Olivia Kennell (photo above left) and Jenna Warsaw (photo above right) are the Valedictorian and Salutatorian of the Lima Christian School Class of 2026. Photos provided by Lima Christian School
There was not much separating the valedictorian and salutatorian at Lima Christian School this year with both students being not only strong academically but also involved in the school community.
Olivia Kennell is the valedictorian of the LCS Class of 2026 and Jenna Warsaw is the salutatorian.
Kennell, the daughter of Fay and Kevin Kennell of Geneseo, will attend Houghton University to study biology and behavioral neuroscience. She also considered Geneseo State, Gordon College in Massachusetts and Hobart and William Smith in Geneva.
“I chose Houghton because of it it being rooted in faith as a Christian college and I also was accepted into their Honors program which includes a semester spent abroad in London,” Kennell said. “I am leaning toward neuroscience as a major. When I was younger, I thought I wanted to be a vet but I enjoy biology and am fascinated with psychology, so neuroscience combined both.”
Carrying a 4.0 grade point average in her academic coursework, Kennell took Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition. She also took Statistics, PreCalculus and Calculus for dual credit through Genesee Community College and Physics through Roberts Wesleyan University.
Kennell was very involved in numerous activities at LCS. She was on Student Council and a member of National Honor Society. She was a member of the choir as a freshman and as a sophomore. She has been a part of the Worship Team for three years. She has been with the Mentors for Minis program for three years. She has participated with the Drama Club since seventh–grade and has done both the drama show and the school musical since eighth grade.
In addition, Kennell was a two-sport athlete. She played varsity soccer for three years and scored two goals last fall. Kennell was on the varsity softball team for one year and had five hits this spring.
Outside of school, Kennell has played piano for over six years. She has done a lot of babysitting and pet-sitting. She was involved in the youth group at Crossroads Church.
Kennell has received academic awards in Participation in Government, Economics and English. She has earned two scholarships from Houghton, including the James S. Luckey Scholarship. She has been on the High Honor Roll and the Excellence Roll (for 10th through 12th grade students maintaining a 93 percent or higher average throughout their high school career). She received the Valedictorian Award at graduation. As a member of this year’s cast of the school’s musical production of Disney’s Newsies, Kennell received “Tip of the Hat” honors through RBTL’s Stars of Tomorrow program.
Kennell began her years at Lima Christian in the seventh grade.
“My favorite memory is all the fun times,” she said. “It’s a real community at the school and they have made things meaningful. I have made a lot of friends. In addition, drama club has also provided a lot of favorite memories.
At first, I didn’t know what I was doing but it quickly felt like fun and like a home to me and the shows have been so fun.”
In addition to her parents who have supported her to be the best she can be and how she can look to God to direct her ways, Kennell said her classmates and many teachers have also inspired her.
“Everyone in my class has helped me become the person I am now,” she said. “My teachers have also made a big impact on me, particularly Mrs. Warsaw, Mrs. Werner, Mrs. Garlock and Mrs. Fiegl.”
Warsaw, the daughter of Bethany and Thomas Warsaw, will attend Houghton University and is undecided about a major right now although she is leaning toward a double major in English and either Education or Writing. She also considered other Christian colleges such as Liberty University and Roberts Wesleyan University.
“I chose Houghton for its community and its relatively close proximity to my home,” Warsaw said. “Another major factor in my choice is that I was chosen for the Houghton Honors Program; I’ll study abroad in London for the second semester of freshman year. The first year should give me a good idea of what I’ll ultimately major in.”
Carrying a 4.0 grade point average, Warsaw took Advanced Placement English Literature and Composition. She also took Statistics and Precalculus as a junior and Calculus 1, Composition 101 and Physics for dual credit through either GCC or Roberts Wesleyan.
Warsaw took part in a number of clubs at LCS. She was part of the Yearbook Staff for four years. She was a member of National Honor Society for three years and sang in the school’s Worship team for four years and sang in the school choir during her middle school years and as a freshman. She was in the Mentors for Minis program for the past three years, mentoring younger students at the school. Warsaw participated in the Drama Club’s drama and musical productions all throughout middle school and high school. In addition, she was a two-sport athlete, playing varsity soccer for two years and varsity softball for four years.
Outside of school, Warsaw has volunteered as a junior counselor for the past two years at Summer’s Best 2 Weeks, a Christian sports camp hosted by Crossroads Church.
Warsaw has received numerous awards and honors. She has been on the High Honor Roll all through high school and has been on the Excellent Roll for the last three years (freshmen are not eligible for it) for having a 93 percent academic average or higher throughout their high school career. She received the Salutatorian Award at graduation and the Elaine Schwartz “We Read to Know We’re Not Alone” Award at graduation.
Warsaw entered Lima Christian School in kindergarten, but moved up to first grade in February of her kindergarten year.
“I have so many good memories from school; it’s hard to pick just one or two,” she said. “One of my favorite memories is a study hall some of us had in eighth grade, where we’d write stories and play games and just goof around.
I also loved playing Crutchie in this year’s production of Newsies. My favorite year by far has been senior year, because my class has drawn so close and we’ve had so much fun. I especially loved our senior trip to Boston; a few highlights are going to Ramsay’s Kitchen (Gordon Ramsay’s Boston restaurant – I got a filet mignon that was to die for), playing games together, going to Boda Borg ( a bunch of mini escape rooms), and just being with my classmates. I’ve loved getting to be a part of this class so much. Even though we’re all so different, we just click and have a lot of fun.”
Warsaw said her biggest role models with the biggest impact on her life has been her parents.
“My parents are always there to support me or give me advice and I really couldn’t ask for better parents,” she said. “My middle school English teacher, Mrs. Werner, instilled in me a love to read and write that will never go away. My high school Bible teacher, Mr. Caballero, taught me so much about God and His love for me. All of my friends have made such a big impact in my life; they’ve supported me and helped me grow.”
