Top of the class Staples Motley High School principal Dean Ogg last week announced that Emma Motl, left, is the valedictorian of the SMHS class of 2010, while Gemma Shaffer is the class salutatorian. The two young ladies with the best grade point averages for the three years of high school will lead the class at commencement ceremonies on May 28. They will also give speeches at the annual Cap and Gown ceremony on May 26. (Staples World photo by Tom Crawford) Graduation ceremonies this month at Staples Motley High School will find two students leading the procession who are headed for challenging careers.

Emma Motl is the valedictorian of the Staples Motley High School class of 2010 and Gemma Shaffer is the salutatorian.

Both have been active students while enrolling in difficult academic classes, and compiling grade point averages that are the envy of classmates. And both follow in the footsteps of older siblings who have graduated at or near the top of their classes.

Emma is the daughter of Mike Motl and Kim Harff of rural Browerville. Emma’s sister Ann was last year’s valedictorian. Emma has been a member of the Staples Motley chapter of the National Honor Society since her junior year, active in speech and has earned three trips to the state speech competition. She has also been in band and fall play. She has been very active in Todd County 4-H work, currently on the county executive committee and vice president of the 4-H Leaders Council. She is in her 13th year of 4-H work.

Emma has also competed in the Dairy Princess competition and is one of the current Todd County Dairy royalty.

Her future plans are to major in biology and premedicine at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter. After four years at Gustavus, she plans to apply to a medical school program to become a doctor. Right now she thinks she wants to be a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic surgeon.

Gemma Shaffer, daughter of Bob and Kathy Shaffer, Staples, has also been an active and busy student. She is a two-year member of the National Honor Society, has competed in speech since the seventh grade, and has made five trips to the state speech tournament. This year she finished fourth in her category at the state meet.

She has been in orchestra, choir, bell choir and Knowledge Bowl and in last fall’s fall play. In the Fiddler on the Roof production this spring, she had the part of Golda. Gemma has also been active in her church choir and other activities.

She is planning to continue her education at the College of St. Thomas in St. Paul, where she will major in bio-chemistry. Her future plans are not definite, but she plans to be in the medical field, a lab worker in a hospital setting or biology lab.

Both girls will also take a few memories of their school years with them when they leave the halls of Staples Motley. Gemma’s favorite memory will be the Fiddler on the Roof production and being the Ninja in a group game. Emma said Mrs. Sharpe Anderson got her hooked on a the TV program Glee, which is a spoof on high school musicals.

Despite an ability to get good grades, they both can make mistakes, especially with introductions. Emma once introduced Alex Paskewitz as Laurie Paskewitz. Gemma, last fall at the Care Center, introduced

herself as Gemma Shaffer the son of Bob and . . .