U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, MI-08, awarded the 2008 Congressional Medal of Merit to 39 distinguished 8^th Congressional District high school students at the Michigan Capitol this afternoon.

The graduating seniors were nominated by their schools for the prestigious Congressional Medal of Merit based on criteria set by the Congressman. Each student demonstrated exemplary citizenship and academic excellence throughout their high school careers.

“Each of these young men and women have demonstrated an outstanding sense of service to their peers, education and community,” Rogers said. “Honoring their achievements with the Congressional Medal of Merit is a privilege and I congratulate each of them along with their parents, family, teachers and community.”

All 50 high schools in the 8^th District are invited to participate. Thirty-nine students nominated for the 2008 awards are:

CLINTON COUNTY – Tyler Bengel of St. Johns, Ovid-Elsie High School; Audrey Kramer, Westphalia, Pewamo-Westphalia HS; Kristy Gould, Elsie, South Lyon HS; Christie Wilkins, Bath, Bath HS; Christina Clarke, St. Johns, St. Johns HS; Jason Klepal, Lansing, New Covenant Christian HS; Nathan Feldpausch, St. Johns, Fowler HS.

INGHAM COUNTY – Jessica Holberg, Lansing, Lansing Catholic HS; Brennan Woell, Mason, Lansing Christian HS; Kristin Kotarba, Williamston, Williamston HS; Priya Karve, Okemos, Okemos HS; Mariah Frey, Leslie, Leslie HS; Kavina Marshall, Holt, Holt Lutheran HS; Brittney Fuller, Stockbridge, Dansville HS; Guillermo Peralta, Lansing, Everett HS; Bethany Davis, Mason, Mason HS; Kiley Kyser, Lansing, Dewitt HS; Ariana Pierce, East Lansing, Lakeside Christian HS; Effrem Grettenberger, Lansing, Lansing Eastern HS; Preston Frazier, Laingsburg, Laingsburg HS; Mitchell Zajac, Holt, Holt HS; Lo-Hua Yuan, East Lansing, East Lansing HS.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY – Jacob Price, Brighton, Brighton HS; Chris Case, Brighton, Hartland HS; Robert Hindy, Fowlerville, Fowlerville HS; Eric Stants, Pinckney, Kensington Woods HS; Marco Tori, Pinckney, Pinckney Community HS; Kaitlyn Charette, Howell, Howell HS.

OAKLAND COUNTY – Sarah Bush, Waterford, Mott HS; Alexandra McGregor, Waterford, Waterford Kettering HS; Victoria Miller, South Lyon, South Lyon HS; Thomas Sanday, Waterford, Our Lady of the Lakes HS; Christine Norton, Lake Orion, Lake Orion HS; Kristin Boozer, Clarkston, Clarkston HS; Jacquelyn Verley, Lake Orion, Lake Orion Baptist HS; Michael Brendel, Oxford, Oxford HS.

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY – Carolyn Hamilton, Durand, Byron Area HS; McKenzie Alise Rowley, Durand, Durand HS; Amber Barber, Bancroft, Bancroft HS.

Master of Ceremonies for the Congressional Medal of Merit awards was Chris Holman of the Greater Lansing Business Monthly.  Music was provided by the 126^th U.S. Army Brass Quintet and the colors were posted and retired by the U.S. Army Color Guard.

The 8^th Congressional District includes all of Clinton, Ingham and Livingston counties and portions of Oakland and Shiawassee counties.