to pursue a career in nursing. She was involved in volleyball, softball, cheerleading, Student Council, Pep Club, Spanish Club, yearbook and National Honor Society. She is senior class vice president, named prom queen last year and was first runner-up for homecoming queen.
Jaclyn Cinotte is the daughter of Lori Cinotte of Spring Valley. She is involved in basketball, volleyball, softball, Student Council, Spanish Club, National Honor Society and Honorary Activities Club. She is the DAR recipient, Student Council secretary, Elks Teen of the Month and Peg Cassidy Award winner. She was BCR Player of the Year for basketball, all-conference for basketball and all-area NewsTribune recognition for basketball. She was Daisy Mae, sophomore homecoming attendant, senior homecoming queen candidate and first runner-up prom queen. She plans to attend Illinois Valley Community College and transfer to Illinois State University.