August 02, 2004
Alex Voitik wins presidential scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Alex Voitik, a graduate of St. Bede Academy in Peru, Ill, is the recipient of a presidential scholarship from Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
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 Voitik, son of Mary Drumheller of Princeton and Dan Voitik of Morris.
Voitik 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."
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.
Voitik's honors include being named a "commended student" by the National Merit Scholarship Program and participation in the state WYSE (Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering) test. His extracurricular activities included Scholastic Bowl, cross-country and cycling.