August 29, 2018
SIU Carbondale awards 18 Chancellor’s Scholarships for 2018-19
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Exceptional efforts in the classroom and in their communities helped this year’s Chancellor’s Scholars at Southern Illinois University Carbondale stand out from their peers.
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. Eighteen students are receiving this year’s awards.
Nearly 400 students participated in the Chancellor’s and University Excellence Scholarship Interview Weekend. The selections are based on the students’ ACT or SAT scores, their academic credentials submitted at the time of admission, and personal interviews. The applicants also have a record of leadership in their communities and participation in numerous extracurricular activities.
The award is renewable for three 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.php.
Illinois
Bolingbrook
Prem Rana, Bolingbrook High School, is the son of Dipika and Snehal Rana. A National Honor Society member, Rana also received an NHS community member award and participated in the organization’s WE Day. He was a presenter for Students into Technology Conference and earned a state ranking for the National Piano Guild Auditions from 2014-2016. He was involved in the high school’s student helpdesk internship pilot program, and earned the SIU Saluki Summer Bridge Leadership Award. Rana was also involved with the school’s speech team, scholastic bowl, robotics club and piano guild. He is majoring in computer science and digital media.
Brookfield
Sarah Cada, Lyons Township High School, is the daughter of Barbara Cada of Brookfield and Ronald Cada of Plainfield. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, she was also a member of the National Spanish Honor Society and Mathematics Honor Society. She was involved with “Aviatres,” an all-female aviation club, along with rock climbing and ice skating. She is majoring in aviation flight.
Chicago
Shawn Arreguin, St. Patrick High School, is the son of Maria and Tino Arreguin. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, he also earned the high school’s Science merit award. He was captain of the school’s robotics team, and member of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) club and art club. He worked as a research apprentice and zoo intern at Lincoln Park Zoo. He is majoring in zoology.
Edinburg
Mason Dulakis, Edinburg High School, is the son of Karen and Dennis Dulakis. An Illinois State Scholar and three-year National Honor Society member, Dulakis was class president and student council member all four years in high school. He also was on the highest honor roll throughout high school and tutored for two years. Dulakis was an Arch Coal Scholarship and Dick Payne Memorial Scholarship recipient. Dulakis is majoring in chemistry.
Forest Park
Olivia Lauren Mallett, Walther Christian Academy, is the daughter of Overna Mallett. An Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member, Mallett earned department awards for academic excellence in English, math, science and foreign language while in high school. She also completed 66 hours of community service while in high school. Mallett is majoring in accounting.
Herrin
Nicholas Bartelsmeyer, Herrin High School, is the son of Cindy and David Bartelsmeyer. The class valedictorian and student body president, Bartelsmeyer was selected Mr. Herrin High School. His awards included the French Seal of By-Literacy, Sons of the American Revolution and Outstanding Citizen Award. He was a member of several organizations including World Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE), Future Business Leaders of America, Scholar Bowl and French Scholar Bowl. He was involved with student government, student chamber, band, football, cross-country, soccer and track and field. An Eagle Scout, Bartelsmeyer is majoring in chemistry.
Johnston City
Brittney Gibbens, Johnston City High School, is the daughter of Melissa and Bryan Gibbens. The class valedictorian, Gibbens was an Illinois State Scholar and National Honor Society member. She was also involved with the school’s Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) team, business club, and participated in scholastic bowl, student council, the math team, pep club, band and Christians Ready Equipped & Willing (CREW). Gibbens, the senior class treasurer, placed first in regional pre-calculus in math and WYSE competitions. She was drum major for the school’s marching band. Gibbens is majoring in accounting.
Lake Bluff
Theresa Kerouac, Lake Forest High School, is the daughter of Tammy and Matthew Kerouac. A two-year National Honor Society member, she was on the high school academic honor roll all four years and received the school’s Applied Technology Department Award in 2018. Kerouac was a Civil Air Patrol Cadet, member of the school’s robotics team, international thespian society troupe president, and a theater technology leader. She also participated in the Science Olympiad. Kerouac is majoring in aviation technologies and aviation flight.
Marion
Abby Bayer, Marion High School, is the daughter of Kristen and Ray Bayer. A National Honor Society selection, she earned a Top 10 student academic award and was on the school’s high honor roll. Bayer was a member of the Math and Art honors society, and earned a Lions Club Award. She was a student council member, along with Tri-Hi-Y, Future Business Leaders of America, and Health Occupation Students of America. Bayer was an all-conference and all-South selection in volleyball and basketball. Bayer is majoring in civil engineering.
Samuel Childers, Marion High School, is the son of Carole and Jim Childers. A National Honor Society selection, he graduated in the top 10 in his class. He was also a member of the Math and Latin honor societies and a four-time Rotary Award winner, along with a Rotary scholarship recipient. He was a member of the school’s marching, jazz and concert bands and played varsity tennis. He is majoring in accounting.
Romeoville
Ryan Rubino, Joliet Catholic Academy, is the son of Christina Gimena and Winston Rubino, both of Romeoville. A National Honor Society member, Rubino was also a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, National Art Honors Society and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honor society. His activities included varsity soccer, track and field, Habitat for Humanity Club, Respect Life Club, Tech Club and he was a student ambassador. Rubino received an American Legion Award. He is majoring in mechanical engineering.
Streamwood
Abigail Ramsey, St. Francis High School, is the daughter of Veronica and Michael Ramsey. An honor roll selection with a GPA of 4.0 and higher throughout school, Ramsey performed four years of marching, pep, and concert bands and two years of jazz band. She played five years of volleyball throughout middle school and high school and competed for two years in track and field. Ramsey was a Spanish teaching assistant for one year and volunteered with the National Eating Disorder Association. She is majoring in psychology with a minor in Spanish.
Western Springs
Angelina Kapp, Lyons Township High School, is the daughter of Gia and Dan Kapp. She was the high school’s applied technology Student of the Year and received several scholarships, including the Western Springs Worshipful Masters Scholarship and Easter Aviation Scholarship. Kapp was a Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Global Ambassador recipient. Kapp was involved in several aviation-related associations, including founding “Aviatres,” an all-female aviation club, Chicago’s Leading Edge Chapter of Women in Aviation, Association for Women in Aviation, the 99s, and Experimental Aircraft Association Chapter 461. She was also a member of the Robotics Club and ACE mentorship program. She will major in aviation technologies and aviation flight.
Virden
Cole Kallenbach, North Mac High School, is the son of Kelly and Tony Kallenbach. The class valedictorian, Kallenbach was an Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society member and in the top five of his class throughout high school. Kallenbach earned a Presidential Award for Educational Excellence and participated in the Gifted Olympiad each year in high school. He also was second in the Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) regional biology competition. He received several scholarships and was a member of the school’s Key Club, drama and science clubs, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He participated in varsity football and basketball. Kallenbach is majoring in biological sciences.
Other States
Bloomington, Indiana
Forrest Burdette, Bloomington High School North, is the son of Deb and Alan Burdette. A National Honor Society member, Burdette was on the school’s distinguished honor roll and was a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He participated in Model United Nations, the debate team, ethics bowl, and marching, jazz and pep bands. He was also with the school’s philosophy, book and Latin clubs. An Eagle Scout, Burdette also participated in the Purdue Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects and received a Rotary Club Scholarship. He is majoring in mechanical engineering.
North Port, Florida
Grace Lafo, Pine View School, is the daughter of Jennifer and Kenneth Lafo. Lafo earned a Serteens Scholarship Award and served an internship with a speech language pathologist. She was also involved in running, soccer, and Relay for Life of North Port event leadership team. She is majoring in communication disorders and sciences.
Florissant, Missouri
Samantha Hayner, North County Christian School, is the daughter of Holly and Chuck Hayner. The class valedictorian and National Honor Society member, Hayner participated in varsity soccer and volleyball. She was also involved in student government, Girl Scouts and horseback riding. She earned a Girl Scout Award and mayoral award for volunteer hours. Hayner is majoring in animal science.
Seville, Ohio
Lindsey Leatherman, Wadsworth High School, is the daughter of Sandy and Jeff Leatherman of Wadsworth, Ohio. A National Honor Society member, she was a member of the school’s student council, student ambassadors, and HUDDLE (Helping Us Develop Dedication, Leadership and Enthusiasm) club. She also participated in the Stay Tobacco Free Advocacy Mentoring Program, Key Club and participated in cross-country, track, lacrosse and band. She was a three-year class president and all-county athlete in cross-country. She is majoring in exercise psychology and dietetics.
