Twenty-first Star Chapter DAR Recognizes Outstanding American History Scholars
At its 2015 American History Luncheon, the Twenty-first Star Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution was pleased to honor students of Maine East, Maine South, Maine West, Niles North and Niles West High Schools as their "Outstanding American History Scholars".
As juniors last May, up to fifteen students at each high school were selected for their outstanding work in American History. From this group, each school announced the top student. To receive the American History Scholar Award these students needed to demonstrate: Leadership, Service, Dependability, Patriotism, and be selected by the Social Studies department for high achievement in History.
Each winner was introduced by DAR Twenty-first Star Chapter Historian Nancy Meyer and presented with a special medal and gifts by DAR Twenty-first Star Chapter Regent Sheila Aszling.
Maine East High School's winner is Michael Sherman. Michael is a member of the National Honors Society, Politics Club, Model United Nations, and Maine East's Rotary chapter. He has won state titles in math competitions and placed first in Maine East's Constitutions contest during his freshman year. Michael also participates in the Scholastic Bowl and plays tennis.
At Maine South, Alexander Solberg has been "Student of the Month" and received awards in accelerated biology, world history, German, principles of engineering, accelerated chemistry, AP European history, AP economics, AP US history, and accelerated physics. He received a Bronze Award in the 2014 German National Exam. Alex is a member of the German Club, Junior Leaders, German National Honor Society, Hawk Pride Student Leadership, South Stars Athletic Leadership Group, Athletic Council, and Investment Club. He is very active in soccer at Maine South and Park Ridge, being both a trainer and a referee. Last year he attended the University of Chicago Economics for Leaders program.
Maine West's winner is Leena Khoury. Leena has been Student of the Quarter and received Awards of Academic Excellence in accelerated biology, accelerated Spanish, algebra, accelerated world cultures, COACH, Freshmen PE, AP European history and US history and AP English. She has received the Frederick Douglass and Susan B Anthony Award and has been on the high honor roll every semester. She is the student leader of Warrior Pride, on the Westerner newspaper staff, is Vice President on the Principal's Leadership Team, a member of Pi Sigma Pi, COACH tutoring, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, choir, Senior Leaders, Poetry Club, Scholastic Bowl and does Future Leaders mentoring. She is also a member of the "2014-2015 Daily Herald Leadership team". Leena is a student leader for Voice of the Nameless, a women's rights group, organizing a community domestic violence seminar. She organized, "1 Billion Rising Flash Mob" against domestic violence, plus she volunteers with pet therapy, the Peterson Garden Project and Feed My Starving Children.
The Niles North winner is Jasper Nwansi. Jasper received the Principal's Recognition Award for Social Studies and a Bronze Honor Pin. He participates in the dance marathon and is active in the WHO Club. Jasper is a member of the Edgewater Presbyterian Youth Group. He has participated in four years of football as well as indoor and outdoor track and field.
Niles West's winner is Allison Salter. She is a member of both the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. Allison won 1st place in the Northwestern Midwest Talent Search, and is an Outstanding Student in both the American Association of Physics Teachers and Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers. She is "best in Category" in Illinois Junior Academy of Science Region 6, received the American Nuclear Society Outstanding Achievement Award, Honorable Mention in the American Chemical Society's high school Chemistry Exam, 98th percentile Gold Award in the National Spanish Exam, a Presidential Bronze Service Award, and Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Regional 3rd place in English Exam. Allison is a member of the Chemistry Club, RIOT (a science research club), Vice President of the Engineering Club, and a Band Board member. In her spare time, she is in Marching Band, Pop n' Rock, volunteers at Wright Way Animal Shelter, and at Niles West's Literacy Center as a tutor. She spent last summer volunteering abroad in rural Peru.
Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal decent from a patriot of the American Revolution, is eligible for membership. The DAR recognizes "Patriots: as not only soldiers but also anyone who contributed to the cause of American freedom." If interested in learning more about the Daughters of the American Revolution or attending one of our meetings, please contact Dorothy Wilson at (847) 328-6946 for further details.