August 04, 2004

Kathleen Lask wins presidential scholarship

by Bonnie Marx

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Kathleen Lask, a graduate of Quincy Notre Dame High School, is the recipient of a presidential scholarship from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.


Lask is one of 19 incoming freshmen who make up the third group of presidential scholars. SIU President James E. Walker created the Presidential Scholars Program three years ago, saying it "rewards Illinois high school students who have worked hard in the classroom and who have been actively involved in their school and community."The award provides tuition, fees, and room and board for four years. For the upcoming school year, that's a total of $11,540 for Lask, daughter of Richard and Patricia Lask of Mendon.

Minimum eligibility requirements are an ACT (American College Test) composite score of 29, a 3.75 grade point average on a 4.0 (perfect) scale, leadership qualities and Illinois residency.

This year's scholars recorded an average ACT score of 32.89; 36 is the maximum score. All the recipients ranked in the top 2 percent of their high school graduating class.

Lask's honors include being named a "commended student" by the National Merit Scholarship Program, membership in the National Honor Society and being named an all-state musician. Her activities included serving as the drum major in the band, photography editor of the school yearbook and as a participant in the Quiz Bowl and the Quincy Youth Orchestra.

She plans to major in physics.