When Autumn de Forest was four years old, she brought home an art project she had done in her preschool: a watercolor she called “Elephant”.When her parents saw her painting, they thought it was startlingly artistic. Over the next several months, she created more art. They were full of all different colors, shapes, and patterns: techniques much too advanced for the average preschooler.  

“At first we did think it was a fluke,” said Autumn’s mother, Katherine, who appeared on TODAY this past Thursday with her newfound art prodigy daughter. “We were scratching our heads and thought it was an anomaly and interesting”.

She carefully preserved her daughter’s work; she wanted her daughter to have her paintings when she grew up, not to auction them off. In about one year’s time, Autumn de Forest, who turns 9 this month, has become one of the art world’s youngest and biggest stars. This year, Autumn has sold dozens of her paintings at auctions for a total of about $250,000. The highest price paid for a single piece was $25,000, for her painting “People Are Strange,” inspired by The Doors song of the same name. Look out art scene: Picasso is on the verge of replacement.

After a long, hot day with temperatures reaching ninety-five degrees, the Panthers headed home, many with new All-State honors.

Jordan Bates earned state Runner-Up in the pole vault.  Alexa Rumsey received All-State honors in the 800m and the 1600m run. Matt Peacock took 3^rd place in the 2 mile. Gabbie Bates also earned All-State in the mile and 2 mile. Many other Hesperia runners came very close to an All-State finish, taking 11^th or 12^th place.

Both the boys’ and girls’ relay teams ran very well. The boys’ 3200m relay team consisting of Michael Bolton, Jeff Cherry, Travess Smith, and Jeff Cherry placed 6^th in the state. The 3200m relay girls’ team consisting of Lauren Zeurip, Alexa Rumsey, Donna Aslakson, and Jasmine Hall placed 4^th overall.

Wrestling Coach Doug Baird concluded that “[Hesperia High] has had 29 all-state athletes this year”. Great Job this season to all track athletes!

Many emotions are going around school as the year comes to a close. The seniors just graduated, so everyone is happy that they are going to be one grade closer to their own graduation. Friends are leaving so there are many tears, and stresses due to exams.

The exam schedule is as followed: Tuesday, June 7th and Wednesday, June 8th will be first and second hour exams. Thursday, June 9^th, which is a half-day, will be third and fifth hour exams. Friday, June 10^th, another half-day, will be sixth and seventh hour exams and the final day of school. Good luck to all students!

About one-third of the way into the season starting 3^rd baseman, Keith Smith, tore his ACL. He tried to play a few games after the injury, but the pain became too much to handle and Smith was forced to retire to the dugout. The team had to play without him for the rest of the season. Shortly after that incident, the Panther’s ace pitcher got into trouble with the school and was suspended for the last 6 games of the season.

Without these key players, the boys were forced to work extra hard come time for the District Tournament held at Morley, this past Saturday, June 4^th. The team had a first round bye and had to defeat the Central Montcalm Hornets to advance into the finals. They were losing 5-0 up until the 6th inning when junior Lukis Hawrysz hit a two shot home run, bringing up the team’s morale along with their score a boost. Unfortunately, the game ended as a loss for the Panthers and their sensational season came to a seemingly premature close.

Graduating With Honors

Dana Derks                                         Ms. Joan David

Cody Delonge                                    Mr. Fred Kamrowski

Julie Sokolowski                                               Mr. Robbie Olsen

Mari Anderson                                  Mr. Douglas Baird

Jordan Bosma                                    Mr. Douglas Baird

Alicia Buckner                                    Mr. Michael Blue

Amanda Barbera                              Mr. Sherry Claflin

Graduating With High Honers

Mercedes Gonazalez                     Ms. Jennifer Sherburn

Robert Grundel                                                Ms. Theresa Dean-Rumsey

Michael Cherry                                 Mr. Douglas Baird

Jade Burdick                                       Ms. Theresa Dean-Rumsey

Terrence Green Jr.                          Mr. Fred Kamrowski

Alexis Kraley                                      Mr. Vince Grodus

Matthew Anderson                        Mr. James Cherry

Nicholas Wilbur                                 Mr. Kirk Rider

Graduating With Highest Honors

Matthew Peacock                           Mr. Dennis Peacock

Hannah Griffes                                 Ms. Sherry Claflin

Aiden Eitniear                                    Ms. Sherry Claflin

Samantha Broton                             Ms. Susan Kelly

Mara McAree                                    Ms. Jennifer Sherburn

Congratulations Seniors Class of 2011!

Cedar Chase is hosting the CSAA conference title. Competitors will play 18 holes in attempt to snatch an All-Conference title. Two Hesperia Golfers close to all conference standings are Tyler Delonge and Jerry Tozer. Have fun and good luck Panthers!

Several runners didn’t run all of their events because of the looming state competition, yet Hesperia still did well. Next Saturday, June 4th, the best in the state will be going to the show to compete. The coaches hope to have several All-State runners, as well as some state champions.

“The girls really blended well as a team and knew what they had to do in order to bring home a trophy,” says a team member.

It is really exciting to know that a team as little as this one knows how to hold their own. Hesperia had a lot of fans come down to watch and would like to thank supporters dearly for coming down to celebrate their exciting victory over the undefeated Gobles.

That’s exactly what the boys did this past Tuesday the 24^th. Knowing that if they didn’t perform they would pay with sprints, the team came out with power against the Falcons –diming them twice.

The team is now zoning in on the District Tournament that will be held on June 4^th at Morley Stanwood.