Republic file photo An exterior view of Columbus North High School.
Editor’s note: For a display printed page of the Columbus North Top 10, pick up a copy of Wednesday, April 3’s print edition of The Republic.
For subscribers, this page is also available on the Wednesday, April 3 E-edition.
Columbus North High School has announced its Top 10 students for the Class of 2024.
Name:
Rank: 1
Parents: Andy and Kathy Osburn
College Plans: Purdue University
College Major: Plant Genetics, Breeding and Biotechnology
High School Activities & Awards: The Triangle Newsmagazine (Editor-in-Chief, Superior Rating at JEA Contest in News Editing/Headline/Current Events), FFA Member (2023 Area 1 Forestry CDE First Place Individual), Art Club (Vice President), Spanish Club (Co-President), Beta Club (Member; 12th Grade Spanish State Champion), National Merit Scholarship Finalist.
Community Activities: Polidor 5K Volunteer Photographer, Parkside Elementary Journalism Mentor.
Name: Mackenzie Meyer
Rank: 2
Parents: Erin and Kris Meyer
College Plans: Indiana University
College Major: Biochemistry, Pre-PA
High School Activities & Awards: Columbus North Cross Country (four-year letter-winner), Track and Field (four years), Student Athletic Board, HOSA, National Honor Society, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, Peer Tutor, Academic Letter and Chevron recipient, Cross Country Academic All-State First Team 2022 and 2023.
Community Activities: 5k on Turkey Day volunteer, A Kid Again IU volunteer, concession stand volunteer at St. Peter’s, summer swim instructor for Columbus Parks and Recreation.
Name: Austin Clark
Rank: 3
Parents: Brian and Allison Clark
College Plans: Butler University
College Major: Accounting
High School Activities & Awards: Columbus North Men’s Tennis (four-year member, co-captain for two years, varsity letter for three years, Most Improved Player, Mental Attitude Award, Bulldog Award), Columbus North Vocal Pointe (Section Leader, Dance Captain, Most Improved Singer, three-year member), North Drama: Lead roles in various shows “Nice Work If You Can Get It”; “Elf”; “Tinker Bell”; “Clue”; and “The Wizard of Oz” (performed/involved in three of our student-directed Showcases, and Historian for Thespian Troupe 57), Columbus North Student Assembly: four-year member (Vice President freshman year, Treasurer junior year, and Sergeant-at-Arms senior year), Two-year member of National Honor Society-2x recipient of the Anna Newell Brown Award for Vocal Excellence (2nd place and 3rd place), Named as a Youth Leadership Bartholomew County Top 10 Resume recipient.
Community Activities: Participated in numerous can drives, volunteered for our Athletic Department to help sell concessions, performed in “Operation: Safe Prom” in front of all North juniors and seniors to highlight the negative effects of drunk driving.
Name: Frankie Polyak
Rank: 4
Parents: Frank and Nicky Polyak
College Plans: University of Chicago
College Major: History
High School Activities & Awards: I performed in the Vocal Pointe Show Choir (Grand Champions, Grand Champion Soloist, and Outstanding Performer), I ran cross country and track and field (2x academic all-state), and I was the Student Body Vice President of Student Assembly.
Community Activities: I volunteered as a Junior Counselor at Camp Lakeview over the summer, I performed in American Pie, I participated in Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, and I attend First United Methodist Church.
Name: Alexander Cognata
Rank: 5
Parents: Jimmy and Angela Cognata
College Plans: Undecided, Four-year college
College Major: Business Management
High School Activities & Awards: Student Assembly (2 years, Senior Class Secretary),
Club Volleyball (2 years), DECA (2 years), 4th place in Hospitality and Tourism, Professional Selling 2024, YLBC, Founded Welcome Crew at Columbus, North-mentorship program for foreign exchange students, Member of the National Honor Society, and an AP Scholar.
Community Activities: Attends St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, and participates in Venture youth group at St. Peter’s.
Name: Kenzie Pendleton
Rank: 6
Parents: Tyler and Elise Pendleton
College Plans: Brigham Young University
College Major: Integrated Bachelor’s in Exercise Science with a Master’s in Athletic Training
High School Activities & Awards: Cross Country and Track & Field letter winner (2021 Most Improved Runner, 2023 Bulldog Award), North Stars Show Choir, 25th Street Singers, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, DAR Good Citizens Award, National Honors Society Member (2022-24), GE- Reagan Foundation Scholarship Semi-Finalist.
Community Activities: Mill Race Marathon Kids Fun Run Course Director, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Ward & Stake Youth Council Representative, Church Choir Director, Youth Camp Leader.
Name: Kingen Burbrink
Rank: 7
Parents: Joel and Rebecca Burbrink
College Plans: Purdue University
College Major: Mechanical Engineering
High School Activities & Awards: Marching Band – Alto Saxophone Section Leader, Show Choir – Best Male Soloist, C4 Engineering Ambassador.
Community Activities: I volunteer weekly at church, helping with various tasks, such as watching kids of all ages, singing on stage, or helping with the tech crew. I have been involved in 4-H for going on my 10th year and have done a plethora of projects. I also participated in Youth Leadership Bartholomew County.
Name: Keegan Harris
Rank: 8
Parents: Todd and Kristen Harris
College Plans: Purdue University
College Major: Computer science
High School Activities & Awards: Robotics, Computer Science Club, Environmental Club, Key Club, NHS. FRC Indiana District Championship, FRC District Inspire Award, AP Scholar With Distinction.
Community Activities: Love Chapel.
Name: Kaitlin White
Rank: 9
Parents: Brett and Allison White
College Plans: University of Indianapolis or Ball State
College Major: Nursing
High School Activities & Awards: National Honor Society, Academic Letter & Chevron Recipient, Student Athletic Board, Volleyball (4 years), Women’s Basketball (4 years- Co-Captain 2024), Academic All-State Volleyball and Basketball, Volleyball All-Conference Honorable Mention, The Republic All-Area Volleyball Team Honorable Mention, Kathy Cox Heart of a Bulldog Award Recipient, Karen McCaa Resilience Award Recipient.
Community Activities: 10 Year 4-H Member, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County, Member of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Volunteer Youth Camp Counselor for Basketball and Volleyball.
Name: Ajay Singireddy
Rank: 10
Parents: Ashok and Mallika Singireddy
College Plans: Yale University
College Major: Data Science/Sociology
High School Activities & Awards: CNHS Media The Triangle-Editor-in-Chief, Key Club President, Beta Club President, CNHS Debate, National Honor Society, Congressional Art Award, Two time Scholastic Gold Key recipient, Indiana State Finals Top Ten Lincoln Douglas Debate, 5th Place Ben Davis Debate Tournament, National BETA Club-3rd place in Drawing and 6th place in Painting, National Merit Finalist, U.S. Presidential Scholar Candidate, AP scholar with distinction, Youth Leadership Bartholomew County Top Leader and Top Resume.
Community Activities: Indiana Legal Aid, Love Chapel, The Arc of Bartholomew County, Andrews String Studio, Student Assembly Can Drive, High School Heroes.
