Eighteen named Presidential Scholars at SIUC

May 17, 2007

Eighteen named Presidential Scholars at SIUC

by Andrea Hahn

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Eighteen graduating Illinois high school students are the recipients of Presidential Scholarships to attend Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

The competitive scholarships cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years at SIUC. Minimum qualifications include an ACT score of 29 or an SAT score of 1300 and a class rank in the 90th percentile. In addition to class standing and test scores, successful applicants demonstrated a willingness to be leaders in the community as evidenced by their high school and community activities.

The late SIU President James E. Walker created the Presidential Scholars Program in 2001, 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 is renewable for all four years as long as students maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. For the upcoming school year, the presidential scholarship is worth $8,898.

Scholarship winners, by hometown, are:

Albion

Whitney Mann, graduate of Edwards County High School, is the daughter of Greg and Holly Mann. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. She was named female student athlete of the year in 2005-2006. Mann was an Illinois State Scholar, won an All-American Scholar Award in 2006 and was Rotary Student of the Month in February 2007. In addition, Mann played softball and volleyball for her school, and was a band member, Spanish club member and Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America member throughout her high school career. She was a pep club member for three years, and was a member of the social studies club, ALPHA club and ACT for Youth for two years each. Mann is undecided as to her major.

Bolingbrook

Allison Zilka, graduate of Bolingbrook High School, is the daughter of Peter and Janet Zilka. An Advanced Placement student with Honor, she also won a Principal's Award. Zilka was active in marching band, Scholastic Bowl and Best Buddies, a club that matches students with people in the community with developmental disabilities for activities and companionship. Zilka plans to major in philosophy.

Brownstown

Clayton Black, graduate of Brownstown High School, is the son of Mike and Karel Black. Among the awards Black earned are an NTC Scholar and Athlete award, Voice of Democracy District 12 award, Wendy's Heisman Award, I Dare You Leadership Award and a USAA National Science Award. Black was an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honor Society. He was a baseball player for his school, and was a member of the drama club and the Spanish club. In the community, he was active in 4-H and the Fayette County Teen Issues Coalition. He plans to major in political science.

Carterville

Nathan Wachter, graduate of Carterville High School, is the son of James and Kendall Wachter. He was a member of the National Honor Society, Beta Club and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. Wachter was also active on the football, basketball and track teams. He was named a John A. Logan Top Six Junior. He plans to major in biology at SIUC.

Elliott

Lindsey Elder, graduate of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School, is the daughter of Jeff and Cheryl Elder. An Illinois State Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, Elder was also a most valuable player for track in her junior year. She played basketball for four years, serving as co-captain of the team in her senior year. She was also co-captain of the track team her senior year. She played in the band for four years, on the softball team for one year and served as the class treasurer her junior year. Elder was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and was a Project Ignition Leader. She plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Energy

Michelle Rene Restivo, graduate of Herrin High School, is the daughter of Romie and Kelly Restivo. President of both the student council and her school's chapter of the National Honor Society, Restivo was a member of the math team, Lifesavers, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering and the student chamber of commerce. She was named a John A. Logan Top Six Junior and was an Illinois State Scholar and Wendy's Heisman candidate. Restivo received a Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen's Award. She also played golf and softball for her school. She plans to major in communications.

Frankfort

Brian L. Smith, graduate of Lincoln-Way East High School, is the son of Brian and Karen Smith. He was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars and the National Honor Society, for which he participated in NHS community projects. Smith joined Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society for high school and junior college students, and earned Illinois State Scholar and Venture Scholar honors. He was also a member of Mathletes, band, pep band and track and field, qualifying to compete at the state level in the 4x400 meter relay. He plans to major in pre-medicine.

Gibson City

Todd Epps, graduate of Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School, is the son of Tracy and Lori Epps. He was Spanish Student of the Year his freshman year, English Student of the Year his sophomore and junior years and Outstanding Student of the Year at his school his sophomore year. His junior year, he was Outstanding Band Student. An Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society, he was also a semi-finalist in the Toyota Community Scholars program. Epps was part of his school's Project Ignition, winning a national champion award for "best use of original music." He also participated in Interact, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council and soccer. He played with the school jazz band and accompanied the chorus as a pianist. Epps was a Meals on Wheels volunteer in his community. He plans to major in music education.

Herrin

Drake Andrew Caraker, graduate of Herrin High School, is the son of David and Karen Caraker. He was a National Merit commended student and earned a spot on the John A. Logan Top Six High School Juniors list. A National Honor Society member, he was also active in the Heartland Honor Band, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team, Olympiad team, math team, band and theater. Football captain for four years, he was a member of the All-State Academic Football team. He is also an Eagle Scout. Caraker plans to major in psychology and pre-medicine.

Mt. Zion

Matthew Miller, graduate of Mt. Zion High School, is the son of Jeff and Jan Miller of Mount Zion. An Illinois State Scholar, he was a Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering gold medal finalist in physics and engineering graphics. He also participated in Scholastic Bowl and Team Quest and was a member of both the Spanish club and the math team. Miller was a member of the Mt. Zion Swingsations. He plans to major in civil engineering.

Murphysboro

Laura Falat, graduate of Murphysboro High School, is the daughter of Steve and Jolene Falat. An Illinois State Scholar, Falat was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Key Club and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team. She was named to the John A. Logan Top Six Juniors list. Falat was also active in sports in high school, participating in softball, volleyball, golf and track. She served her community as an election judge. She plans to major in mechanical engineering.

New Athens

Allison Schaefer, graduate of Freeburg Community High School, is the daughter of David and Linda Schaefer. Schaefer was a member of her school's student council and was active in the yearbook staff, art club, math team, drafting team and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was an Illinois State Scholar. She plans to major in architecture and interior design.

Ridgway

Paige Drone, graduate of Gallatin County High School, is the daughter of David and Reta Drone. She was co-editor of the yearbook staff and vice president of the Spanish club and color guard captain for the band. An Illinois State Scholar, she was also a Beta Club member. Drone won a Good Citizenship Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a D.A.R.E. role model. She also participated in the Scholar Bowl, Olympiads team and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team. She plans to double-major in journalism and Spanish.

Scheller

Jordan Kabat, graduate of Waltonville High School, is the son of Mark and Lori Kabat. He played basketball, football and baseball for his school, and was a member of the Future Farmers of America, Future Business Leaders of America, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Beta Club. Kabat also served on the student council. He plans to major in engineering.

Shawneetown

Taylor Gordon, graduate of Gallatin County High School, is the daughter of Richard and Clara Gordon of Shawneetown and Mike and Frankie Maloney of Eldorado. She won a Spanish Scholar Bowl award and in 2005 was the Junior-Varsity Scholar Bowl Player of the Year. She also won several awards for her involvement with the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team, including a first-place team award in 2007 at the regionals. She was a co-captain of the Scholar Bowl, vice president of the Future Farmers of America, president of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America chapter at her high school, and a member of the Beta Club. She was also a cheerleader. In the community, she was part of the Honeycomb Church of God Youth Choir and Drama Team. She is the Gallatin County Fair Queen for 2006-2007 and won the Ruby Crum Award for Charm and Enthusiasm at the 2007 Miss Illinois County Fair Pageant. She plans to major in radio and television.

Sparta

Lee Peck, graduate of Sparta High School, is the son of David and Autumn Peck. He was named a Wendy's Heisman state finalist, and is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the National Honor Society. He also participated in the student council, science club, math club, math team and the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering. Peck was a multi-sport athlete, participating in cross-country, basketball and track and field. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.

Springfield

Wade Knight Morrison, graduate of Springfield High School, is the son of Vaughn Morrison and Sherry Knight. Morrison was a People to People International Student Ambassador and secretary of his school's chapter of the National Honor Society. He was a member of the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering team and the Scholastic Bowl. He passed summa cum laude on the National Latin Exam and was a member of the National Junior Classical League and Latin club. At his school, Morrison helped found the student publication, "Visions and Voices," and was a member of the Gay Straight Alliance. He was also a Scholastic Art Awards winner, and is a competitive Highland dancer. He plans to double-major in chemistry and filmmaking.

West Frankfort

David Rhoads, graduate of Frankfort Community High School, is the son of Steve and Sandy Rhoads. He was class president for three years and a president of the student body as well as a member of the student council and a varsity football captain. Rhoads was active in band, participating in marching band, jazz and pep bands and the Heartland Honor Band. He won first place in the regionals for Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering for chemistry and physics. He was a member of the Academic Olympiad at his school, and was a 2005 top scorer for Scholar Bowl. He also participated in the school musical, Key Club, Beta Club, ALPHA, the World Language Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He plans to major in mechanical engineering.