Bonney Lake High School honored nine standout students Wednesday night for their contributions to the campus.

Each spring, the high school’s teaching staff nominates students from the graduating class whom they think best represent the campus vision of “excellence of mind and strength of character.” From that pool, a handpicked few are selected for recognition by Bonney Lake administrators and the Sumner School District board of directors.

“I’m honored,” chosen student Ilyasha Hood said. “There’s almost 300 of us (in the senior class) and only nine got chosen.”

The seniors chosen for 2011 are Hood, Payton Jensen, Ali Ehle, Kathryn Burnham, Danielle Harris, Reed Hawkins, Chris Friant, Marlene Mora and Tyler Rogers. Though their extracurricular backgrounds, personal backgrounds and plans for the future were varied, each of their nominators viewed them as being exceptional leaders and dedicated students.

Hood was nominated by Thomas Ostrander for her leadership on the girls basketball team and in the DECA club.

Jensen was active in community outreach through her role as Bonney Lake’s Daffodil Princess.

Ehle is an academic standout, achieving high marks in a heavy load of Advanced Placement classes, a member of the National Honor Society and philanthropic Leo Club.

Burnham, despite health issues, performed exceptionally in her classes and won regional and state competitions for FCCLA.

Harris is a new transfer to Bonney Lake and a mother of a one-year-old. She maintained a consistent work ethic and a “gentle, positive attitude,” nominator Jennifer Fruehauf said.

Hawkins is a hardworking academic in his own right, and he also spends considerable time working with or helping his classmates. He has served in ASB for three years and is a member of National Honor Society and the Student Ambassador Program.

Friant’s name is synonymous with motivation and dedication, nominator Lacey Hertlein said. Over the course of the year he pushed himself into subjects in which he was not experienced and worked hard to succeed.

Mora is a leader, co-president of choir, an honors student, and released an album of her Christian music on iTunes.

Rogers is a strong academic, involved member of Bonney Lake Drama, and the founder and president of the high school’s photography club. In drama he’s been a leader both on the stage as an actor and behind the scenes as a stage manager.

“I’m overwhelmed,” Rogers said. “They said such nice things and I’m proud.”

The parents and relatives who came to see their seniors honored were proud, too.

Said Hood’s father: “Her dad is one of her biggest fans.”