2014-2015 Northwest Suburban Academic Team
Kevin Chang
Conant High School
Hometown: Elk Grove Village
Parents: Paul Chang & Bina Huang
Sponsor: Adam Leibman, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.85 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2310
Planned major: Symbolic systems
Awards, honors: National Association for Music Education all-national honors orchestra; Business Professionals of America national medalist (3X); AP Scholar with Distinction
Personal statement: “Beneath my highlight reel of successes is behind-the-scenes footage chock full of failures. Behind every successful website are hundreds of hours spent on thousands of lines of now-unused code. Behind my week with the All-Nationals Honors Orchestra are dozens of failed auditions. But, behind it all is this relentless determination and irrational resilience that flourishes in the face of doubt and disappointment.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Kevin is a creative genius, exemplary student, and what every student should strive to become. In all likelihood he will be my 'once in a career' student - he'll be a household name in a few years and I'll sit back and say, 'Yep, I know that kid.'”
Selena Groh
Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Lisa Groh
Sponsor: William Brown, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.66 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2280
Planned major: Cognitive science
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; AP Scholar with Distinction; 7-semester honor roll
Personal statement: “Neuroscience is a burgeoning field with implications that are not fully realized; yet understanding the way we process information can have an astounding impact in mental health, advertising and law. Our brains are what make us who we are and, therefore, what shape our world. Examining the way they function cannot only benefit those who are mentally impaired, but also provide greater insight into the human race as a whole.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Selena is the most naturally gifted student I have ever known and ... one of the most down to earth and humble. She is absolutely brilliant, well beyond the average student's struggle of obtaining knowledge and easily accesses the information she has to creatively problem solve complex problems. She is truly one of a kind.”
Zane Kaiser
Bartlett High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Daniel Kaiser & Kimberly Earl
Sponsor: Stephanie Fullhart, counselor
Class rank: Tied for 1st out of 625
GPA: 5.0 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology or biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Health Occupations Students of America, 1st place at state competition; “top attorney” at Mock Trial contest; AP Scholar
Personal statement: “I hope to help people live their lives to the fullest by becoming an orthopedic surgeon. In addition to running a private practice, I hope to integrate sports medicine into my clinic - as a high school athlete, I know the many devastating effects injuries can have on both the body and mind. I hope to utilize my passion for health care to revive my patients' independence and perspective on life.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “He values giving back to the community. His participation in Key Club (all) four years exposed him to a wide range of opportunities; service at the local nursing home, soup kitchen, food bank, and blood drives. His exceptional passion for helping others truly distinguishes him.”
Haenah Kim
Hoffman Estates High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Sean & Gina Kim
Sponsor: Patrick Swanson, science teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.947 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; Academic Scholar (Top 25); Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “Like a toddler, I learn and explore best through experimentation: testing the limits of a prompt through a poetic structure; the structure of an object through destructive means; or the pliability of an object by biting it. Sometimes that meant risking a less than perfect grade. I didn't choose one subject over another; rather, I adapted to let my imagination ponder and my scientific side create. By becoming intimate with learning, I learned more, enjoyed more and evolved more.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Haenah frequently asks high-level questions during class that reflect a deep understanding of the material. Her questions are sometimes so good I have to look up the answer that night and get back to her the next day.”
Soumyaa Mazumder
William Fremd High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Paromita & Sudip Mazumder
Sponsor: Karl Craddock, science teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.222 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2370
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad 2014 Finalist; paid research internship at Loyola University Department of Biochemistry, awarded by the U.S. Army Educational Outreach Program's Research and Engineering Apprenticeship Program; 1st place, 2014 regional Department of Energy Science Bowl, qualified for nationals
Personal statement: “The approach that I have always found most interesting is that of the biochemist. Like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, studying how myriad molecules all interact and fit together in a given biological system is how I try to understand the world.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Soumyaa has the respect of all of the faculty, she is liked and respected by her peers for her intelligence and character and ... she recognizes that true educational experience is not confined to the walls of the classroom.”
Michael Morikado
Prospect High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Kent Morikado; Peggy Greco
Sponsor: Tim Casper, chemistry teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.61 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2280
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; AP Scholar with Distinction; Verizon Innovative App Challenge 'Best in Illinois' team app concept Personal statement: “From an early age, I always have had an interest in medicine and a knack for problem solving. Only biomedical engineering encompasses both. Whether it be mechanical, biochemical or electrical emphases, every facet of biomedical engineering bridges the gap between emerging technology and patient care. As a prospective biomedical engineer, I hope to improve the quality of life for the disabled and ill.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “As a sophomore Michael was, by far, the class leader in testing in a primarily senior class. ... He is possibly the most academically talented student in our senior class. He learns material at an incredibly rapid rate.”
Michael Nimerfroh
Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Mark & Fran Nimerfroh
Sponsor: Kathy Fox, college counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.72 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemical engineering; business administration
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar; perfect 800s on SAT Math2 and SAT Chemistry; perfect Prairie State Achievement scores in reading, math and science
Personal statement: “My passion for chemistry has transformed into a lifestyle ... and while I do not believe that I possess the answers to the world's problems, I do believe that chemistry will play a vital role in their solutions.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Michael possesses a natural thirst for learning that extends beyond the classroom. When he does not understand a concept it only drives his desire to master the material. One of his strengths is his strong understanding of numeracy, and ability to conceptualize abstract concepts mentally. ... In short, he is a natural.”
Eduard Popa
Wheeling High School
Hometown: Mount Prospect
Parents: John & Jill Popa
Sponsor: Rick Watson, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.57 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Chemistry/pre-dentistry
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; AP Scholar with Distinction; Highest Honors
Personal statement: “Dentistry will allow me to develop my interest in science and anatomy ... At the heart of quality health care stands selflessness, and dentistry is just the vocation that will allow me to continue the experience high school has provided me in regards to giving back to my community.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Eduard's background is different from most of his peers. He emigrated with his parents from Romania as a young child with literally no personal possessions. Because both parents had to work very long days to support him, he learned at an early age the importance of hard work and diligence to academics. Rarely have I known a student with such a commitment to education and the willingness to put in extra time to guarantee success.”
Melissa Tran
Schaumburg High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: Danny & Phuong Tran
Sponsor: Darrell Robin, English teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.048 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2400
Planned major: Molecular biology or biochemistry
Awards, honors: Perfect ACT/SAT/SAT Physics and Math II scores; National Merit Scholar; seven-semester honor roll
Personal statement: “Looking back at what I've done these last four years, a litany of accomplishments is far from what comes to mind. Instead of just the products of my work, I remember the efforts necessary to achieve them - and these journeys have helped shape who I am today and what I want to do with my life.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “When Melissa started her journey four years ago she had strong goals for herself, but she never wanted to attain them solely for herself. By gaining credibility for her many accomplishments, she actually gained credibility for the process of acting the right way for the right reasons, which is why I must give her the highest recommendation I have given a student within the past decade.”
Jennie Yang
William Fremd High School
Hometown: Rolling Meadows
Parents: Donghong Wang; Weijun Yang
Sponsor: Kevin Palmer, social studies teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.064 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2350
Planned major: Electrical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; U.S. Presidential Scholars Program candidate; Illinois High School Scholastic Bowl Coaches' Association All-State First Team, 2014 and 2015
Personal statement: “An aspiring engineer is supposed to enter science fairs, be on the robotics team and take part in the Physics Olympiad. (But) instead of balancing a bunch of redox reactions or soldering together circuit boards, I have spent high school reading Russian novels and playing Mendelssohn. Even though my ultimate career goal is to be an engineer, I hope to be a cultured, artistic and well-read engineer.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “As a female in a traditionally male-dominated field, Jennie stands out as a powerhouse in the sciences, (with) an uncanny ability to grasp very complex concepts in a relative short amount of time.”