2008-2009 Lake County Academic Team
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Kevin DicksonGrayslake Central High SchoolHometown: GrayslakeParents: Kelley and Kevin DicksonSponsor: Kristen CarlsonClass rank: First out of 288GPA: 4.59 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34 College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Northwestern University or Washington University Planned major: Mechanical engineeringAwards, honors: Valedictorian; National Honor Society; AP Scholar with HonorPersonal statement: "The impact that I personally would like to have on society as an engineer is in the area of renewable and alternative energy sources. America as a nation has become wasteful, and the trend will tragically continue unless my generation develops new technology to conserve energy and switch to renewable energy such as clean coal, solar and wind energy."Sponsor's endorsement: "Kevin's presence, whether in the classroom, on the high school campus, or within the community, enriches all who have the opportunity to know him. Without question, he is the one of the most focused students with whom I have worked in my 14 years of teaching, and this focus will allow him to reach his impressive academic goals. He manages to achieve a balance in his education and in his personal life that many cannot; he understands the importance of scholarship but does not allow it to inhibit his personal involvements or commitments to public service."Graduation photos - Grayslake Central High School
Connor DimickWauconda High SchoolHometown: Island LakeParents: Kathy and Brad DimickSponsor: Rich Wolf, dean of studentsClass rank: Second out of 320GPA: 4.67 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34College: Olivet Nazarene University, Cornerstone University or University of IllinoisPlanned major: AccountingAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; Illinois State ScholarPersonal statement: "I have had the opportunity to accomplish many of the goals I set for myself through high school, and I feel blessed to have received a valuable education and learned critical lessons about life through my time here. I strongly desire to be able to pass that knowledge on to others. One of the biggest driving forces in my life is to give back what has been given to me. As high school winds down, I'm excited by the challenge of moving on to college where I am determined to continue to strive for new goals, experience new areas of accomplishment, and have a blast!"Sponsor's endorsement: "In addition to his activities at Wauconda High School, Connor is heavily involved in outside activities as well. He actively participates in volunteer work through various organizations and his youth group. To that end, it is without hesitation that I write this letter fully endorsing Connor Dimick. His academics, leadership, and character are what set him apart from any other student I have known.Graduation photos - Wauconda High School
Drew DoeringGrayslake North High SchoolHometown: GrayslakeParents: Carolyn and Tom DoeringSponsor: JoAnn Galluzzi, English teacherClass rank: Second out of 327GPA: 4.46 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 32College: University of Iowa, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Princeton UniversityPlanned major: Biomedical engineeringAwards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; honor roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "If there was any one thing I would want to do to make a difference in this world, it would be to make a groundbreaking discovery in the field of cardiology. It has been my dream to have a hand in bringing about the day that someone with a heart disease could get a heart transplant, as well as new veins and arteries to replace any that were clogged with plaque. I also feel that doctors are a prime example of 'unsung' heroes. "Sponsor's endorsement: "There's something more to Drew than just achievement and high numbers; it is inquisitiveness. He has an innate desire to learn. ... And what is most impressive to me is that his personal desire is to 'make a difference' in the biomedical field. He wants to research heart disease and see if he can discover a cure for the many victims of this illness. He's confided in me that several family members have struggled with this illness, and he's using this struggle as a catalyst to make 'a groundbreaking discovery.' "Graduation photos - Grayslake North High School
Katherine LancelotLake Zurich High SchoolHometown: Deer ParkParents: Terri and Bob LancelotSponsor: Phil Stanko, AP biology teacherClass rank: First out of 508GPA: 4.55 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 33College: Yale University, Dartmouth College or Cornell UniversityPlanned major: American Studies, pre-lawAwards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; Honor Roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "For me, the cable car is not only a treasure from my younger days as a camper, but a symbol of the different traits that help define me today. My life goals are dynamic and, knowing myself, they will continue to move from definition, to (hopefully) achievement, and then to creation of new ones all throughout my life. I think I have a good foundation, based on my accomplishments and experiences so far, to be able to do this."Sponsor's endorsement: "Kate is a lifelong learner, a caring, sensitive person and a helpful, respectful, responsible student. ... Despite all her achievements and many talents, she remains a grounded, down-to-earth person. She is certainly motivated and driven, her success is due to her self-discipline and work ethic. I believe that Kate will someday join the great body of people who, through their individual and collective efforts, make the world work, and in doing so make it a better place. To be her teacher, and a small part of her life, has been a joy and an honor."Graduation photos - Lake Zurich High School
Jonathan PflugerLibertyville High SchoolHometown: LibertyvilleParents: Melanie and Steve PflugerSponsor: Michael Bush, physics teacherClass rank: Third out of 487GPA: 4.64 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2150College: Cornell University, Purdue University or University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPlanned major: Chemical engineeringAwards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; Honor Roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "I feel an inclination to work for the world around me, always striving to benefit others. As part of the Order of the Arrow, I have visited New Mexico and will be going to northern Minnesota and the Florida Keys this summer. At each of these sites, work is done during two-week service projects. These endeavors are aimed to improve the natural condition of the environment, preserving them as pristine wilderness locations. ... Boy Scouting has been a base for me my entire life and has allowed me to stem out and try many new undertakings to which I would not have otherwise been exposed. I am willing to try everything once, not discouraged by the potential risks."Sponsor's endorsement: "In addition to being a talented individual, Jon also works well in a group. He actively participates as a group member by contributing ideas, providing guidance, and often assuming a leadership role within the group."Graduation photos - Libertyville High School
Elizabeth ScheerCarmel Catholic High SchoolHometown: LibertyvilleParents: Sheila and Michael ScheerSponsor: Lynne Strutzel, principalClass rank: Second out of 320GPA: 4.48 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2030College: Creighton University, University of Notre Dame or Saint Louis UniversityPlanned major: Pre-medAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Honor Roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "Another area of accomplishment for me has been service and spiritual growth. One of the most influential experiences in that area was my mission trip to Tanzania, Africa; last summer, my family and I joined a group of parishioners from our church. ... Most of my time on the mission was spent teaching simple English words to the preschool students of the parish. The joy, excitement, kindness and happiness that I witnessed in those children made me realize how important service to others is and helped me commit myself fully to improving their situation."Sponsor's endorsement: "One of Elizabeth's finest assets is her perseverance, resulting in work that is consistently well-done. No matter what the point value of a particular assignment may be, Elizabeth always puts her full effort into the job. In particular, Elizabeth has a fine eye for details; her written work - be it one paragraph or an entire essay - reflects the practiced art of bringing her ideas to life through examples and description, something requiring both skill and conscious application."Graduation photos - Carmel Catholic High School
Leah SchmelkinStevenson High SchoolHometown: Buffalo GroveParents: Nancy and Leonard SchmelkinSponsor: Denise Foster, junior AP English teacherClass rank: Top 1 percent of 1,093GPA: 4.73 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2260College: Middlebury College, Davidson College or Haverford CollegePlanned major: BiochemistryAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "I used to wear a pink Power Ranger uniform. Every day. I only responded to the name of this Ranger - Kimberly - and with a limitless imagination, I thought I could fly. Then I smacked the ground after a 6-foot-jump and discovered the force of gravity - the pull of the earth keeping me from reaching the sky. I learned that what goes up must come back down, and that I, even in my Power Ranger suit, could not defy this law of physics. ... I still have the desire to fix what is broken. I cannot be a superhero ... I think we'd all like to be a Power Ranger once in a while. We'd all like to forget the forces that hold us back and instead believe in the possibility of our youthful aspirations. And so ... I will try."Sponsor's endorsement: "Leah is well-respected by teachers and peers alike, often chosen for small group work or peer responses. Because Leah can be candid but sensitive, she offers valuable feedback to help others produce their best work. Her comfortable leadership style invites others to give as much as she does to any project - in the classroom or out."Graduation photos - Stevenson High School
Gordy SkeochVernon Hills High SchoolHometown: Vernon HillsParents: Lori and Doug SkeochSponsor: Becki Bellito, counselorClass rank: Second out of 342GPA: 4.65 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34College: John Hopkins University, Stanford University or Princeton UniversityPlanned major: BiologyAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "Put together, all of these lessons and accomplishments have molded me into just the person I want to be. The determination from swimming, the passion from biology, the motivation from medicine, and the direction from remaining drug- and alcohol-free have set me up for a life which I believe will be everything I have hoped for. When swimming from Alcatraz, I noticed something about how the water currents relate to life. Even though I may have been swept in different directions and thrown off course, I still finished where I wanted to. In life, there may be forces trying to push me away from my goals. But 'training' in the right way and preparing myself in advance will allow me to find the finish line."Sponsor's endorsement: "One factor that sets him apart from many of his peers is the sheer energy with which he approaches his studies. His cheerfulness, his sense of fun, his optimism, his ability to bond with others, both peers and adults ... make him very special. In classroom conversations, he is any teacher's delight: His contributions are lively, thoughtful, insightful, and almost always delivered with a smile. "Graduation photos - Vernon Hills High School
Kevin StoneCarmel Catholic High SchoolHometown: AntiochParents: Jill and Larry StoneSponsor: Lynne Strutzel, principalClass rank: First out of 320GPA: 4.56 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: Yale University, Harvard University, Stanford UniversityCollege: ACT: 36Planned major: Physics, possible minor or double major in linguisticsAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Honor Roll; National Honor SocietyPersonal statement: "Most importantly of all, no matter where my life leads, I have learned determination from all of my accomplishments. Whether playing a solo as first chair trumpet in jazz band, taking the National Latin Exam, or balancing five AP classes with a life, I have learned to work as hard as I can and see everything through to the end. Like any good scientist, I am a perfectionist. I cannot tolerate not doing my best or leaving work undone. This is how I have accomplished everything I have done in my life, and it is how I will continue to accomplish as a scientist exploring the universe's greatest mysteries or trying to discover new treatments."Sponsor's endorsement: "Kevin is admired by both his teachers and peers. The faculty appreciates his respectful, cooperative attitude and the power of his leadership by example. We also appreciate his willingness to give of himself. His peers respond to him positively. He is a giving person who never hesitates to offer a smile or to help with a job that has to be done."Graduation photos - Carmel Catholic High School
Liza XuVernon Hills High SchoolHometown: Vernon HillsParents: Sheng Xu, Li XuSponsor: Becki Bellito, counselorClass rank: First out of 342GPA: 4.67 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 35College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin-Madison or Washington University, St. LouisPlanned major: Chemical engineeringAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; AP ScholarPersonal statement: "My dreams and aspirations have been built through the accumulation of life experiences and interests. Although I have been determined to become an engineer for sometime now, my role in various community service projects has influenced me to actively create an even greater positive impact on the world. I cannot change everyone or solve every problem, but I am determined to help as many individuals as possible."Sponsor's endorsement: "Be it writing or literary analysis, she wants to know 'why?', a 'why' that connotes scholastic maturity. It is always exciting when a student of her academic quality and exceptional personal qualities enters my classroom. This student values hard work, integrity and the challenge of learning. Her dedication and ability to lead others inside and outside the classroom distinguishes her from most of her peers. I give her my highest endorsement as a candidate for the Daily Herald 2009 Academic Team."Graduation photos - Vernon Hills High School
Honorable mentions
Ashley ByrdWarren Township High SchoolHometown: GurneeParents: Kim and Steve ByrdSponsor: Gail Triveline, guidance counselorClass rank: Top 1 percent of 848 seniors GPA: 4.65 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34College: University of Michigan, Vanderbilt University or University of IllinoisPlanned major: Biochemistry, philosophy, pre-medAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; AP Scholar with HonorsGraduation photos - Warren Township High School
Maura CreminGrayslake North High SchoolHometown: GrayslakeParents: Joan Sparacio-Cremin, Thomas CreminSponsor: Tracy Landry, social studies department chairClass rank: 1st out of 327GPA: 4.45 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34College: Notre Dame, Princeton University or Loyola University ChicagoPlanned major: International relationsAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; National Honor SocietyGraduation photos - Grayslake North High School
Martha EvansLibertyville High SchoolHometown: LibertyvilleParents: Jeannette and David EvansSponsor: Marti Gorun, English departmentClass rank: 4th out of 487GPA: 4.62 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2135College: University of Wisconsin-Madison or University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPlanned major: Chemical and biological engineering, danceAwards, honors: National Honor Society; AP ScholarGraduation photos - Libertyville High School
Kelsey GreenAntioch Community High SchoolHometown: AntiochParents: Christine and Paul GreenSponsor: Dee Andershock, AP English teacherClass rank: 1st out of 329GPA: 4.51 on a 4.0 weighted scaleTest scores: ACT: 31College: University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPlanned major: Bioengineering, biological and agricultural engineeringAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; Presidential ScholarGraduation photos - Antioch Community High School
Alex MaskevichGrant High SchoolHometown: Lake VillaParents: Heriberta and William MaskevichSponsor: Erin DeYoung, counselorClass rank: 1st out of 376GPA: 4.6 on a 4.0 weighted scaleTest scores: ACT: 35College: West Point, Purdue University or University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPlanned major: EngineeringAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; National Honor SocietyGraduation photos - Grant High School
Emily MinehartMundelein High SchoolHometown: MundeleinParents: Becky and Darwin MinehartSponsor: Neil McCarthy, social studies teacherClass rank: 2nd out of 560GPA: 4.43 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 33College: University of Chicago, Brown University or Augustana CollegePlanned major: HistoryAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; AP ScholarGraduation photos - Mundelein High School
Michael PetroGrayslake Central High SchoolHometown: GrayslakeParents: Mona and James PetroSponsor: Kristen Carlson, English teacherClass rank: 2nd out of 288GPA: 4.51 on a 4.0 weighted scaleTest scores: ACT: 32College: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Massachusetts Institute of Technology Planned major: Chemical engineeringAwards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; honor roll; AP ScholarGraduation photos - Grayslake Central High School
Jesse PolenWauconda High SchoolHometown: McHenryParents: Tina and Bob PolenSponsor: Brian Roy, guidance counselorClass rank: 1st out of 320GPA: 4.71 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 35College: University of Notre Dame, University of Illinois, Illinois Wesleyan UniversityPlanned major: Business, pre-lawAwards, honors: Honor roll; AP Scholar, Illinois State ScholarGraduation photos - Wauconda High School
Blythe RobersonAntioch Community High SchoolHometown: AntiochParents: Sherry Roberson and Russ RobersonSponsor: Dee Andershock, AP English teacherClass rank: 3rd out of 329GPA: 4.49 on a 4.0 weighted scaleTest scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2380College: Harvard or Columbia University (NYC)Planned major: Political scienceAwards, honors: National Merit Semifinalist; Presidential Scholar; Illinois General Assembly recognitionGraduation photos - Antioch Community High School
Westin TomMundelein High SchoolHometown: MundeleinParents: Cynthia and Randall TomSponsor: Jim Drier, English teacherClass rank: 4th out of 560GPA: 4.39 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 2070College: University of Chicago, Duke University or Dartmouth CollegePlanned major: Biology, pre-medAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; AP ScholarGraduation photos - Mundelein High School
Kathleen TrychtaWarren Township High SchoolHometown: GurneeParents: Sheila and Tom TrychtaSponsor: Jayson Paulus, guidance counselorClass rank: 2nd out of 848GPA: 4.61 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2000College: Colgate, Lehigh, University of IllinoisPlanned major: NeurobiologyAwards, honors: Honor roll; National Honor Society; AP ScholarGraduation photos - Warren Township High School
Henry WoodAdlai E. Stevenson High SchoolHometown: LincolnshireParents: Brenda Bechtel Wood, Dave WoodSponsor: Melissa Mack, junior AP English teacherClass rank: Top 1 percent of 1,093 seniorsGPA: 4.78 on a weighted 4.0 scaleTest scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2330College: Harvard University, Princeton University or University of ChicagoPlanned major: Economics, businessAwards, honors: National Merit Finalist; honor roll; National Honor SocietyGraduation photos - Stevenson High School
bull; Editor's note: The class ranks and GPAs for both the Academic Team and the Honorable Mentions reflect their status after 7#189; semesters of high school, not their final standing.