Greenville ISD has announced the top graduates of the Greenville High School Class of 2025: Valedictorian Ian Kowalczyk and Salutatorian Nadenka Hallonquist.
Valedictorian – Ian Kowalczyk
Ian Kowalczyk, son of Teresa Kowalczyk and brother to Lilly Kowalczyk, has been named the 2025 Valedictorian. A Greenville native, Ian’s early curiosity took shape in his stepfather’s garage, where experiments with electronics—and the occasional fire—sparked a lifelong passion for engineering and discovery.
Influenced deeply by his mother’s journey from Soviet-occupied Poland to the United States, Ian credits a formative summer in Czestochowa, Poland, and a visit to the Vatican library for igniting his academic drive. His mother’s encouragement opened his eyes to global opportunity and the value of education.
Ian’s academic and extracurricular record includes:
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Robotics: Driver for the FRC Robotics Team; Build Lead for VEX Team 4148Z; Mechanical Engineering Intern at Innovation First International; multiple state and world-level robotics awards.
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Leadership: Lieutenant Governor, REC Chair, and Parliamentarian on the Key Club District Board; President of Rotary Interact Club, Student Council, Book Club, and National Honor Society.
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Service: Three-time Presidential Volunteer Service Award recipient; Election Clerk for Hunt County Voter Administration.
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Arts and Athletics: Solo violinist and member of Suzuki Strings and Rockwall Youth Symphony Orchestra; Varsity soccer player.
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Academics: Superintendent Scholar all four years; Phi Theta Kappa member; Associate’s Degree in Engineering from Paris Junior College through the Early College High School Program; President’s Honor List at PJC.
On March 27, 2025, Ian was accepted to Harvard University, where he plans to major in Mechanical Engineering and minor in Business. His goal is to create hands-on STEM kits and lab tools that make science accessible and exciting to young learners.
Salutatorian – Nadenka Hallonquist
Greenville High School’s Class of 2025 Salutatorian is Nadenka Hallonquist, daughter of Quenten Hallonquist and Rachael Morton.
Originally from Montana, Nadenka moved to Greenville during her freshman year and quickly immersed herself in campus life. She participated in Art Club, Book Club, Key Club, National Honor Society, Student Council, Math UIL, and served as a dedicated color guard performer with the Greenville Lion Pride Band.
Nadenka also contributed to the success of FRC Robotics Team 148, the Robowranglers, during her junior and senior years, earning third place in 5A UIL and helping the team secure over 15 awards.
She has earned a full-tuition scholarship to The University of Texas at Austin, where she plans to study Biology.
Greenville ISD congratulates Ian Kowalczyk and Nadenka Hallonquist on their outstanding achievements and wishes them continued success in their academic and professional pursuits.
