August 06, 2008
Ten students named Chancellor’s Scholars
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Ten incoming freshmen are recipients of Chancellor’s Scholarships from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. The renewable scholarship covers tuition and fees for four years.
The competitive scholarship goes to students who score at least 29 on the ACT or 1300 on the SAT, and are in the 90th percentile of their graduating class. The scholarships are renewable each year for a total of four years for Chancellor’s Scholars maintaining a grade point average of at least 3.0. The value of the scholarship is more than $40,000.
However, the scholarship is not just for academic achievement. Successful applicants are also proven leaders in their communities. Chancellor’s Scholars visited the SIUC campus in February for interviews that contributed to the scholarship selection process.
These are the Chancellor’s Scholars, by hometown. Not all students submitted photos.
Du Bois
Megan Czerniejewski, Nashville Community High School, is the daughter of Natalie and Ronald Lynch. An Illinois State Scholar, Czerniejewski was also on the High Honor Roll. She is recipient of a Prairie State Achievement Award and an Outstanding Academic Excellence Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was active in the Olympiad, Hi-Q, Scholar Bowl, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering as well as student council and her high school’s drama club. She plans to major in biochemistry.
Farmer City
Allison Riggs, Blue Ridge High School, is the daughter of Lisa Stoutenborough and Mike Riggs. She is an Illinois State Scholar and is a member of the National Honor Society. She was active in softball, golf and band while in high school. Riggs plans to major in accounting.
Lansing
Derrick Haan, Illiana Christian High School, is the son of the late Darlene Free and Michael Free and Gerald and Judi Haan. He is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He earned an award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, a Four Year Varsity Award, and Activities Awards. Haan was varsity tennis captain and band president. His other activities included wind ensemble, jazz band, pep band, pit orchestra and props running for theater. He plans to major in microbiology.
Marion
Karon N. Fowler is a graduate of Marion High School. She was an Outstanding Junior English Student Award recipient, a National Honor Society tutor, and an Illinois State Scholar. Fowler’s activities include the pep club, Tri-Hi-Y, Interact Club, Science Club, a church basketball league and the Marion Carnegie Library Teen Council. Fowler was a math tutor and a member of the Math Honor Society as well as Mu-Alpha-Theta and the Spanish Honor Society. She was a section leader with the drum line, competitive marching band and wind ensemble.
Bhrett Ashley Parrish, Marion High School, is the daughter of Tracie Moore of Marion and Doug Parrish of Makanda. She is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Honor Society and the National Honor Societies for both math and Spanish. She also earned a Top Spanish Student Award. Parrish was American Field Service Club President, Math Club secretary, and an exchange student host as well as an exchange student liaison. She was a member of the math team, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering, Scholar Bowl and Spanish Scholar Bowl. She was also a member of the pom-pon squad and the speech team. Parrish plans to major in electrical engineering.
Monee
Daniel Harrington, Crete-Monee High School, is the son of Nancy Curry and Daniel Harrington. An Illinois State Scholar, he is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. Harrington played baseball for his high school and also participated on the Math Team and the Scholastic Bowl. He plans to major in aviation flight.
Morrison
Michael Benson, Morrison High School, is the son of Eric and Mary Benson. He was an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He was a Morrison High Pacesetter in Social Studies. He was a delegate to Illinois Boys State and a member of Envirothon and a 4-H Church Youth Group. Benson also played football and was a member of the Scholastic Bowl. He plans to major in journalism and mass communication.
Murphysboro
Emily Romanowski, Murphysboro High School, is the daughter of Betsy and Mark Romanowski. An Illinois State Scholar, she was also a member of Key Club, an MHS Student of the Month and a recipient of SIUC Top Six Seniors Honors. She was secretary of the MHS chapter of the National Honor Society, president of the Beta Club, and a secretary of the MHS Student Council. She was a member of the SIRR-Ohio All-Conference and All-South Volleyball team. Romanowski plans to major in pre-physical therapy.
Plainfield
Dante Corbin, Plainfield South High School, is the son of Diana and Robert Grandmaison. He is an Illinois State Scholar and an NAACP scholar. Cobin is also a member of the National Honor Roll and the National Honor Society. He was captain of his high school basketball team both as a sophomore and as a senior. Corbin plans to double major in history and political science.
Sullivan
Heather Hortenstine, Sullivan High School, is the daughter of Pam Hortenstine-Kesterson and Andrew Hortenstine. Sean Ferguson is her fiancé. Hortenstine is a “Straight A Honors” student and an Illinois State Scholar. She was active in Youth Group, Art Club, Eco Meet, and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. Hortenstine was the editor of her high school newspaper, and participated in Mirror Images. She was also a member of H.O.P.E. and is a member of the National Honor Society. She plans to major in psychology.
