Presidential Scholars  2005

Records 16 through 65 out of 141

	Isaak Brown Berkeley, CA Idyllwild Arts Academy College/College Plans: Hampshire College   Isaak Brown is a two-year senior at Idyllwild Arts where he has been dedicated to his work in the creative writing department, as well as being an outspoken member of the community. At his home in Berkeley, he worked as an outreach worker for a youth phone service, was a peer health educator at Berkeley High School, and worked in the East Bay Regional Parks district as a Junior Ranger. He plans to attend Hampshire College as a merit award-winning Johnson Scholar.
	Michael Camacho Lenexa, KS Rockhurst High School College/College Plans: Boston College   Michael is an artist, leader, and scholar. His art was displayed in the Kansas City art museum at age four. He earned his Tae Kwon Do black belt at eight. He won an Amelia Earhart poetry contest at 12. He earned his Eagle Scout rank at 15. He earned a scholarship to Northwestern University's Music Institute for classical guitar at 16. He's a contributor and editor of his school's literary magazine, and has appeared on stage with a string ensemble and as an actor. He won the "Best Actor" award his freshman year. He's played soccer since age four; captain of two teams, he went to the state championship competition at 17. His faith and commitment to service motivated him to lead a senior Kairos Retreat and co-chair the Freshman Retreat. He was awarded a four-year Presidential Scholar scholarship to Boston College, and was recognized as one of the top 100 scholars in the State of Missouri.
	Sandra Cameron Poolesville, MD Poolesville High School College/College Plans: Harvard College and the New England Conservatory of Music   Violinist Sandra Wolf-Meei Cameron, a graduate of Maryland's Poolesville Senior High School, made her European debut at age 12 with The State Orchestra in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. At 14 Sandra performed Prokofiev's Violin Concerto No. 1 at The White Nights Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia and two concerts at the Salzburg Festival with conductor Valery Gergiev. She has performed extensively as a soloist and recitalist throughout North America and Europe, including performances at the famed Verbier Festival and a North American tour with the Kirov Orchestra. Sandra recently made her Korean debut with the Daejeon Symphony Orchestra. In October 2004, she performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto at Lincoln Center in a benefit concert for The Juilliard School's Pre-College Division Endowed Scholarship Fund. In the fall, Sandra will simultaneously attend Harvard University and the New England Conservatory.
	Marcella Capron Chicago, IL Loyola Academy College/College Plans: SVA and Northwestern University   SVA and Northwestern University
	Marissa Cevallos Charleston, WV George Washington High School College/College Plans: California Institute of Technology   Marissa Cevallos is a quirky student from the hills of Appalachia who plans to pursue degrees in Mathematics, Physics, and Ultimate Frisbee at a small technical school in Pasadena. Marissa is president of the Newspaper-Beta-Science-Math-Quiz Bowl Club. She also plays guitar in Jazz Band. Marissa enjoys long walks on the beach, Douglas Adams novels, and piZa coladas.
	Anuraag A. Chigurupati Hunting Valley, OH University School College/College Plans: Stanford University   I believe strongly in the value of Socratic questioning. I subject my actions to self-examination in the hopes that I will catch myself in error, or when I’m right, deepen my understanding of why I’m right. This central belief guides much of what I do. I carry on the Socratic dialogue through rebuttals in Lincoln-Douglas debate, in which I have competed for four years, placing second in Ohio and qualifying to nationals. Extending personal questioning to broader social questions has fostered an interest in journalism, enticing me to work for my school newspaper for all four years of high school, writing, serving as op-ed and front page editors, and leading as editor-inchief. The Socratic ideal has also carried me towards an interest in politics, leading me to serve as a Senate intern in 2004. To take a break from questioning, I enjoy playing tennis, reading, and watching Hindi movies.
	Sabrina Chou Oak Park, CA La Reina High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   From a young age, I have loved to look beneath the surface to find out more. I took apart quite a few alarm clocks (to the horror of my older sisters) and figured out how to piece together and sew common things like a chicken drumstick, banana, and snail. My interest has led me to explore every possibility to find out about me, what makes me tick. Two summers ago, I researched the dehydration of onions using infrared radiation, taking apart layers of onions and the layers in scientific research. Last summer I learned about industrial design and what is behind every single product we use. Discovering myself has allowed me to enjoy various activities; I serve as Student Body President, Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper and the literary magazine, and captain of the debate team. I have also discovered my love for cooking, sewing, piano, tennis, golf, and art.
	Jake Cohen Portland, OR U.S. Grant High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Improvisation has been a powerful force throughout my intellectual development. A wide variety of scholastic pursuits have allowed me to pursue my passion for spontaneous creation, and these include Mock Trials, my school’s constitutional debate team, and, most rewardingly, jazz. As a saxophonist, I’ve played music in a wide variety of groups, including the Portland Youth Jazz Orchestra, the All-State Jazz Band, and several combos that have performed at the Portland Jazz Festival. Although it will be difficult to leave behind my hometown Portland, where I’ve worked to enrich the community through service organizations such as the National Honor Society and Hands-on-Portland, I look forward to studying on the east coast, where I plan to major in English. Beyond that, I can only hope to pursue a career that will fulfill my desire to create.
	Lance J. Collins Birmingham, AL Alabama School of Fine Arts College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology   Lance Collins, son of Larry and Cynthia Collins, developed a love for learning and self-improvement at an early age. Continually confronting challenges, he strives to excel in every aspect of his life. His deep love for music, namely piano, is completed by a keen intellect in science and mathematics. Lance enrolled in the Math/Science Department of the Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) where he has been challenged to reach his full potential in his major through critical thinking and creativity. During his time at ASFA, Lance was exposed to the field of engineering through NASA SHARP and University of Alabama summer internships. His experience during these internships and his problem-solving acumen lead him to enter engineering, a field that will not only challenge his skills in science and mathematics, but will also engage his creative side.
	Jeanmarie (Gigi) Combe Berwyn, PA The Shipley School College/College Plans: Princeton University   In applying for a job as an SAT tutor, my employer asked me to describe myself in a nutshell. I unloaded my backpack in my bedroom for inspiration, staring at symbols of my passions: the Oxford Classical Text of Virgil's Aeneid, a regulation Dunlop squash ball, a harp tuner, an application for a political internship, a Philadelphia Flower Show blue ribbon for Narcissus 'Jetfire,' a waitress apron, and my favorite photo of my red-haired Granny ensconced in a green go-kart. Recalling the spirit, love, and ambition I've invested in the experiences these mementos represent, I appreciate the breadth of my still-youthful existence. Captivated by countless opportunities, and the many imperfections awaiting revision, I will exult in life's gifts by participating in Shakespearean plays, starting a family, becoming the first female President, or perhaps all three! When I return to reality and my bedroom brimming with keepsakes, I recognize the extent of my world. I shake my head and pencil a note to my employer: I couldn't fit myself in there. May I please have a larger nutshell?
	Sarah Cooper Cedar Crest, NM Albuquerque Academy College/College Plans: Georgetown University   Although Sarah doesn’t think of herself as someone who focuses on academia to the exclusion of all other pursuits, she loves nothing better than an idea that genuinely forces her to think. For the past five years, she competed in policy and Lincoln-Douglas debate tournaments across the country. She also published a research paper on American foreign policy in the Congo during the 1960s. For several summers, Sarah volunteered with Cloudancers of the Southwest: a therapeutic horseback riding program for handicapped children and adults. For the past four years, she worked as a teaching assistant, teaching English and literature to students enrolled in summer school. In her free time, she’s likely to be spending time perusing a wide range of activities: from reading French literature or foreign policy journals, to sampling food from obscure restaurants with friends, to hosting improvisational poetry contests, to rock climbing.
	Mathew Crichton Worland, WY Worland High School College/College Plans: Stanford University   Mathew is truly a renaissance man. He is interested not only in the scholarly aspects of school, such as mathematics and literature, but as well in the extracurricular opportunities that his community offers. He has been actively involved in his area’s theatre program, chess club, philosophy discussions, debate team, and numerous other groups throughout his high school career. Not only has he been instrumental in creating numerous activities in his town, he has also held leadership positions in almost every organization he has joined. His tenacity, abilities, and optimism have helped him to achieve wonderful things for his community, such as strengthening the local youth mentoring program, performing cleanup projects around the city, and donating computer technical support to non-profit centers. Mathew genuinely wants to change the world for the betterment of all humankind.
	Angela Dastrup Orem, UT Mountain View High School College/College Plans: Brigham Young University   A harpist since age four, Angela has performed in concert throughout Western Europe and America. Honors include grand prize in the Senior Division of the 4th International Lily Laskine Competition (Deauville, France, 2002); laureate of the 6th USA International Harp Competition (2004); first place in the Intermediate II Division of the American Harp Society National Competition (2001); a Level I Award in NFAA's Arts Recognition and Talent Search; and first prize in the 1997, 1999, 2000, and 2003 Utah State Fair Music Competitions. She soloed with the Utah Symphony Orchestra in their 2000 and 2003 "Salute to Youth" concerts; was featured in Harp Column magazine; and performed at the 8th World Harp Congress in Geneva, Switzerland. A lifetime student of ShruDeLi Ownbey of Salt Lake City, Angela has also studied with Catherine Michel, principal harpist of the Paris Opera Orchestra. In addition to her love of music, Angela enjoys history and English, and is an avid scrapbook maker.
	Brenna E. Decker Clinton, IA Prince of Peace College Preparatory High School College/College Plans: Notre Dame or Iowa State University   Brenna, known to many as “the girl with the really long hair,” keeps herself extremely busy through involvement in drama, speech, band, tennis, chorus, Student Council, National Honor Society, yearbook, Quiz Bowl, piano, and a part-time job, and even manages to eat and sleep occasionally! She loves all of her performance experiences, including local professional theatre productions, All-State speech honors, regional honor bands, and vocal duets with her sister at choir concerts. She has developed her leadership skills by serving as secretary of Student Council, editor of the school yearbook, and vice president of National Honor Society. She has received numerous academic awards and was proud to be named a National Merit Finalist. She also participates in service projects such as church choir. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling, skiing, and, of course, sleeping.
	Barbara J. Dewey Highgate, VT Missisquoi Valley Union High School College/College Plans: University of Vermont   I am a down-to-earth, very approachable, small-town girl. I am actively involved in my community, both at school and in my parish, with a special love for academics and school activities. I enjoy role-playing in the Model United Nations club, acting as treasurer for the National Honor Society, and serving as vice president of my church’s youth group. I dream of becoming a professional student, but the realistic side of me asks how I plan to finance this dream. Until I find a way to fill this financial black hole, I plan to be an audiologist or a math professor, or perhaps a psychomatrician or statistician, or maybe even a speech-language pathologist or an otolarnygologist. As it stands, I am currently undecided about my future, but I am very excited about having seemingly unlimited possibilities open to me. The future of my creation lies just beyond the horizon.
	Caitlin M. Drake Wethersfield, CT Wethersfield High School College/College Plans: Yale University   Caitlin has a wide group of friends that she has been able to maintain even under the time constraints of many activities. She loves to run and is a four-year varsity athlete on the cross-country and track teams. In addition to athletics, Caitlin enjoys being on stage and has performed in a show choir and in many plays over the years. Her leadership positions include captain of the cross-country and track teams, vice president of her school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, and president of the Spanish National Honor Society. She is involved in her church and community, as she teaches a three- and four-year-olds Sunday school class and was appointed to her town’s Youth Advisory Board.
	John T. Elias Idaho Falls, ID Idaho Falls High School College/College Plans: Rice University   I’m curious. When I was young, I wondered about simple things like how leaves change color and how birds fly. As I grew older, seeking and finding answers to these and many other questions contributed to my passion for learning about my world. I have been involved in numerous science and math-related activities such as Science Olympiad, Science Bowl, Chemistry Olympiad, MathCounts, and science fairs. I am active in non-academic activities as well. I taught myself how to play the guitar and drums, and my friends and I started a band for which I sing and play the drums. Painting and sketching also keep me occupied in my spare time. In addition, I volunteer at the local hospital, my church, and a recycling program I started at my school. In the future, I plan to continue my interest in science and arts by serving others as a medical doctor.
	Cristina Esteves-Wolff San Juan, PR Saint John's School College/College Plans: Yale University   Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Cristina (Tina to her family and friends) has attended the same college-preparatory school from kindergarten to high school and has been an active participant in her community. Throughout the years, she has developed a passion for literature and philosophy, and during her high school years she has had leadership roles in student government, debate teams, and theatre groups. Enthusiastic about languages, Tina is tri-lingual, speaking English, Spanish, and French fluently, and she is planning on learning German and Russian during her upcoming years at Yale University. Tina hopes to develop her talent with words into a writing career that will positively impact the society that has made her who she is today.
	Abdullahi M. Farah Owings Mills, MD Carver Center for the Arts and Technology College/College Plans: University of Pennsylvania   Abdullahi (Abdi) Farah has been drawing since he was two years old. Since his sophomore year, Abdi has been winning national art competitions. Most recently Abdi was awarded one of five Scholastic Art and Writing Portfolio Gold Awards, and he is also a 2005 National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts Finalist. In 2003 and 2004, Abdi won the National NAACP ACT-SO Gold Medal in Painting. Abdi is also a Maryland Distinguished Scholar, and his artwork has been exhibited at the Corcoran Gallery and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Furthermore, Abdi currently ranks seventh in his class, where he has earned varsity letters for basketball and cross-country. Abdi believes that his art teachers’ support, his family’s love, and especially his mother’s unwavering encouragement for his art have been immeasurably important.
	Kelley Frances Fenelon Jackson, MS Jackson Preparatory School College/College Plans: Princeton University   A self-acknowledged over-achiever, I have made the most of my high school "career." From class president and vice president, to lieutenant governor and senate floor leader of YMCA Youth Legislature, to Mock Trial team captain, to school newspaper editor, I have comfortably accepted many leadership roles. I delight in learning, and can often be found buried in a book. Raised in the Deep South with an extensive Irish heritage, I have a great appreciation for culture. Blessed with numerous opportunities to travel, I am passionate about discovering and respecting the views of those around the world as I strive to become a "global citizen." My home away from home, however, remains nearby: Galloway Memorial United Methodist Church, where I have grown up attending church and youth group, and now lead a youth Bible study. Other passions include music--from singing in the Mississippi Girls Choir to playing bass and guitar--as well as cooking, exercising, and community service.
	Jason M. Ferguson Dallas, TX Ferguson Home School College/College Plans: Duke University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology   Jason is a 17-year-old homeschooler who attends classes at Southern Methodist University and the Education Program for Gifted Youth (Stanford University’s online distance learning program.) Though he is fond of all facets of science, Jason’s favorite subjects in school are mathematics and Japanese studies. Jason is an Eagle Scout and actively participates in his Boy Scout troop. He is also a founding member of Southern Methodist University’s Japan Club and tutors elementary school students in mathematics after school. He enjoys hiking and camping with his Scout troop as well as solving logic puzzles. Jason plans to major in theoretical mathematics.
	Nickolas F. Fretes Lincoln, NE Lincoln East High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Nicko is incredibly involved both at school and throughout his community. Besides excelling in academics, he plays bass for the school and city orchestras, captains his varsity soccer and speech teams, and leads community service efforts as president of his school’s National Honor Society chapter. In addition to these school-related activities, Nicko volunteers weekly at a local soccer club coaching children with disabilities. Outside of Lincoln, Nicko recently spent the summer of 2004 in Urubamba, Peru, volunteering at a rural high school. His achievements range from qualifying for national competitions in speech, history, and government, to participating in the Olympic Development Program in soccer. In his free time, Nicko enjoys traveling and learning new languages. To date, he is fluent in three.
	Kevin Friede Edina, MN Edina High School College/College Plans: St. Olaf College   Kevin excels in the three “A’s:” academics, athletics, and the arts. He attended French immersion elementary and middle schools and speaks the language fluently. Kevin played on the varsity soccer team for four years, winning a state championship and captaining the squad his senior season. He was a section leader in his school’s orchestra, and in the concert, jazz, and marching bands. Over spring break, one band toured Beijing, China, playing a concert in the Forbidden City Concert Hall. Kevin also serves the community as a member of committees on substance abuse prevention and school athletic policy. In his free time, Kevin is a 9th grade confirmation leader and a team leader at a biannual high school retreat through St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. In the winter, he manages to get in an icy game of broomball here and there.
	Alexander A. Gaidarski Dallas, TX Saint Mark's School of Texas College/College Plans: Stanford University   At age two, I came to United States without knowing a single word of English. Today, I would be reluctant to call myself anything but American. Understanding the opportunity with which my parents have provided me, I have always poured myself into everything I have done. Fortunately, my school offers all that I need: strong academics, competitive athletics, dedicated community service, and most importantly, the chance to delve into these pursuits. In the scholastic arena, I have become a Renaissance man with deep-rooted interests in every subject. After satisfying my intellectual side, I run, whether chasing a soccer ball down the field or hammering lap after lap on the track in hopes of defending my conference title. But it is only in serving my community that I come to embrace and enjoy the citizenship I received not too long ago.
	Sherri Geng Rockville, MD Montgomery Blair High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Sherri is a person who is excited by life. She enjoys asking questions and finding the answers in unexpected places; this, she believes, is life’s ultimate goal. She hopes to leave behind a legacy of laughter, and to experience as much as possible before moving on to another, better place. Sherri is co-editor-in-chief of her beloved awardwinning school newspaper, Silver Chips, to which she devotes most of her time. She also enjoys science; an Intel Science Talent Search finalist, she worked in a laboratory for two summers researching seizure detection, and she hopes to be a doctor. In her spare time, Sherri sings, runs, and feeds her grossly overweight dog. She has tried every sport known to man, including skydiving and bungee jumping in Australia (they spell it “bungy” down there). She is a proud and avid fan of table tennis and would like to say that yes, it really is an Olympic sport.
	Amy C. Gilpin Omaha, NE Westside High School College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology   At the age of three, I watched with fascination as my dad gutted catfish. Though I cannot say any desire to see dead fish has prevailed (I am a vegetarian), my love for medicine and science has lasted. My ultimate goal is to become a neonatologist in an urban setting. In the meantime, I keep myself quite busy with school, activities, and work. I have played tenor sax from the age of ten and now enjoy playing in the varsity concert band. I was also involved in fall marching band, spring pep band, and a sax quartet. Throughout high school, speech and policy debate tournaments occupied my weekends. Outside of the school day, I waitress at a local restaurant and tutor middle school students. During any spare time, I love to read (mainly fiction), and spend time with my friends and family.
	Saul Udwin Gorman Newton, MA Noble & Greenough School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Saul has always been proactive in serving his community. At school, he represented his class for several years on the Student Life Council and on the Disciplinary Committee, eventually rising to the position of Editor-in-Chief for the student newspaper. Saul has also served the larger community, tutoring inner-city students and doing construction work both with Habitat for Humanity and on an Indian reservation in Montana. When he is not competing with his varsity wrestling team, Saul has delved into theatre, acting in and directing student productions. He has also grown as an artist through his photography, guitar playing, and writing; Saul is a prolific poet.
	Spencer Gray Great Falls, MT Great Falls High School College/College Plans: Yale University   I am more than 150 words, but I’m less than I want to be, and that explains me. To fulfill the request for biography, my summary: the loving family (mine), the competitive streak (tennis and debate), the creative force (writing and journalism), the artistic endeavor (piano), the favorite subject (history), the local interest (Montana outdoors). Yet that’s not quite me. I like people and paradox and palindromes, and I dislike a mind content with itself. I try not to be deceived by others, nor, more importantly, to deceive myself in anything. But I also like the benefit of the doubt: to give and to take. I like understanding and then describing for others, but not when the subject is myself. After 18 years, I don’t know much about most things, and there is my motivation.
	Natalie Greene North Little Rock, AR North Little Rock High School West Campus College/College Plans: American University   Natalie intends to pursue a career in politics, and plans on overhauling the current government system. If that doesn’t pan out, she wants to work for a candidate who reflects her socially liberal, economically conservative viewpoint. She’s also interested in traveling. When she was growing up, her family would take epic car trips. Her favorite destination included the Paul Bunyan Museum in Minnesota. After graduation, she and her brother are going to backpack through Europe for a month. Natalie also participates in many extracurricular activities in her free time. She is president of National Honor Society and vice president of Beta Club. She’s also the director of her school’s daily television program. The best way to sum up Natalie is to look at her rubber duck collection—quirky and endearing: a potent combination.
	Blair Greenwald Rancho Mirage, CA Palm Springs High School College/College Plans: Palm Springs High School   The middle child in a family of three sisters, I was thrown into everything a little early. Because my parents insisted upon keeping us busy (a likely excuse for kicking us out of the house), all three of us were sent to ballet, tennis, swimming, ice skating, soccer, softball, karate, and even golf. Competing with older kids simply prepared me for the next step: Catholic school. After eight years as the sole Jew—and attending Jewish Sunday school for seven years to prevent conversion—I entered the public high school. One of my first classes freshman year was Emerging Literature for Spanish Speakers, and my peers, all native speakers, marveled at the Spanish coming from the only white kid, yet the differences are what make life interesting!
	Kyle Haddad-Fonda Bellevue, WA Lakeside School College/College Plans: Harvard College or Yale University   Kyle has always been passionate about the subject of geography. He was the 2001 National Geographic Bee champion and captain of the gold medal-winning United States team at the 2001 International Geographic Olympiad. In high school, Kyle volunteered to teach an after-school geography curriculum he designed to kindergarteners and first graders at his former elementary school. He has taught for the last four years. His geography accomplishments have led to a wide range of activities, including his appearance (by voice) as the youngest lifeline in the history of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” He also enjoys playing the classical harp, which he has studied for ten years. For two years, he was the captain of his high school’s state championship Knowledge Bowl team. In his spare time, he can be found running cross-country, swimming, and orienteering.
	Kristina Hanna West Bloomfield, MI Interlochen Arts Academy College/College Plans: The Juilliard School   Kristina Hanna, from West Bloomfield, Michigan, is a senior dance major at Interlochen Arts Academy. In the fall she will attend The Juilliard School to earn her B.F.A. in dance. She began dancing at the age of four and immediately fell in love. Since then she has studied a wide variety of the dance idioms including ballet, modern, jazz, and tap, and has won numerous awards on both the regional and national level in competitions across the country. Currently she is concluding a wonderful four years spent studying at Interlochen, where she has danced in several contemporary dance concerts and in full-length ballets such as Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker. Most recently, she danced the role of Swanhilda in Coppelia. She would like to express her appreciation and gratitude to all who have made it possible for her to pursue her passion.
	Lydia C. Hardee Beatrice, AL Monroe Academy College/College Plans: Harvard College   If there exists such a person as a neo-Renaissance woman, then Caroleene Hardee is one. Growing up in a small south Alabama town, she appreciates every opportunity to take risks and broaden her horizons. At school, she serves as president for the senior class, the Student Government Association, the Key Club, and the Anchor Club, and plays for the tennis team as well. An avid horsewoman, she competed in the 2003 National High School Finals Rodeo and was chosen 2004 Junior Miss Rodeo Alabama. Another love of hers is music; she has played the piano for ten years and was an Alabama Music Teachers Association state finalist. Always ready to take on a challenge, she plans to attend Harvard College this fall and eventually pursue a career as an environmental lawyer protecting Alabama’s natural beauty.
	Irina D. Hardesty Black Hawk, CO Gilpin County High School College/College Plans: Colorado School of Mines   From a very young age, engineering concepts always fascinated me, and by the time I entered high school, I knew that I wanted to be an engineer. I enjoyed developing personal innovations on previous designs or creating something unusual, yet useful, out of seemingly unconnected pieces. My entire preschool class built a “Sneetch” machine under my direction, after we read Dr. Seuss’ famous story. When I was little, these creations occurred most often with simple children’s toys like Lincoln Logs or Tinker Toys, but by high school, these innovations began to enter my schoolwork, especially my science fair projects. Putting my heart into everything that I do, I also enjoy partaking in such activities as working as a county election judge in 2004, repairing buildings/camps on church mission trips, and aiding children to learn and grow by mentoring elementary students and leading groups at a local vacation bible school.
	John W. Hinkle Shelbyville, KY Shelby County High School College/College Plans: Yale University   John has grown up on a horse farm in Kentucky, and has helped his family raise thoroughbred horses from foals to yearlings. Running and soccer have been major interests for John throughout high school, and he plans on continuing running in college. While no standout, he has also dabbled in musical theatre and student government. John has no concrete plans for the future, although if he had to choose now, he would go into animal science and return to his hometown as a veterinarian.
	Jennifer A. Hironaga Dallas, TX Academy Hironaga Home School College/College Plans: University of Tulsa   I love to do everything and anything. I studied piano for ten years; have placed in solo piano competitions; and I enjoy the violin, guitar, bass guitar, Japanese harp, hammer dulcimer, and recorder. I have published poetry and won an art competition for a children's magazine. I love swimming, soccer, surfing, and street hockey. I invented my own languages, wrote, directed, and filmed a ten-minute movie, and published a community newspaper about pets for three semesters. I teach guitar lessons on weekends and volunteer as a pharmacist for a medical clinic. I am a youth group leader in my church, and at a community college, where I started classes as a sophomore, I am vice president of the college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa. In my free time I love to write stories, read, and daydream. One might say my primary interest is life itself.
	Amy Hollinger Westlake, OH Hathaway Brown School College/College Plans: Undecided   Amy Hollinger is still undecided about where she will attend college and, once she gets there, in what she will major. With her interests torn between the sciences and humanities, she intends to sample many areas with many classes. On the side, she will dabble in tennis playing, guitar-learning, physics research, some sort of school publication, as much cheesecake-consumption as possible, and, if she is feeling particularly daring, a dance club. Her least favorite chore is washing the dishes. She has never babysat. She uses more adverbs than is probably advisable, and always seeks to become more vocabularily-enriched. Although she likes poetry, astrophysics, and eating, she is neither a poet, nor an astrophysicist, nor overweight. Her dog is indisputably the cutest one in the world, and she picks her friends well.
	Jane L. Hur Burlington, NJ Burlington Township High School College/College Plans: Yale University   I am an explorer, not of geographic territories, but of ideas. From chemistry to tennis to music to ceramics, my mind wanders down intriguing paths that engross much of my spare time. As a clarinet player, I have graduated from simple tunes to complex classical concertos and symphonic band repertoire in the New Jersey All State Band. Currently, I am learning jazz improvisation. In order to share my musical interests, I have assisted at the elementary school’s band rehearsals and performed at my town’s nursing home. Other volunteer efforts arise through Key Club, of which I am treasurer, and National Honor Society, which I preside over. I wish to become an explorer both physically and philosophically. Having already lived in Indiana, Great Britain, and New Jersey, I hope to study abroad in Asia during my college years, introducing my exploring mind to uncharted territories.
	Morgan Jessee Anchorage, AK East Anchorage High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   I have always been an adventurer. I blame this on my upbringing in the “Last Frontier,” where gutting a salmon is second nature, and moose are regular fixtures on the playgrounds. As a sophomore, I channeled this adventurous spirit into a foreign exchange to France where I lived near the northern city of Lille and attended a French high school. I enjoy camping, rafting, and kayaking; playing the piano and viola; and volunteering in my community. I have been interested in medicine since an early age and, at age eight, announced that I was going to become a pediatric oncologist. I do not know if this was simply a ploy to get attention, but my goals have not changed. After college I hope to attend medical school.
	David Jiang Forest Hills, NY Hunter College High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   I see myself both as a thinker and as a doer. I’ve always liked to keep my mind occupied, with contemplative as well as analytical thinking. At age 11, I began writing down my own personal theory of life, the universe, and everything, but was surprised a few years later to discover that the philosophers Hobbes and Spinoza had already beaten me to the punch by a few centuries in writing their thoughts. I’m a very active person who has a lot of fun. I play piano and I fence; I’ve debated and worked on my school’s economics competition team. I’ve led my school’s math and fencing teams. I enjoy all of this vastly. In addition, I’ve recently become (to my own surprise) an opera aficionado. Living in New York City for 17 years has taught me a lot about life, and I look forward to what lies ahead.
	Kevin Z. Jiang Gilbert, AZ Mesquite High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Ever since I confessed to my parents at the tender age of eight of my desire to be an astronaut, a primatologist, and a major league pitcher in the same life, I have been drawn to various and diverse interests. In school, I am the founder and president of Model United Nations, and have competed and succeeded in various competitions. I am also an executive council member of the Ecology Club, which focuses on environmental awareness and protection at school and in the local community. Other various claimants on my time include serving as the vice president of the National Honor Society and the president of the Financial Services Club, competing in math contests, volunteering at the local library, tutoring math, and attempting to play the piano. In my spare time, I enjoy running, listening to music, studying history and politics, and feverishly trying to complete my ever-growing reading list.
	Wes (James W) Johnson Madison, MS St. Andrew’s Episcopal School College/College Plans: Middlebury College   I’m pretty quirky when it comes to academic work. As a lover of science studies, learning more and more about the world around me is my main goal. This, in turn, makes accepting things incredibly hard, so I always exhaust my classroom time with questioning things that I don’t understand. Outside of the classroom, I’m involved in community service projects such as Habitat for Humanity and Stewpot, and have worked extensively with a children’s home in the Hudson River Valley. Camp Rising Sun, a scholarship program in Rhinebeck, NY, that brings sixty students from around the world together for a summer of learning and experience, is easily the most influential and eye-opening part of my high school career, and the enormous foundation for my desire to achieve.
	Jesse M. Kaplan Brunswick, ME Brunswick High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   I have always been a perfectionist of the highest degree and am constantly frustrated by my human inability to be perfect. I love competition of all forms, but at the same time place a premium on respect – I see everyone as an equal. I am well served by a dogged work ethic that has allowed me to accomplish much academically (I am the valedictorian of my high school class and a National Merit Scholar), athletically (I was recently selected as the Gatorade Boys’ Soccer of the Player of the Year for Maine), and in my community (I have volunteered for the local youth soccer league, several area elementary schools, and the D.A.R.E. program). In my little free time, I hang out with my friends and play far too much poker. I look to the future optimistically while at the same time valuing all that has shaped my life thus far.
	Tyler D. Kieft Essex Junction, VT Essex High School College/College Plans: University of Rochester   Most Vermonters love the outdoors, and I am no exception. I run year-round through the snow, mud, and short summers that characterize our state. While on the cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track teams at our school, I have been a part of nine (hopefully ten!) state championship seasons. I am also a musician, playing the trumpet and singing in various ensembles. In September 2004, as part of the Vermont Youth Orchestra, I traveled to Carnegie Hall to play a program of composers who all had ties to Vermont—an exhilarating experience. I am very interested in the sciences, especially biology. Last summer I participated in the Research Science Institute Program at MIT, an intensive six-week summer science camp. While there, I did research on zebrafish developmental genetics at the Forsyth Institute. In my spare time, I love to eat, read, do crossword puzzles, and watch the Boston Red Sox beat the Yankees.
	Janet Hyojeong Kim McLean, VA Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology College/College Plans: Stanford University   Stanford University
	Nikida C. Koraly Cape Carteret, NC Croatan High School College/College Plans: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill   I love to discover and learn; therefore, I excel academically. Being able to balance a demanding academic schedule with extracurricular and volunteer activities and still have time to pursue my passions in music, photography, dance, and the performing arts, has been the focus of my life. I reached a goal beyond what I ever imagined when my Winterguard team placed second in World Championships this year. I learned that if I work hard enough I can achieve anything! The scientist in me wants to research causes and cures to benefit all of mankind. The idealist in me wants to serve in the Peace Corps after graduation. The realist in me wants to minor in business, and the artist in me wants to pursue my passions continuing to learn about music, dance and photography. My personal commitment is to be the best I can be at everything I do.
	Mitchell A. Kosowski Wheeling, WV Wheeling Park High School College/College Plans: Carnegie Mellon University   Mitchell Kosowski is the son of James and Melody Kosowski and lives in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is a graduating senior at Wheeling Park High School and plans on attending Carnegie Mellon University to major in biomedical engineering. An active member of several jazz bands and a steel band, he vows one day to play the trombone in tune. Thankfully, intonation did not hold him back from attending West Virginia’s Governor’s School for the Arts, where he especially enjoyed performing African dance. He plays many sports, but especially relishes rugby; he currently enjoys that he has his body in one piece and that he will never play rugby again. Mitchell has played too many video games for it to be considered a hobby anymore; therefore, he wants to explore professional work with the video game industry one day.
	Aman Ishaan Kumar Saratoga, CA Crystal Springs Uplands School College/College Plans: Stanford University or Princeton University   Tat tvam asi — that thou art; thou art that. These three small words of Upanishadic wisdom articulate a unity, a reflection of truth and reality, that drives my affinity for synthesis . Life, to me, is about being jolted awake at three a.m. simply because you realize that Newton’s second law is also a second-order differential equation. It’s about tracing the syntactical parallels between Hindi and Japanese, or pondering the relationship between quantum mechanics and the magical realism of Spanish literature. I want to see and be all that I possibly can. I want to live my life experiencing the sheer exhilaration of making connections, finding nuance in a world of cognitive synaesthesia.
	Sonia Lahr-Pastor Lyme, NH Hanover High School College/College Plans: University of Chicago   When I was a first grader, I knew I was going to be a scientist when I grew up. The only condition was that I didn’t like dinosaurs. That’s what all the other little future scientists wanted to study, and I never wanted to do what everyone else did. By the time I reached sixth grade, however, even dinosaurs were okay. By the time I hit high school, my love of literature, always strong, was increasing, fed by a range of books from Moby Dick to Rayuela to Crime and Punishment. I spent my junior year in Barcelona, Spain, and found that back-breaking work was tolerable, given the Mediterranean sun. This makes my choice of college slightly ironic, but I digress. Somewhere along the way, I picked up a deep love of music, a connection to the outdoors, a love of writing, high school debate, pottery, and the list goes on.
	Ross Leavitt Springfield, OR Home School College/College Plans: University of Michigan   When he’s not locked away in his practice studio frantically preparing another recital on his saxophone or listening to Prokofiev, Ross Leavitt spends much of his time bonding with his five younger siblings. Normally this involves pretending to be Jedi Knights and beating each other senseless with foam-covered PVC piping (light sabers) on their back deck. In his more public life, he is a rising saxophone soloist and is also very successful academically; Ross was the only student in the country to receive both the arts and academic nominations in the 2005 Presidential Scholars Program. He has been influenced by the playing of many great artists, but credits mainly the incredible violinists and pianists his age who inspire him to take saxophone performance beyond its accepted limitations. Also instrumental in his life are his three brothers, who help him to keep his focus on his family and make sure that he doesn’t grow up too fast.

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