DuPage Academic Team honorable mentions
Mohammed Ahmed Aleem
School: College Preparatory School of America
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Mohammed Abdul Aleem and Amatul Shahla
Sponsor: Nafe Hussein, guidance counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 31
GPA: 4.23 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2230
College: Harvard, Stanford University or Northwestern University
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society, Fifth place in biology at state Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering, student government member
Kristin Barth
School: St. Francis High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Roger and Ann Barth
Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidance
Class rank: 1 out of 195
GPA: 5.3 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: Vanderbilt University, Case Western Reserve University or University of Pennsylvania
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Kay Finn Memorial Scholarship, Dominican University Theological Essay Competition winner, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Barbara Blachut
School: Lake Park High School
Hometown: Wood Dale
Parents: Stanley and Kazimiera Blachut
Sponsor: Eliza Freedman, counselor
Class rank: 4 out of 714
GPA: 5.67 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2140
College: Duke University, Washington University in St. Louis or Brown University
Planned major: Chemistry with a focus on pre-medicine
Awards, honors: Lake Park Pride in Performance for Academic Scholarship, Lake Park Spirit of Excellence, National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Patrick Burke
School: Immaculate Conception High School
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Mike and Mary Ann Burke
Sponsor: Pam Levar, principal, and Jean Field, counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 86
GPA: 4.59 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 26
College: St. Norbert College, Augustana College or Benedictine University
Planned major: Pre-medicine, biomedical sciences, biology
Awards, honors: United States Army Reserve National Scholar/Athlete Award, IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award, National Honor Society
Charles “Charlie” Cogan
School: Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: John and Liz Cogan
Sponsor: James Janota, English teacher
Class rank: 14 out of 1,151
GPA: 4.52 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2020
College: Northwestern University, Boston University or Duke University
Planned major: Medicine
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Indian Prairie Top 30, Indian Prairie Scholar, Wildcat Pride Award (freshman year)
Sarah Dayon
School: Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: Rufino and Catherine Dayon
Sponsor: Robin Craig, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 623
GPA: 5.8333 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2160
College: Yale, Washington University in St. Louis or Loyola University Chicago
Planned major: Anthropology, pre-medicine, political science
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government member
George Doran
School: Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Mary Anne Doran and Jim Doran
Sponsor: Jillian Nowicki, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 523
GPA: 5.79 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2190
College: Harvard
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar, Boys High School Soccer All-State All-Academic First Team
Lauren Firanek
School: Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Villa Park
Parents: Catherine and Lawrence Firanek
Sponsor: Dan Krause, principal
Class rank: 1 out of 467
GPA: 4.7447 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: University of Pennsylvania or Northwestern University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: District 88's Best (October 2010), National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society
Kayla Foster
School: Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Nancy and Eric Foster
Sponsor: Shane Cole, guidance counselor
Class rank: 8 out of 450
GPA: 4.6522 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
College: University of Illinois, Northwestern University or Loyola University
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: AT's Best
Stephanie Haines
School: Benet Academy
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Sue and Tom Haines
Sponsor: Mrs. Wesley, college counselor
Class rank: N/A out of 326
GPA: 4.39 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2040
College: Northwestern University, University of Notre Dame or Boston College
Planned major: English
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Kaileen Healy
School: Benet Academy
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: John and Eileen Healy
Sponsor: Michael Macaluso, English teacher
Class rank: N/A out of 326
GPA: 4.35 on a 4.0 weighted scale
College: University of Notre Dame, Boston College or Stanford University
Planned major: Pre-medicine
Awards, honors: National Honor Society, Sociedad Honoria Hispanica, National Society of High School Scholars, Illinois State Scholar, Illinois General Assembly recognition, student government member
Conner Jager
School: Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Perry and Tracy Jager
Sponsor: Laura Dabezic, English teacher
Class rank: 1 out of 1,151
GPA: 4.76 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
College: Yale, Stanford or Princeton
Planned major: Mathematics, computer science or chemistry
Awards, honors: AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar
Reggie Jansen
School: Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Tom and Lisa Jansen
Sponsor: Peter Sullivan, principal
Class rank: 2 out of 145
GPA: 5.39 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: University of Illinois, University of Michigan or Purdue University
Planned major: Civil engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Pride of Lions
Kaitlin Jeffries
School: Downers Grove North High School
Hometown: Downers Grove
Parents: Mike and Terry Jeffries
Sponsor: Karen Spahr-Thomas, social studies teacher
Class rank: 1 out of 501
GPA: 4.8095 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2270
College: Brown University, Harvard or Duke University
Planned major: Chemistry, neuroscience
Awards, honors: Gold Level in National Spanish Exam (Level 3 and 4), Gold Key Award in Math, National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar
Caitlin Kiel
School: West Chicago Community High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Mary and Brian Kiel
Sponsor: Jane Knecht
Class rank: 33 out of 504
GPA: 3.89 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: College of DuPage, Western Illinois University or Judson College
Planned major: Undetermined
Awards, honors: National Honor Society, German National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Joshua Lee
School: Wheaton Academy
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Mark and Penny Lee
Sponsor: Quinn Cruz, Spanish teacher
Class rank: N/A out of 163
GPA: 4.81 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: Baylor University, Harvard or Northwestern University
Planned major: Biochemistry, pre-medicine
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, John and Vera McNally Achievement Award, ISHL All Conference Academic Team, National Honor Society
Kevin Minkus
School: Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Dan and Gail Minkus
Sponsor: Carole Gebka, guidance counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 516
GPA: 5.775 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2240
College: Northwestern University, University of Pittsburgh, University of Illinois
Planned major: Mathematics and philosophy
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, James Scholar Honors Program at University of Illinois
Haley Naebig
School: Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Kurt and Myra Naebig
Sponsor: Bryan Witte, guidance counselor
Class rank: 7 out of 602
GPA: 5.6744 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: Brown University, University of Illinois or Butler University
Planned major: Advertising, marketing, business
Awards, honors: Glenbard East Highest Honors, English Honors Society Top Senior, National Merit Commended Student, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government member
Michelle Navarrete
School: Immaculate Conception High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Ana and Armando Navarrete
Sponsor: Jean Field, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 85
GPA: 4.66 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 29
College: Loyola University Chicago, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago
Planned major: Humanities, biology
Awards, honors: Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, Scholastic Achievement Award, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Magdalena Naziemiec
School: Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Walter and Grace Naziemiec
Sponsor: Steven Nelson, chemistry teacher
Class rank: 3 out of 427
GPA: 4.71 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: University of Chicago, Yale University or Northwestern University
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: District 88's Best, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, National Honor Society
Annie Paul
School: Waubonsie Valley High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Gitendra and Popy Paul
Sponsor: Marge Bello, English teacher
Class rank: 15 out of 882
GPA: 4.37 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
College: Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign or University of Michigan
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, Indian Prairie Scholar, IPEF “Top 30” Distinction
Hannah Payne
School: Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Villa Park
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Payne
Sponsor: Maryann O'Neill, principal
Class rank: 1 out of 181
GPA: 4.5106 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
College: University of Illinois, Northwestern University or Marquette University
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Fermi Lab Award, Academic All Star, National Honor Society, Presidential Scholar, student government
Jake A. Robertson
School: Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Debbie Robertson and Kathy Koubek
Sponsor: Dan Krause, principal
Class rank: 3 out of 467
GPA: 4.7143 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
College: Yale University, Northwestern University or Brown University
Planned major: Theatre arts and social sciences
Awards, honors: Human Relations Award, Outstanding Freshman, National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Appointed Speaker of the House for 2009 National Young Leadership Conference in Washington D.C.
Stefanie Ronge
School: Fenton High School
Hometown: Bensenville
Parents: Peter and Kathy Ronge
Sponsor: Kimberly Ziemianin-Garrett, counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 350
GPA: 4.3854 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
College: University of Illinois, Purdue University or University of Wisconsin
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: Fenton's Finest, Junior Marshall, Daughters of the American Revolution Award
Austin Sahly
School: Wheaton North High School
Hometown: Winfield
Parents: Charles and Denise Sahly
Sponsor: Jane Bredrup, counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 525
GPA: 5.79 on a 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
College: Wheaton College
Planned major: English
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
David A. Savoia
School: Fenton High School
Hometown: Bensenville
Parents: John and Robin Savoia
Sponsor: Ron Cuellar, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 350
GPA: 4.3864 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 28
College: Duke University, Marquette University or Northwestern University
Planned major: Actuarial science
Awards, honors: Junior Marshall, Fenton's Finest, high honor roll
Jacob Stevenson
School: Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Stevenson
Sponsor: Maryann O'Neill, principal
Class rank: 2 out of 181
GPA: 4.43 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2190
College: Texas A&M, Purdue University or North Carolina State University
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: AMC 12 Math Test School Winner, Academic All Star (Top 2 Class Rank), Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Michael Swartz
School: Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Anne and Mark Swartz
Sponsor: Peter Sullivan, principal
Class rank: 1 out of 145
GPA: 5.4284 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: Purdue University, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology, Harvey Mudd College or University of Minnesota
Planned major: Math, engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, All State Scholastic Bowl Team, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Alex Vogler
School: Downers Grove North High School
Hometown: Downers Grove
Parents: Greg and Maria Vogler
Sponsor: Linda Kraemer Augustyn, Department of English and Communications chairman
Class rank: 2 out of 501
GPA: 4.7857 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
College: Purdue University or Notre Dame University
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Matthew Wen
School: Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Barrington
Parents: Dennis and Ailee Wen
Sponsor: Dan Crabtree, college counselor
Class rank: Top 3 out of 163
GPA: 4.72 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2140
College: U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy or Imperial College in London
Planned major: Aeronautical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, National Honor Society
Jennifer Wittenberg
School: Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Ken and Barb Wittenberg
Sponsor: Joe Wargin, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 301
GPA: 5.82 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
College: Washington University in St. Louis
Planned major: Business, health and nutrition, biology
Awards, honors: Highest Honor Roll, Academic All-conference, Nominated for Honors Achieve Class, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Nicholas Yam
School: Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Siva and Mai Yam
Sponsor: Joe Wargin, counselor
Class rank: 3 out of 301
GPA: 5.78 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
College: Duke University, University of Notre Dame or Northwestern University
Planned major: Philosophy, economics
Awards, honors: Outstanding Witness in State Mock Trial Competition, Mock Trial, second in state, Math State Competition, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government member