Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH MANCHESTER - Manchester Jr.-Sr. High School announced Chase Blevins, Myla Crozier, Leighton Duffy, Ava Felgar, Liam Kreps-Miller and Lauryn Reichenbach have been named valedictorians and Clark Showalter has been named salutatorian for the class of 2026.
The graduation ceremony for the class of 2026 will be Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Chase Blevins
Chase Blevins is the daughter of Nicole and Casey Lane and Michael Blevins. Her grandparents are Willoughby and Dan Naragon and Phyllis and Kevin Butler.
Chase has participated in both soccer and tennis for four years. She has been involved in the school’s Key Club, Spanish Club, National Honor Society and Icarian Plunge. Chase has participated in the Terri Eckert School of Dance for 14 years. In her time away from school, Chase has also volunteered at the Manchester Early Learning Center for a variety of fundraising and festival events.
Chase earned High Honor Roll and Academic Excellence recognition during high school while carrying a 4.0 cumulative GPA. In both tennis and soccer, she has been recognized as a Scholar Athlete and earned Academic All-Conference honors. For soccer, she was selected as a team captain in 2025 and in tennis she was the most improved player in 2024. She was named the outstanding Spanish student in 2025 and has served as the treasurer in both the Key Club and the National Honor Society. Chase was also previously recognized as an outstanding art student and is in the process of completing her portfolio that she will submit as a part of the AP Studio Art class.
After high school, Chase plans on attending Butler University to double major in youth and community development and studio art with a minor in Spanish.
Myla Crozier
Myla Crozier is the daughter of Matt and Brenna Crozier and the granddaughter of Keith and Priscilla Metzger, Andy and Betty Butterbaugh and Dave and Bev Crozier.
In her time as a Manchester Junior-Senior High School student, Myla was involved for three years in the National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Icarian Plunge and Key Club. She is also a four-year participant in the school’s volleyball and tennis teams. Myla is currently employed as a server at Timbercrest Senior Living Community where she assists with meeting, greeting, and seating guests to help create a welcoming environment.
Along with carrying a 4.0 cumulative GPA, Myla has earned High Honor Roll and Academic Excellence recognitions. She is a two-time recipient of the Scholastic Art Award as well as the Rotary Mental Attitude Award. In volleyball, she earned Academic All-State recognition in 2025. In tennis, she was a three-time all-conference selection, two-time sportsmanship award winner and was elected team captain on two occasions. Myla also served as the vice president of the National Honor Society, president of the Spanish Club and the head editor of the Icarian Plunge Art and Writing Publication.
Myla plans on furthering her education at the University of North Carolina Wilmington to pursue a degree in oceanography.
Leighton Duffy
Leighton Duffy is the daughter of Chad and Jessica Duffy and the granddaughter of Chris and Dianne Pearson and Lonnie and Elsie French.
Leighton carried a 4.0 cumulative GPA throughout her high school career and was involved in many activities. Leighton was an active participant in drama, choir and participated in numerous school plays. She was a member of the school’s Key Club and National Honor Society. Leighton was also a member of the school’s cheer squad where she was voted team captain for two years. Leighton participates in dance, the Honeywell Summer Theatre and works at the Sandwich Cellar in North Manchester in her spare time.
Leighton carries with her a list of academic accolades. She was selected to participate in the Wabash County Honor Choir in 2025. As part of ISSMA Solo and Ensemble, she earned a Gold medal at the district level from 2021-2025 and at the state level in 2025 as well. She earned Highest Honor Roll recognition, was a Rising Star of Indiana in 2024, and earned a Certificate of Excellence in Science. As a student-athlete, Leighton earned a Squire Award and was an Elite All-American Cheerleader in 2023.
Leighton plans on attending Ball State University in fall 2026 where she plans on majoring in architecture. She plans on using her degree to pursue a career in residential architecture.
Ava Felgar
Ava Felgar is the daughter of Jeff and Hollie Felgar and the granddaughter of Julia and Ray Felgar, Jo Monce and Randy Sincroft.
At Manchester Junior-Senior High School, Ava competed in volleyball for four years and in softball for two years. She was also actively involved for three years in the National Honor Society, Key Club, Icarian Plunge and Spanish Club. Away from school, Ava took part in the Terri Eckert School of Dance for 11 years and played club volleyball throughout her high school career. She has also volunteered her time at the Manchester Summer Festival and has helped tend to local cemeteries for Memorial Day.
Along with carrying a 4.0 GPA, she has earned High Honor Roll and Academic Excellence recognitions all four years of high school. She was named Outstanding English Student, Outstanding History Student and was a two-time Outstanding Science Student of the Year winner.
In volleyball, Ava earned Academic All-State along with All-District, All-Conference and All-County awards. She was named twice to the Indiana Coaches Association North All-Star Team and also earned a Squire Award in 2025.
Upon graduation, Ava’s plans are to attend Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio. At Case Western, Ava plans on studying neuroscience on a pre-medicine track. She will also be participating as a student-athlete on the school’s volleyball team.
Liam Kreps-Miller
Liam Kreps-Miller is the son of Rebecca Kreps and Mia Miller and is the grandson of Laurale and John Kreps, Joyce and Glenn Miller, and Jan and David Fairchild.
Liam carried a 4.0 cumulative GPA as a student at Manchester Junior-High School while also being actively involved in concert band, marching band, theatre and choir. Liam was also a member of the school’s Science Olympiad and Esports teams and played golf in 2023.
In and around the Manchester area, Liam is also involved in the youth group at the Manchester Church of the Brethren and also participates in the Manchester Civic Band.
He was selected for the Wabash County Honor Band and the IBA Honor Band from 2024-2026. During his time in band, Liam earned a gold rating at the state Instrumental Solo and Ensemble contest for three consecutive years. Liam was recognized as a Rising Star of Indiana in 2024 and has earned various honor roll recognitions at school. Away from school, Liam also participates as a member of the Manchester University Jazz Band.
After high school, Liam will be attending Purdue University Fort Wayne in fall 2026 where he will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music education. His career plans after college are to secure a high school teaching position in music.
Lauryn Reichenbach
Lauryn Reichenbach is the daughter of Dr. Eric and Jennifer Reichenbach.
At Manchester Junior-Senior High School, she has been actively involved in choir, National Honor Society, student council and Key Club. Lauryn has represented the school as a student-athlete in track and field and volleyball throughout her high school career. Lauryn has been involved with the Terri Eckert School of Dance since 2012 and is actively involved in her church’s youth group and church ministry. Through her involvement with the Terri Eckert School of Dance, she has also served as a dance teaching assistant where she worked to demonstrate choreography to younger students.
In her four-year academic career, Lauryn earned an AP Scholar Award and was recognized as an Indiana Rising Star. She has earned various Honor Roll and Academic Excellence recognitions along with carrying a 4.0 cumulative GPA. Lauryn has earned awards in the following classrooms: Spanish, AP biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology. Lauryn was recently recognized as a 4-year County Honor Choir member as well as earning a gold medal at the state Solo and Ensemble contest. As a student-athlete, she earned All-Conference honors in track in 2025 and volleyball in 2024.
Upon graduation, Lauryn plans to attend Butler University in fall 2026 to study pre-pharmacy and Spanish. She also plans to pursue opportunities to participate in both dance and choir while at Butler.
Clark Showalter
Clark Showalter is the son of Aron and Cora Showalter and the grandson of Randy and Diana Showalter and Patrick and Sheila Clark.
Clark is a four-year participant in cross country and track and field and has earned a 3.9944 cumulative GPA. He is actively involved in the school’s FFA program where he serves as the chapter president and also on the Indiana FFA Executive Committee. Clark has also been involved with the National Honor Society, band and pep band, and 4-H.
Clark has donated his time away from school for organizations such as the Manchester Harvest Festival, Riley Children’s Hospital and Sunshine Meadow Farms.
Through his involvement with FFA, Clark served as the District VI president while earning an Indiana FFA State Degree and Star Chapter Member Award in 2025. In forestry judging, Clark was the National 4-H Contest Individual Champion and the National FFA Contest Individual Runner-Up in 2024.
Aside from FFA, Clark has earned Academic All-State and All-Conference recognitions in track and field. He was also awarded a Squire Award and Rotary Mental Attitude Award in cross country.
Clark’s passion for agriculture will lead him to Purdue University in Fall 2026 where he will pursue a degree in forestry with future hopes of becoming a consulting forester.
