2015-2016 Fox Valley Academic Team
Matthew Cannalte, Huntley High School
Hometown: Lake in the Hills
Parents: Beverly and Robert Cannalte
Sponsor: Kate Mennenoh
Class rank: 1 out of 641
GPA: 4.65 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Computer science and mathematics
Awards, honors: National AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, ICTM Math Team State Finalist
Personal statement: "My lifelong goal is to revolutionize the way the world uses data. I believe that the power of humanity comes from our propensity to collaborate, and I want to see to it that we can do just that by providing a means through which countries can safely and securely share data. Groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as medicine are often thwarted by communication barriers."
Sponsor's endorsement: "He is the rare student who takes his work seriously while realizing that he should not take himself the same. Each assignment is completed with an eye for growth opportunities, and his ability to reflect on that growth is noteworthy. "
Alyssa Gao, Batavia High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: May Gao and Mingshen Gao
Sponsor: Steven Lesniak, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 478
GPA: 4.375 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Environmental science and public policy
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, Silver Key for Excellence in Writing, Illinois State Scholar
Personal statement: "Encouraged to embrace and pursue my interest in sciences, I proposed a National Science Honor Society chapter at my high school. After my idea was approved, I worked closely with the administration to organize my school's first chapter. We have established a QuarkNet Radio Telescope project, which is currently collaborating with Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. We have invited scientists to speak and held demonstrations at elementary schools."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Seldom in my tenure as a school counselor have I seen a student who is so well-rounded in her academic abilities and personal qualities. Alyssa's hard-working and focused nature is the cornerstone to her success."
Hannah Gillespie, Marian Central Catholic
Hometown: Johnsburg
Parents: David and Ann Marie Gillespie
Sponsor: Rebecca Reed
Class rank: 1 out of 158
GPA: 4.61 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, AP Scholar with Honor, Outstanding Academic Achievement
Personal statement: "One of the goals that is important for me in a career is the ability to help others through my work. I believe that engineering, by combining the technical aspects of math and science with a certain human need, allows me to utilize the diverse range of skills that I have mastered."
Sponsor's endorsement: "She leads others by her fine example. She was chosen by the administration during her junior year to receive the George Eastman Young Leaders Award. This is an honor which is bestowed on only one member of the junior class each year. It is a testament to who she is. Throughout high school she has made an impact on others through her leadership abilities. She is very concerned about the welfare of others."
Harrison Kearby, Marmion Academy
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Mark and Claire Kearby
Sponsor: Isla Arcaro, World Language department chairwoman
Class rank: 2 out of 132
GPA: 4.8 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: Seven successive semesters of Highest Average/Superior Honor Roll; American Association of Teachers of Italian Honor Society; SOLIDWORKS Mechanical Design Association Certification
Personal statement: "I want to be a part of the first companies that can build space stations for the general population. But to get there, construction equipment must be transported to space, since such a giant station must be constructed in orbit. I plan to pursue developing the necessary technology for orbital construction and face the challenges presented by space."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Harrison's positive spirit is contagious and he has spread that pride and serious work ethic through his generous gifts of time, talent and energy to our school, its bands and student organizations and mentoring programs for our underclassmen."
Deniz Namik, Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Shamia and Ali Namik
Sponsor: Elizabeth McKinney, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 531
GPA: 5.934 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Biological sciences, pre-dental
Awards, honors: Best speaker and presiding officer, Debate; Illinois State Scholar; National Honor Society
Personal statement: "My passion drives me to advocate for the education of ordinary people about things going on around them, whether it be current affairs, politics, or what goes on behind the curtain. I want to interact with others and discuss topics that are more than the everyday conversation you would have with your dentist. I want to make a difference, I want to leave behind a legacy."
Sponsor's endorsement: "In her pursuit of excellence, Deniz has valued service and volunteerism. She spends her lunches assisting our school Media Center director and tutoring students. On the weekends, she teaches Arabic at a local Turkish school. In the summer, she works at the public library organizing the summer reading program."
Andrew Park, St. Charles East High School
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: Richard and Lucy Park
Sponsor: Jamie Swenson, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 611
GPA: 5.87 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2230
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, Illinois State Scholar, Managing Editor of the X-Ray School newspaper
Personal statement: "One piece of advice that my father gave me is to specialize in a single field, and computer science is a way to channel a desire for self-improvement into a subject I naturally gravitated toward. I initially became interested in computer science because I'd heard as a child that computers were the tools of the future, so I wanted to know how to manipulate them."
Sponsor's endorsement: "As a high school counselor, I often have the great pleasure of working with students of high caliber and great academic promise. It is truly not often that I have had the pleasure of working with a student like Andrew Park. He is warm and genuine in his humor and personality, his academic gifts are obvious through his grades and test scores, but what is most compelling about Mr. Park is his sense of humanity."
Valerie Scimeca, Elgin Academy
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Yvette and Alan Scimeca
Sponsor: Doug Sept, Upper School director
Class rank: 3 out of 33
GPA: 4.11 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Interdisciplinary major in Science, Technology, and Society (with Economics)
Awards, honors: Cum Laude Society, Elgin Rotary Club Straight A Award, National Merit Commended Scholar
Personal statement: "A significant focus of my education has been on language in every sense: writing, public speaking, foreign language, and computer language. No matter where I am or what I'm doing in the future, I want to be contemplating new ideas and tackling problems. I believe the key to an intellectually vital life is the mastery of language."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Val has undertaken an exceptional amount of leadership and responsibility during her teenage years. Her transcript speaks to the rigor of her coursework. Her record is impressive of its own accord, but considering the legion of extracurricular endeavors she is involved with, it is especially exceptional."
Parth Shah, Harry D. Jacobs High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Vipul and Sonal Shah
Sponsor: Alexia Policht, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 568
GPA: 6.143 on a 6.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Neuroscience, economics
Awards, honors: Neuroscience Research, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University; Surgeon General Award for outstanding research in the field of health prevention
Personal statement: "I have invested the past two summers conducting neuroscience research at the Feinberg School of Medicine. Through the results of my independent gene-cloning project, the Opal lab is one-step closer to understanding the effects of the Thap1 gene on cerebellar dystonia."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Parth leads by example. From his research at Northwestern, Parth has taken his experience with neurological disorders and brought it back to the school community. Seeing the need, Parth founded our first Care for a Cure Club. Parth's determination exemplifies how curious, assertive, dedicated, and self-motivated he is and has been about his career goals in the medical field."
Archan P. Vyas, St. Charles North High School
Hometown: South Elgin
Parents: Pranav and Avani Vyas
Sponsor: Peter Gleason, chemistry
Class rank: 2 out of 528
GPA: 5.83 on a 6.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Mu Alpha Theta (Math National Honor Society)
Personal statement: "I scour for an opportunity that can satisfy my thirst for knowledge about science and the human body. Human bodies are enigmas that are always morphing. Bioengineering gives me the chance to use my potential for the betterment of society, to whatever extent I can, alongside the very culture I hold dearly."
Sponsor's endorsement: "While in my class, Archan demonstrated that he is a very devoted student. He is always in search of the correct answer and the proper explanation behind each scientific concept. Along with his academic dedication, Archan is a very animated, friendly individual. He is full of life and his personality is infectious. Archan brings a smile to the class with his wonderful personality, and will always take the extra minute to assist a peer in need of help."
Michael Wilkins, Geneva Community High School
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Kimberly and Donald Wilkins
Sponsor: Victoria Holbrook, counselor
Class rank: Not ranked
GPA: 4.57 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Computer engineering
Awards, honors: Tradition of Excellence Award, three times Upstate 8 Academic All-Conference, ICTM Math Team Regional Champion and two-time State Finalist
Personal statement: "When I think of life goals, I do not think of myself. As the founder of a volunteer tutoring organization, I place more importance on the learning of those around me before myself. After completing my doctorate degree, I hope to become a college professor. My goal is to educate others."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Michael is a bright young mind. He has great aspirations and has both the intellect and motivation to achieve all of his goals ... Michael teaches Sunday school at First Baptist Church of Geneva and tutors students in math at Mooseheart. He states that tutoring at Mooseheart is his most rewarding experience because he loves working with children."