Staples World photo by Tom Crawford Top SMHS seniors Staples Motley's valedictorian and salutatorian, as announced by Principal Dean Ogg, will be Jenna Nypan, left, and Megan Weyer. Principal Ogg made the announcement of this year's top graduates April 23. Jenna Nypan has been named the valedictorian and Megan Weyer the salutatorian for the class of 2009 at Staples Motley High School.

Both students have been consistently ranked in the top five of their class and this year are ranked one and two. Jenna, the daughter of Ron and Deana Nypan, plans to attend Concordia College in Moorhead but is undecided what major she will pursue. Megan, daughter of Mike and Joy Weyer, is headed for North Dakota State University across the river in Fargo, where she will major in chemistry.

Jenna has competed three times at state speech tournaments (and was first alternate this year) and has also participated in choir, band, Knowledge Bowl, theater, Faith Lutheran Church youth group and the National Honor Society. She played the part of Matlee in West Side Story and was in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as well as other dramatic activities.

Ten years down the road, Jenna said, she hopes to have both a career and a family. "I'll have a master's degree in something," she said.

Megan has also been active in high school. A musician, she has qualified for both all state band and choir, played in orchestra and competed in speech, Knowledge Bowl, theater, jazz band, swimming and been a member of National Honor Society and the Staples Assembly of God youth group. She was also in West Side Story and had the part of Sarah in Seven Brides.

Both these young ladies were involved in the band and choir trips to New York City two years ago and to Washington, D.C. two weeks ago.

Megan is a little more certain of her future. She will be working, ten years from now, in a research laboratory, she said, a job befitting someone who has two doctorate degrees in chemistry.

The top two students each year not only graduated with honors, they deliver the student address at the annual Cap and Gown ceremony, one of the two main events involved in graduation, the other being the commencement program. Cap and Gown this year will be Wednesday May 27, and graduation is Friday, May 29.