In order to qualify for recognition at the event, a student has to be ranked in the top 10 percent of his or her class for the 2007-08 academic year. Those recognized at Tuesday's event received a medallion lapel pin. The group included 23 recently graduated seniors, 23 juniors, 27 sophomores and 29 freshmen. "It's such a pleasure to watch success happen," said Bob Hysong, master of ceremonies for the event. "It's absolutely amazing." "We're extremely proud of the academic accomplishments of each of these students," said Dr. John Long, the R-III School District superintendent. "The fact we have over 100 students being honored for the first time indicates the way the program has grown." Sponsored by the Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce, the event was previously known as the academic excellence dinner. The event was started in 2001 through the efforts of then R-III Superintendent Jim Cale. It was renamed several years ago in honor of Danny Martin, an area business leader. "Danny always was a big supporter of academic achievement," said Hysong. Among the group of 23 seniors were Scott Bade and Becca Etcher. The duo shared the distinction of being in the top 10 percent of their class for each of their four years at Warrenton High School. "Being at the top of your class is a real accomplishment," related Bade, who graduated with a 4.0 GPA and was a class valedictorian. Bade said he didn't feel maintaining an outstanding academic record throughout each year of his high school career was especially difficult. "Things came easily to me," Bade explained. "I never had to put pressure on myself to be successful." Bade will attend the University of Missouri at Columbia this fall where he expects to be challenged even more. "I'm sure I'll have to work harder to maintain a good academic average," he said. "But I'm confident I will." Etcher, meanwhile, said her junior year in high school was her most challenging. "I took a lot of college-credit courses that year and the study load was much more intense," she said. "But once I adjusted, I was able to keep my grades high enough to qualify (for the top 10 percent).' Etcher will also attend Mizzou in August. Asked what she would remember most about her high school days, she replied "playing basketball. "That was always the most important thing in my life to me," added Etcher.