When Michael Donnermeyer’s family relocated from Detroit to Bonduel in 2010, he had no idea where it would lead him.
“The job market in Detroit was a little iffy, so my Mom (Diane) applied everywhere across the county and we landed here,” said Donnermeyer, whose mother works at Plexis in Appleton.
Donnermeyer’s transition from a large city to small village, from leaving old friends to making new ones, from middle school to high school was not easy.
“It was a lot different because I would come to school and people were like, ‘Who was at your house last night?’ Because they just passed your house,” Donnermeyer said. “In Detroit, nobody knows you.”
With support from the Bonduel High School staff and members of the community, the soon-to-be BHS alumni prospered here.
Donnermeyer credited the school staff for helping him through the “culture shock” of moving from Detroit, population 700,000, to Bonduel, population 1,400.
“Before I came here, I had no idea what I wanted to do,” he said. “Over many conversations and activities, it narrowed my path and determined what I wanted to do.”
Donnermeyer, who plans to attend Northern Michigan University and study engineering and technologies, will be among the 72 graduation candidates who cross the stage Friday at BHS’s annual commencement ceremony.
During his high school career, he became involved in many school activities, including FFA and forensics.
In addition, he also gave back to the school community as a member of the Link Crew — a group of upperclassmen who help students transition to high school.
“He is a well respected student around here, and an all-around really nice guy that takes care of his business,” guidance counselor Bev Pleshek said.
Leading the Class of 2014 at graduation will be valedictorian Mallory Mews and salutatorian Jacob Luepke. Ashley Bergsbaken, class president, also will speak at the ceremony, as will history teacher Luka Zischka, the faculty commencement speaker selected by the students.
Mews plans to attend Marquette University in Milwaukee to pursue a career in medicine. Luepke plans to study business at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Class President Ashley Bergsbaken plans to attend UW-LaCrosse.
The candidates for graduation are Kristin Allen, Lloyd Allen, Ian Alverio, Samantha Bahr, Christian Behnke, Ashley Bergsbaken, Jonathon Bessette, Kristen Brusky, Sabrina Alex-Kennedy Brzezinski, Stephanie Calaway, Lucas Capelle, John Carpenter, Sarah Cary, Brenna Castellion, Dameon Dennison, Laura Doell, Michael Donnermeyer, Ryan Dordel, Caleb Dowling, Kyle Fischer, Eric Godin, Adam Gunderson, Jeremy Harris, Kyle Hauschultz, Dalton Heim, Matthew Heindel, Amber Heller, Morgan Huehnerfuss, Dorothy Jensen, De Coteau Mary Marie Klemens, Austin Krueger;
Robert Leisgang Jr., Jeremiah Letter, Joshua Liesner, Jacob Luepke, Jakob Mastey, Ryan Mathew, Heather McClone, Mallory Mews, Amber Myers, Chloe Nolan, Zackery Olsen, Isaac Palmer, Wyatt Pues, Robert Radtke, Bryce Robaidek, Alexander Roffers, Courtney Schmidt, Greggory Shafer, Benjamin Shoup, Michaela Shullaw, Alex Sievert, Frank Skarlupka, Leah Smith, Morgan Sorenson, Daykota Spaulding, MaKenzie Stoss, India Tauchen, Matthew Thorne, Andrew VanRite, Brandon Wagester, Dana Wallace, Meggan Ward, Christian Wilber, Jacob Wudtke, Lindsay Wudtke, Jacob Zeitler, Alexandra Zepeda-Solorio, Zachary Zernicke.
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