DuPage County Academic Team honorable mentions, 2018-2019
Abygale Ahn, Timothy Christian High School
Hometown: Western Springs
Parents: Danielle Hilgers and Phillip Ahn
Sponsor: Jon Huizinga, director of college and career
GPA: 4.36 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Anthropology
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, IHSA All-State Academic Team, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Margaret Allen, Wheaton North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: William Allen and Karen Allen
Sponsor: Matthew Schoon, counselor
GPA: 4.76 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Biological sciences
Awards, honors: National AP Scholar Award, High Honor roll, State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy in Spanish, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Safiyah Azeez, Islamic Foundation School
Hometown: Burr Ridge
Parents: Nomaan Azeez and Keysha Azeez
Sponsor: Sarah Shams
GPA: 5.28 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Female Academic Athlete of the Year, AP Scholar with Distinction, honor roll, National Honor Society, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar
Alycia Bhargava, Metea Valley High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Dheeraj & Alpana Bhargava
Sponsor: Javier Polavieja, school counselor
GPA: 4.62 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1470
Planned major: Computer science or aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: Excellence in Foreign Language: Spanish (2017) & American Sign Language (2018); vice president of Science National Honor Society, Indian Prairie Scholar (2019), honor roll, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Peter Blatchford, Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: John and Donna Blatchford
Sponsor: Rhiannon S. Sieck
GPA: 5.7917 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1570
Planned major: Environmental science
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, Outstanding Student/Scholar: Environmental Science (Grade 10), European History (Grade 10), Physics (Grade 11) and Spanish (Grade 11); honor roll, National Honor Society, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar
Jack Boettcher, Naperville North High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Michael and Irene Boettcher
Sponsor: Elizabeth Brucker
GPA: 4.755 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1590
Planned major: Chemistry
Awards, honors: U.S. National Chemistry Olympiad Honors winner, Math Team individual first place perfect scores, National Merit finalist, honor roll, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar
Charlie Carter, Hinsdale Central High School
Hometown: Clarendon Hills
Parents: Annette & David Carter
Sponsor: John Marinier
GPA: 5.907 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Economics and cognitive science (behavioral economics)
Awards, honors: Academic All-American, National Speech & Debate Association; Speech Foundations Award, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Caitlyn Dang, Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: Chinh Dang & Sandy Ngo
Sponsor: John Mensik, principal
GPA: 5.6863 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1450
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: Academic Letter throughout four years of high school, Science Student of the Year Class of 2019, Outstanding Achievement in World Languages, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Hayden Dudek, Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Dawn and Bernie Dudek
Sponsor: Karen Beardsley, science teacher
GPA: 5.6735 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31; SAT: 1410
Planned major: Biology (pre-med track)
Awards, honors: AP Capstone Diploma, Illinois State Scholar, Exemplary Student Research at Argonne National Laboratory, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar
Molly Friedman, Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Marla and Steve Friedman
Sponsor: Jamie Frodyma, school counselor
GPA: 5.7 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1520
Planned major: Chemistry
Awards, honors: Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce Youth of the Year Award, Assessment of Performance toward Proficiency in Languages Test Certified Biliterate, Fermilab Science Award, National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Ann Hancock, Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Wayne
Parents: Nathan and Elizabeth Hancock
Sponsor: Evan Jasper
GPA: 3.99 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1500
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: John and Vera McNally Achievement Award 2017, honor roll, National Honor Society, student government, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award
Jackson Hathaway, Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Lombard
Sponsor: Scott Forcash, school counselor
GPA: 4.73 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1560
Planned major: Political science
Awards, honors: District 88's Best (districtwide individual award awarded once per month to a senior), National AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy, National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Olivia Herrmann, Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Maria Garcia Herrmann and Jason Herrmann
Sponsor: Kevin Bab, guidance counselor
GPA: 5.04 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
Planned major: Mathematics; secondary education
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Illinois State Scholar, Math Department Most Valuable Participant, honor roll, National Honor Society, student government
Lily Hong, Waubonsie Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Jennifer Barron & Jerome Hong
Sponsor: Cort Graske, counselor
GPA: 4.7347 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1540
Planned major: Cellular and molecular biology
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, USABO Semifinalist, Top Scholar Junior Year, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Alex Huang, Lake Park High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Richard Huang, Judy Huang
Sponsor: Elizabeth Bazukas, school counselor
GPA: 5.6667 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1520
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: Spirit of Excellence Award, Physical Science Department Award, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Ryan Kenneally, IC Catholic Prep
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Jim and Maureen Kenneally
Sponsor: Jean Field
GPA: 4.47 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Operations research
Awards, honors: Saturday Morning Physics — Fermilab Science Award, Illinois High School Association Scholastic Award, Chemistry Award for Excellence, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Ria Jindal, Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Anu and Rajesh Jindal
Sponsor: Chad Allen
GPA: 4.56 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Neuroscience; data statistics
Awards, honors: Summa Cum Laude, Seal of Biliteracy, School Top Scholars, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Julian Lalvani-Dudley, Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Neil Dudley and Nadja Lalvani
Sponsor: Tim McGrath, school counselor
GPA: 5.69 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1420
Planned major: Biochemistry and molecular biology; Medicine, health and human biology
Awards, honors: Honors All Conference Award, Youth Who Excels Award from the AAC of Chicago, Eagle Academy Student of The Year (2017), honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Jeromel Lara, Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Miriam Lara
Sponsor: John Mensik, principal
GPA: 5.7143 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1380
Planned major: Political science and history
Awards, honors: Illinois State Senate Certificate of Recognition in the 21st Illinois Senate District, National winner for feature writing in the Quill and Scroll 2019 International Writing, Photo, and Multimedia Contest, QuestBridge National College Match finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar
Cassidy Latchford, Benet Academy
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Elizabeth and Robert Latchford
Sponsor: Laura Lundstrom, college counselor
GPA: 100.85% on a percentage scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Public policy; Classical and Mediterranean studies
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit commended scholar, First Honors, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Kenneth Li, Naperville Central High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Zheng Yang & Jie Li
Sponsor: Nick Straka, math teacher
GPA: 4.745 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, DuPage Valley Conference Academic All-Conference, Illinois State Scholar
William D. Lyon, Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Mr. & Mrs. David Lyon
Sponsor: Evan Jasper, social studies faculty
GPA: 4.0 on traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biology or Chemistry
Awards, honors: Academic Excellence honor roll, National Merit semifinalist, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Lindsay Mahler, Timothy Christian High School
Hometown: Oak Brook
Parents: Lisa and Andrew Mahler
Sponsor: Jon Huizinga, director of college and career
GPA: 4.32 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: University Scholars Program
Awards, honors: Class Salutatorian, History Award, High Honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Susan Maloney, IC Catholic Prep
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: John and Susan Maloney
Sponsor: Jean Field
GPA: 4.78 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: 2017-2018 IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award, City of Elmhurst Youth Service Award, Phyllis Krisch Wisbrock Service Award Scholarship, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Samir S. Mehta, Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Sandip Mehta
Sponsor: Steve Hoogerheide, math teacher
GPA: 5.7255 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1410
Planned major: Aerospace/aeronautical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Capstone Diploma, Seal of Biliteracy, AP Scholar with Distinction, honor roll, National Honor Society, student government/class officer
Luke Mondia, Wheaton North High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Frank and Barb Mondia
GPA: 4.69 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1570
Planned major: Violin performance and pre-med studies
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, honor roll, National Honor Society
Nicholas Nasti, Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Sam and Linda Nasti
Sponsor: Amy Ferraro, head of English department
GPA: 4.72 on a on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1470
Planned major: Finance; Business law, ethics, and decision-making
Awards, honors: District 88's Best, Business Student of the Semester, Outstanding Senior in Mathematics, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government/class officer
Aamina Naveed, College Preparatory School of America
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Mohammed Naveed and Asra Naveed
Sponsor: Samah Elzahdan
GPA: 4.42 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Neuroscience; biochemistry
Awards, honors: Gold Honor Roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Victoria Palma, Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Jorge and Yurimia Palma
Sponsor: Scott Forcash, school counselor
GPA: 4.84 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1520
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: District 88's Best August 2018, National Hispanic Scholar 2018-2019, Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy 2019, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Aayush Patel, Lake Park High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Bijal Patel, Dipak Patel
Sponsor: Michael Sakiewicz, school counselor
GPA: 5.6667 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Shivani Patel, Fenton High School
Hometown: Bensenville
Parents: Mukesh Patel and Jyoti Patel
Sponsor: Paul Welsh, school counselor
GPA: 4.4681 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1440
Planned major: Biology on a pre-med track
Awards, honors: High honor roll (all four years), Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society
Anna Reitz, West Chicago Community High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Raymond and Carolyn Reitz
Sponsor: Elizabeth Govertsen, Spanish teacher
GPA: 4.417 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1480
Planned major: Engineering or another science-related field
Awards, honors: Academic Achiever Award for January 2019, High Honor roll, Foreign Language Honor Society
Sophia Robinson, St. Francis High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Robin and Denelle Robinson
Sponsor: Bridget Buckley, director of counseling
GPA: 5.24 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: General biology
Awards, honors: Salutatorian, Spanish Honors Society, National Honor Society, honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Neehar Shah, St. Charles East High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Deven and Maulika Shah
Sponsor: Kari Batka, counselor
GPA: 5.833 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology and medicine
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Peer Leadership Program PLA Leader, Future Doctors of America vice president
Anasthasia Shilov, Hinsdale Central High School
Hometown: Hinsdale
Parents: Olga Shilova
Sponsor: Maureen Drown, guidance counselor
GPA: 5.8936 on weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Chemistry and philosophy
Awards, honors: Scholastics Silver Medalist, Latin State Seal of Biliteracy, AP Scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society
Alena Spreitzer, Downers Grove North High School
Hometown: Downers Grove
Parents: Frank and Joyce Spreitzer
Sponsor: Brett Littlehale, school counselor
GPA: 4.8571 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Honors with Distinction, Seal of Biliteracy, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Patrick Thornton, Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Jim and Beverly Thornton
Sponsor: Patrick Woyna, language arts instructor
GPA: 4.5 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, honor roll, AP Scholar, student government/class officer
Alexis Vargas, Fenton High School
Hometown: Wood Dale
Parents: Jose Vargas & Isabel Becerra
Sponsor: Ron Cuellar, school counselor
GPA: 4.438 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1460
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, Quest Bridge National College Match Finalist, Quest Bridge College Prep Scholar, honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Christopher Voinea, Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Daniela Voinea, Costinel Voinea
Sponsor: Michael Galfi, math teacher
GPA: 4.74 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1410
Planned major: Bioengineering
Awards, honors: District 88's Best, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society