St. Bede Academy announces Class of 2024 Top 10 students
Goldie Rapp
The Top 10 students in the Class of 2024 are Johnna Bogatitus (from left), Ali Bosnich, Kylie Hill, Ella Englehaupt, Georgina Guo, Zachary Popurella, Mariella Hermes, Evan Englehaupt, Bella Hagenbuch and Logan Potthoff.
PERU - St. Bede Academy is proud to announce names of the Top 10 of the Class of 2024. These students have honorably represented the Academy in scholastic and non-scholastic events, service to their school and community and in character.
Members listed in alphabetical order are Johnna Bogatitus, Ali Bosnich, Ella Englehaupt, Evan Englehaupt, Georgina Guo, Isabella Hagenbuch, Mariella Hermes, Kylie Hill, Zachary Popurella and Logan Potthoff.
Johnna Bogatitus is the daughter of John and Crystal Bogatitus. She is a member of Holy Family Church in Oglesby. Bogatitus plans to attend either Bradley University or Marquette University with a major in accounting or business. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in volleyball, ambassadors, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), prom committee and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Bogatitus enjoys club volleyball and she works at Uptown Grill and Tastee Freez. She has received awards for history and citizenship.
Ali Bosnich is the daughter of Mark and Cinnamon Bosnich. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parishes - St. Patrick Catholic Church and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Bosnich will attend either University of Wisconsin-Madison or Butler University. Her major is undecided. While at St. Bede Academy, she has been involved in basketball, volleyball, Lectio Divina, student council, ambassadors, spring musical, peer tutoring, prom committee, pep club and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Bosnich is involved in tutoring, little league umpiring, babysitting and working for small businesses - SAS and Scout Outdoor Apparel. She has received numerous awards for volleyball and basketball, including being named Athlete of the Month and the Heisman Student Athlete Award. Bosnich has also received awards for English, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership and is an Illinois State Scholar.
Ella Englehaupt is the daughter of Doug Englehaupt and Heather McCutcheon. She is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended Ladd Grade School. Englehaupt plans to study computer science in college. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in fall theater, musicals, production crew, stage rats, glee club, ambassadors, podcast club, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), tennis, basketball and sang the National Anthem at sporting events. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Englehaupt works at AMC Theaters. She has received awards for mathematics, foreign language, chemistry, English and computer science. Englehaupt has had poetry published by the American Poetry Foundation. She has also received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program award. Englehaupt is an AP Scholar and an Illinois State Scholar.
Evan Englehaupt is the son of Doug Englehaupt and Heather McCutcheon. He is a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and attended Ladd Grade School. Englehaupt plans to study flight operations in college. While at St. Bede Academy, he has participated in wrestling. Englehaupt received the College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program award and is an AP Scholar. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Englehaupt works and enjoys flying.
Georgina Guo is the daughter of Qigin Guo and Ming Qin Liu. She attended Parkside Middle School and is planning to study pre-med at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While at St. Bede Academy, Guo was involved in tennis, stage rats, musicals, fall theater, scholastic club, heritage club, ambassadors and Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE). Outside of St. Bede Academy, she participates in tennis, soccer and Teen Advisory Group at the Peru Public Library.
Isabella Hagenbuch is the daughter of Johnathan and Kati Hagenbuch. She is a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and attended Holy Cross School in Mendota. Hagenbuch is planning to attend Marquette University and study exercise physiology. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in golf, volleyball, scholastic bowl, stage rats, ambassadors, World Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE), podcast club, Lectio Divina, tea club, last supper club and served as a Eucharist Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hagenbuch is involved in competitive curling, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) and One Bread, One Cup. Hagenbuch has received academic awards for Spanish, chemistry, English, citizenship, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program, Daughters of American Revolution and she is an AP Scholar and Illinois State Scholar.
Mariella Hermes is the daughter of James and Angela Hermes. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parish - St. Patrick Church and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Hermes plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan and study Kinesiology. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in basketball, softball, volleyball, Lectio Divina, student government, prom committee, ambassadors, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hermes participates in softball. She was a member of the 2023 Class 1A Softball State Championship Team and has received several awards including News Tribune and Bureau County Republican’s co-player of the year. Hermes also received many awards for volleyball and basketball. She was recognized as the 2023 Bureau County Republican Female Athlete of the Year.
Kylie Hill is the daughter of Michael and Sheila Hill. She is a member of LaSalle Catholic Parish and attended Trinity Catholic Academy. Hill plans on attending Illinois Valley Community College to study computer science. While at St. Bede Academy, she was involved in bowling, heritage club, tea club, yearbook club, prom committee, Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering (WYSE) and interact club. While at St. Bede, Hill has been an honor roll student. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Hill is involved in league bowling and she is a part-time volunteer at VITAS Healthcare.
Zachary Popurella is the son of Brad and Kristina Popurella. He attended Putnam County Grade School and plans to attend Purdue University to study aerospace engineering. While at St. Bede Academy, Popurella has been involved in golf, baseball, peer tutoring, heritage club and ambassadors. Outside of St. Bede Academy, Popurella works and is a blood donor. He received the AP Computer Science Principles Award, was the Elks Student of the Month, received the Heisman Student Athlete Award and is an Illinois State Scholar.
Logan Potthoff is the son of Jack and Lucy Potthoff. He is a member of Nativity of Our Lord Church and attended Dalzell Grade School. Potthoff plans to enter into a trades program at Illinois Valley Community College. While at St. Bede Academy, Potthoff was involved in basketball, golf, student government, ambassadors, Lectio Divina, bass fishing and football.
Outside of St. Bede Academy, Potthoff works at Spring Creek Golf Course and volunteers at Thomas Moore Church. He received awards for geometry, academic excellence, AP chemistry, citizenship, Hugh O’Brian Youth (HOBY) Leadership, Sons of American Revolution, College Board National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program and is an Illinois State Scholar.