The top 10 graduates of Oak Harbor High School are an impressive group. Four earned perfect 4.0s. Two of the seniors received service academy appointments. Every one of the top 10 is a leader in community groups, sports or school clubs. “It’s what you expect of your top 10,” said Principal Dwight Lundstrom.

“These are an extraordinary group of kids.” They lead a class that Lundstrom describes as caring. He pointed to the generosity of the football team, which offered to forfeit a post-season game with Marysville-Pilchuck High School after that school dealt with the aftermath of a shooting.

“We’re going to miss them,” Lundstrom said.

Noelle Gasper, 4.0 Noelle is an active member of Family Bible Church, including working in the church’s espresso stand on Sundays. She’s involved in the Refuge Club and Key Club,  a service organization. She’s an AP Scholar with honors, completing seven advanced placement courses. After a trip to Europe this summer, Noelle plans to attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. “With college, I really wanted to feel like I was part of a community, and the Notre Dame family welcomed me with open arms,” she said.

Zachary Johnson, 4.0 Zachary plans to follow in the footsteps of his parents, who both served in the Navy. He’s attending the U.S. Naval Academy and hopes to become a nuclear submarine officer. “I have a lot of admiration for what my parents have done and how they served their country,” he said. In high school, he participated in the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, rising to the top position of battalion commander. He’s participated in Civil Air Patrol and the Amateur Radio Club. He volunteers at his church and as a tutor at Coupeville Elementary School.

Eileen King, 4.0

Eileen is dedicated to community service, volunteering with service groups including the Students Against Destructive Decisions, Teens Against Tobacco Use and Key Club. She volunteers at blood drives and at a local preschool. She plans to attend New York University and travel to Florence her freshman year as part of that school’s liberal studies abroad program. She served as senior class secretary.

Marisa Sligh, 4.0

In addition to a perfect GPA, Marisa is a standout athlete with six varsity letters and a musician who plays the piccolo and flute in the Wind Ensemble. She plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy but also earned an appointment to the Naval Academy. Choosing the Air Force was a difficult decision for Marisa, who grew up listening to her father, now a Command Master Chief in the Navy, tell sea stories. It was her father who encouraged her to investigate the Air Force. She’s not sure what kind of job she’d like — she’s torn between medicine or engineering.

Hayley Lundstrom, 3.994

Hayley has excellent time management skills after balancing advanced courses with athletics. She competed in three sports all four years: soccer, basketball and track. She competed in DECA. an organization for emerging leaders and entrepreneurs, placing in the top 10 of her event at nationals. She works part-time at a real estate office and plans to study business at Washington State University.

Her dad also happens to be the principal. “When I forget to get things signed it does come in handy,” she said.

Eri Horikawa, 3.987 Eri is an active member of Family Bible Church, and spent part of her summer as a camp counselor at a Bible camp. She volunteers at Help House and at a Pregnancy Care Clinic through her church. She’s a member of Key Club, a community service group. She competed in cross country and tennis. She will attend Whitman College in the fall and plans to become a pediatrician.

Joshua Jansen, 3.985 Josh is an Eagle Scout. He spent his first two years of high school as a three-sport athlete. He now works as a firefighter for the Oak Harbor Fire Department. When he finishes his associate’s degree, he plans to transfer to a four-year college to earn a degree in paramedicine. He’d like to return to Whidbey Island to work as a paramedic or firefighter. This summer he plans to work on a salmon fishing boat in Alaska.

Lauren Vagt, 3.984 Lauren served as choir club president and earned varsity letters in swimming and track. She taught Sunday school at her church the past four years, and she works as a lifeguard and swim instructor. She plans to attend Whitworth University and would like to work as a genetic researcher or physician’s assistant. “Swimming has shaped me as a person,” she said. “It taught me self-discipline, how to manage my time, to always put forth my best effort and to have pride in my work.”

Dakota Powers, 3.982 Dakota competed in swimming, cross country and soccer. He volunteered at WAIF because he finds caring for animals that haven’t received attention satisfying. He aspires to study business and pre-law at the University of Washington. Eventually, he’d like to work as a corporate lawyer. “What’s most important to me is making a positive difference in the lives of those around me,” he said.

Amelia Berner, 3.981

Amelia is an accomplished athlete who competed in volleyball and track. She is involved in the school’s sports medicine club. This summer she plans to travel to Montana to visit her cousin, who is recovering from a traumatic car crash. Her cousin’s accident inspired her to pursue a career as a physical therapist. She works a physical therapy tech. Amelia plans to attend the University of Washington.