August 06, 2004
Sara Reardon wins presidential scholarship
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Sara Noraen Reardon, who attended Ursuline Academy and completed her senior year at Lincoln Land Community College, 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 Reardon, daughter of David Reardon and Kim Ryan-Reardon of Springfield.
Reardon 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.
Reardon's honors include receiving a General Assembly Scholarship and membership in the National Honor Society. Her activities include the Art Club, tennis team, JETS/NYSE Science Olympiad, Envirathon and serving as a student ambassador for Ursuline.
She plans to major in microbiology.