Hartsburg-Emden student continues scholastic success

[May 20, 2008]  HARTSBURG -- Kelly Cross, a senior at Hartsburg-Emden High School, has been advised she is a National Merit finalist. To friends and family the news is no surprise. Cross has had remarkable success in school as a student and already has a list of accomplishments that most individuals would be happy to include in a lifetime, let alone as a high school senior.

The daughter of Tom and Lori Cross of Hartsburg, Kelly has been involved in FFA for four years and was chapter vice president in 2007-08. She participated four years in Future Educators Association and was co-MVP of the 2007-08 Scholastic Bowl. She is an Illinois State Scholar and co-valedictorian of her class.

She also enjoys sports, including four years of track and three years on the cross country team.

Rounding out her activities, she was also the president of St. Peter Lutheran Church LYO in 2007-08.

Kelly has been taking college classes during her senior year at Hartem and has maintained a 4.0 semester grade-point average at both the college and high school level. She plans to attend Missouri S&T, majoring in architectural and civil engineering.

She is the granddaughter of Ron and Edwina Dawson of Auburn and Bill and Fran Cross of Emden. Kelly has three younger siblings: Emma in the 11th grade, Will in ninth grade and Noah in seventh grade.

[Text from file received]