Midd-West High School December 2023
Leaders of the H.E.R.D.
Midd-West High School would like to recognize the following students for being a Leader of the H.E.R.D. (Helpful, Empathic, Responsible, and Driven)
The 8th grade Leader of the H.E.R.D. for December is Careese Kratzer. She is the daughter of Donovan and Amy Kratzer of Beavertown. Careese was chosen as the Leader of the H.E.R.D. because she is respectful, kind, and always willing to help her peers and staff. Careese loves school and her favorite subjects are Math, Social Studies, and ELA. Outside of school, she enjoys lifting weights, camping with her family, swimming in the summer, attending church, and volunteering with the Beavertown Fire Company’s meals and local fairs. In the future, Careese would like to work as a babysitter or in a nursing home.
Makenna Kratzer is the 9th grade Leader of the H.E.R.D. for December. She is the daughter of Carl and Moriah Kratzer of Middleburg. In school, Makenna participates in Choir and Vocal Ensemble. In her free time, she enjoys doing art, riding dirt bike, fishing, singing, baking, attending youth group, playing basketball, and spending time with friends and family. After graduation, she plans to become a Cosmetologist. Makenna was selected as the Leader of the H.E.R.D. because she is a hard-working, kind, and respectful student who asks questions when needed and works well with her peers.
The 10th grade Leader of the H.E.R.D. for December is Forest Hoffman. He is the son of Mark and Trisha Hoffman of Richfield. Forest was selected as the Leader of the H.E.R.D. because he is a respectful student with outstanding academics who participates positively in the classroom. Forest participates in FFA in school. He is quickly becoming an excellent leader in the FFA chapter and has taken an active role on the School Farm Committee. Outside of school, he enjoys hunting, fishing, participating in church and youth group, and volunteering with the Richfield Fire Company. After graduation, Forest is planning to join the work force.
Nathan Portera is the 11th grade Leader of the H.E.R.D. for December. He is the son of Anthony and Carolyn Portera of Middleburg. Nathan has been an active participant in the National History Day competitions in school. He enjoys playing guitar, singing, writing music for his band, listening to music, riding his bike, and working at Target. In the future, Nathan is planning to attend a flight academy and become a commercial pilot. He was chosen as the Leader of the H.E.R.D. because he is a bright young man who is creative and is willing to take risks in the classroom that many other students might not.
The 12th grade Leader of the H.E.R.D. for December is Sofie Arbogast. She is the daughter of Keri Hain of Middleburg and Jason Arbogast of Middleburg. Sofie was chosen as the Leader of the H.E.R.D. because she is excelling in all her classwork and has proven to be a positive role model for others. She has proven to be a conscientious thinker as she spends time figuring out and navigating her plans and options following graduation. Sofie’s school activities include Advanced Art and the Work Study Program where she is an Activities Assistant at Nottingham Village in Northumberland. Sofie has successfully been employed at China Wok in Middleburg for over two years. After graduation, she is planning to earn a bachelor’s degree in teaching and then obtain her master’s in psychology.