Honorable mentions: Northwest Suburban Academic Team, 2017-2018
Natalie Anderson
Rolling Meadows High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Marianne and Douglas Anderson
Sponsor: Kathy Connolly, environmental science teacher
GPA: 4.56 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit finalists; National Honor Society; human geography Student of the Year; Illinois State Scholar; student government; Educator's rising officer; varsity volleyball captain; National English Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society; Robert J. Hannon Leadership Award; All-Academic Senior Athlete Award
Shirley Cao
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
*Lake County Academic Team winner
Hometown: Buffalo Grove
Parents: Minling Qiu and Zhengsong Cao
Sponsor: Denise A. Foster, AP English
GPA: 4.82 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1570
Planned major: Mechanical engineering, computer science
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National Honor Society; AP Scholar; varsity badminton captain; Future Business Leaders of America president; FBLA first place at state 2015 and 2018; ABRSM piano grade eight passed with distinction; recipient of NSC Sportsmanship Award
Justin Ethithara
Elk Grove High School
Hometown: Des Plaines
Parents: Jobby Ethithara and Suja Ethithara
Sponsor: Persida Bujdei, AP calculus teacher
GPA: 4.67 a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Electrical and computer engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with distinction; National Merit commended scholar; Illinois State Scholar; 'A' honor roll all semesters; National Honor Society executive board; participant in Northwestern Economics Tournament; Magnetar Stock Challenge; Scholastic Bowl; Investment Club; varsity track team
Emma Hartnett
Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Amie Hartnett and J. Patrick Hartnett
Sponsor: Jill Hamilton, counselor
GPA: 4.52 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1500
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar with distinction; National Honor Society; honor roll; Scholastic Bowl; art program IHSAE Award in "Time Arts" category, 2017; marching band color guard
Noah Helstrom
Prospect High School
Hometown: Mount Prospect
Parents: Marilyn Helstrom and Paul Helstrom
Sponsor: Brad Rathe, teacher and coach
GPA: 4.56 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: American Legion All School Award; D214 Leadership Committee; National Honor Society treasurer; National Merit commended scholar; honor roll; Illinois State Scholar; student government; American Mathematics Competition; Association of Computational and Mathematical Modeling Competition; concertmaster, All State Orchestra; captain of tennis and cross-country teams
Erica Herin
Wheeling High School
Hometown: Prospect Heights
Parents: Michael and Lissette Herin
Sponsor: Brandi Rojas, counselor
GPA: 3.5 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 26
Planned major: Manufacturing engineering
Awards, honors: National Technology Honor Society; honor roll; captain for Robot Rumble (2016-2018); Circus (literary magazine) editor (2017-2018); High Mileage Competition
Stephanie Hu
William Fremd High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Qihong and Xianfeng Hu
Sponsor: Christie O'Donnell, English teacher
GPA: 5.075 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1560
Planned major: English
Awards, honors: Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Gold Medal honored at Carnegie Hall, top one percent of about 330,000 works; AP Scholar; National Merit finalist and $2,500 scholarship winner; honor roll; Illinois State Scholar; student government; editor-in-chief of school newspaper; executive officer of Speech Team; English Student of the Year; MSL Conference finalist for Original Oratory, second place for Poetry at Wheeling tournament; Harper College 44th annual Writing Contest winner; Business Professionals of America fourth place in state for Prepared Speech; national qualifier for word processing event
Andrew Hwang
Adlai E. Stevenson High School
Hometown: Lincolnshire
Parents: Eunjoon and Sae Hwang
Sponsor: Joseph Bettina, teacher
GPA: 4.80 on a weighted four-point scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Applied math or computer science
Awards, honors: National Who Wants to Be a Mathematician Finalist twice; M3 Math Modeling Competition National Winner; Researcher at Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists
Brandon Jaimes
Schaumburg High School
Hometown: Hanover Park
Parents: Ana Estrada, Arturo Jaimes
Sponsor: Vincent Inendino, music teacher
GPA: 4.83 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1480
Planned major: Economics
Awards, honors: Recipient of the Hispanic Heritage Youth Award; AP Scholar with distinction; National Merit commended scholar; National Honor Society; Illinois State Scholar; band president and section leader; Class 4A Outstanding Soloist Award, All State musician; ILMEA District 7 Orchestra principal trombone; Math Team; National Hispanic Recognition Program
Genevieve Kerns
Woodlands Academy
Hometown: Wilmette
Parents: Michael Kerns and Maryruth Clohisy Kerns
Sponsor: Mike Ford, college counselor
GPA: 5.28 on a weighted five-point scale
Test scores: ACT: 29
Planned major: Biomedical Engineering and a Spanish minor
Awards, honors: National Spanish Honor Society; First Honor Award in six classes; Achievement Award in three classes
Spozmai Khan
Wauconda High School
Hometown: Port Barrington
Parents: Parveen Hussain and Nadeem Nadir
Sponsor: Cheryl Barch, teacher and adviser
GPA: 4.815 on a weighted four-point scale
Test scores: SAT: 1340
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Distinguished Honors Student; National Honor Society; first place at Future Business Leaders of America state competition in Digital Video Production
Rebecca Lawson
Wheeling High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Ron and Dawn Lawson
Sponsor: Robert Sochowski, counselor
GPA: 4.48 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar with honor; National Honor Society; honor roll; Illinois State Scholar; co-captain of varsity poms; peer tutor Honor Pack; Spanish Honor Society
Tyler Lubbat
Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Wheeling
Parents: Cris and Debi Lubbat
Sponsor: Mark Schaetzlein, assistant principal
GPA: 4.6 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 1530
Planned major: Biology, pre-medicine and economics
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; National Honor Society; honor roll; student government; DECA national medalist (sixth out of 43,000) senior year and state medalist junior and senior year; Math Team state qualifier four years; Harbor Committee co-founder; World Youth Science and Engineering sectional qualifier junior and senior year in English and biology; IHSA Bass Fishing State Championship 2017; Bassmaster All-American and Bassmaster All-State Team 2017 and 2018
Uriel Martinez
East Leyden High School
Hometown: Franklin Park
Parents: Arturo Martinez and Isela Martinez
Sponsor: Jeffery Vail, AP chemistry teacher
GPA: 4.61 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1460
Planned major: Neuroscience, pre-medicine
Awards, honors: QuestBridge finalist; National Honor Society; honor roll, Illinois State Scholar; Woodman of the World in American History; first place in STEAM Fair and Academic Team Quiz Bowl; Da Una Mano (Give a Hand) leader; ACCESS mentor; Science Olympiad, second place in helicopters
Laszlo Brendon Marton
Streamwood High School
Hometown: Streamwood
Parents: Laszlo and Debra Marton
Sponsor: Sittie Jackson, school counselor
GPA: 4.638 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 28; SAT: 1260
Planned major: Business, urban planning
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; National Honor Society; honor roll; All-State Academic Honors; valedictorian; student government; World Languages and International Studies Academy
Matthew Montanile
Maine West High School
Hometown: Des Plaines
Parents: John and Josephine Montanile
Sponsor: Audrey Haugan, principal
GPA: 4.80 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1530
Planned major: Philosophy, neuroscience and psychology
Awards, honors: District 207 Best for Academic Achievement Award; National Quill and Scroll Gold Key Award for in-depth reporting; Illinois Women's Press Association, third place for features writing; National Merit commended scholar; National Honor Society; honor roll; AP Scholar; ISBA Mock Trial state; Math Team; ILMEA qualifier; AP U.S. history Student of Quarter
Olivia Morrison
Christian Liberty Academy
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Mark and Donna Morrison
Sponsor: Leslie Cornwell, guidance counselor
GPA: 4.0 on a 4.0 traditional scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Communication sciences and disorders, speech pathology
Awards, honors: Valedictorian candidate; Illinois State Scholar; honor roll; student government; participant Battle of the Bard, Chicago Shakespeare Theater Competition; head of Student Mentoring Program; peer tutor and mentor; Outstanding Top Student in English, history, math and science
Capria Nordquist
Barrington Community High School
Hometown: Lake Barrington
Parents: Lisa Petrilli and Jeffrey Nordquist
Sponsor: Matthew Gelon, physics teacher
GPA: 4.786 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1530
Planned major: Environmental engineering with a minor in Latin
Awards, honors: National Honor Society; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; Top five percent GPA of senior class; Voice of Democracy Essay Contest district winner; president of Generation Crossroads, a service club that visits nursing homes; varsity captain of Lincoln-Douglas Debate; received a Character Award for two years and was a quarterfinalist at 2014 MinneApple Debate Tournament; President's Volunteer Service Award
Nandini Patel
Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Hanover Park
Parents: Nishit and Hetal Patel
Sponsor: Kimberly Saxton, teacher
GPA: 5.6667 on 5.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1510
Planned major: Biological sciences
Awards, honors: Glenbard North Academic Letter, AP Scholar with Honor Award, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate
Steve Ringstrand
Christian Liberty Academy
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Russ and Linda Ringstrand
Sponsor: Jed Bennett, athletic director
GPA: 4.0 on a 4.0 traditional scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Business management, sports business management
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; Student Chapel Team leader; gym class teacher for first-grade students; MVP varsity basketball senior year; IHSA state qualifier discus track and field junior year; MVP varsity basketball senior year; IHSA All-Academic Team junior and senior year for basketball and track.
Zuly Pasillas-Riquelme
Lake Park High School
Hometown: Hanover Park
Parents: Angela Riquelme and Manuel Pasillas
Sponsor: Melisa Williams-Rivera, counselor
GPA: 4.6667 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: SAT: 1450
Planned major: Bioengineering
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar; honor roll; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; marching band, most outstanding in the color guard section; Operation Snowball; Spanish Honor Society
Bayan Rabeh Salamah
Islamic Foundation School
DuPage County Academic Team winner
Hometown: Norridge
Parents: Rabeh Salamah and Weam Salamah
Sponsor: Linda Qatanani, counselor
GPA: 5.0 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Biology, minor in chemistry
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar; President's Award for Academic Excellence; honor roll; student government; National Honor Society secretary; participant Chicago Shakespeare Slam; participant Illinois Council of Math Teachers and Science Worldwide Youth Science
Shashank Sandu
Hoffman Estates High School
Hometown: Hoffman Estates
Parents: Vanamali and Karuna Sandu
Sponsor: Patrick Swanson, physics teacher
GPA: 5.08 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Chemistry or physics
Awards, honors: ISAC State Scholar; National Merit finalist; National Honor Society; honor roll; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; WYSE Regional finalist biology and chemistry; two-time presiding officer debate
Aviral Saxena
Palatine High School
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Alok and Rangoli Saxena
Sponsor: Craig Barnes, mathematics department chairman
GPA: 5.08 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1450
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: Math Team state medalist; Congressional App Challenge winner; AP Scholar; National Honor Society; honor roll; Illinois State Scholar; student government; Scholastic Bowl tournament winner; Code 211, Computer Science Club; varsity tennis
Jake Schwartz
East Leyden High School
Hometown: River Grove
Parents: Ann Schwartz and Jerome Schwartz
Sponsor: Joseph Gagliardi, science teacher
GPA: 4.56 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1460
Planned major: Biochemistry and statistics
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; National Honor Society; AP Scholar with distinction; Illinois State Scholar; William H. Fern Departmental Award in English; third place in Impromptu Speaking; fifth place Extemporaneous Speaking
Colleen Stanford
Prospect High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Thomas and Christine Stanford
Sponsor: Lynn Thornton, counselor
GPA: 4.65 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with distinction; Illinois State Scholar; National Honor Society; honor roll; Leading Incoming Students Program leader; Peer Led Character Development Program leader; Service Club; Allergy Awareness Club; peer tutor, Principal's Advisory Council; varsity tennis and badminton
Thomas Stanila
St. Viator High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Radu and Simona Stanila
Sponsor: Stephanie Spiewak, counselor
GPA: 107.07 on a 100 point weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 1560
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Valedictorian; National Merit finalist; U.S. Presidential Scholar candidate; National Honor Society; St. Viator High School Corporate Works Study Program; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar; National Achievement scholarship program; Hugh O'Brien conference; WYSE Academic Team competition and ICTM Regional/State competitions; Violin I in the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra; Illinois Music Education Association District VII violinist; school newspaper; Science Club; 2018 WYSE Biology State Champion, Division 1500; National Spanish Honor Society; Spanish Club
Shannon Steines
John Hersey High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Randy and Meghan Steines
Sponsor: Michael Ayala, Spanish teacher
GPA: 4,63 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology and Spanish
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; Senior Class president; Illinois Congressional Debate Association State Champion 2018; National Honor Society; AP Scholar; Presidential Scholar candidate; Illinois State Scholar; ROTC; captain of Model United Nations Team; National Speech and Debate Association national qualifier; All American Award from National Cheerleading Association
Bhargav Yadavalli
Palatine High School
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Lakshmi Yadavalli and Sankara Yadavalli
Sponsor: Rick Splitt, guidance counselor
GPA: 3.937 on a 4.0 traditional scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Computer science and business
Awards, honors: Congressional App Challenge winner; United States Computing Olympiad, gold ranking; Illinois Technology Foundation's Fifty for Future; National Merit finalist; National Honor Society; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; started annual coding event and founder of Computer Science Club; Mathworks Modeling Challenge two-time honorable mention; Business Professionals of America, state qualifier for Java programming/web design; varsity cross country