Presidential Scholars  2010

Records 1 through 50 out of 141

	Steven M. Ammerman Albuquerque, NM La Cueva High School College/College Plans: Washington University in St. Louis   A proud Albuquerque native, I have benefited from my city’s inherent scientific nature. My innate inquisitiveness flourished through biology mentorships at the University of New Mexico and Sandia National Laboratories. The exposure to sophisticated equipment and techniques, such as DNA manipulation, and contact with dedicated scientists has given me faith in the potential of science to solve world problems. That faith is behind my choice of a career in biochemistry. I also love playing violin (sharpening my traits of discipline, responsibility, and ability to do team work), reading, swimming, and rock climbing. My state’s socioeconomic contrasts and a desire to inspire youngsters to love reading motivate my volunteering at the local food bank and library, where I have filled several leadership positions. I have participated in my school’s Science Olympiad team (heading several subcommittees) and the National and National Spanish Honor Societies. Additionally, my fluency in Spanish stimulates my interest in other cultures.
	Jacob U. Arber Highland Park, IL Highland Park High School College/College Plans: Georgetown School of Foreign Service   Jacob has always enjoyed languages. Born into a Russian speaking family, he speaks English and has studied Hebrew, Chinese and Spanish, yet his interest in language extends beyond simply studying them. He was a member of the speech team, captain of his school’s Student Congress team, and a member of the National Forensic League, in which he has achieved the rank of Outstanding Distinction. He is also a very active participant in local politics, sitting on the Highland Park Lakefront Commission and working on a Senate campaign. In his free time, he enjoys reading everything from novels to newspapers. Jacob hopes to apply his knowledge of language and communication in the future to a career in international relations, politics or law.
	Aidan M. Baker Huntsville, AR Huntsville High School College/College Plans: Stanford University   I've always been the kid with big dreams: to harness the power of the sun, to stabilize third-world economies, to be elected president (I'm running in 2044, mark your calendars!). I've also always been the kid with somewhere to go and someone to see. I have played football since the 5th grade and was elected team captain my senior year. I serve as student body president and National Honors Society president in addition to holding a variety of positions in other clubs. I have played the piano since I was five years old and now serve as my church's weekly pianist and regularly perform at retirement homes and school functions. This past summer I obtained some research experience while assisting a professor at the University of Arkansas with his work on dye-sensitized solar cells. I love to read in my free time (I'm secretly jealous of Harry Potter, because I'm not him), and I cherish every moment I get to spend relaxing with friends.
	Ian S. Ball Nashville, TN University School of Nashville College/College Plans: Stanford University   When I was just a toddler, I would struggle with math problems at the breakfast table and then rush outside to play soccer. Although with age I have become more focused and mature, I really haven’t changed much. I still enjoy the thrill of the interconnected logic of mathematics, but I also follow politics closely, and I am interested in issues of race and class. I play on my high school soccer team, and I also compete in golf tournaments. Instead of settling into one discipline, I have taken on more and more. I run cross-country, travel around the nation for policy debate, play football, and tutor younger students in math. Not only do I develop new skills in these diverse areas, but best of all, I get to know different types of people. In every arena, I meet new people, and each one I meet is passionate about something different.
	Marjorie E. Bateman Mandeville, LA Mandeville High School College/College Plans: Tulane University   Described as a Renaissance woman, I have pursued learning in literature, music, history, and science. As a National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor, and Parish Student of the Year, I have been an innovator both inside and outside of the classroom. My love of language led me to create and serve as Editor-in-Chief of our school literary magazine. I have furthered my interest in music with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra Symphony, with which I played clarinet at Carnegie Hall. My zeal for history led me to found my school’s National World War II Quiz Bowl Team, which won this year’s championship. My desire to become a physician stems from my passion for science. I have served as Science Club president, shadowed physicians, and developed a hospital pediatric treats program. For two summers, I enjoyed research internships in genetics.
	Ross C. Beppler Duluth, GA Northview High School College/College Plans: Clemson University   I am a thrill seeker at heart, and have a fascination with flight. This combination led me to parasail, hang glide, take flying lessons, and skydive. These experiences offered a unique perspective, and taught me to live in the moment. Above all, I love to be active, whether that means playing soccer or rebuilding houses for hurricane victims. The most rewarding experience of my life was traveling with my soccer team to Chile, where I was able to combine my love of sports with volunteer service, helping children in foster homes in Santiago. Remembering those children’s determination to overcome adversity keeps me grounded—even when I’m up in the clouds. Whether I’m playing the tuba, coaching swim team, or just doing schoolwork, I give my best effort to match their determination. And with sustained, determined effort I hope to lead by example and inspire others to excel.
	Aric W. Berning Aiken, SC Aiken High School College/College Plans: University of Pittsburgh   I have had great opportunities to learn from a multitude of sources, and it is learning itself that motivates me to succeed. I have traveled to China and stayed with a rural family in a farming village—an experience unlike anything one could find in the United States. Interning at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital during a summer vacation solidified my career plans. As the captain of my high school’s nationally-ranked Academic Team, I have had the privilege of traveling across the country to compete, while gleaning knowledge from my surroundings. Learning simply for the sake of learning would be perhaps the most desirable of all occupations, but I cannot pursue such a path without regard to the realistic demands of life. In a way, I envy the vagabond.
	Nicole L. Black Shelby Twp, MI Henry Ford II High School College/College Plans: Boston University   From atop a lifeguarding tower on Stoney Creek beach, I watch the world and reflect upon my role in it. Most notably, I am a member of the two-time World Champion FIRST robotics team, the ThunderChickens. To pass on my loves of engineering and math to future generations, I mentor elementary LEGO robotics teams and tutor junior high students in math. When I am not putting my mind to work, I swim and play tennis. I have been making jewelry since childhood, and I recently began a group called “Bead the Need” to create jewelry for various charities, including a shelter for abused women. My future aspirations include double majoring in Biomedical Engineering and Science & Medical Journalism, traveling the world, saving the oceans, and discovering a cure for diabetes. My past has influenced my present, and I believe that my future will have a significant influence on the world.
	Alison C. Boyd Shaker Hts., OH Shaker Heights High School College/College Plans: Ohio State University   Ever since I was in kindergarten and wrote my name in yellow crayon on the rug, I have wanted to leave my mark on the world. Fortunately, I have found more positive ways to do so. Being president of my school’s Interact club has given me countless opportunities to help my community through volunteering. Additionally, I have tried to make the world more beautiful through music by playing the oboe in both school and regional ensembles. At my church, I have had the opportunity to make contributions to the world through numerous mission trips, the youth council and the handbell choir. Furthermore, working in a biomedical research lab last summer helped me to discover how I can contribute to the world through a career in science. I plan to use my college years to leave my mark through volunteerism and music, and to prepare to make a difference through my future career.
	Matthew A. Brailas Austin, TX Westlake High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   I’ve been writing outside of school since the third grade, and see it as a defining part of my life. I wrote only fiction until my sophomore year of high school, when I started transitioning into poetry. I love poetry because they are no assumptions going in—it can become whatever I want it to become. Whenever I used to write short stories I would always try to imitate someone else, or to make them sound like I thought they ought to sound. Poetry, for me, is more a blank slate. I can organize a poem however my mind organizes it at the moment of creation, which makes it more genuine.
	Samuel S. Brinton Salt Lake City, UT East High School College/College Plans: Harvard University   The youngest of seven children, Sam Brinton is a young man who has diverse interests and a zest for life. He is just as comfortable playing varsity tennis as he is doing Alzheimer’s research in a science lab. Sam speaks Arabic and Spanish and is mastering Russian. He has utilized his abilities in these languages while giving service at an orphanage in Peru, a leper colony in Egypt, and a youth camp in St. Petersburg, Russia. As Student Body President of his high school, Sam has the opportunity to plan and implement activities that meet the needs of students who speak 35 different languages at the school. He sings in Madrigals, a cappella, and has appeared in every school musical for the past three years. As an accomplished cellist, Sam has traveled to five continents with his musical family, who were featured on the cover of an international magazine.
	Evan A. Brown Guilford, CT Guilford High School College/College Plans: American University   I have chosen to attend the Honors Program at American University and major in political science and economics in the fall of 2010. A devoted follower of politics, I am usually the first to start a debate. After college, I hope to work in some aspect of public policy. As an avid sports fan, I have played golf on my high school team for four years, and am also a fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Jets. In my free time, I participate in Pilgrim Fellowship, a non-denominational volunteer group that goes to an impoverished area of the country over April vacation to build homes and repair things for the less fortunate. Over the last four years, we have traveled to Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky and back to Tennessee. I am also the editor-in-chief of the school newspaper.
	Ethan Budreau Cedar Falls, IA Hudson High School College/College Plans: University of Iowa   Living in rural Iowa with my parents and two younger siblings, I have many favorite activities including jet skiing, golfing, and playing with my dogs. I always do my best to remember the opportunities and guidance that my parents have given me, and in return, my main goal in life is to be a proper role model formy sister and brother. Also, my friends are a large part of my life. They are always there for me and always there to have fun. School, sports, and other extracurriculars are very important to me, and I like to be fairly involved around my community. Lastly, I have a strong foundation in religion, and I continually attempt to align myself with my values.
	Madeleine C. Bulkow Anchorage, AK Robert Service High School College/College Plans: Scripps College   Madeleine has lived in Alaska all her life and loves the mountains, snow, and extreme daylight there. She has always wanted to discover how things work, which has led to her interest in subjects from psychology to philosophy to physics. The lattermost is her favorite, since it incorporates her passion for mathematics. She hopes to contribute to the world through either the clean energy or space industries, and contribute to her community through continued involvement in her church. Madeleine loves reading and drawing, and has recently written and illustrated a children’s picture book, which she is attempting to get published.
	Ann A. Burrell Ridgeland, MS St. Andrew's Episcopal School College/College Plans: Columbia University   I am most happy when being challenged. Athletics are cathartic for me, and whether it be practicing on a yoga mat or leading the Varsity Swim Team as captain, I enjoy spending my time with others who have fun while working hard at what they love. I’ve also enjoyed pushing myself academically in a variety of interesting classes and have been inducted into the Cum Laude Society and selected as an All-Star Scholar of Mississippi. Growing up in a small town has fueled my desire to explore the world, and living with a host family in Argentina last summer taught me that friendship knows no cultural or language barriers. My favorite way to spend time is serving as a counselor to mentally and physically challenged campers at Camp Bratton Green. I plan to become a physician and find ways to treat and prevent infectious diseases on a global scale.
	Nicole A. Cacozza Washington, DC Woodrow Wilson Senior High School College/College Plans: Brown University   I am a District of Columbia Public School student with a broad range of interests. I play soccer, write plays, and have a scuba diving certification. I watch Glee religiously and unashamedly. I am undecided about my future career, though I will probably major in the social sciences or humanities. I would like to continue to study Spanish, a language that I picked up in middle school, but which has become one of my favorite subjects thanks to some excellent teachers. I traveled to Asunción, Paraguay last summer in order to practice my language skills and do community service work at various schools. I am looking forward to the new challenges of college.
	Anne V. Cai Mt. Pleasant, SC Porter-Gaud School College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology   I’m the chief editor of the school newspaper and literary magazine, NCTE Winner, Coca-Cola Scholar, Youth Orchestra and All-State concertmaster, Intel STS Semifinalist, Research Science Institute Scholar, seven-time violin and piano soloist with professional orchestras, MTNA state winner, quiz bowl and math team captain, piano state winner, Youth-in-Government Justice and Outstanding Attorney…but that dry laundry list leaves only a smattering of flat impressions. I’m a genetics and neuroscience lover who writes free-verse poetry, an infamous klutz who avidly plays Ultimate Frisbee and proudly survived Outward Bound, a classical violinist and pianist who has attempted improvisational jazz, a formerly shy girl who is now an enthusiastic debater and leads a crowd of people knocking on doors on Day 1 of summer camps, an only child who has found a plethora of siblings among at-risk inner-city children at Rise Up And Read, and a talkative person who would gladly listen to others’ stories and discover new interests while delving deeply into my passions.
	Joseph V. Calland New Albany, OH New Albany High School College/College Plans: Northwestern University   An avid weightlifter who also happens to excel at making balloon animals and woodworking, Joe is rarely able to find sufficient time in the day for all his plans. He has always worked hard to balance the many aspects of his life, such as athletics (football and baseball) with his many clubs as well as leisure. A prominent member of Ohio’s Model United Nations, the local chapter of the National Honor Society, and his principal’s service-based “Eagle Ambassador” club, Joe also works on his own with Habitat for Humanity, through which he independently built a playground in a new Habitat development. In his free time, Joe frequently reads, watches movies with his friends, and rides his mountain bike. He is currently working on his atrocious golf game, which hopefully will someday be a useful skill in the business world, where he intends to work.
	Martin A. Camacho St. Paul, MN Central High School College/College Plans: Harvard University   Even though he's a mathematician at heart, Martin has always enjoyed branching out – his many interests include academics, music, sports, and volunteering. After entering high school at age 10, he proceeded to found his high school's quiz bowl team, leading it to three nationals, and he has served as captain of his school's science bowl and math teams. A three-time USA Mathematical Olympiad qualifier, Martin has taken classes full-time at the University of Minnesota for the past two years. He's attended the International Science and Engineering Fair and the Research Science Institute through two mathematical research projects. As a pianist, he's topped several area competitions. In his free time (which, surprisingly, abounds), Martin plays on his high school's Ultimate Frisbee team, teaches Sunday School at his local parish, and enjoys reading, linguistics, and computer programming. In the future, he'd love to be a research professor in mathematics.
	Luke J. Celenza Bedford, NY The Fox Lane High School College/College Plans: The Julliard School   The Juilliard School
	Bobby S. Chen Newton, MA Phillips Academy College/College Plans: Columbia University & The Juilliard School   As both a devoted student and aspiring classical cellist, Bobby enjoys balancing these two great passions. His travels as a solo performer have garnered him accolades on the state, national, and international stages as winner of young artist competitions throughout New England and even international festivals such as the Stulberg, YoungArts, and Johansen Competitions. Bobby’s greatest joy is playing music with others who share his passion through chamber music and orchestral ensembles. His musical endeavors also inspire him to share with the community, teaching free cello lessons through the Andover-Lawrence String Teaching Program. This community dedication has also led him to pursue projects with Rustic Pathways and Habitat for Humanity, constructing hurricane-sturdy houses in post-Katrina New Orleans. While academics and music keep him busy, Bobby loves playing basketball, soccer, and running track in his spare time.
	Lynelle T. Chen Kokomo, IN Park Tudor School College/College Plans: Harvard University   I love to laugh and I believe that happiness is the best part of life. Laughter is one of my favorite sounds and I think it can make any situation better. When I was younger, I used to love to watch cooking shows on PBS on Saturday mornings instead of cartoons. Father Dominic was the first one who inspired me to aim for culinary mastery, and while I had more failures than successes in my youth, I didn’t give up and would consider myself much closer to my dream of culinary mastery.
	Diana D. Chin Barrington, RI Barrington High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   Diana loves music and has been playing cello for over twelve years. She also enjoys playing on the tennis team and being an avid member of too many clubs at her school, with leading roles in Mock Trial, FBLA, Chinese Club, Math Team, Science Olympiad, and the American Computer Science League. A look at the latter half of this list may hint at the fact that she often enjoys letting out her inner math and science geek and will probably pursue engineering in the future. During the school year, she works regularly as a math tutor and often volunteers at a nearby animal shelter. She also got the chance to brave the heat and spend the past summer volunteering in Taiwan (where all her relatives live) where she taught English to disadvantaged kids living in rural areas. In her free time, she loves watching movies with her friends or family.
	Derek S. Christensen Parker, SD Parker High School College/College Plans: University of Nebraska, Lincoln   I have always been a naturally curious person who enjoys discovering how things work. As a child, I enjoyed taking apart toys and attempting to put them back together, which led to an interest in engineering. After attending several engineering camps, electrical engineering piqued my interest the most and has brought me into the realm of electrical engineering as my career choice. I have also attended an aeronautical engineering camp where I was able to fly an airplane for the first time. The result of this camp was a love for flying, and in June of 2009 I started flight lessons in a Cessna 150. As a student with Cystic Fibrosis, I have faced my share of struggles. This includes fighting to receive the medical certificate necessary to solo. I plan to acquire my pilot’s license and enjoy the freedom of flight the rest of my life.
	Maesen A. Churchill Lincoln, NE Lincoln East High School College/College Plans: Stanford University   At Prairie Hill Learning Center, where I went to preschool, there is a chicken coop and a compost pile outside the main building, and children have weekly duties such as gathering eggs and feeding the horses. My interest in ecology and environmental science began there. During the summer of 2008, I worked at University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Entomology Hall. Last summer I had the opportunity to conduct my own entomological research at MIT through Research Science Institute. I also love the recreational side of ecology, by enjoying the nature trails here in Nebraska, fishing, and keeping my very own hive of bees. In addition to ecology, I love extemporaneous speaking, math competitions, journalism, shoe shopping, and listening to Lady Gaga. One of the most rewarding activities in my high school experience has been coaching Special Olympics basketball and tennis teams. I now look forward to studying biological engineering at Stanford University.
	Lauren M. Coleman Franklin, TN University School of Nashville College/College Plans: Princeton University   I share certain qualities with my family members in Alabama and the people in my hometown, Nashville. We are warm, friendly, dynamic, and unique. I love creative writing and enjoy serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of my school’s literary magazine. While I mostly write poetry, I like to write screen plays as well. I am committed to volunteering and especially to working with children. Last summer I volunteered at a school and an orphanage in Cambodia. For three years, I have tutored students at a day-and-after-care center and volunteered as an aide in a second grade classroom at my school. I am also the Treasurer of the senior class and the Gay-Straight Alliance at my school. Academically, I enjoy learning about everything, but I am particularly interested in studying languages and literature. My long-term interest is in an academic career, and I plan to remain a poet for life. In my spare time, I go to concerts and cook vegetarian food.
	Daniel L. Comeaux Lafayette, LA Lafayette High School College/College Plans: University of Chicago   When I travel outside of Louisiana, I am reminded of my heritage. “Koh-me-ux? How do you say your name?” many people ask me. The answer is simpler than it may appear: “Coe-Moe.” This link to my French roots wanders with me, from the National Science Bowl to the Bands of America Grand National Championship. However, my Cajun ancestry does not exclusively define me. Indeed, I am also physics loving, politics obsessing, trumpet playing, service giving, and above all, knowledge seeking. Whether I am delving into the minutiae of particle physics or attempting to understand the irrationalities of political dynamics, I have yet to find a problem for which I do not crave the answer. Above all other aspects of my being, what truly defines me is that even though I know I will never uncover all of these answers, I do know that I will always find joy in the search.
	Abbee B. Cox Lawton, OK MacArthur High School College/College Plans: Columbia University   As a proud Okie, but city girl at heart, I cannot wait to move to NYC this fall. Politics is my passion, which I have pursued as a state legislative page, Girls State Attorney General, and the student spokesperson for a local school bond campaign. I am also dedicated to community service, with over 500 recorded Key Club service hours. As student body vice president, I organized the most successful blood drive in my school’s history. The best experience of my life thus far was the United States Senate Youth Program. As a six-year quiz bowl team captain and a state medaling Academic Decathlete, I’m a proud nerd. On a more personal note, I am a fan of everyday life and all the little things that make it beautiful. I love writing and receiving handwritten letters. I sing and dance pretty much everywhere I go, though I’m dreadful at both.
	David G. Crouse Ponder, TX Crouse Home School College/College Plans: Michigan State University   As a child, David enjoyed building with Legos, a hobby that inspired him to pursue engineering. He has never stopped building, creating, and inventing. He designed and built a balancing robot for Baylor University and developed a remote laboratory solution for the University of North Texas. He is especially proud of the wireless heart monitor he is developing at UNT and the bipedal robot he helped design for Michigan State University. David was named state champion and national quarterfinalist in the AAA Travel Challenge. He earned the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement and was declared a National AP Scholar and a National Merit Scholar. David is an officer in the Civil Air Patrol, the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, and is pursuing his pilot license. Since the age of ten, David has volunteered for Shoes for Orphan Souls, an organization that provides shoes for orphans in 68 countries.
	Marissa C. Dearing Potomac, DC Maret School College/College Plans: Yale University   I am passionate about learning, about people, about life. When a subject fascinates me, I read voraciously, whether it’s Oliver Sacks on neuroscience or Susan Sontag on photography. I relish the challenge of mastering languages, immersing myself in new alphabets, grammatical structures, and literature. Whether it is the beauty of Arabic calligraphy, the depth of expression in Spanish literature, the poetic allure of Latin, or the musicality of Greek, I am captivated by language. I am thrilled by exploring literature and the role it has played in different cultures, as well as how culture has influenced literature. I immerse myself in art and photography and find it difficult to tear myself away. I served as co-editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, senior editor of the literary and visual arts magazine, and as a tutor with the Latino Student Fund. I hope to pursue a career in international law or diplomacy.
	Bryan Dongre Brookfield, WI Brookfield Central High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   My life picture is composed of my passion for science and technology, ranging from “green” automotive innovations to biomedical research. I have an insatiable desire to learn and explore new horizons, which has propelled me to realize my full potential—be it performing viola in Carnegie Hall or before hospital residents, participating in national debate tournaments, representing Wisconsin at the U.S. Senate Youth Program in Washington D.C., being nominated for the Junior Achievement Young Entrepreneur Award, or being a Coca-Cola Scholar and first place winner for the Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student scholarship. My volunteer service with the United Way Youth Action Board, National Honor Society Executive Board and TYRO Editorial Board has inspired me to serve as a leader, role model and friend. I am excited about pursuing a career in engineering and following my belief that every accomplishment begins with a decision to try.
	Darren P. Eldredge , Europe, Middle East Vilseck High School College/College Plans: Undecided   Camels, fighter jets, tanks, rockets, terrorists, explosions, starry nights, northern lights, kilts and kebabs. My father has been employed by DODDS since 1979, and I have spent nearly my entire life in various military communities overseas. I was born in Canada, I spent a year in the Azores, I grew up in Turkey and Italy, I have lived in Germany, and soon I'll call Spain my home. As a varsity captain of the soccer, tennis and wrestling teams, I have learned not only to like sports, but to enjoy teaching my teammates. I am the first bass vocalist in the 2010 DODDS-Europe Honor Choir and I play the alto saxophone, but my passion is for the piano. I love the thrills of life, from discovery and improvisation to pure adrenaline.
	Matthew G. Faulkner Snellville, GA Shiloh High School College/College Plans: Vanderbilt University   My parents always taught me to value learning for its own sake. “Knowledge can take you places,” they would say. More than that, they taught me to be introspective, empathetic, and honest. It is with these values that I have reached great achievements. I have served as a leader in many of my extracurricular activities, including Beta Club, Scholar’s Bowl, and Senior Board. I have learned to diversify my life with tennis and music. I have hiked countless miles and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. However, I have learned that potential is greater than any achievement when one is willing to do work. I will attend Vanderbilt University and major in Human and Organizational Development. I hope to be a counseling psychologist as well as a neuroscience researcher. I believe the greatest good I can do is to show people that happiness is a choice.
	Emily E. Foltz Austin, AR Cabot High School College/College Plans: Duke University   Receiving the Presidential Scholars recognition is one of the greatest honors I have ever had bestowed upon me. As I reminisce on the multifarious years of acute devotion to academic excellence, I am reminded of all of my teachers, friends, and family who supported me, and I am forever grateful to each and every one of them. Thanks to their dedication to my success, I am able to say that I will be attending Duke University this fall with the intention of going to medical school and becoming a pediatrician. My love of learning and medicine has only grown fonder as I continue to inch closer to my career goal. One day I hope to be able to contribute as vitally to the lives and goals of others as my supporters contributed to my success and further enrichment of my life.
	Stephen M. Fox Leawood, KS Rockhurst High School College/College Plans: University of Notre Dame   I was humbled and honored to have the opportunity to provide leadership to my school community as the National Honor Society President, a Pastoral Council member, President of the Students for Political Action club, an Eagle Scout, and a captain on the cross-country squad. I am proud to be the product of the excellent Jesuit education of Rockhurst High School. I enjoy nearly all of my studies, particularly the social sciences. I plan to focus my studies in these disciplines as a part of the first inaugural class of the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholarship Program at the University of Notre Dame. A graduate of the Professional Culinary Arts Program at the Culinary Center of Kansas City, I am the proud recipient of a culinary certificate. Other than cooking, my passions include reading, running, and travel.
	Daniel P. Fried Tucson, AZ University High School College/College Plans: University of Arizona   These last four years have been filled with academics, church, clubs, music, and relaxing with my friends over cards and conversation. I’ve expanded my view of the world, and my own role in it, through a mission trip to Los Angeles, a foreign exchange trip in Germany, and ongoing outreach to the homeless through my church. Thanks to my high school experiences, it’s easy for me to look at the world and its issues from multiple viewpoints. In college, I’m looking forward to studying the way societies function through the lens of technology. I plan to study abroad and expose myself to new cultures and languages as quickly as I can. God has blessed me with an amazingly loving and supportive family, superb teachers, great friends, and a deep sense of curiosity.
	Alyson M. Gigger Pocatello, ID Century High School College/College Plans: Brigham Young University   The most important thing to Alyson is her family: She has five older siblings, a little sister, and the best parents. Her older brothers and sisters have greatly influenced the activities in which she participates, such as debate. Alyson is currently the Lincoln-Douglas captain of her high school's debate team. Last year she was selected to attend the National Forensics League national competition in Birmingham, Alabama. Alyson has also shown a great interest in politics. One of her favorite things to do is discuss national and international issues with her family. In addition, she was chosen as the first alternate in the U.S. Senate Youth Program. When she isn't busy arguing the pros and cons of her latest debate topic, Alyson volunteers with her high school’s Interact club. As a club officer, she recently helped plan and organize a chili cook-off fundraiser for the victims of the Chilean earthquake.
	Daniel P. Gillund Wildrose, ND Divide County High School College/College Plans: Massachusetts Institute of Technology   Daniel was raised on a family farm and is an ideal example of what the youth of rural America can offer the world. He is not only a top scholar, but he is an Eagle Scout, artist, athlete, musician and entrepreneur. Daniel is chapter president of the National Honor Society, was senior patrol leader of his Boy Scout troop, and has a close connection with two neighboring cities that have provided him with many service and leadership opportunities. His ingenuity and a passion for shaping red hot steel prompted him to start his own business at the age of fourteen. The result was DragonFire Forge, a fully functional blacksmith shop that makes it possible for Daniel to create and market beautiful works of art that originally only his minds’ eye could see. He also loves to learn, read, sing and swing dance, and has plans to pursue an education in mechanical engineering.
	Austin Goodwin Plano, TX Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing & Visual Arts College/College Plans: New York University, Tisch School of the Arts   Austin Goodwin is a young artist with many dreams. It took him one dance class to realize that dance is what he would be doing for the rest of his life; that dance class was 6 years ago. Today, Austin is attending Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts where he studies modern dance, ballet, and dance composition, as well as academic. Austin also studies dance at Motion Center for Dance after school and on the weekends. Austin was a YoungArts finalist in Choreography this year, and has continued to create many works. He is also an active member of the community since. He received his Eagle Scout Award in 2007, giving back to the community through service projects and food drives. Beyond his art, academics, and community contributions, Austin spends his time writing poetry, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
	John A. Goss Bellaire, TX Kinkaid School College/College Plans: The Cooper Union   Since my first little point-and-shoot digital camera four years ago, I’ve been exploring ways to make bigger, sharper, and more natural-looking prints as well as pushing my subjects and compositions. To me, Art is sharing; exchanging images, thoughts, stories. I have used my photography to express myself, serve my community and to begin to build a career. I’ve spent my summers continuing my education in photography, and this past January I volunteered my service to a professional photographer in her studio. Outside of photography and academics, I enjoy playing music at parties and events. This April will be my third year to DJ the Pink Ribbons Project fashion show in Houston. I’ve watched and helped the show grow from the start, and this year I am sure it will be a hit.
	Gary K. Gray Birmingham, AL Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School College/College Plans: University of Alabama at Birmingham   For me, trying to write an autobiography inevitably involves writing a great deal about my school because, as even the most stubborn of my classmates will acknowledge, JCIB has been our lives for four years. School is a war of attrition, won only through cooperation, tenacity, and more caffeine than could possibly be healthy. Our assignments may have been overly numerous but could include anything from epistemological essays, personalized Infernos, and six-word autobiographies (“Lluvia, and the lachrymose dreamt smiles”). IB helped nourish my interests, including my passions for obscure ethnicities, orchids, ornithology, and myriad others. I am president of my school’s National Spanish Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta chapters and captain of our math and Scholars Bowl teams. I would talk about my free time, but in its absence, I forgot exactly what that was. I plan on obsessing over biology for the next several years, but past that, I can only guess.
	Brooke M. Griffin Orlando, FL Dr. Phillips High School College/College Plans: Harvard University   My friends would describe me as a hybrid of Isaac Newton and Angelina Jolie, with Newton’s innovative brilliance and Angelina’s unquenchable appetite for collecting small foreign children. While I can’t say I disagree with this statement, I like to think there’s more to me than that. For one, I’m a fervent disciple of the arts: I read Vonnegut, Salinger, and Camus; I play Debussy, Chopin, and Liszt; I watch Wes Anderson, Quentin Tarantino, and Mel Brooks. Moreover, I like to collect prestigious titles to boost my low self-esteem, and thus I am proud to be named a National Merit Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and voted “Most Likely to Say Something Random” by the members of my high school band. I plan on spending the next decade earning multiple degrees to help me achieve my dream of becoming an art museum curator.
	Sarah H. Gustafson Wilton, CT Wilton High School College/College Plans: Davidson College   Sarah, a lifelong Connecticut resident, is a scholar who serves her community, connects with and supports those around her. A ballerina of 15 years, Sarah has performed in programs and benefits for regional and national charities. As an intern for Congressman Christopher Shays and a leader in Wilton Model Congress and Wilton Teenage Republicans, she relishes opportunities to exchange ideas. Sarah also works one-on-one tutoring and mentoring students as a Peervention Member and as President of the A Better Chance Student Board and National Honor Society. This year she led Wilton’s Challenge Team as captain. To relax, she cooks, choreographs, and loves to explore new places, ideas, or opportunities. Her academic interests range from chemistry to Latin, politics, and the humanities. Sarah feels humbled to have participated in the Presidential Scholars Program and thanks the Department of Education as well as her friends and family for their loving support.
	Brooks B. Hallin Bozeman, MT Bozeman High School College/College Plans: Dartmouth College   I love a challenge, whether it is in academics, athletics, or music. Some people think that they can help the world by promoting peace through policy and politics. For me, science will be the leader in a thriving technological world where I might use my knowledge to find an efficient method to use hydrogen fuel cells or fusion energetics in transportation, to discover the secrets of outer space, or invent a new gizmo—in effect, in some way impacting the society around me. Hockey is a passion of mine, and as a coach I have been able to instill the love of the game in the youth of my community. I am a natural leader and have served as vice president of the LEO club, captain of my hockey and soccer teams, and first chair instrumentalist in the symphonic and jazz bands. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, golf, camping, and ping pong.
	Horace R. Hambrick Georgetown, KY Scott County Senior High School College/College Plans: Furman University   Yes. I admit it. I enjoy school, learning, and competition. I helped lead my Academic Team to state this year, swam the grueling 500-meter event for my swim team, and participated on the tennis team. I am proficient on both the trombone and the euphonium, am a member of the Symphonic Winds Ensemble, Jazz Band, and Marching Band, and I attended All-State Band twice. I would rather lead than follow! I am Vice President of National Honor’s Society, Key Club President, Vice President of Tri-M Honors Society, and a member of Beta Club. I believe in the adage, “To whom much is given, much is required”; therefore, I serve as President of Youth Impact, a student-led club focused on servant-leadership, and I am an active participant in my church youth group. I plan to pursue the field of medicine at Furman University, where I have received a full ride as a Lay scholar and a National Merit scholar.
	Alan J. Hatfield Columbia, MO Columbia-Rock Bridge Senior High School College/College Plans: Princeton University   I’m an explorer. Not in the sense that I discover unknown islands that move through time and space via super-magnetic fields, but in the sense that I have a biting urge to uncover the world’s vastness. As idealistic as it may seem, it guides my everyday life, from my love of Far East foods to my goal of visiting every sovereign nation before I die. In my spare time, when I’m not volunteering at the local VA Hospital, doing top-secret geospatial intelligence work, or guest-editing SAT guidebooks, I immerse myself in everything from books by Malcolm Gladwell to Wikipedia exploration of global cultures to copious amounts of international coffee varieties to a diverse blend of music, including the Arcade Fire, Interpol, and John Mayer. I dabble in politics, a field with which I hope to change the world someday. For me, life is a perpetual journey. I love every minute of it.
	Joy Q. He Chesterfield, MO Parkway Central High School College/College Plans: Harvard University   Joy He, 17, is a senior at Parkway Central High School in St. Louis, Missouri. An avid violinist, Joy has served as Concertmaster of the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra for two years, and has been invited to participate in master classes taught by such renowned musicians as Christian Tetzlaff and Gil Shaham. Yet, music is not her only passion. Joy fell in love with biology while researching the soybean genome as a freshman. Since then, her research at Saint Louis University on the effects of opioids on the differentiation of neural cells has earned her much recognition, including publication in the Journal of Neurochemistry. In addition, Joy has served as class president of her student council, has won state and national titles for competitions in finance and business, and plays varsity tennis for her school. In her free time, Joy loves to read and jam with friends.
	Andrea N. Hinton Leawood, KS Blue Valley North High School College/College Plans: Stanford University   What is the difference between a C sharp and a D flat? Andrea has always searched for this answer. Scholarship has taught her one answer; physics, for example, shows that the two are identical. However, her extra-curricular activities have unveiled subtle discrepancies. Her work in piano has trained her ear by chords and scales, simultaneously leading her to other achievements such as a performance in Carnegie Hall at the age of eleven and winning Top Virtuoso of the Mid America Music Association annual competition. As an aspiring leader, her vice-presidency roles in the National Honor Society and Student Council, her countless hours of community outreach, her increasing experience in the medical field, and her independent research on algae removal from eutrophic ponds have taught her about the diversity of life. Andrea will continue her studies to promote diversity and global health while still pursuing knowledge of the definite and indefinite facets of the universe.
	Gregory R. Izatt Raleigh, NC Raleigh Charter High School College/College Plans: California Institute of Technology   I am, decidedly, a scientist: when there's a problem, I can't resist seeking out the solution, and when there's a phenomenon, I'll chase after it until I understand it properly. I have found a wonderful niche as an engineer for Raleigh Charter's varsity 2010 state champion Science Olympiad team. I am also a leading member of my school's math, film, fencing, and creative writing clubs. When not designing bottle rockets or tweaking Rube Goldberg devices—or, as in the summer of 2009, working with an interferometric imaging setup at Duke University—I've also enjoyed applying my experience with both piano and cello to the realms of music theory and composition, which has offered a relaxing break from what has been an otherwise chaotic senior year.
	Saumil A. Jariwala Raleigh, NC The North Carolina School of Science & Mathematics College/College Plans: University of Pennsylvania   I am an Indian-American whose interests are all over the place: from Quiz Bowl to Model UN, from Spanish to TaeKwonDo, and from Bhangra Dancing to DJing. I’ve participated in many kinds of research, ranging from work on solving today’s energy crisis through cellulosic ethanol production to game-theory research on eliminating the Colombian cocaine trade. Outside of the academic realm, I am involved as an Eagle Scout in my Boy Scout Troop 374, and as Student Body President of Student Government, I raised $2000 to improve environmental sustainability at my school. My recent work involves educational outreach to high-need communities through stem cell access. By introducing students to cutting-edge science, we can not only increase general awareness of stem cells but also encourage students to pursue careers in the sciences. I find myself inspired by the passions of other people, so it is truly an honor to be included in this accomplished group of scholars!

next