Four named top honor students at Rocky

Four Rocky Mountain High School seniors have received top academic honors as they conclude their academic careers with the Class of 2024.

Noah Bisby and Kaitlyn Christensen are co-valedictorians, each with a 4.0 grade point average. Gwynff Bodtke and MacKelle Moss are the salutatorians, each concluding their high school academic careers with a 3.984 GPA.

Bisby, the son of Doug and Amanda Bisby, has been active during his high school years in track, cross country, soccer in Powell, FBLA – serving as treasurer, student council as secretary and Mathletes.

Though not sure where he will wind up going to college – possibly BYU-Idaho or Utah Tech in St. George – Bisby plans to major in biology with plans to go to medical school with hopes of becoming a surgeon.

Bisby said RMHS math teacher Danielle Malson has encouraged him to excel, along with history teacher Colton Hodge.

Malson, he said, has “always been willing to help and never makes you feel bad for asking questions, even if you have to ask a lot.” Hodge, he added, “makes class actually fun, so it’s easier to learn stuff when you’re having fun.”

He said his parents have always been supportive but “never put a whole lot of pressure on me to get straight As or be the best, or have never made it a big deal, so it’s been easier for me to work on that myself and make it a goal for myself.”

Asked what he’ll be doing in 10 years, Bisby joked that he’ll probably be in school still. He said he would like to see other places but eventually settle down where his family is.

Christensen

Kaitey Christensen, daughter of Tony and Hiedi Christensen, has been active in Mathletes and knowledge bowl and has been president of the National Honor Society chapter at RMHS. She has also been active in volleyball, basketball, track and field, indoor track, cheerleading and the spirit club, FBLA, Random Acts of Kindness, band as a percussionist and choir.

She has received the Freshman Merit Scholarship from BYU-Idaho, where she plans to study nursing, and while she’s not sure what area of nursing she will pursue, she noted, “ER would be cool.”

She, too, has appreciated Mrs. Malson, noting, “She’s a really nice teacher, and she will put extra time in to help students, even on her own time. Out of school she’s the same way. She gives her time to the kids, too.”

She said her parents have always been supportive of her efforts, noting, “They wanted the best for me but for me to do it myself.”

Asked what she will be doing in 10 years, Christensen said, “I want to be happy, but I think I’ll be working as a nurse, married and maybe starting a family.”

Bodtke

Gwynff Bodtke, the daughter of Dan Bodtke and Genevieve Briand, has received a high achievement scholarship from Sheridan College, where she plans to attend school. She has been active in cross country, track, cheerleading, Mathletes, knowledge bowl, Random Acts of Kindness as secretary, the Grizzly Spirit Club as president and co-founder, the school play and band. She is a four-year all-state music selection on the flute.

She plans to major in engineering at Sheridan College while also participating in the instrumental music ensemble. She then plans to move on to the University of Wyoming to complete her engineering degree, possibly in chemical engineering.

Bodtke said she has enjoyed Gerry Burton, Hodge and Malson as teachers during her career, and like Bisby, said her parents have always been supportive while not being overly pushy.

Asked what she’ll be doing in 10 years, she responded, “Hopefully married,” though not sure about her career, joking, “I’m not even sure if I’ll like engineering or not.”

Moss

The daughter of Justin and Annette Moss, MacKelle Moss is the vice present of National Honor Society and has also been active in Mathletes, volleyball, basketball, track and field, FBLA and Random Acts of Kindness.

She said she plans to attend Northwest College for at least a year, then get into the nursing program at NWC or BYU-Idaho. She said she has received the Trapper Elite Scholarship from NWC.

Regarding her potential area of nursing, she noted, “I’ve thought a little bit about OB (obstetrics), but I’m not sure.”

She, too, listed Danielle Malson as a top teacher, noting, “She’s a kick butt teacher. She’s always there to help you in the classroom, and she actually cares about you so she wants you to succeed in the classroom and outside of the classroom. She’s willing to help you in whatever way you need.”

She listed her parents and Eric Honeyman as always being supportive of her.

“My parents have helped guide me and teach me things and supported me in whatever I chose, and Mr. Honeyman is like my second dad. He has helped me with track and basketball, and he just supports me in everything and is always there if I need him.”

Moss said she hopes to be married with kids in 10 years and working as a nurse.