FRESHMAN … Attendant Maggie Ripke with Escort Dawson Knierim.
SOPHOMORE … Attendant Keren Maldonado with Escort Alex Galvin.
JUNIOR … Attendant Sophia Beltz with Escort Josh Morris.
SENIOR … Attendant Isabella Chavez with Escort Luke Horning.
PHOTOS BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
KING & QUEEN … Queen Naomi Richer with King Creighton Aeschliman.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
Pettisville High School held its 2026 Homecoming Ceremony on Saturday, January 17, beginning at 5:10 p.m.
The evening opened with a welcome to attendees and acknowledgments recognizing the many individuals and groups who supported the event, including the Pettisville Music Boosters, Ambria Photography, Weeping Willow Florist, and the families and friends who provided food and assistance.
Freshman attendant Maggie Ripke, daughter of Ryan and Sarah Ripke and sister to Joey, Quinn, and Grace, participates in volleyball, basketball, softball, track and field, band, FFA, 4H, FCA, FCCLA, and the PMC group.
She enjoys spending time with friends, playing piano, car rides with Hannah while listening to music, and goofing off with Grace. Maggie looks up to her parents for pushing her to do her best and for modeling Jesus’ love.
Her favorite class is English, her favorite lunch is walking tacos, and her most embarrassing moment came after confidently answering a question incorrectly in Mr. Bishop’s class.
She would choose her grandpa, Charlie Kirk, and Jesus for a dinner guest list, believes books are always better than movies, and enjoys “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls. She shouted out to Hannah Fox for always listening to her vent.
Freshman escort Dawson Knierim is the son of Justin and Linde Knierim and brother to Gavin, Hudson, and Brooks.
He is involved in FCA, basketball, golf, and track, and enjoys fishing and spending time with friends and family. He looks up to his father for being a good decision maker.
Dawson’s favorite class is math, his favorite lunch is popcorn chicken, and his most embarrassing moment involved getting in trouble in second grade for bending spoons.
His favorite teacher is Mr. Rufenacht, and he said Deputy Schlosser would be his staff pick for a partner in crime. Dawson would add a self-serve ice cream machine to Pettisville, prefers “The Hobbit,” believes pineapple does not belong on pizza, and avoids bringing bananas on fishing boats.
His dinner guests would be Scottie Scheffler, Jesus, and Madison Miller. His favorite throwback song is “Enter Sandman,” and “Broken Halo” by Chris Stapleton always puts him in a good mood. He thanked his parents for always coming in clutch.
Sophomore attendant Keren Maldonado, daughter of Pether and Asuncion Maldonado and sister to Lucas, is involved in choir, Noteworthy, musical productions, FCCLA, Spanish Club, student council, journalism, soccer, cross country, track, Crossroads Youth Group, worship team, and serves as an FCA leader.
She enjoys playing guitar and bonanza with friends. Her favorite class is Voice Class and favorite lunch is chicken fajitas.
She looks up to her mother for her faith and kindness and believes Buffalo Wild Wings is overrated. Keren would choose Jonah, Peter, and Queen Elizabeth the First for dinner, would add an indoor track team to Pettisville, and named Mrs. Dixon as her favorite teacher.
Her favorite movie is “Miracles from Heaven,” her science notes would be the one item she would save from a burning locker, and her favorite throwback song is “That’s What Makes You Beautiful.” She thanked her family and lunch table for their support.
Sophomore escort Alex Galvin, son of Melanie and Jeremy Galvin and brother to Kyle and Genevieve, participates in cross country, basketball, track, and FCA.
His hobbies include video games, card games, board games, and fishing. He looks up to his brother Kyle for his work ethic.
His favorite lunch is walking tacos, favorite teacher is Mr. Bishop, and he would choose Mr. Waidelich as a partner in crime.
Alex would add a woodworking program to Pettisville and believes comment sections are often more interesting than the content. His favorite coach quote is “He played you like a fiddle” from Coach Leppelmeier.
Junior attendant Sophia Beltz is the daughter of Holli Abernethy and Joshua Miller and sister to Rylee Beltz, Alysha Kingsolver, and Kayla Williams.
She is involved in basketball, softball, student council, FCCLA advisory board, Spanish Club, and art club. Her hobbies include reading, doing nails, going to McDonald’s, playing 2v2s with Josh, and spending time with her boyfriend.
Her favorite classes are math, anatomy, and physiology, and she looks up to her older sisters Riley and Cassie. Sophia’s favorite lunch is corn dogs.
Her most embarrassing moment occurred after driving over a curb in front of Mr. Rufenacht. She believes steak is overrated, eats candy before games as a superstition, and enjoys “Sorry” by Justin Bieber.
Her favorite coach quote was “The best part of my day is ruining someone else’s” by Coach Steve Hastings.
Junior escort Josh Morris, son of Matthew and Kerry Morris and brother to Ben and Zach, is involved in baseball, basketball, soccer, theater, student council, FCA, and Crossroads Youth Group.
He enjoys sports, food, video games, playing Clash 2v2s with Sophia, and grinding trophies in Clash Royale. His favorite class is math and AA, and his favorite lunch is walking tacos.
Josh would add an ice cream machine to Pettisville and said his most embarrassing moment was breaking his leg in gym class. Mrs. Richer is his favorite teacher.
He would choose Jesus, Batman, and NF for dinner and believes winter is overrated. His favorite quote came from Coach Barnaby, and his advice to his younger self would be to take better care of his knees. “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls is his favorite throwback song. He looks up to his parents for their kindness
Senior attendant Isabella Chavez is the daughter of Heron Chavez and sister to Nancy Baker and Felipe Chavez. She participates in Skills USA, the drug free club, and the cosmetology program at Four County Career Center.
Her hobbies include doing friends’ hair, shopping, and traveling. She plans to work in a salon after graduation once licensed. Her favorite class is cosmetology and favorite lunch is corn dogs. Isabella would add a tennis team to Pettisville and said her most embarrassing moment involved messing up elementary announcements.
Her dinner guests would be Zendaya, Justin Bieber, and Wendy Ortiz. Her favorite movie is “10 Things I Hate About You,” and her favorite teacher quote came from Mrs. Dunbar.
She believes boneless wings are better, enjoys “Since U Been Gone,” and said “Unwritten” always puts her in a good mood.
Her advice to her younger self would be to take more pictures, and she looks up to her sister for strength and perseverance.
Senior escort Luke Horning is the son of John and Rachel Horning and brother to Austin, Kayla, Josh, and Sydnie.
He is involved in baseball, FCA, and student council and plans to major in computer science after graduation. His hobbies include spending time with friends and playing 2K.
He looks up to his brothers for shaping who he is today. Luke’s favorite lunch is walking tacos. He would choose The Dark Knight, Omni Man, and Adam Sandler for dinner and believes studying should not be necessary if you pay attention in class.
His advice to others was to enjoy the time you have, and “End of Beginning” by Djo always puts him in a good mood. His favorite quote came from Coach Bishop.
The ceremony also included younger students, with kindergarten princess Alivia Keckley and kindergarten friend Lawton King participating in the procession.
Alivia, daughter of Tyler and Amy Keckley and sister to Makennon and Hadley, enjoys playing on the monkey bars, reading, listening to Bible stories, and watching “The Star.”
Her favorite foods include pickles, pineapple, and cookies, and she hopes to become a teacher.
Lawton, son of Harrison and Dani King and brother to Lowie, Burkley, and Meyer, enjoys playing in the snow, attending Pettisville basketball games, and working in the shop with his dad.
His favorite food is a hot dog, favorite movie is “The Star,” and he wants to be a baseball player.
The evening concluded with the announcement of the 2026 Homecoming Queen and King. Naomi Richer was named Homecoming Queen.
She is the daughter of Chris and Julia Richer and sister to Ella and Miriam. Naomi is involved in art club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society, FCCLA, FFA, FCA, volleyball, softball, MYF at Zion Mennonite Church, and works at Clayfield Flower Farm.
She plans to study environmental science after graduation. Her favorite class is Literary Socratic Seminar, and her most embarrassing moment occurred in fifth grade during a conversation about shampoo.
She would choose Jesus, Jane Goodall, and Katie Ledecky for dinner and looks up to her sister Ella. She shouted out to Miriam for enduring her car playlists.
Homecoming King honors went to Creighton Aeschliman, son of Chad and Nichole Aeschliman and brother to Lincoln and Ty.
He is involved in golf, basketball, baseball, FFA, FCA, NHS, journalism, and serves as student council vice president.
Creighton plans to attend Grand Valley State University with a double major in business management and accounting.
His hobbies include outdoor activities, music, lifting, and spending time with friends. His favorite class is Mechanical Principles and his favorite lunch is chicken fajitas.
His most embarrassing moment occurred during fifth-grade gym class. He named Coach Zimmerman and Coach Lammers as partners in crime, Mrs. Dixon as his favorite teacher, and would add snack time or lunch grills to Pettisville.
His lunch guests would include Zach Pursel, Aaron Craft, and Charles Barkley. “No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem” always puts him in a good mood, and his favorite quote came from Mr. Bishop.
