Columbia Independent School | Class of 2023
Zaid Abu-Salah
Zaid Abu-Salah is the child of Dr. Tareq Abu-Salah and Abeer Alasali. He joined CIS in third grade after moving from Minnesota to Columbia. Zaid will attend Mizzou in the fall with a double major in biology and psychology in a pre-med program. While at CIS, Zaid participated in varsity swimming for four years, the Student Ambassador program for three years, and volunteer services. He also served as the vice president of Student Council.
Trillian Allen
Trillian Allen is the child of Leah and Mark Allen. They joined CIS in Junior Kindergarten – a Lifetime Lion. Trillian will attend Knox College in the fall with a major in Creative Writing. While at CIS, Trillian participated in Academic Bowl, Cross Country, eSports, DnD club, and textile club.
Mandy Atencio-Faurot
Mandy Atencio-Faurot is the child of Jay Faurot and Melissa Atencio-Faurot. She joined CIS in kindergarten – a Lifetime Lion. Mandy will attend the University of Colorado-Boulder with a major in music composition and performance and a minor in Spanish. While at CIS Mandy was co-captain of the volleyball and a member of the cheerleading team. She also sang in the Madrigal Choir for five years and participated in the theater program.
Ilene Douce
Ilene Douce is the child of Daisy Douce and Charles Douce. She joined CIS in junior kindergarten (a Lifetime Lion) and will attend the University of Missouri in the fall. Ilene will go into the pre-dental program at Mizzou and is currently undecided in her major. While at CIS Ilene participated in volleyball, cheerleading, and track. In addition, she participated in Science Olympiad and served as a Student Ambassador.
Sam East
Sam East is the child of Jerry and Heather East. He joined CIS in kindergarten – a Lifetime Lion.
Sam will attend Mizzou and is currently undecided in what he will study.
While at CIS Sam participated in Academic Bowl, Student Council, and Kindness Club. Sam also played on the CIS basketball and tennis teams and founded the pickleball club.
SaraJane Fraunfelder
SaraJane Fraunfelder is the daughter of Dr. Rick Fraunfelder and Wendee Bizal. She joined CIS in fifth grade after her family moved to Columbia from Oregon.
SaraJane will attend Gonzaga University in the fall with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology.
While at CIS SaraJane participated in the Lionheart Program, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Science Olympiad. She also played on the CIS tennis team and helped to create pickleball club.
Kaden Hauan
Kaden Hauan is the son of Michael and Zorina Hauan. He joined CIS in junior kindergarten – a Lifetime Lion. In the fall he will be attending Carleton College and majoring in Biology. While at CIS Kaden participated in Basketball, Be the Change, Interact Club, and Model UN.
Emma Kimchi
Emma Kimchi is the child of Kim and Eric Kimchi. She joined CIS in 6th grade after moving from South Carolina. Emma will attend Dartmouth College in the fall with a major in Physics and Astronomy. While at CIS, Emma participated in volleyball, basketball, and cheerleading. In addition, Emma also was involved with student government, visual arts, and Science Olympiad.
Asher Lidsky
Asher Lidsky is the child of Lyrissa and Howard Lidsky. He joined CIS in 7th grade. Asher will be attending the University of Florida in the fall with a major in history. While at CIS Asher participated in the Academic Bowl, basketball, and theater programs.
Henry Lieberman
Henry Lieberman is the child of Dr. Alison Lacarrubba and Corey Lieberman. He joined CIS in the seventh grade after attending Prairie Home elementary and middle school. Henry will attend the University of Missouri in the fall with a major in agricultural engineering.
While at CIS Henry participated in soccer, basketball, the Fellows Program, Lionheart, National Honor Society, and coached middle school track and field.
Sophie Lietzan
Sophie Lietzan is the child of Erika and Karl Lietzan. She joined CIS in 6th grade after her family moved to Columbia from Virginia a few years before.
Sophie will attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the fall, with a major in Physics and minor in Computer Science.
While at CIS, Sophie competed on the basketball and tennis teams, as well as Science Olympiad and Academic Bowl. Sophie also participated in Student Council, Interact, and jazz band. Outside of school, Sophie runs a local non-profit organization, Codivate.
Hellen Miller
Helen Miller is the child of Bridgid and Bill Kinney and Gary Miller. She joined CIS in first grade. Helen will attend Ball State University in the fall to earn a BFA in musical theatre. While at CIS, Helen served as treasurer of the student council, participated in the Student Ambassador program, and was a member of the Interact club. She also participated in multiple school musicals, sang in Madrigal Choir, and was a member of the cheer team for four years.
Maddy Moreland
Maddy Moreland is the child of Jeremy and Diane Moreland. She joined CIS for her senior year.
Maddy will attend William Woods University in the fall and study Art and Biology.
While at CIS, Maddy participated in many activities, including choir, rock band and theater, and served as a manager on the tennis team.
Alaina Morrissey
Alaina Morrissey is the child of Bill and Lisa Morrissey. She joined CIS as part of the first Junior Kindergarten class – a Lifetime Lion.
Alaina will attend Grinnell College in the fall with a major in Biology and a concentration in Environmental Studies.
While at CIS Alaina was on the volleyball team and volunteered with Be The Change.
Catherine Moyle
Catherine Moyle is the child of Christine Franzese and Michael Shoemaker-Moyle. She joined CIS in 7th grade. Catherine will be attending Smith College in the fall with a major in English Literature. While at CIS Catherine participated in the volleyball and theater programs.
Henry Odle
Henry Odle is the child of Nathan Odle and Lisa Odle. He joined CIS in 2020. Henry will attend Texas A&M in the fall with a major in Engineering.
Elliot Odle
Elliot Odle is the child of Nathan Odle and Lisa Odle. He joined CIS in Fall 2020. Elliot will attend Texas A&M in the fall with a major in Mechanical Engineering.
Emily Walters
Emily Walters is the child of Cynthia Walters and the late William Walters. She joined CIS in kindergarten – a Lifetime Lion.
Emily will attend the University of Missouri in the fall with a major in Human Development and Family Science and a minor in Spanish.
While at CIS Emily participated in the Lionheart Program, National Honor Society, and the Student Ambassador program. She was also part of the volleyball, basketball, track, and cheer teams. Outside of school she is also on a competitive dance team.
Ziqian (Risa) Xu
Ziqian (Risa) Xu is the child of Fangzhan Xu and Yu Hong. She joined CIS in 11th grade after coming to the United States at 9th grade and transferring from Christian Fellowship School to Columbia Independent School. Risa will attend University of Washington – Seattle in the fall with a major in Statistics. While at CIS Risa participated in volleyball, basketball, tennis, Lionheart Program, and Kindness Club.
Eliza Zara
Eliza Zara is the daughter of Sara Potterfield and Robert Zara. She joined CIS in JK, a Lifetime Lion #4lifer.
Eliza will be attending University of Findlay with a major in Psychology and a minor in Equine Sciences.
While at CIS, Eliza competed on the volleyball, basketball, track, and cheer teams. She is also a competitive show jumper.