Meet the 2013-2014 Lake County Academic Team
Hannah Bohn, Antioch Community High
Hometown: Antioch
Parents: Steve and Christina Bohn
Sponsor: Kelly Lindgren, counselor
Class rank: 1st out of 322 students
GPA: 4.795 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Elementary education
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; All-State Academic Team Nominee; AP Scholar
Personal statement: “I have chosen a career path that allows me to continue doing what I love and affords me the opportunity to share with others what I have learned from my accomplishments. While I have achieved a great deal during my high school experiences, the greatest reward will be working in an environment that allows me to continue learning every day.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Hannah's self-discipline and work ethic are unparalleled. This year, she is taking six AP classes and is a three-sport varsity athlete. She also volunteers at her church and is the coach of a youth soccer team in the community. She appears to do all of this effortlessly, and always with a positive, upbeat attitude.”
David Crisler, Lake Zurich High School
Hometown: Lake Zurich
Parents: Kenneth and Jean Crisler
Sponsor: Craig Lehigh, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.05 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2280
Planned major: Mathematics
Awards, honors: Math Team four-year state qualifier; 3rd place, WYSE Academic sectional; Scholastic Bowl team, 2013 regional champions
Personal statement: “I would like to pursue mathematics in college and perhaps as my career. I plan to take the most diverse and advanced classes available during my college career, so that I can experience as much of the subject I love as possible and in the process discover what career I want to pursue.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “He has a passion for life and for all the endeavors he undertakes — a passion for academics, extracurriculars and athletics, a passion for his music, and a passion for service to others. David's selfless determination to always give 100 percent, complete tasks in a proficient manner and not leave projects unfinished are major motivating factors for him.”
Rohan Ghosh, Warren Twp. High School
Hometown: Gurnee
Parents: Chandra and Soumojeet Ghosh
Sponsor: Jennifer Scahill, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.65 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2370
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: IHSA All Academic team for tennis; Illinois State Scholar; National Merit Finalist
Personal statement: “One of my biggest motivations for becoming an engineer is the important part engineering plays in daily life. Alternative energy solutions are becoming more affordable and practical, but we have a long way to go. All of these incredible products — from household compact fluorescent bulbs to electric cars — are the creations of engineering minds.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Rohan always puts forth his best effort and has not missed a single day of high school. He is driven to achieve but also has a love of learning. His math teacher says he is 'a deep thinker who does not stop at the obvious.' His physics teacher says he is 'eager to try without fear of failure.' His teachers all wish they had more students like him.”
Joey Nedland, Libertyville High School
Hometown: Libertyville
Parents: Nancy and Jon Nedland
Sponsor: Jessica Noga, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.703 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2350
Planned major: Political science, economics
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Presidential Scholar nominee; two-time Science Star
Personal statement: “I always want to have diversity in my life, both in my experiences and in my interests. I hope to study abroad and experience the Middle East, and I want to live in a city, ideally New York, to constantly be surrounded by changing faces and cultures. A repetitive life is a boring life, and my high school career has shown that I intend to never let my life stagnate.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Joey is always pushing his limits; he is constantly challenging himself in his studies. It may sound cliché, but he loves to learn, and while some teenagers' first passions may be athletics or activities, his first passion is his academics. He takes advantage of intellectual challenges and thrives in a world of textbooks.”
Pranalee Patel, Grayslake Central High
Hometown: Grayslake
Parents: Vasant and Dharmistha Patel
Sponsor: Adrijana Bisevac, AP U.S. History teacher
Class rank: 1st out of 320 students
GPA: 4.733 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biology/mathematics or global health and pre-med
Awards, honors: National AP Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award, Highest Honor Roll (all semesters)
Personal statement: “I am driven to succeed academically so I can use my experiences and knowledge to help others, faced with adversity, also achieve their goals. Most of all, I intend to dedicate my expertise to ensure that children around the globe have the same opportunity I did to accomplish their goals, and that nothing stands in the way of their dreams.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “I firmly believe she will continue to be an exemplary scholar, leader and citizen and she should be recognized for her contributions to the classroom, school and community. Her remarkable intellect, maturity, and general disposition will ensure her future success.”
Nicholas Rice, Grayslake North High School
Hometown: Grayslake
Parents: Pamela Rice
Sponsor: Sarah Winfrey, counselor
Class rank: 1st out of 368 students
GPA: 4.667 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2100
Planned major: Pre-Med, Spanish
Awards, honors: Valedictorian; National AP Scholar with Distinction; Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “I once heard something along the lines of 'What you do today will make what you do tomorrow harder or easier' and these words are in my mind every day. Through high school I have taken the most rigorous schedule possible and been a part of tons of extracurricular activities, not because I love doing homework for hours each night and losing my social life, but because I want what I do today to prepare me for what I do tomorrow.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Nicholas has had exceptional academic success during high school. His achievements are marked not only by academic excellence, but also by his significant contributions — with National Honor Society, as class president, and captain of his soccer and hockey teams.”
Yu Jin Shin, Carmel Catholic High School
Hometown: Hawthorn Woods
Parents: Ken and Julia Shin
Sponsor: Jen Burkhalter, asst. principal
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.51 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Highest GPA in class (2011, 2012, 2013); department awards in mathematics, science and history; National Merit Finalist
Personal statement: “Learning is a lifelong journey. I look upon my future years at college and beyond with excitement and ready for a challenge. I want to be more than an engineer with technical knowledge; I want to be a leader in my field, able to influence and lead my peers in a more technologically advanced world. It is my hope I can be a part of the science community that can serve humanity worldwide with advances in the application and distribution of medical technology.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Among her many assets are her willingness to work hard and her strong sense of responsibility. I have come to recognize her as an outstanding individual, highly motivated — a lifelong learner.”
Justin Song, Vernon Hills High School
Hometown: Vernon Hills
Parents: Lucy and Tom Song
Sponsor: Becki Bellito, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.607 on a weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2400
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Presidential Scholar candidate (awaiting final selection); qualifier, American Invitational Mathematics Examination
Personal statement: “I believe firmly in the power of the fine arts. Math and science are important, but equally as important is having a deep appreciation for art and music. I have volunteered as a counselor at the Hawthorn Summer Music Camp, and I hope I can continue to do work like this even after I have started on my career path. I don't ever want to see music leave my life or anyone else's life.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Justin's impeccable academic record speaks for itself (but) he is one of the most compassionate, bright, and interesting students with whom I've worked. He never takes himself too seriously, but he is a disciplined and diligent student and musician.”
Vivian Wan, Stevenson High School
Hometown: Lake Zurich
Parents: Liqun Wan and Hua Xu
Sponsor: James Kollar, economics teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.81 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; National AP Scholar; Biology Olympiad semifinalist
Personal statement: “I have a passion for searching through the multitude of things that are known and unknown and working toward finding answers, finding a cure, and finding the next step in fighting the awful illnesses that plague the human body. I have refined my initial inclination toward science into a life goal of joining the fight against cancer and other life-threatening diseases.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Vivian is a highly motivated student ... her work was always completed in such detail and quality as to be presentable to any department head of any business. Her ability to process difficult economic concepts, come to the correct conclusion and articulate the meaning of her answer was quite impressive.”
Cheryl Xiang, Stevenson High School
Hometown: Vernon Hills
Parents: Justin Xiang, Janice Xue
Sponsor: Hector Vazquez, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.7978 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2340
Planned major: Biochemistry or engineering
Awards, honors: Qualifier, American Invitational Mathematics Examination; two-time ICTM Regional Math Competition individual champion; AP Scholar
Personal statement: “Despite the academic success I have had, I consider my biggest asset to be my acute sense of self-motivation. I hope to inspire others in the same way: to encourage them to work harder, dream bigger, and surpass what they thought would be possible. Therefore, I hope my (future) success will be measured not by the number of my accomplishments, but rather by the size of my impact.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Cheryl has worked very hard challenging herself in the most rigorous courses we offer. Her demonstrated interest in serving others and her excellent academic work has prepared her for both rigorous higher education and a challenging career.”