SIUC names 24 Presidential/Chancellor Scholars

May 19, 2011

SIUC names 24 Presidential/Chancellor Scholars

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Exceptional efforts in the classroom and their respective communities are among the characteristics of each of the 24 graduating high school seniors selected as a Southern Illinois University Presidential/Chancellor Scholar.

An SIUC Presidential/Chancellor Scholar designation is a major achievement for these students, and is the University’s most prestigious and comprehensive academic award. The competitive scholarships cover tuition, fees, and room and board for four years at the University.

Each scholarship is based on ACT or SAT scores and class rank provided at the time of admission. Potential candidates go through an interview process, and successful applicants have leadership roles in their community and give back to their schools and community. Successful applicants will be those viewed as becoming effective leaders who will continue to excel in the classroom along with showing exceptional leadership skills both on campus and throughout the community.

There were more than 250 applications received, with 100 scholarship semifinalists invited to interviews in February.

Media Advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to attend the annual Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship Golf Outing on Friday, May 20, at Hickory Ridge Public Golf Center. SIUC Chancellor Rita Cheng and several previous and new Presidential/Chancellor Scholarship recipients will be available for interviews. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. with a noon shotgun start for the scramble.

The late SIU President James E. Walker established the scholarships in 2001.

The award is renewable for all four years as long as students maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. The scholarship is worth almost $80,000.

Scholarship winners, by hometown, are:

Aurora

Suzanne Abell, Aurora Central Catholic High School, is the daughter of Terrence and Michelle Abell. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, and earned high honors all four years in school. She is the recipient of more than 20 distinguished student awards. Her other activities include being a member of the school’s Student Ambassadors, drama club, and dance team. She plans to major in architectural studies.

Belknap

Sophia Thomasson, Massac County High School, is the daughter of Tim and Melissa Thomasson. She is an Illinois State Scholar, and member of the National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. She has already earned an Associate of Arts degree from Shawnee Community College, has a 4.0 GPA and plans to continue taking classes this summer. She is a member of Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE), student council, and several clubs including the Spanish and Key clubs. She was a member of the school’s bowling and chess team, volunteer project coordinator for the Massac County Housing Authority, and founder/coordinator of “Read, Indeed,” an after-school reading program. She plans to major in psychology/criminology and then pursue a law degree.

Bloomington

Alex Bennett, Normal Community High School, is the son of Tim and DeAnn Bennett. He is an Illinois State Scholar, and member of the Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. He is on the high honor roll, earned a red belt in Tae Kwon Do, and received first place in a nationwide State Farm video contest. He is a member of his high school’s German club, film club, and high school theater group. He plans to major in cinema & photography.

Carbondale

Lacey Gibson, Carbondale Community High School, is the daughter of David and Lisa Gibson. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, on the high honor roll, and among the top 10 academic students in her junior class. The numerous clubs Gibson was involved with include WYSE, Lifesavers, French club and the French National Honor Society. Gibson is the varsity captain in both track and cross country, an all-conference selection in both sports, and she finished 21st in the Illinois State High School Association’s Class 2A state finals last fall, earning all-state honors. Gibson has been involved with volunteer work at The Women’s Center in Carbondale, Green Earth, Inc., and helped organize the Grand Avenue Pumpkin Run, where proceeds helped to provide clean drinking water in Zimbabwe. She plans to major in biology and pre-medicine.

Collinsville

Kevin Schrader, Collinsville High School, is the son of Robert Schrader and Karen Tilashalski. He is an Illinois State Scholar, participated in Boy’s State, and is an Eagle Scout. He is involved with student council, and the science and Spanish clubs, and participated in tennis, cross country and track. An Eagle Scout, he is also involved with the city’s junior fire department, and prairie restoration at Willoughby Heritage Farm and Conservation Reserve. He plans to major in physiology.

Dalton City

Sloane Lynch, Mount Zion High School, is the daughter of Tonya Lynch of Shelbyville, and Thomas and Christina Lynch. She is a member of the National Honor Society, president of the school’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) club, and vice president of the French club. Lynch is school ambassador for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) service organization, and involved with the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). She also participated in volleyball throughout high school. She plans to major in English.

Du Quoin

Joey Perez, Du Quoin High School, is the son of Kristina Gassman of Benton. He made the high honor roll all four years in high school, and is also a four-year “scholarship jewel” recipient. He participated in Spanish club and football all four years. He plans to major in computer science.

Eureka

Sarah Gardner, Eureka High School, is the daughter of Jeff and Carol Gardner. She is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, WYSE, the school’s science club and speech team, and listed on the school’s high honor roll. She is also a member of the school’s competitive dance team, basketball dance team, marching band, and choral group. She plans to major in cinema and photography.

Hoyleton

Alex Lietz, Nashville Community High School, is the son of Jim and Dawn Lietz. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, and a WYSE state finalist. An Eagle Scout, Lietz earned the “Positeen Award,” is class vice president, and was a member of the Hornets’ football, basketball and track teams. He plans to major in physiology and pre-medicine.

Joliet

Edith Ortiz, Joliet West High School, is the daughter of Jose and Santa Ortiz. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, the national English honor society, Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society, and the school’s Pi Sigma Pi honor society. Ortiz is also a member of the drafting club, the school’s Students of Service organization, and the Joliet West Tiger 5K fundraising group. She plans to major in interior design or industrial design.

Johnston City

Nicole Staples, Herrin High School, is the daughter of Butch Staples of Mount Vernon and Teri Lancaster of Herrin. She is an Illinois State Scholar, and participated in WYSE, FBLA, student government, and the math team. She also is involved with volleyball and softball. She was also active in the school’s softball and volleyball teams. She plans to major in pre-optometry.

Makanda

Nicole Stoodley, Carbondale Community High School, is the daughter of Steve and Keri Stoodley. She is an Illinois State Scholar, and member of the school’s high honor roll. She was a John A. Logan College “Top 6 Juniors” Award recipient, and earned the school’s “Top Ten Award” from 2008 through 2011. She received the national Spanish exam bronze award, 2008 to 2010, and is a member of the school’s Spanish club and a Spanish tutor. She is the publications editor for the school’s yearbook club, and a scrapbook club member. Among her numerous other activities, Stoodley is a high school Channel 19 newscast member. She plans to major in biological sciences.

Marion

Kelsea Bourland, Marion High School, is the daughter of James Bourland of Pittsburg, and Kimberly Bourland of Marion. She is an Illinois State Scholar, member of the National Honor Society, the math and French honor societies, and French, math and science clubs. She was a John A. Logan College “Top 6 Juniors” Award recipient, Model United Nations participant, a member of WYSE, and earned two Rotary awards. Bourland participates in the high school band’s wind ensemble and is involved with the Southern Illinois Civic Orchestra. An all-conference selection in tennis, Bourland earned four varsity letters during her career. She plans to major in physiology.

Jordan McBride, Marion High School, is the son Richard and Ginger McBride. He is an Illinois State Scholar, editor of the school newspaper, and captain of the scholar bowl team. He is also vice president of the Latin club, Model United Nations participant, and member of the science club. He plans to major in journalism.

Morris

Madeleine Pfaff, Morris Community High School, is the daughter of Bill and Mary Beth Pfaff. She is an Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member. She earned a National Merit Scholar letter of recommendation, and was a presenter at the 2010 Illinois Junior Science and Humanities Symposium. A science club member, Pfaff participated with the school’s competitive science environthon club, and was involved with cross country and track and field. She also participates in trap shooting events. She plans to major in journalism and zoology.

Mount Vernon

Cody Ferland, Mount Vernon Township High School, is the son of Jim and Kim Ferland. He is an Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society member, and president of his senior class. He is also student body treasurer. He is involved with WYSE, student council and the high school newspaper. He plans to major in accounting.

Rockford

David Lynch, Boylan Catholic High School, is the son of Richard and Terry Lynch. An Illinois State Scholar, he is also a National Honor Society member, an AP Scholar, and Eagle Scout. He is also a NIC-10 Conference student-athletes recipient, and was involved with cross country, the bass fishing team, the Natural Helpers organization, and the Illinois State Bar Association Mock Trials. He was also president of the Students Assisting Relief Organizations (SARO) in his school. His major is currently undeclared.

Springfield

Maddie Poshard, Riverton High School, is the daughter of Dennis and Diane Poshard of Carbondale, and Denise and Greg Michael of Springfield. She is an Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, and earned a computer applications award. She was also involved with the Spanish and Key clubs, scholastic bowl, Teens Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse (TADAA), SADD, “Hawk Pride,” and cheerleading. She plans to major in chemistry with a specialization in biochemistry.

Staunton

Cecily Haase, Staunton High School, is the daughter of Rick and Jane Haase of Staunton. She is a National Honor Society member, high honor roll recipient, and earned a Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in social studies. She participated in scholastic bowl, student council, golf, soccer, in addition to the school’s homecoming and senior plays, and was a member of the homecoming court. She plans to major in human nutrition and dietetics.

Trenton

Philip Kunz, Wesclin Senior High School, is the son of Phil and Kellie Kunz. He is an Illinois State Scholar and earned high honors throughout high school. He participated in WYSE, student council, the honor society, math team, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). He plans to major in accounting.

West Frankfort

Derrick M. Davis, Frankfort Community High School, is the son of Scott and Kim Davis. He is an Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society member, a John A. Logan College “Top 6 Juniors” Award recipient, WYSE member, and all-state academics nominee. He also participated in football, basketball, baseball and track, was student council president, French club vice president, and member of the school’s student leadership team. He was also involved with the science and Key clubs, and “Redbird Notes.” He plans to major in physics/physiology.

Wolf Lake

Shaylin Goins, Shawnee High School, is the daughter of Gary and Candice Goins. She is a National Honor Academy recipient, the VFW Voice of Democracy District 15 champion, and student of the quarter selection by the Anna-Jonesboro Rotary Club. She was also involved with scholar bowl, the beta club, band, choir, and varsity cheerleading. She plans to major in English.

Missouri

Barnhart

Franklin K. Woode, is a senior at Windsor High School in Imperial, Mo. He is a National Honor Society member, Missouri Bright Flight Scholar 4.0 GPA Award recipient, and was selected lieutenant governor at Missouri Boys State 20101. His activities include four-year student council member, editor of the school newspaper, and senior co-captain on the school’s football team. He is also involved as a volunteer several organizations, including the Jefferson County Rescue Mission, Longmeadow Ranch/Humane Society of Missouri, Winter Homeless Rescue, and the Teen Community Emergency Response Team. He plans to major in chemistry.

Wisconsin

Hartland

Holly Johnson, Arrowhead Union High School, is the daughter of Bob and Sheila Johnson. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and Spanish National Honor Society. She is also an All-American and all-state selection in swimming, and helped guide her school to state titles in the sport. In addition to swimming, she is also involved with the youth group and mission work in her church. She plans to major in biology.