Northwest Suburban Academic Team honorable mentions
Emily Begnel
School: Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Thomas and Myrna Begnel
Class rank: 1 out of 500
GPA: 5.71 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: Rice University
Planned major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; Illinois State Scholar; Science Olympiad; WYSE Sectional Team
Nikhil Byanna
School: Conant High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: Vid and Sudha Byanna
Class rank: 2 out of 565
GPA: 5.0160 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
College: Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan
Planned major: Economics and industrial engineering
Awards, honors: University of Michigan Engineering Scholarship of Honor; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; Business Professionals of America 3-year National Qualifier.
Lauren Caruba
School: Bartlett High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Jim and Susan Caruba
Class rank: 8 out of 604
GPA: 32 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
College: Northwestern University
Planned major: Journalism
Awards, honors: IHSA State Journalism Competition; National Merit finalist; Illinois State Scholar; editor in-chief of school newspaper.
Justin Chen
School: Schaumburg High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Gordon Chen and Anne Chen
Class rank: 5 out of 603
GPA: 4.88 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: University of Pennsylvania, University of Notre Dame, Emory University
Planned major: Business
Awards, honors: National AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; Illinois PSAT Outstanding Excellence in all subjects; Business Student of the Quarter; Tri-M Music Masters Honors.
Michael Chmiel
School: Wheeling High School
Hometown: Mount Prospect
Parents: Harold Chmiel and Madelene Tarczynski
Class rank: 1 out of 469
GPA: 5.7444 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: University of Illinois, Northwestern University, University of Minnesota
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: Gold National Scholarship; Presidential Scholarship, University of Minnesota; Grainger Freshman Scholarship; National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar.
Riti Chokshi
Named to the 2010-11 Fox Valley Academic Team
School: Elgin High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Kalpesh and Rupal Chokshi
Class rank: 1 out of 506
GPA: 5.0 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test score: ACT: 30
College: University of Illinois at Chicago
Planned major: Chemistry, pharmacy
Awards, honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Mathletes, HOSA, Scholastic Bowl.
Madelynn Conlin
School: Rolling Meadows High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Tom and Nancy Conlin
Class rank: 3 out of 503
GPA: 5.62 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: University of Notre Dame
Planned major: Mathematics
Awards, honors: Bausch and Lomb Science Award; American Mathematics Competition; three-time bronze medalist, National Spanish Exam; Illinois State Scholar; IHSA All-State Academic Team.
Catherine Cwieka
School: Maine East High School
Hometown: Morton Grove
Parents: Leszek and Antonina Cwieka
Class rank: 2 out of 454
GPA: 4.80 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: Northwestern University, Washington University, Lawrence University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; AP Scholar with Honors; District 207's Best for Academic Achievement; Tech Olympics at Illinois High School Theatre Fest; Constitution Contest; Math Team.
Nicholas DiMaso
School: East Leyden High School
Hometown: Franklin Park
Parents: Pamela and Philip DiMaso
Class rank: 1 out of 381
GPA: 4.0000 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: Stanford University, Northwestern University, Harvard University
Planned major: Undecided major, minor in Spanish
Awards, honors: AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; Science Olympiad; Fern Award for Excellence in English; Math Departmental Award; Science Departmental Award.
Veronica Drozdowski
School: East Leyden High School
Hometown: Franklin Park
Parents: Barbara and Ludwik Drozdowski
Class rank: 1 out of 381
GPA: 4.463 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: Harvard College, Notre Dame, University of Illinois
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Helen St. John Certificate for math, science and modern language; Jane Russell Award for Excellence in Science; American History Award; Wendy's High School Heisman School Winner.
Rachel Frame
School: Hoffman Estates High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: David and Joyce Frame
Class rank: 4 out of 501
GPA: 4.94 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test score: ACT: 34
College: Washington University, University of North Carolina; or Miami of Ohio
Planned major: International business or public health
Awards, honors: Harrison Scholarship; first place statewide 3-D Teapot Show; AP Scholar with Honor; National Honor Society president; Illinois State Scholar.
Eilrayna Gelyana
Named to the 2010-11 Lake County Academic Team
School: Stevenson High School Hometown: Buffalo Grove
Parents: Dennis and Valantine Gelyana
Class rank: 3 out of 1,140
GPA: 4.7901 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 2390
College: Harvard University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National AP Scholar; four years on Gold Honor Roll
Eiftu Haile
School: Hoffman Estates High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: Solomon Damtew and Aberash Beyene
Class rank: 6 out of 501
GPA: 4.9294 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2120
College: Washington University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: John B. Ervin Scholarship from Washington University; National Achievement Scholarship Program winner; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar with Honor; IHSA State Finals Impromptu Speaking.
Sarah Hunt
School: Prospect High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Jeff and Peggy Hunt
Class rank: 7 out of 569
GPA: 5.63 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2170
College: Cornell University
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; PrepVolleyball.com Academic all-American; AP Scholar with Honors; Illinois State Scholar; Student of the Month Information Processing.
Kelsey Johnson
School: Streamwood High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Jim and Laura Johnson
Class rank: 3 out of 513
GPA: 4.8 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: University of Illinois, Marquette University, Purdue University
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Demolition Association Scholarship; Elk National Foundation Scholarship; Illinois State Scholar; Rotary Club Honor Scholarship Award; AP Scholar.
Rachel Mia Kaim
School: Elk Grove High School
Hometown: Elk Grove Village
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Rick Kaim
Class rank: 7 out of 514
GPA: 5.43 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test score: SAT: 2010
College: Harvard; Dartmouth or Northwestern University
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Prairie State Achievement Award for Writing; National Technical Honor Society; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; National Forensics League Award, Special Distinction Degree.
Roche Kapoor
Named to the 2010-11 DuPage County Academic Team
School: Lake Park High School
Hometown: Roselle
Parents: Hemant and Reena Kapoor
Class rank: 1 out of 714
GPA: 5.69 on a 5.0 scale
Test score: ACT: 35
College: Princeton, Harvard or Washington University, St. Louis
Planned major: Neuroscience
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholar Commendation, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Maura Kelly
School: John Hersey High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Kevin and Sharon Kelly
Class rank: 4 out of 482
GPA: 5.64 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test score: ACT: 33
College: Harvard; Notre Dame or Yale
Planned major: History and political science
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Honor; Illinois State Scholar; Scholastic Bowl; National Geography Challenge second place.
Daniel Kerekes
School: Barrington High School
Hometown: Barrington
Parents: Matt and Diane Kerekes
Class rank: 1 out of 759
GPA: 4.707 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test score: ACT: 35
College: Notre Dame, Duke or Princeton University
Planned major: Pre-medicine and business
Awards, honors: Hesburgh-Yusko Scholarship finalist; National Merit Finalist; National Latin Exam Gold Medalist; Gus Pausz Service and Leadership Award from T.E.A.M.; AP Scholar.
Prasanna Marathe
School: Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Vidya and Ravindra Marathe
Class rank: 3 out of 508
GPA: 5.70 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test score: ACT: 32
College: University of Chicago, Washington University or St. Louis University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: NASA Engelhard Endowment Scholarship; National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; National Honor Society; Illinois State Scholar.
Robert Daniel Moynihan
School: St. Viator High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: John and Laura Moynihan
Class rank: 2 out 290
GPA: 104.3 on a percentile scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2280
College: Washington University; Northwestern University, University of Illinois
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Illinois State Scholar; Principal's Honor; IHSA Award for outstanding student athletes.
Eliza Nieweglowska
School: Maine East High School
Hometown: Park Ridge
Parents: Artur and Elzbieta Nieweglowska
Class rank: 1 out of 454
GPA: 4.92 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
College: University of Chicago
Planned major: Chemistry, Spanish
Awards, honors: District 207 Best for Academic Achievement; Chicago Diabetes Project internship; COACH tutoring; Mu Alpha Theta; Gifted Lyceum program.
Alexa Pagley
School: St. Edward Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Streamwood
Parents: Nancy and Bill Pagley
Class rank: 6 out of 93
GPA: 4.37 on a 4.0 scale
Test score: ACT: 29
College: Marquette University
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; WYSE; French Club president; National Honor Society clerk.
Katie Pantell
School: The Willows Academy
Hometown: Mount Prospect
Parents: Frank and Sheri Pantell
Class rank: 1 out of 29
GPA: 100.60 on 100 point scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2280
College: Northwestern; University of Chicago or Loyola
Planned major: Mathematics, education
Awards, honors: Loyola University Scholarship; Mu Alpha Theta; WYSE; National Merit finalist; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar.
Steven Pavlakis
School: Rolling Meadows High School
Hometown: Rolling Meadows
Parents: Van and Sandra Pavlakis
Class rank: 9 out of 500
GPA: 5.45 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test score: ACT: 35
College: Case Western Reserve; University of Chicago or University of Illinois
Planned major: Mathematics
Awards, honors: Case Western Reserve University Scholarship; Illinois Engineering Premier Scholarship; Rensselaer Medal; National Merit semifinalist; AP Scholar.
Anthony Pensa
School: St. Viator High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Vito and Laura Pensa
Class rank: 1 out of 290
GPA: 105.6 on a percentile scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2180
College: Harvard; Northwestern or Georgetown University
Planned major: Biology, pre-medicine
Awards, honors: AP Scholar; National Merit Commended Scholar; Principal's Honor; football captain; IHSA award.
Emily Peterson
School: Streamwood High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Gary and Leilani Peterson
Class rank: 1 out of 513
GPA: 4.938 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
College: Elmhurst College, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Presidential Scholarship, Elmhurst College; AP Scholar; State Scholar; Bartlett Rotary Club Honor Scholarship.
Laura Pettersen
School: Palatine High School
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Scott and Deborah Pettersen
Class rank: 3 out of 669
GPA: 5.0319 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2300
College: Northwestern University, Purdue University, University of Illinois
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Purdue University scholarship; Women Engineering scholarship to University of Illinois; Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award; Prairie State Achievement Award; National Merit finalist.
Ahmad Mansoor Safi
Named to the 2010-11 DuPage County Academic Team
School: Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Hanover Park
Parents: Abdul Nasir Safi and Aziza Safi
Class rank: 1 out of 623
GPA: 5.8462 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: Duke University
Planned major: Biology; pre-medicine
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, Northern Illinois Student Press Association Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Journalism, AP Scholar Award
Brian L. Wadsworth
School: Conant High School
Hometown: Elk Grove Village
Parents: Larry and Stephanie Wadsworth
Class rank: 1 out of 565
GPA: 4.00 on a 4.0 traditional scale
Test scores: ACT: 29
College: Coe College, University of Dallas, Penn State University, Knox College
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: Scholarships to Coe College, University of Dallas, Knox College; National Honor Society; Academic Chevron Award; Illinois State Scholar.
Weronika Wasilewski
School: Schaumburg High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Pawel and Jadwiga Wasilewski
Class rank: 1 out of 603
GPA: 4.95 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test score: ACT: 32
College: Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame, Loyola University
Planned major: Secondary education
Awards, honors: Northwestern Scholarship; Pledge Scholarship; Prairie State Achievement Award; AP Scholar With Distinction Award; MathCounts; Illinois State Scholar.
Matthew Wen
School: Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Barrington
Parents: Dennis and Ailee Wen
Class rank: Top 3 out of 163
GPA: 4.72 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2140
College: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy or Imperial College in London
Planned major: Aeronautical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, National Honor Society, Honor Roll.
Blake Wetherton
School: Bartlett High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: David and Tracy Wetherton
Class rank: 1 out of 604
GPA: 4.810 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2230
College: University of Illinois; MIT or Northwestern
Planned major: Business engineering or math/science
Awards, honors: Bartlett Rotary Honor Scholarship; WYSE; National Merit Commended Scholar; National Honor Society; AP Scholar.
Jenny Yan
Named to the 2010-11 Lake County Academic Team
School: Stevenson High School
Hometown: Buffalo Grove
Parents: Nancy Huang and James Yan
Class rank: 2 out of 1,140
GPA: 4.7931 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2390
College: Columbia, Duke or Dartmouth
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Semifinalist, 2010 Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology; 2nd place, Science Olympiad Nationals; American Cancer Society Summer Research program.