SENIOR OF THE
MONTH.
Each month, OC-ADCAT accepts nominations from local schools and recognizes an outstanding senior who serves as a mentor, role model, and leader. Learn more about our 2023-2024 seniors below!
Photos and stories by Neal Johnson.
Stuart Massman
SEPTEMBER
Linn High School | Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month Stuart Massman credits his parents, Joe and Melissa, for putting him on the right path in life and said he will honor the vow he made years ago. “They kind of made a list and explained the reasons why not to do it,” said Massman, a senior at Linn High School.
Lauren Berhorst
OCTOBER
Fatima High School | Fatima senior Lauren Berhorst is known to be consistent on the cross-country course and track, and she applies that same approach to everything else, which led to her selection as the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month.
Kael Holloway
NOVEMBER
Chamois High School | November’s Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month, Chamois senior Kael Holloway, said living a drug and alcohol-free lifestyle is important because it helps him succeed. “I’ve seen alcohol and drugs having very negative effects on people’s lives, and I don’t want to risk who I can be or who I am,” he said. “I also care about my mental and physical health a lot, and living drug and alcohol-free is very healthy.”
Dylan Wibberg
DECEMBER
Linn High School | Linn senior Dylan Wibberg earned the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month award for December, noting that he relies on his faith and the example his parents, Ron and Heather, set to remain drug and alcohol-free. “My parents basically told me not to do them because they would mess up your life, and then you'll get hooked on them,” said Wibberg.
Cody Strope
January
Fatima High School | Fatima senior Cody Strope is a two-time state wrestling runner-up and took third. He’s eyeing a return to the state championships and winning a title this season. Staying away from drugs and alcohol and his quiet but strong leadership led to his selection as the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month for January. As the last in the long line of Comets wrestling brothers — Kurt, Corey, Aaron, Ryan, and Jason — Cody has looked up to them and is driven to succeed.
Madeline Gerloff
FEBRUARY
Chamois High School | Madeline Gerloff, a senior at Chamois, has plans for a long, productive life, which she said would be hampered if she chooses to use drugs. “It can really affect you later in life,” she noted. “People don't realize how when you get a job, and especially the government, like I want to do, sometimes there's polygraphs involved, or background checks. If you have done drugs or alcohol or done something else, they will find out, and you will not be able to get that job because of something you did when you were 16 or 17. So, it's important to take that into account before you do anything like that because you can't take it back.” Health issues are another concern.
Lily Strope
March
Linn High School | Linn senior Lily Strope was selected as the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month for March, an honor Coach Ryan Rost said she absolutely deserves. “She's just phenomenal kid, you know, as far as what you expect a high-schooler to be,” said Rost, who nominated Strope. “Lily is a good role model and a good friend, always makes the right decisions, and tries to help others.” High School Principal Erin Sassmann agrees. “Lily is the perfect example of an outstanding student, consistently surpassing expectations and showing excellence in all her endeavors,” she said.
APRIL
Cody Koenigsfeld
Fatima High School | Fatima senior Cody Koenigsfeld was selected as the Osage County Anti-Drug Community Action Team (OC-ADCAT) Student of the Month for April, nominated by both science teacher Kurt Strope and agriculture teacher Alicia Corson-Peters. Both Strope and Corson, as well as Principal Matt Verslues, commented on Koenigsfeld’s willingness to help others in addition to striving to do his best. “Cody makes a plan and strives to be successful, while making sure that his success does not push others down,” said Corson-Peters. “His willing hand is always there to bring others with him.”