SIU announces Chancellor’s Scholarship recipients

August 03, 2015

SIU announces Chancellor’s Scholarship recipients

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. – Exceptional efforts in the classroom and in their communities are among the qualities of this year’s Chancellor’s Scholars at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The Chancellor’s Scholarship, SIU’s most prestigious award, is a significant achievement for the students as it covers tuition, fees, room and board for four years.

More than 450 students participated in the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship Interview Weekend, Feb. 7-8, vying for the competitive awards. Recipients are selected each year based on information that includes the students’ ACT or SAT scores, their academic credentials submitted at the time of admission, and personal interviews. The applicants also have a track record of leadership in their communities and participation in numerous extracurricular activities.

The award is renewable for four years, contingent upon the students maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA. A list of current and previous winners is available at scholarships.siu.edu/current-scholars/scholars-list.html.

The 2015 Chancellor’s Scholarship Golf Outing, which serves as a fundraiser for the prestigious scholarships, will take place on Sept. 18 at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center in Carbondale. The event begins with registration at 8:15 a.m. and a 9 a.m. shotgun start.

Continuing and new scholarship recipients will attend the golf outing. For more information, call 618/453-7424. Online registration is available at universityevents.siu.edu/chancellors_golf_outing/index.html.

Winners of the 2015 scholarships, listed by hometown, along with the biographical information they provide, are:

Illinois

Arthur

Nathan Rose, Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond High School, the son of Kelley and Mike Rose. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society selection, Rose also earned a Gold Presidential Academic Award and Presidential Physical Fitness Award. He also participated in Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) and the school’s student council and varsity club. He played football, basketball and track. Rose plans to major in civil engineering.

Bloomington

Garrett Edward Watts, Normal Community High School, is the son of Karin and Stephen Watts. An Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) State Scholar and National Honor Society member, Watts was his school’s valedictorian and member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. He was also a National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student. He was involved with the school’s Social Studies club, marching band, jazz band, and madrigal brass quintet. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Chicago

Jordan Bonadurer, Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, is the daughter of Jodi and Ron Bonadurer. A principal scholar selection for four years for her high grade point average, she was a 2014 participant in the American Youth Leadership Program with Singapore and Malaysia, sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, spending three weeks in the two countries. Bonadurer received the spirit award in lacrosse and a Chicago Park District junior citizen award. She was a member of the high school academic decathlon team, assistant director and member of the Munroe Park Theater Guild, and candy stripe volunteer at Advocate Christ Hospital. She plans to major in secondary English education.

Alycia Carson, Lindblom Math and Science Academy, is the daughter of Sheryl and Donald Carson. While in high school, she was a member of the “A” and “A/B” honor rolls and logged more than 230 community service hours. She earned the BuildOn Community Service Award and was a “Launch U Scholar” selection. She competed in varsity swimming and water polo, where she earned several awards, including MVP and captain. She also worked as a certified YWCA sexual violence educator. Carson plans to major in biology or therapeutic recreation.

Grace Elizabeth Vargas, Walter Payton College Prep High School, is the daughter of Catherine and Sergio Vargas. An Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar, Vargas plays and composes songs for guitar, is a voice coach and warm-up director for a female a cappella group, and held the lead role in three plays and was student director in another. She worked as a volunteer at Rush Children’s Hospital in Chicago and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity during spring break helping build a home in Hattiesburg, Miss. She has traveled to China, Mexico and Spain, and worked as a camp counselor in Spain for two summers. She is an exploratory undeclared major.

Oneida Vargas, Benito Juarez Community Academy, is the daughter of Magdalena Molina and Marcos Vargas. A National Honor Society member, Vargas was the Chicago Coalition for Law-Related Education mock trial winner, and a member of the French Honors Society. Her other activities include being a member of the school’s girls’ swimming team, Senior Council, a French Club leader, and the Chicago Scholars program. She participated in the school’s International Dreamers mentoring program and the “After School Matters” program. Vargas plans to major in political science with a focus on international affairs and also major in French.

Cisco

Shelby Harrington, Monticello High School, is the daughter of Shari and Allen Harrington. She was on the high honor roll each year, a National Honor Society member, and received the Prairie State Achievement Award in reading and science. She also received the school’s outstanding student award in agriculture, Spanish and science. Harrington was the high school FFA vice president, and member of the art club, Spanish honor society and Rotary Interact. She participated in FFA horticulture and forestry competitions. She plans to major in crop, soil and environmental management.

Danville

Adam Hall, Danville High School, is the son of Sabina and Dan Hall. An Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar selection, Hall earned a Prairie State Achievement Award in reading, math, science and writing. He also received a National Merit Scholarship Program commendation letter. He was a member of the school’s international club and scholar bowl. Hall plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Elk Grove Village

Andrea Storey, James B. Conant High School, is the daughter of Susanne and Richard Storey. A two-time Illinois State Scholar and a National Honor Society member, Storey earned school honors including Thespian of the Year, the English Department Award, and World Language Department Award, all for 2015. She also received the Spanish Academic Achievement Award. Storey also was on the speech team and school newspaper, and member of the International Thespian Society. She plans to major in Spanish.

Elmhurst

Brody Wilson, York Community High School, is the son of Karyn and David Wilson. A National Honor Society member and Prairie State Achievement Award recipient for reading and science, Wilson received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence. He was an AP Scholar and was on the school’s high honor roll eight straight semesters. He lettered in cross country and track and field, and was a West Suburban All-Academic Cross Country team selection. He also was on the executive board of the North East District of the Illinois Association of Student Councils, and chief master sergeant with the Civil Air Patrol. He plans to major in aviation flight and aviation management.

Kankakee

Kayonna Pinto, Herscher High School, is the daughter of Suzanne and Bryan Pinto. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society vice president, she was involved in her school’s scholastic bowl, show choir and Team Quest. She also was involved in tutoring. Pinto plans to major in physiology pre-medicine

Machesney Park

Justin Porter, Harlem High School, is the son of Rebecca and Charles Porter. A two-year National Honor Society member, he also was on the student council, where he was treasurer for two years, and a two-year member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He was also a math team member. He plans to pursue pre-medicine.

Makanda

Denali W. Carpenter, Carbondale Community High School, is the son of Tina Carpenter and Bill Rodgers, both of Makanda. An Illinois State Scholar and class valedictorian, he was president of the school’s National Honor Society and speech team member and captain. He finished eighth in the IHSA state speech competition in dramatic interpretation. Carpenter was also captain of the school’s improvisational troupe and a leader in the Lifesavers organization. He was also a volunteer for community events outside of high school. Carpenter plans to major in civil engineering.

Marion

Maria Petrowich, Marion High School, is the daughter of Amy and Timothy Petrowich. A National Honor Society member, Petrowich was active in FFA, where she was a section officer for two years, earning a state degree award and FFA alumni and national scholarships. She also earned the Scholastic Writing Contest Silver Key. Petrowich plans to major in agriculture education.

Naperville

Thorin Lane, Metea Valley High School, Aurora, is the son of Teresa and Tyrone Lane. He was a two-time academic DuPage Valley all-conference selection and freshman mentor. He also played football and basketball. He plans to pursue pre-medicine.

Nashville

Alli Kellerman, Nashville Community High School, is the daughter of Pam and Dennis Kellerman. An Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society and Prairie State Achievement Award recipient, Kellerman finished in the top 10 percent of her class and on the high honor roll. She also received the Presidential Award for Excellence. She participated in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) Olympiad, band, drama club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program, and the school’s webmasters and yearbook staffs. Kellerman also played basketball and volleyball. She plans to major in zoology.

Pinckneyville

Kelsey Smith, Pinckneyville Community High School, is the daughter of Karen and John Smith. An Illinois State Scholar, Smith received numerous scholarships and awards for her academic accomplishments. She was Section 24 FFA president, senior class secretary/treasurer and a member of FFA, 4-H, and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE). She was also a member of the Beta and Science clubs, and on the high school archery team. Smith plans to major in biological sciences.

Pontiac

Clair Bammann, Pontiac Township High School, is the daughter of Marla and Mark Bammann. An Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society member and class valedictorian, she received a Prairie State Achievement Award and Pontiac Area Chamber of Commerce Scholastic Achievement Award. She was a member of the FFA, and her school’s environmental club, and dance team and color guard captain. She plans to major in civil engineering with an environmental specialization.

St. Joseph

Nicholas Poe, St. Joseph-Ogden High School, is the son of Sara and Greg Poe. An Illinois State Scholar, he earned an academic letter all four years in high school. Poe also participated in Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE), Spanish Club, and received an Air Force ROTC scholarship. He earned varsity letters in football and track. Poe plans to major in mathematics.

Alabama

Tallassee

Emily Buice, Tallassee High School, is the daughter of Rachel Barker and Reuben Buice. A National Honor Society member and National Honor Society, Buice is also a member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. She was a Distinguished Young Women of Elmore County and a People-to-People Student Ambassador selection. A member of the high school marching band in clarinet and honor guard, she received numerous symphonic and marching band honors. She was also involved in the school’s concert and chamber choirs, a Spanish Club member and hospice care volunteer. She plans to major in history.

Missouri

St. Louis

Anastasia Maranto, Ladue Horton Watkins High School, is the daughter of Amy and Michael Maranto. A National Honor Society member, Maranto was recipient of the Matt Pearlstone Memorial Scholarship and the school’s Ram Pride Award. She was captain of the school’s FIRST Robotics Team 4330 Ladue Rambunction, a member of the school’s recycling club, and a World Bird Sanctuary volunteer. She plans to major in zoology.

Willard

Tyler Larsen, Willard High School, is the son of Ramonita and Kevin Larsen. Larsen received numerous awards for his creative writing throughout high school, including the 2015 Kathy McQueen Award for prose/poetry and the 2014 George D. Gleason Award for writing at the Southwest Missouri State Language Arts Department (LAD) Fair. He also placed first in the district youth fine arts competition for short story and book chapter. A first-team all-state offensive lineman, Larson was also involved with the Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS) and the ROTC. He plans to major in creative writing.

Nebraska

Unadilla

Rebecca Harder, Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart, is the daughter of Janet and Jerry Harder. A National Honor Society and highest academic honors selection, Harder earned department recognition at her school in biology honors, algebra/geometry honors, and ethics. She was also a Patriots Pen winner at the district and state levels, and placed third at the state level for National History Day. She was a member of numerous school clubs, including the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program, drama, art, anime and manga, guitar, and ultimate Frisbee. She also was involved with the Prejudice Elimination Workshop (PEW), Girl Scouts, 4-H, and the Society for Creative Anachronism, a medieval historical research and reenactment organization. Harder plans to major in architecture and theater.