Zeeland East Class of 2026 valedictorian Tan Tran addresses his fellow graduates during commencement exercises May 20 at Hope College’s DeVos Fieldhouse, as Zeeland Board of Education members (from left) Betsy Kikstra, Tami Mannes and Rick Dernberger listen.
Zeeland East High School held its honors ceremony for the graduating class of 2026 May 18 at East’s DeWitt Auditorium.
Tan Tran was the valedictorian for this year’s graduating class, while Samantha Roof was salutatorian.
Following is the list of award recipients.
Distinguished Honor – Grade Point Average of 4.0 & Above (Gold Cords): Natalie Bailey, Taylor Bredeweg, Tyce Burman, Lenora Chatfield, Jack Cochran, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Brendan Coutts, Ian Craner, Paige Davis, Brenna DeBoer, Gibson DeGroot, Layla DenBesten, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Emily Graves, Ruby Harbison, Eliana Huisman, Kaylee Katerberg, Sophie Koleszar, Megan Kuzma, Sadie Laarman, Laura Maartense, Elle Maatman, Landon Mack, Harrison Maurer, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Emmelia Olsen, Kyleigh Phothisan, Elizabeth Post, Tanner Reynolds, Christie Ricketts, Samantha Roof, Abigail Safirt, Holly Salisbury, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Isaiah Strom, Zion Suhy, Tan Tran, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis, Cameron Volkers, Evan Weiss-Berry and Sierra zurBurg.
High Honor – Grade Point Average 3.75-3.99 (Brown Cords): Claire Barnes, Derek Baxter, Mackenzie Cortez, Olivia Daniels, Peyton Davis, Myleigh Deur, Jackson Diekema, Nathan Driver, Nayeli Fomunung, Aylee Groenewoud, Olivia Grotenhuis, Jade Hostetler, Jordan Inosencio, Judah Kalmbacher, Ali Keaton, Chanhphene Kuras, Ryan Kuzma, Addison Mishler, Kathryn Murphy, Rowan Pena Potter, Ashley Perez Diaz, Julia Reed, Brinsley Roetman, Taya Schanski, Samuel Sietsema, Adyson Vanliere and John Walcott.
Honor – Grade Point Average of 3.5-3.74 (White Cords): Brennan Achterhof, Bennett Bing, Kamryn Burke, Katie Chalmers, Caleb Claerbaut, Nayeli Cruz, Shiloh DeBoer, Ben DeLost, Olivia Erickson, Taylor Ferris, Hannah Hansen, Gracyn Huizenga, Samuel Manning, Daira Rodriguez Perez, Grace Shoemaker, Elyse Smith, Shylee Soukhome, Keighan Trevino, Makayla Tuttle, Morgan Ulberg, Piper VanEck, Whyatt Veldheer, Hunter Cole Vincent, Braden Weiderman and Emily Wells.
National Honor Society: Natalie Bailey, Katie Chalmers, Lenora Chatfield, Jack Cochran, Mackenzie Cortez, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Brenna DeBoer, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Emily Graves, Ruby Harbison, Eliana Huisman, Jordan Inosencio, Kaylee Katerberg, Ali Keaton, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Sadie Laarman, Elle Maatman, Harrison Maurer, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Addison Mishler, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Emmelia Olsen, Christie Ricketts, Samantha Roof, Abigail Safirt, Holly Salisbury, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Taya Schanski, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Adyson Vanliere, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis and Sierra zurBurg.
O-K Conference Scholar Athletes: Brennan Achterhof, Natalie Bailey, Claire Barnes, Derek Baxter, Bennett Bing, Kamryn Burke, Tyce Burman, Katie Chalmers, Caleb Claerbaut, Jack Cochran, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Mackenzie Cortez, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Ben DeLost, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Taylor Ferris, Nayeli Fomunung, Emily Graves, Olivia Grotenhuis, Gracyn Huizenga, Jordan Inosencio, Judah Kalmbacher, Sophie Koleszar, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Ryan Kuzma, Laura Maartense, Landon Mack, Samuel Manning, Addison Mishler, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Kyleigh Phothisan, Elizabeth Post, Tanner Reynolds, Taya Schanski, Grace Shoemaker, Samuel Sietsema, Elyse Smith, Shylee Soukhome, Isaiah Strom, Morgan Ulberg, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis, Cameron Volkers and Emily Wells.
MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award Nominees: Derek Baxter, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Elizabeth Post and Meg VanDam.
Senior Athletic Awards: Natalie Bailey, Derek Baxter, Kamryn Burke, Jack Cochran, Hannah Fuller, Olivia Grotenhuis, Gracyn Huizenga, Jonathon David Hutt, Jordan Inosencio, Cameron Jaworowski, Isaiah Jones, Karson Lamer, Laura Maartense, Samuel Manning, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Daveyana Phasavo, Eric Segovia Estupinan, Issak Stitt, Isaiah Strom, Seth VanTimmeren, and Cameron Volkers.
Zeeland Athletic Booster Club Award: Levi Bannach, Bennett Bing, Addison Birkholz, Caleb Claerbaut, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Ben DeLost, Taryn DiLaura, Taylor Ferris, Emily Graves, Sophie Koleszar, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Carmin Maldonado, Addison Mishler, Ava Paus, Elizabeth Post, Kolter Rotman, Taya Schanski, Samuel Sietsema, Bradyn Smith, Elyse Smith, Mahalia Vis
Academic Department Awards
Art Department: Sadie Laarman, Sierra zurBurg
Art Honor Society: Sadie Laarman, Meg VanDam, Sierra zurBurg
Business Department: Natalie Elvir, Piper Van Eck
Career-Based Learning: Addison Mol, Cameron Jaworowski, Seth VanTimmeren
English Department: Harrison Maurer, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez
Math Department: Ian Craner, Megan Kuzma
Performing Arts Department: Lenora Chatfield (dance)
Physical Education Department: Derek Baxter, Laura Maartense
Science Department: Josiah Muller, Tan Tran
Social Studies Department: Cameron Volkers
Citizenship Award: Elle Maatman
World Language Department: Holly Salisbury, Violet McKay
Seal of Biliteracy: Fernando Araujo, Izabell Berkenpas, Abby Cifentas, Jack Cochran, Myleigh Deur, Taryn DiLaura, Nayeli Fomunung, Ruby Harbison, Judah Kalmbacher, Leilani Knittel, Sadie Laarman, Kennedy Little, Ana Lopez Gonzalez, Elle Maatman, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Ashley Perez Diaz, Kyleigh Phothisan, Daira Rodriguez, Samantha Roof, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Taya Schanski, Isaiah Strom, Adyson Vanliere, Mahalia Vis, Evan Weiss-Berry
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Myleigh Deur, Taryn DiLaura, Ruby Harbison, Sadie Laarman, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Ashley Perez Diaz, Samantha Roof, Isaiah Strom, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Evan Weiss-Berry
Spanish Immersion Department: Taryn DiLaura
zLinks: Mackenzie Cortez, Holly Salisbury
Military Honors: Keirra Frans (National Guard), Jonathan Vanden Bosch (Marines)
Foreign Exchange Students 2025-2026: Emma Ayuso Hernandez (Spain), Christina Yague Alonso (Spain), Madeleine Greenhill (France), Diego Martinez Rodriguez (Spain), João Szychta (Brazil), Morane Deforge (France), Gonzalo Laso Martinez (Spain), Tulio Hostalacio Abiviolo Rodrigues (Brazil)
Booster Club Scholarships: Derek Baxter, Mahalia Vis
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Seth VanTimmeren
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Taryn DiLaura
Johnny D. Spirit Award: Levi Bannach, Elizabeth Post
Female Athlete of the Year: Meredith Cook
Male Athlete of the Year: Caleb Claerbaut
Strength Through Adversity: Mackenzie Cortez
Tan Tran was the valedictorian for this year’s graduating class, while Samantha Roof was salutatorian.
Following is the list of award recipients.
Distinguished Honor – Grade Point Average of 4.0 & Above (Gold Cords): Natalie Bailey, Taylor Bredeweg, Tyce Burman, Lenora Chatfield, Jack Cochran, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Brendan Coutts, Ian Craner, Paige Davis, Brenna DeBoer, Gibson DeGroot, Layla DenBesten, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Emily Graves, Ruby Harbison, Eliana Huisman, Kaylee Katerberg, Sophie Koleszar, Megan Kuzma, Sadie Laarman, Laura Maartense, Elle Maatman, Landon Mack, Harrison Maurer, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Emmelia Olsen, Kyleigh Phothisan, Elizabeth Post, Tanner Reynolds, Christie Ricketts, Samantha Roof, Abigail Safirt, Holly Salisbury, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Isaiah Strom, Zion Suhy, Tan Tran, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis, Cameron Volkers, Evan Weiss-Berry and Sierra zurBurg.
High Honor – Grade Point Average 3.75-3.99 (Brown Cords): Claire Barnes, Derek Baxter, Mackenzie Cortez, Olivia Daniels, Peyton Davis, Myleigh Deur, Jackson Diekema, Nathan Driver, Nayeli Fomunung, Aylee Groenewoud, Olivia Grotenhuis, Jade Hostetler, Jordan Inosencio, Judah Kalmbacher, Ali Keaton, Chanhphene Kuras, Ryan Kuzma, Addison Mishler, Kathryn Murphy, Rowan Pena Potter, Ashley Perez Diaz, Julia Reed, Brinsley Roetman, Taya Schanski, Samuel Sietsema, Adyson Vanliere and John Walcott.
Honor – Grade Point Average of 3.5-3.74 (White Cords): Brennan Achterhof, Bennett Bing, Kamryn Burke, Katie Chalmers, Caleb Claerbaut, Nayeli Cruz, Shiloh DeBoer, Ben DeLost, Olivia Erickson, Taylor Ferris, Hannah Hansen, Gracyn Huizenga, Samuel Manning, Daira Rodriguez Perez, Grace Shoemaker, Elyse Smith, Shylee Soukhome, Keighan Trevino, Makayla Tuttle, Morgan Ulberg, Piper VanEck, Whyatt Veldheer, Hunter Cole Vincent, Braden Weiderman and Emily Wells.
National Honor Society: Natalie Bailey, Katie Chalmers, Lenora Chatfield, Jack Cochran, Mackenzie Cortez, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Brenna DeBoer, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Emily Graves, Ruby Harbison, Eliana Huisman, Jordan Inosencio, Kaylee Katerberg, Ali Keaton, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Sadie Laarman, Elle Maatman, Harrison Maurer, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Addison Mishler, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Emmelia Olsen, Christie Ricketts, Samantha Roof, Abigail Safirt, Holly Salisbury, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Taya Schanski, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Adyson Vanliere, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis and Sierra zurBurg.
O-K Conference Scholar Athletes: Brennan Achterhof, Natalie Bailey, Claire Barnes, Derek Baxter, Bennett Bing, Kamryn Burke, Tyce Burman, Katie Chalmers, Caleb Claerbaut, Jack Cochran, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Mackenzie Cortez, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Ben DeLost, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Taylor Ferris, Nayeli Fomunung, Emily Graves, Olivia Grotenhuis, Gracyn Huizenga, Jordan Inosencio, Judah Kalmbacher, Sophie Koleszar, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Ryan Kuzma, Laura Maartense, Landon Mack, Samuel Manning, Addison Mishler, Addison Mol, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Kyleigh Phothisan, Elizabeth Post, Tanner Reynolds, Taya Schanski, Grace Shoemaker, Samuel Sietsema, Elyse Smith, Shylee Soukhome, Isaiah Strom, Morgan Ulberg, Meg VanDam, Tyson VandenHeuvel, Seth VanTimmeren, Mahalia Vis, Cameron Volkers and Emily Wells.
MHSAA Scholar-Athlete Award Nominees: Derek Baxter, Lauren DeVries, Taryn DiLaura, Elizabeth Post and Meg VanDam.
Senior Athletic Awards: Natalie Bailey, Derek Baxter, Kamryn Burke, Jack Cochran, Hannah Fuller, Olivia Grotenhuis, Gracyn Huizenga, Jonathon David Hutt, Jordan Inosencio, Cameron Jaworowski, Isaiah Jones, Karson Lamer, Laura Maartense, Samuel Manning, Josiah Muller, Kathryn Murphy, Daveyana Phasavo, Eric Segovia Estupinan, Issak Stitt, Isaiah Strom, Seth VanTimmeren, and Cameron Volkers.
Zeeland Athletic Booster Club Award: Levi Bannach, Bennett Bing, Addison Birkholz, Caleb Claerbaut, Kameron Compagner, Meredith Cook, Paige Davis, Peyton Davis, Ben DeLost, Taryn DiLaura, Taylor Ferris, Emily Graves, Sophie Koleszar, Chanhphene Kuras, Megan Kuzma, Carmin Maldonado, Addison Mishler, Ava Paus, Elizabeth Post, Kolter Rotman, Taya Schanski, Samuel Sietsema, Bradyn Smith, Elyse Smith, Mahalia Vis
Academic Department Awards
Art Department: Sadie Laarman, Sierra zurBurg
Art Honor Society: Sadie Laarman, Meg VanDam, Sierra zurBurg
Business Department: Natalie Elvir, Piper Van Eck
Career-Based Learning: Addison Mol, Cameron Jaworowski, Seth VanTimmeren
English Department: Harrison Maurer, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez
Math Department: Ian Craner, Megan Kuzma
Performing Arts Department: Lenora Chatfield (dance)
Physical Education Department: Derek Baxter, Laura Maartense
Science Department: Josiah Muller, Tan Tran
Social Studies Department: Cameron Volkers
Citizenship Award: Elle Maatman
World Language Department: Holly Salisbury, Violet McKay
Seal of Biliteracy: Fernando Araujo, Izabell Berkenpas, Abby Cifentas, Jack Cochran, Myleigh Deur, Taryn DiLaura, Nayeli Fomunung, Ruby Harbison, Judah Kalmbacher, Leilani Knittel, Sadie Laarman, Kennedy Little, Ana Lopez Gonzalez, Elle Maatman, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Ashley Perez Diaz, Kyleigh Phothisan, Daira Rodriguez, Samantha Roof, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Taya Schanski, Isaiah Strom, Adyson Vanliere, Mahalia Vis, Evan Weiss-Berry
Global Seal of Biliteracy: Myleigh Deur, Taryn DiLaura, Ruby Harbison, Sadie Laarman, Violet McKay, Willow McKay, Ashley Perez Diaz, Samantha Roof, Isaiah Strom, Julieta Sandoval Hernandez, Evan Weiss-Berry
Spanish Immersion Department: Taryn DiLaura
zLinks: Mackenzie Cortez, Holly Salisbury
Military Honors: Keirra Frans (National Guard), Jonathan Vanden Bosch (Marines)
Foreign Exchange Students 2025-2026: Emma Ayuso Hernandez (Spain), Christina Yague Alonso (Spain), Madeleine Greenhill (France), Diego Martinez Rodriguez (Spain), João Szychta (Brazil), Morane Deforge (France), Gonzalo Laso Martinez (Spain), Tulio Hostalacio Abiviolo Rodrigues (Brazil)
Booster Club Scholarships: Derek Baxter, Mahalia Vis
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Seth VanTimmeren
Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Taryn DiLaura
Johnny D. Spirit Award: Levi Bannach, Elizabeth Post
Female Athlete of the Year: Meredith Cook
Male Athlete of the Year: Caleb Claerbaut
Strength Through Adversity: Mackenzie Cortez
