2014-2015 DuPage County Academic Team
Armghan Ahmad
Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Zafar Ahmad, Samina Ahmad
Sponsor: Michael Rossi, English teacher
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.74 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2350
Planned major: Philosophy
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, American Invitational Mathematics Examination qualifier 2014
Personal statement: “Medicine is a field that calls for quick decisions and critical thinking - but equally important is the art of understanding and caring for people. And in this realm of science and service, I believe I have found my calling; a noble, selfless pursuit, one I wish to dedicate my life to. And someday I hope to be part of a new generation of doctors, fighting illness and disease in new, innovative ways, but retaining the sense of social responsibility that has informed the discipline since its inception.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “I've been privileged to work with some of my school's most talented and industrious students. I can think of few students in that period who claim a greater share of both those virtues than Armi.”
Giovanni Basso
Lake Park High School
Hometown: Roselle
Parents: Andres & Elizabeth Basso
Sponsor: Joe Ziemba, school counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 674
GPA: 5.7255 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2200
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate
Personal statement: “I want to do research that ultimately leads to the world being a better place, whether that's from creation of new medicines, or the discovery of new ways to capture and use energy efficiently, or anything else.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Gio is a passionate learner who is intuitive, detail-oriented, and unassuming. In my discussions with Gio, I have noticed the casual way that he describes his extraordinary accomplishments. Gio is confident and practical when describing such items and you can sense how important it is for him to continuously improve and maximize his ability. Gio has a unique combination of talent and motivation that leads anyone who interacts with him to conclude that his potential truly is limitless.”
Joy E. Chiu
Naperville Central High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Tienyu Chiu, Mei Chiu
Sponsor: Rachel Rogers, counselor
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.755 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2400
Planned major: Biomedical engineering, applied mathematics
Awards, honors: National Piano Guild Audition's Paderewski Gold Medal, National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, National Honor Society, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “Compulsory school is a privilege that we all recognize. However, the actual act of learning is an entirely separate concept. We must endeavor to learn about what intrigues us, regardless of whether or not formal schooling provides the opportunities. I am a firm believer in learning for the sake of learning, in sowing my mind now to reap the benefits for the rest of my life.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Every once in a while you come across an exemplary student in your career, and Joy Chiu is one of those rare students. She is articulate, intelligent, conscientious and extremely talented. It has truly been a privilege watching her mature into this wonderful, delightful young lady.”
Calvin Chu
Waubonsie Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: I-Ping Chu & Tsomei Wu
Sponsor: Isaiah Davis
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.57 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2300
Planned major: Economics, math
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholars with Distinction Award, 1st place DuPage County NAACP College Readiness and Scholarship Fair Essay Contest, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “Each experience gave me an opportunity to learn from scratch, sharpen my leadership qualities, practice my problem solving skills, and produce something out of nothing. As a future economics major at the University of Chicago, I hope to turn this drive into a prosperous career as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, helping others fulfill their potentials while simultaneously reaching my own.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Calvin is a mature young man who is able to communicate with adults as if he already were one. In terms of academics, Calvin takes responsibility over his grades and seeks to ask and answer questions on his own.”
Avik Laha
Metea Valley High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Subhasis Laha & Bhaswati Laha
Sponsor: John Riddle, teacher
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.57 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2390
Planned major: Physics along with engineering or computer science
Awards, honors: U.S. Achievement Academy National Math Award (2012-2013), National Merit commended scholar, National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar, Scholastic Bowl and Science Olympiad
Personal statement: “I have always wanted to make a positive impact in the world through my work. In order to do so, I hope to undertake research in the physical sciences or make innovations in technology which will expand human horizons. To prepare myself for that ultimate goal, I have focused on the sciences within my high school coursework and extracurricular activities.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Avik is going to be successful wherever he goes and will continue that success afterward. I had the opportunity to be a part of his education and consider it a privilege.”
Siqi Liu
Naperville Central High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Michelle Chen, Steven Liu
Sponsor: Linda Gross, counselor
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.796 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2370
Planned major: English
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, 2014 YoungArts winner (short fiction), American Fine Arts Festival winner, third place in 2014 Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth Creative Minds Fiction Contest
Personal statement: “After completing my undergraduate studies, I would like to obtain an MFA in creative writing or attend graduate school for journalism. My goal is to not only use my words to inform, but also to inspire and change. The power of words cannot be underestimated, and I want my voice to be part of a greater symphony - a symphony that pushes our society to reflect and advance.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Siqi transformed from that young girl who essentially had no English language reading or writing skills to an adolescent who is a prolific and accomplished writer. ”
Joseph Palasek
Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Paul and Lisa Palasek
Sponsor: Christine McManus, mathematics department chair
Class rank: 1 out of 168
GPA: 4.5 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “I dedicate much of my scarce free time to learning about cars because there are no opportunities for me to do so within the classroom. It is now clear to me that my dream is to study mechanical engineering and focus on automotive engineering, as this would combine my passions for cars, mathematics, science, and technology.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Overall, Joey is a remarkable young man. He is extremely bright, dedicated, mature and compassionate in all that he undertakes. Not only is he gifted but also possesses the ambition to accomplish tremendous goals. He has and will continue to serve as an exemplary model for others in every endeavor he chooses to undertake.”
Priya Pillai
Hinsdale Central High School
Hometown: Oak Brook
Parents: Dr. Presannan and Anita Pillai
Sponsor: Kari Hein, school counselor
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 5.9792 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2370
Planned major: Biology (pre-med)
Awards, honors: John Benson Award honorable mention, National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar
Personal statement: “Coming from both a scientific and an artistic background gives me greater insight into the way I view new information. I can connect to a wide base of knowledge and approach topics with a unique perspective. This uncommon combination allows me to view the world holistically. It enables me to make connections between each field that would otherwise be impossible. I can visualize the graphs in math, and create gorgeous fractal patterns in art, by viewing each creatively and logically.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Priya has had a wonderful high school experience; she has had the opportunity during different years to double up her academics in science, social studies, and math. She loves to learn for the sake of learning, which is quite rare.”
Tyler Rusnak
Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Villa Park
Parents: Lily Rusnak, Andy Rusnak, Bruce Goodman and Gladys Rodriguez
Sponsor: Chuck Sheridan, social studies
Class rank: 6 out of 524
GPA: 4.68 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Biology or plant biology
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “I hope to live out my days in the fields discovering new ways to promote sustainable, increased growth in plants. To reach such a goal in life, it is necessary to keep an open mind and to synthesize the most unlikely of sources into an entirely new creation. Varying my extracurricular involvement and filling my schedule with challenging classes of every genre, then, has helped to breed this respect for inquiry into my very essence.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Tyler is an extraordinarily compassionate, thoughtful, and mature young man. He has grown into a true leader in our school, working harder than virtually any student I know, not only for himself, but also to motivate others.”
Tony Zhou
Naperville North High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Jie Zhang, Yu Zhou
Sponsor: Elizabeth Moore, math teacher
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 4.68 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2390
Planned major: International relations, government, philosophy and economics
Awards, honors: Chinese Common Knowledge Contest for Overseas Chinese Teenagers honorary mention, National merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: “I want to empower others and myself to set and pursue our own visions because, collectively, each dream is also a step toward a better version of this world. Whether it be through communicating with others, sharing ideas and inspirations, or giving and receiving resources, I know that the ability to dream is how I will make an impact in the world.”
Sponsor's endorsement: “Tony will serve very well as a societal role model, one who will leave an impression on those who meet him but will also always remember that success is achieved with the help and benefit of those around him.”