Presidential Scholars  2008

Records 1 through 50 out of 139

	Kirsten C. Adam Batavia, IA Fairfield Community High School College/College Plans: University of Notre Dame   I currently attend the University of Notre Dame, where I am majoring in the biological sciences and pursuing supplementary studies in art history. When I am not in class or lab, I can be found playing my clarinet with the Band of the Fighting Irish or drinking tea and discussing the many merits of Jane Austen with my roommates. As I study art history alongside biology, I become increasingly fascinated by the ways in which we see and interpret the world. Inspired by the idea that science and art are inextricably linked, I hope to explore the still mysterious connections between the outer world and inner pathways, the process by which observing is transmuted into understanding.
	Rebecca A. Anderson Portland, OR Lincoln High School College/College Plans: The Curtis Institute of Music   Becky spent much of her childhood running rampant in the forests of Portland, Oregon with her brother, Aaron. In addition to a deep appreciation for the natural world, Becky has developed a love for chemistry and a passion for music. She has decided to pursue a musical career, and most recently was awarded the 2008 NFAA youngARTS Gold Award in Music as well as the bronze medal and the Bach Award at the 2008 Stulberg International String Competition. Becky is dedicated to furthering children’s music education by performing benefi t concerts for non-profi t music organizations, inspired by the belief that the health of a society can be measured by the health of its arts and its arts education. She also enjoys good food, reading, knitting, and traveling. Her current project is desperately trying to learn how to cook before moving to an apartment next year for college.
	Kristen E. Arn Henderson, NV Green Valley High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   I love being busy. Being involved in school activities and taking part of my school experiences is really important to me and I try to incorporate myself in to school as much as possible. I participate in several sports—volleyball, cross country, and track and field. I am a national qualifier for my school’s debate team, serve on student council, and participate in a variety of volunteer activities including Special Olympics, tutoring, and hospital volunteer. Growing up in Las Vegas has been a unique experience and something that I am very grateful for. The place often called the tourist capital of the world is the place that I call home, and the excitement and passion of the people and atmosphere here are incredibly contagious and something I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
	Cyrus F. Bahrassa Little Rock, AR Little Rock Central High School College/College Plans: Undecided   Cyrus is, among other things, Central High’s current student body president and a captain of its state-champion Quiz Bowl team. The Zoroastrian son of an Iranian and an Indian, he loves whitewater rafting, flying, and golfing (though he says his game) is “frustrating some of the time, depressing most of the time”). Despite pressure to pursue the more conventional routes of medical school or law school, he dreams of becoming a commercial airline pilot, exploring politics for a while, and then settling down as a high school teacher. “I’ve known for several years now that I want to be a pilot,” Cyrus says. “My friends and acquaintances always furrow their brows and give me a look as they wonder aloud, ‘A pilot?’. But I have to fulfill my own dreams before I chase anyone else’s.” No matter what Cyrus does, he hopes to excel in every way possible.
	Kelvin H. Bates Seattle, WA Lakeside School College/College Plans: Undecided   When asked what he wants to do with his life after college, Kelvin replies, “Everything.” Kelvin’s insatiable curiosity has led him to a diverse array of passions and pursuits, from architecture to chemistry to Broadway musicals, and at this point, he has no idea where his life will take him. He can most likely be found in the lab working late after an organic chemistry class, in a recording studio with his rock band (working on their 3rd CD), on the school stage rehearsing for the upcoming musical (he played the lead in Urinetown this year), or playing cards and board games with friends. He is incapable of being angry, always wears an infectious smile, and harbors an unnatural love for chocolate, maps, and the color orange.
	Cameron C. Bean Mesa, AZ Mountain View High School College/College Plans: Arizona State University   I am on a quest to look at the world around me in a global mindset. I challenge everyone I meet to do so. I admit however, that it is a very difficult task. Often times I find myself in a world of luxurious houses, over-sized meals, and enormous SUVs. Our main concern of the day might be, “Does this shirt match?” But what about the rest of the world? What about outside of the bubble? I know for a fact that the girls in Zimbabwe are more worried about being raped than they are concerned about what to wear. So I ask myself why. Why is the balance so slanted? But after realizing asking “why” does nothing, I’ve started to ask myself “what can I do about it?” I challenge everyone I meet to do so.
	William E. Begley St. Albans, VT Essex High School College/College Plans: Davidson College   The only thing about life that Will doesn’t enjoy is deciding how to allocate his time, which, regrettably, is finite. He sings in his school’s Chamber Choir and men’s a cappella group; he has played numerous stage roles, including Charlie Brown and Harold Hill; he participates in “We the People” Civics Team and Fed Challenge Economics Team; he is Scholar’s Bowl team captain and Classics Club imperator. He staves off idleness by trying to teach himself piano, guided in spirit by Billy Joel. He plays baseball for his town team and would play cricket for his town team if it existed. Having lived his whole life in the frozen tundra of northern Vermont, he is looking forward to heading south for college, where people are remarkably friendly and cars start in the winter as a matter of routine.
	Sharon E. Beltracchi Colorado Springs, CO Liberty High School College/College Plans: Stanford University   Sharon enjoys the academic aspect of school so much that she often employs her knowledge and skills outside of the classroom. She has played on a team which took second place in the Colorado 4-A Knowledge Bowl competition, won a silver medal in one of her state-level Science Olympiad events, and won second place in a national Junior Classical League story contest. In addition to her academic pursuits, she devotes much of her time to the performing arts. She has participated in many of her school musicals and plays, building the set as well as performing onstage. In her spare time, she enjoys thinking up stories about dragons and other mythical creatures.
	James A. Biondi Greenwich, CT Brunswick School College/College Plans: Yale University   I come from a family of four boys and I have been going to Brunswick School for fourteen years. I love to act, and I have been in twelve plays in High School (two of which were performed at the Fringe Festival in Edinburgh) and many short films. To support the possibility that I have a sense of humor, I have spent my summers teaching six to eight year-old boys the fundamentals of baseball and instructing Middle School girls on the art of acting. I love to cook, and I am even an amateur aquarist. Baseball runs in my family and I have been playing for as long as I can remember, including stints with the Greenwich American Legion team and my current role as a tri-captain of Brunswick’s varsity baseball team. I am an avid New York Mets fan and a lover of Spanish literature.
	Alice L. Blumenfeld Albuquerque, NM Albuquerque Academy College/College Plans: New York University   Throughout high school I divided my time between academics and flamenco, leaving almost no time for anything else. I have been lucky enough to study flamenco at the National Conservatory of Flamenco Arts, where I have received the most in depth instruction from the Encinias family. Without their school, I never would have become the dancer that I am today. For four years I have performed in Alma Flamenca as a soloist, and I am also an apprentice in Yjastros: The American Flamenco Repertory Company. Along with rehearsals for these two companies, I take classes at the Conservatory every day. At youngArts Week, I merited a Silver Award in dance. In academics, I have been equally successful and will be graduating cum laude. The liberal arts and flamenco are my two passions, and I could never live without one or the other.
	Riley K. Brewer Ringling, MT White Sulphur Springs High School College/College Plans: Montana State University, Bozeman   I was raised on my family’s ranch near a town called Ringling. While attending school in White Sulphur Springs I was president of the student body, my class, my Business Professionals of America club, National Honor Society and my 4-H club. I also participated in AIM Higher, Skills USA, and debate. When I’m not working on the ranch, I like to hunt, fish, and golf, although my favorite past time is hanging out with my friends.
	Jared T. Bruton Duchesne, UT Duchesne High School College/College Plans: Brigham Young University   Intelligent, well-rounded, kind, service oriented. Football player, weightlifter, hurdler. Piano, guitar, cornet player, rock band member, bass singer. Lover of sore muscles, sleep, food, milk, tests, challenges, and girls. Eagle Scout, church pianist, church choir member, FBLA nerd, drama geek. Native Utahn, lover of the cold and dry. Small-town boy, fix it man, and bookworm. TV-free, technology buff , computer guy. My motto for life is “Take it one hurdle at a time, and it’ll turn out okay.”
	John G. Burford Shreveport, LA Caddo Parish Magnet High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   I want to be everything. When I was little, I would play outside our house in rural Louisiana for hours, pretending to be Anakin, Gandalf, or William Wallace. I guess you could say I had the imagination equivalent of ADD. I have been President of Teenage Republicans, founder of the public service club SOS which focuses on peer tutoring and urban clean-up, and Varsity Quiz Bowl Captain. I have helped birth a calf and have won cello competitions. I am a lifeguard, a would-be novelist, and an excellent armadillo catcher. I am one of probably three people I know who loves Ayn Rand. In my free time, I hang out with my friends, date, and practice being terrible at both Super Smash Bros. and Halo 3. When I grow up, I would like to go into a profession that I love and make a lot of money. I am currently taking suggestions; if you have any ideas, you have my number.
	Olivia J. Burke Barrington, RI Barrington High School College/College Plans: Columbia University   Olivia Joe Burke lives in the Ocean State with her parents, her sister, and her hamster Princess Pretty Pants, who ironically does not wear pants. She loves riding her bike, eating granola, ballet, puddle hopping, and the smell of old books. She is the proud President of the BHS Environmental Club, and has a habit of collecting litter and saving bugs wherever she goes. She is also the President of the French Club and having grown up in her parents’ tiny French restaurant, she has a love for cooking and language. She loves meeting new people and is involved in service both within and outside her community, volunteering in the West Indies, and for organizations like the Global Alliance for Immunizing AIDS, based in Mali, West Africa. Olivia hopes to one day be multilingual and travel the world. She would like to study International Relations and Public Health in college.
	Christopher W. Burniske Honolulu, HI Punahou School College/College Plans: Stanford University   Carpe Diem: seize the day. I learned what that phrase meant as my dad struggled with cancer through my early years of high school. When he passed away, I never lost his influence, but rather, became more inspired because I felt the need to fill the gap he left behind. I now push myself to achieve excellence at an even higher level than before. While I admittedly take pride in my SAT scores or GPA, crafting a flawless vase in glassblowing or gliding down the perfect wave with ease gives me equal pleasure. Since my dad’s death I have increasingly realized I now have two lives for whom I need to seize the day, my dad’s and mine. Hence, I never pause to waste time; instead I strap on my running shoes and soar. I will pass this passion for excellence on to my children, and we will all seize the day for Dad.
	Kirsti A. Campbell Winchester, VA John Handley High School College/College Plans: University of Virginia, Jefferson Scholar   Kirsti Campbell grew up in the small city of Winchester, Virginia, about an hour and a half from the District of Columbia. The youngest of three children, Kirsti began playing soccer at age five and, in addition to serving as captain of both her high school’s varsity team and a local travel team, she volunteers as an assistant coach of a younger team in her travel program. For the past four years, she has been an active participant in Young Life Christian Ministries. Both of Kirsti’s parents were raised on the Isle of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, and her family vacations there often. In her free time, Kirsti loves watching baseball games and is an avid fan of the Boston Red Sox. She will be attending the University of Virginia as a Jefferson Scholar and plans on studying biology or microbiology.
	Christina M. Chang Austin, TX Westlake High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   L-E-I-S-H-M-A-N-I-A-S-I-S. A speller never forgets her winning words. I attribute my passion for language and etymology to my lifetime love of reading. I have been a member of my Spelling and Vocabulary UIL Team almost half my life, and as team captain, I became the 2007 State Champion last spring. Zealous about the foreign language and its intricacies, I founded my school’s Spanish Club three years ago, and the scope of our service and cultural appreciation has expanded to touch the hearts of many. A veteran student government officer, I successfully passed major legislation as a Girls State citizen. My roles also include All-Area Percussionist and Drum Captain, Homecoming Princess, co-winner for “Rickoid of the Year” at my science internship program, Research Science Institute…. While the list seems endless, I love my busy life. After testing my career interests in a variety of areas, I have arrived at my goal: to expand the frontiers of science.
	Steven M. Chau Upland, CA Upland High School College/College Plans: Pomona College   Time is my enemy. I want to learn everything. Do everything. Experience everything. I have enriched myself with everything from the sculptures of Boccioni to Nigerian political parties to the proteome of a mouse liver, but the more I learn, the more I realize how little I actually know. This drive to multitask has motivated me to join my school’s mock trial team, serve as a Junior Statesmen of America representative, lead as captain of the tennis team, and help patients at the Loma Linda University Medical Center, among countless other passions and activities. For my efforts, I have placed in the top entries of the California State Science Fair, State History Day, and National Merit Scholars. Attending Pomona College on a full scholarship this fall, I aim to study neuroscience before entering the field of anesthesiology as a researcher and physician.
	Anne L. Chen Wellington, FL Suncoast Community High School College/College Plans: University of Miami Dual-Degree Honors Program   An award-winning writer and musician, and an excellent leader with great organizational skills, she dedicates the majority of her community service to nursing homes, playing the piano, serving refreshments and doing crafts. She has worked with Alzheimer’s patients in a project called Memory Lane, for which she received the President’s Volunteer Gold Level Service Award. In 2008, she was awarded as the Hero in Medicine by the Palm Beach Medical Society. Anne will continue to pursue health care as a profession.
	Faye G. Cheng Hinsdale, IL Hinsdale Township High School Central College/College Plans: University of Pennsylvania   As a kid, I hated my name. It was different, it was unusual, and it was awkward. However, as I grew older, I eventually came to embrace how unique it was, and it has encouraged me to live up to its individuality. Whether it is through Student Council, KEY Club, or Science Olympiad, I always try to do my best to stand out in the crowd through my leadership, service, and hard work. I am also an avid reader, and I convey this enthusiasm through the Read to Lead organization, of which I am the co-President. In my free time, I like to clean my room, as I find that it physically and metaphorically organizes my life. Although I come from a family of engineers with doctorate degrees, I intend to pursue a business field, once again being myself and being different.
	Alexander L. Churchill Lincoln, NE Lincoln East High School College/College Plans: Stanford University or Massachusetts Institute of Technology   I’m sure there’s no way to describe myself in 150 words, but I’ll try. I’m a determined, active, and opinionated individual; or, less euphemistically, I’m an argumentative strong-willed person (but a nice one). I am passionate about math and science; in fact, last summer, I performed math research at the Research Science Institute. I love friends, family, music, reading, tennis, and way more than 150 other things. I’m highly politically opinionated (though I’ll try to keep those opinions silent around President Bush), and I hope that one day I can actually effect change in America, rather than simply talk about it. From speech to science, I’ve had a great time in high school, and am now ready to move on to college, where I hope to pursue math and engineering.
	Grantham H. Coleman Missouri City, TX The High School for Performing and Visual Arts College/College Plans: The Juilliard School   I have an insatiable passion for success in everything in which I am a participant. From acting to academics, to actively volunteering, I strive to do my best. As an actor, I believe that a character has to be fully developed as a person, drawing on aspects from all parts of life to bring the character to reality. Attending Juilliard in the fall is a dream, and also a validation of all the hard work I have put in to my craft. I come from a family of educators, who taught me from the very beginning to value educational success as my number one priority. In the classroom, I am as focused as I am on the stage, waiting for the grade instead of the applause to come. I often volunteer at my mother’s school, helping provide extra-curricular activities for her prekindergarten students. I also take part in many organizations, ranging from sports clubs to ethnic community groups. Poetry is my second love. I constantly take part in spoken word competition and “open mic nights” at clubs in Houston.
	James K. Craft Mendenhall, MS Saint Andrew's Episcopal School College/College Plans: Stanford University   Ever since the fourth grade, I have somehow managed to find a way from my gravel driveway out in rural Mississippi to one of the best schools in the state nearly an hour away. Braving soaring gas costs and spending way too much time on the road, I have learned to appreciate the value of education and have pushed myself to make the most of it. From setting the school tackle record in football to founding the Chess Club, I have been involved in a variety of pursuits at school, including serving as Student Body Vice President in my senior year. Outside the classroom, I love being in the outdoors, playing the guitar, and being involved with my church.
	Jara A. Crear Metairie, La Metairie Park Country Day School College/College Plans: Brown University   When I was a little kid, my ultimate goal was to be the person who saved the world. It didn’t matter to me that the entire world wasn’t in danger; I still wanted to be a great being with the super-human capability to help anyone and everyone in need. Although I’ve developed a strong interest in sports, my future plans haven’t deviated much from my original aspirations. I began competing nationally in Acrobatics Gymnastics at the age of twelve. After winning one silver and two gold medals at National Championships, I was selected as a member of the Junior Olympic National Team. I now compete in Track and Field as a pole vaulter and triple jumper, which I will continue to do in college. In addition to playing sports, I’ve been involved in the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra as a cellist, performed on a jazz dance team, performed various types of community service, including a month long Spanish immersion community service program in Costa Rica, and enjoy photography.
	Ciera K. Cummings Honolulu, HI Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama College/College Plans: Mills College   Ciera Ku`uleimomi, grammar enthusiast and math nerd extraordinaire, adores finding hidden treasures in libraries and boutiques, continuing the classical piano training she began at age six, and honing her superior culinary skills by cooking for the homeless on weekends. She attributes her excessive enjoyment of life to the myriad of wonders made available to her as a child, which prompted the endless slew of inquiries for which her parents conjured magnificent, thorough explanations. This unconditional encouragement and burgeoning adventurousness enabled Ciera to pursue her love of Mathematics, for which she has received numerous local and national recognitions, including the position of Mu Alpha Theta International Student Delegate President. Upon garnering a fine education and essential experience in the business world, she plans to contribute to the perpetuation of the Bishop Estate legacy, which has provided her such immeasurable opportunities.
	Erica E. David Pinedale, WY Pinedale High School College/College Plans: University of California, Davis   Combination – amalgamation – merger – mix, blend, melding – each word describes my life, a melting pot of science and agriculture that has molded and formed me as an individual. My father, grandson of a homesteading family, introduced me to agriculture, ranching, and the outdoors. All the while, my mother instilled in me a passion for science, teaching me to love the world of questions and answers. Today, I raise, show, and sell over 100 head of sheep, goats, and other livestock, and am engineering novel snow fences designs that are revolutionizing habitat reclamation by utilizing snow as a water supply. I write poetry, swim, and am active in the National FFA Organization. My world is without a doubt unique, yet it is one I would trade with no other.
	Douglas D. Dellinger Overland Park, KS Blue Valley North High School College/College Plans: Duke University   I like to think of myself as a demonstrative leader; not the person on a stage speaking, but the one who leads through action and example, whether in the classroom or in social situations. I also like to think I have a myriad of characteristics that define who I am. I enjoy running and playing ultimate Frisbee to stay in shape during the off seasons of Cross Country and Track. I plan on majoring in biomedical engineering and taking a minor in business. My perfect day consists of playing Frisbee and spending time at a pool followed by a sushi dinner. In my free time I enjoy teaching myself bass guitar and spending time with family and friends. I brainstorm with my friends to find creative ways of entertaining ourselves without substances. I am a classical cellist, a coach for my brother’s middle school Science Olympiad team, a scuba diver, a mountain climber, and a good friend. Making a difference in my community through service is important to me.
	Daniel L. DeMars Spartanburg, SC Saint Joseph's Catholic School College/College Plans: University of Notre Dame   I want to live an intense, interesting, and meaningful life. This “goal” is the underlying motivation for all the most important choices in my life. It is why I take the challenging and interesting classes at school, why I act in school plays, why I worked as a research intern last summer, and even why I am going to college. But I do not believe that I can reach this aim on my own—I need friends to help me. Thus, even hanging out with friends is motivated by my desire for an intense life. Finally, I take my Catholic faith seriously because of my desire that my life be meaningful. Just being busy could not satisfy me; in fact, it would drive me insane. My faith gives a direction and purpose to my life without which my “goal” would be utterly out of sight.
	Jenna M. Devine Lebanon, NJ The Pingry School College/College Plans: Princeton University   Jenna published her first book at age five with crayons and construction paper to the critical acclaim of her kindergarten class. Thirteen years later, she still loves writing and plans to major in English at Princeton University next fall. She has been published in Scholastic’s The Best Teen Writing of 2007 and won two National Gold Key awards for her fiction and poetry. As a winner of the New Jersey High School Poetry Contest, she will read her work at the Geraldine R. Dodge Poetry Festival in September 2008. Jenna also loves theater and dance and can frequently be found acting in her high school’s theater productions. She volunteers with a drama program for disabled students and teaches Children’s Liturgy at her church. In her free time, Jenna enjoys reading, photography, and wearing out her iPod with marathon dance sessions.
	Nancy G. Dietman Saint Paul, MN Mounds Park Academy College/College Plans: Dartmouth College   Going to a small high school has given me the opportunity to try things that elsewhere might be mutually exclusive. During the fall, I run from cross-country practice to practice debate. I also run track in the spring, but my favorite sport is cross-country skiing. I am grateful to the friend who suggested that it might be fun to spend hours in the cold doing a sport I had never tried, because otherwise I would never have discovered the best way to have fun during a Minnesota winter. In addition to debate, I have spent four years involved in forensics (not the CSI kind) on the speech team at my school, winning a state title in Class A Extemporaneous Speaking as a senior. During the summers I backpack with YMCA Camp Widjiwagan and can’t wait to spend the summer hiking through the Brooks Range in Alaska
	Eric I. Dietrich Portland, OR Beaverton High School College/College Plans: Montana State University Honors Program   Eric is a journalist, outdoorsman, athlete, and scholar. He has spent three years on Beaverton’s student newspaper staff , serving as a reporter, news section editor, senior editor and graphic designer. Through his involvement in scouting, he has spent around 250 nights camping, and completed a ten-day backpacking trip in the summer of 2005. In addition to achieving his Eagle Scout rank, Eric served a term as Senior Patrol Leader of his scout troop, and worked for the past two summers as a staff member at Polaris National Youth Leadership Training Camp. Since joining Beaverton’s cross-country and track teams his junior year, Eric has competed in four seasons of distance running, and ranks earning a varsity letter among his most important personal achievements. He has also participated in his school’s Model United Nations program and is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate.
	Senan Ebrahim San Jose, CA Harker School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Ever since kindergarten, I have always found myself involved in more pursuits than I have time to count. My foremost interest is service: I am currently Senior Class President and Vice President of the National Honor Society, a role I fulfill by planning activities to help cancer patients. I am fascinated by science and research in particular: in addition to leading the Science Bowl Team as Captain, I was awarded the distinctions of Intel Science Talent Search National Semifinalist (2007-2008) and Siemens Competition National Semifinalist (2007-2008) for my research. I love all sorts of sports: I have a black belt in tae kwon do and am currently a varsity swimmer. I am also involved in speech, debate and theater, most recently playing Algernon in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest. I hope to eventually merge my dual passions for science and service in the field of medicine.
	Eryn Eby Anchorage, AK Polaris K-12 School College/College Plans: University of Puget Sound   Eryn is dedicated and enthusiastic about everything she does, whether it’s practicing a yurchenko for gymnastics, making a speech at the Model United Nations Conference, or spending a summer doing community service in Panama. Eryn sets goals and reaches them, taking advantage of the opportunities that present themselves along the way. Being from Alaska, she loves to explore the outdoors through kayaking, backpacking, and skiing. Traveling internationally and learning about other cultures is her passion, and she plans to keep promoting global issues and solutions. The past few years Eryn has been working with an ophthalmologist to improve iritis treatment. She is highly involved in her school and has helped organize multiple fundraisers. Eryn is always eager to have new experiences and do what she can to help others.
	Katie E. Everett Ann Arbor, MI Ann Arbor-Huron High School College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Harvard College   Katie loves to swim. A seven-time state finalist, Katie was a captain and team MVP of her high school swim team. When she’s not swimming, Katie competes on her school’s Academic Games team in games concerning math, logic, grammar, and social studies and has won thirteen Academic Games national championships. An accomplished pianist, Katie has taken piano lessons for twelve years and plans to continue in college. She also enjoys learning foreign languages, including Spanish, French, Latin, Greek, and Chinese. Katie always thought that she would be a doctor, particularly a neurosurgeon, when she grew up. This year, however, she became interested in epidemiology through her research project simulating human papillomavirus vaccination, leading to win a $50,000 scholarship as the First-Place National Winner of the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition. She enjoyed this project so much that, after college, she now hopes to earn an MD and a PhD to become a physician researcher.
	Kate M. Falkenstien Lawrence, KS Lawrence Free State High School College/College Plans: Yale University   Kate prides herself on the balance she has achieved in her life between academic and extracurricular achievement and personal fulfillment. She is a talented student who will graduate at the top of her class as a National AP Scholar and National Merit Finalist this spring before moving on to Yale, where she hopes to earn an economics degree and perhaps ultimately attend law school. Kate is passionately involved in speech and debate, having won state tournaments in policy debate and extemporaneous speech as well as serving as the president of her school’s Model UN. She is also involved in Young Democrats, the Society of Open-Minded Atheists and Agnostics, and her scholar’s bowl team. In spare moments, Kate enjoys baking, tacky and predictable movies, rooting for the KU basketball team, and idly surfing the Internet.
	Brianna G. Fitch APO, United States Brussels American High School College/College Plans: Wellesley College
	Christopher W. Fitzhugh St. Johnsbury, VT Saint Johnsbury Academy College/College Plans: Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering   My life is an impressionist painting. The vibrant hues of mountain biking, Ultimate Frisbee, ice hockey, engineering competitions, and robotics team leadership are arranged unevenly together. Shapes are formed by my past experiences, moving from California to Florida to Texas to my current home of Vermont and having experienced education public and private. All these pieces together, under a framework of loving family and friends, form an image of…well… You have to stare at it sideways …and upside down… and even then it isn’t exactly what you expect. You see a love for tea collecting, yet you also notice a passion for ice hockey, complimenting a silver medal at the International Earth Science Olympiad in 2007. Up, down, left, or right, the image tells of a variety and a curious passion that I continue to live my life for.
	Kelly X. Fox Windham, NH Phillips Academy College/College Plans: Brown University   In addition to many academic achievements, Kelly has interests that extend over a wide range of activities. She has played varsity basketball during all of her four years at Phillips Academy, becoming the sole team captain her senior year. She also participated in crew for three years at Andover. Kelly has taken an active role in AAU Basketball since the age of eight and has won numerous state and national championships. Kelly is also a National Hoop Shoot Champion and her name is permanently inscribed on a plaque in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. She has been an avid figure skater and snow boarder over the past seven years. She has played the piano for twelve years and the drums for four years. In addition to all her other commitments, Kelly has always found the time to be actively engaged in community service. She has tutored English, math, and science to members of a local French-speaking, Haitian community in addition to working over 100 hours for the Make-A-Wish Foundation as a volunteer event organizer and office worker.
	Noah E. Fox Las Cruces, NM Las Cruces High School College/College Plans: University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School   Although my expertise is in math and science, my greatest passion since elementary school has been playing basketball. While I have been on a school team since third grade, it has always taken a great amount of effort and determination to successfully compete against others who are taller or stronger than I am. This determination has led me to be chosen as Varsity team captain, and has played a large role in the many math and science competitions I have won, the varied tutoring activities I have engaged in, the volunteer coaching and organizing of our varsity team’s involvement with Special Olympics, and my leadership responsibilities in organizations such as National Honor Society, MESA (Math, Engineering, Science Achievement), and The Mayor’s Top Teens. Through my experiences I have discovered that I enjoy combining my academic and athletic skills to help others, and I plan to continue contributing throughout my life.
	Samuel M. Galler Boulder, CO Boulder High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Samuel thrives on his constant enthusiasm, savoring his numerous activities like hors d’oeuvres at a summer garden party. An athlete, actor, musician, teacher, and scholar, he feels privileged to have had the opportunity to be involved in such diverse pursuits. Sam served this year as the current director of a student-run a cappella group, co-captain of the varsity tennis team, and president of his school’s top jazz choir. His love for the theatre has led him to play roles such as Bernardo in West Side Story and Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. A chess player, Sam has won the Colorado State Chess Championships seven times, and has taught dozens of local children to enjoy competitive chess. What’s more, he loves salsa dancing, playing piano, and reading in the sun.
	Julian B. Gewirtz Hamden, CT Hopkins School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Julian is a scholar and intellectual who strives at all times to connect what he learns to the tangible world. He has studied China and the Chinese language for five years; he has founded an international, teen-run organization, the U.S.-China Youth Forum, to build bridges between Chinese and American teenagers, and traveled to China four times. He has written a book-length manuscript on concepts of the self from the Enlightenment to the present, drawing on a wide range of disciplines; he has attempted to apply his conclusions about what it means to be an individual to his life. Indeed, Julian’s greatest goal is to live a life of both unique identity and connection to other people—that is, a life of intellectual, imaginative selfhood and pragmatic, sympathetic humanity.
	Luke A. Ginocchio Clark, NJ Union County Magnet High School College/College Plans: Johns Hopkins University   I love to explore the outdoors and play tennis. Tennis has been my escape for the past fours years as I have fallen in love with the sport. At school I’ve been involved in a variety of clubs, the most interesting being the Robotics Club. As a freshman I was able to travel to Annapolis and Atlanta to compete in the robotics competitions. I also traveled to Italy with my family in the summer of 2006, where I explored Rome, Tuscany, Milan, Venice, Florence, and watched the World Cup games. Over the past summers I have worked as an instructor teaching tennis to children ranging in age from 5 to 14. In my free time I enjoy a good movie or listening to some rock music, especially Led Zeppelin.
	Nolan R. Goeken Spencer, IA Spencer High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   To paraphrase Kipling, thus far in my life I have been able to walk with kings without losing the common touch. I have discussed GMOs and free trade with Nobel Laureates at the World Food Prize Institute, and I have argued on behalf of Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch in spirited debates with my friends over which breakfast cereal is superior. As a four-year-old, I drew the entire layout of a computer keyboard from memory; today I know the nicknames of all the NCAA Division I basketball teams by heart. I enjoyed working in a childcare program because I knew I was helping build a better future, and I felt instant gratification when I started a school tradition of donning hideous sport coats each Friday. Thanks to my parents, I have developed the self-discipline necessary to finish work that is important to me, as well as the insight to understand that having fun along the way is important, too.
	Jamye M. Grant Houston, TX The High School for Performing and Visual Arts College/College Plans: Pepperdine University   I have been a performer from birth. I believe that true love and appreciation for my art, incites a desire to learn more. This is what I have tried to accomplish as a theatre student at HSPVA. At school I also seek personal growth through engaging in Advanced Placement courses and numerous extracurricular activities such as the American Leadership Forum, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America and the Active Black Council, a club I co-founded that focuses on making significant positive changes in the black community. Community is very important to me and for the past two summers I have worked and volunteered at my local community center’s youth program. This program, the S.H.A.P.E Community Center’s Summer Enrichment Program, is a program that I myself participated in as a child. I was excited to give back and have an impact on children looking for a role model.
	Jacinth L. Greywoode Montgomery, AL Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   Jacinth Greywoode has striven to approach life with dedication and a positive attitude. Born the youngest of five children, he has constantly pushed himself to shine brilliantly and to achieve his highest potential. Whether in school as a leader and encourager in and out of class, or in his extracurricular activities, where he has diligently honed his musical talent as a pianist, Jacinth holds himself to the highest standards. Jacinth has placed in many piano competitions, including the ACES Competition, AFMC Junior Festival, Boykin Festival, and the Alabama Music Teachers Association and Music Teachers National Association auditions. Since 2006, he has worked as pianist and intern for First Baptist Community Ministries’ Nehemiah Center for underprivileged children in Chisholm, Alabama. As a senior at LAMP High School, Jacinth captains many extracurricular teams, namely Scholar’s Bowl, Science Bowl, and EnviroBowl, and participates in many activities, including Model United Nations and Forensics.
	Alison K. Grubbs Washington, DC Woodrow Wilson High School College/College Plans: Wesleyan University   An avid writer and backpacker, Alison has attended a public high school in the nation’s capital for the past four years. Although she admittedly does not know as much about politics as she should, she has become involved in the student newspaper, volunteered at a hospice home, and petitioned the Chancellor of D.C. Public Schools for the repeal of a controversial anti-violence policy. She has long enjoyed playing classical violin and just recently rediscovered the joys of acting onstage. Alison’s future ambition is simply to explore; she is in no rush to grow up too quickly.
	Anisha Gulabani Sammamish, WA Eastlake High School College/College Plans: Harvard College   Anisha Gulabani is a captain and active member of the Eastlake High School speech and debate team. She is a two time national qualifier in Original Oratory, and has won numerous awards in Lincoln Douglass Debate as well. She has a particular interest in women’s rights and founded her school’s Gender Equality Club as a junior to increase awareness about women’s issues. In her free time, she enjoys sleeping, playing tennis (albeit poorly), and indulging in chocolate chip cookies. A true Seattleite at heart, she loves to be outside whenever she can, and she always braves the infamous, omnipresent Seattle rain without a hood or an umbrella.
	Katherine A. Gullick Portland, ME Cheverus High School College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology   My world has been shaped by two things: my mother teaching me how to read when I was four and my father taking me sailing since I was one. As captain of both the debate and sailing teams and member of the math team, it is evident that these two loves have been nurtured throughout my life. In 2006, my partner and I won the U.S. Sailing Double Handed National Championship. A third influence, emphasized by my Jesuit education, has been my desire to help others. As the treasurer of the Cheverus Key Club, I helped to organize the assembly and distribution of over 500 Thanksgiving dinners to less fortunate families. In 2007, I traveled to the Dominican Republic to volunteer in a rural orphanage for disabled children. In my free time I enjoy playing guitar and snow skiing, and I am a certified SCUBA diver.
	Yasmine A. Hafiz Paradise Valley, AZ Xavier College Preparatory College/College Plans: Yale University   Yasmine is an avid reader who has memorized her thirteen digit library card number. Born in Kuwait, she is a triple citizen of Pakistan, America, and the United Kingdom, and her international background has greatly contributed to her love of travel. She has co-authored The American Muslim Teenager’s Handbook with her mother and brother, an achievement for which she received the Martin Luther King Jr. Living the Dream award from the City of Phoenix Human Relations Commission. The book attempts to dispel stereotypes surrounding Muslims and advocates tolerance and pluralism for all people. Yasmine listens to a wide variety of music and is constantly burning CDs. She has enjoyed being President of the Student Ambassadors Club at her high school and likes watching movies and tie-dyeing in her spare time. Though she has not decided on a definite major or career, she looks forward to the intellectual adventures ahead, both during and after college.
	Kacey R. Hauk River Falls, WI Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists College/College Plans: The Julliard School   Kacey Hauk lives in a small town, River Falls, Wisconsin. She attends St. Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists in the Twin Cities. Kacey has received numerous acknowledgments and scholarships from touring dance conventions and competitions. Kacey finds herself learning and dancing with choreographers including Michele Larkin, Trey Barber, Marcelino Palamino, Abdo Sayegh, Maggie Bergeron, Uri and Toni Sands, Benjamin Johnson, and Karen Rivet. She appeared in Ballet Minnesota’s The Classic Nutcracker for several years and played the roles of Clara, Porcelain doll, and German doll in addition to others. She has attended intensive dance programs at both the Kirov Academy and the Juilliard School. She is always open to furthering her training and knowledge in dance. Next year Kacey will be attending the Juilliard School in New York City.

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