Best & Brightest
Local area students who received recognition from their respective colleges include:
• Amanda Mirabella of Elgin has been named to the University of Findlay, Ohio dean's list for fall 2007 semester. Mirabella's major is pre-veterinary medicine.
• Johnathan Neiswinger, son of Michael and Cindy Neiswinger of Hampshire, recently received the College Chemistry Award presented by The Society for Analytical Chemistry of Pittsburgh. The award includes a monetary prize and a certificate of accomplishment. A monetary award will also be presented to the Geneva College Library in his honor along with an engraved nameplate to be added to the plaque in the Chemistry Department listing prior SACP winners.
While at Geneva College, he was on the dean's list every semester, a recipient of the Trustee Scholarship, Alumnus Chemistry Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship, and a member of Alpha Chi and the Geneva College Honors Program.
• Mary Ruth Olson of Crystal Lake is among 328 students who were named to Union University's, Jackson, Tenn., dean's list for the spring 2007 semester. The dean's list includes full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade-point average on a four-point scale.
• Brandie Richardson of Carpentersville was named to the dean's list for fall 2006 at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. Full-time Trinity students must earn a minimum 3.5 grade-point average to qualify for this honor.
• Alya Saqer of South Elgin, was honored recently during the Distinguished Faculty Lecture and Honors Convocation program at Millikin University in Decatur. Saqer received the American Chemical Society Award in Analytical Chemistry and the Dr. and Mrs. William F. Henderson Prize.
Saqer also recently participated in the annual Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium. Saqer was selected by faculty members to display a poster exhibit of their scholarly research and answer questions about the project from faculty and students. His presentation, "Exploratory Synthesis of New Vanadium-Containing Double Perovskites" received a First-place Judith and G. Richard Locke Award in the competition.
• Jordanna Schatz of McHenry has been named to the dean's list for the spring semester at the University of Findlay, Ohio. She is an equestrian studies/equine business management major.
• Chas Schnackel, son of Pam and Chuck Schnackel of Algonquin, was named to the dean's list for the spring 2007 semester at Old Dominion University. Chas is a freshman major in the College of Business. To make the list, students must be enrolled full time and have a grade-point average of 3.4 or higher, with no grade below a C.
• Kyle A. Tomasino graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as "Operation Warrior Forge," at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.
The 33 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support.
Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet's intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina.
The cadet command assesses each cadet's performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course.
Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.
The cadet is a student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, Fla. He is the son of Rob and Kathy Tomasino of Algonquin. He is a 2004 graduate of Jacobs High School, Algonquin.
• Joseph Tomaso of Woodstock has been named to the dean's list for the fall semester at Loyola University, Chicago.
• Amanda Voltz, of Elgin, was recently honored during the Distinguished Faculty Lecture and Honors Convocation program at Millikin University in Decatur. Voltz received the David S. Monroe Art Award for outstanding achievement in art.
• Jennifer Wandro of Algonquin received a bachelor's degree in entertainment and sports promotion in August 2007 from Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich.
• Adam M. Ziegler, formerly of Elgin, has received his certified public accounting license from the Texas State Board of Public Accountancy. He graduated from Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas in 2004 with an undergraduate degree in business administration and in 2005 with a master's degree in accounting. He graduated from St. Edward Catholic High School in Elgin in 2000. He currently resides in Dallas, Texas and is employed by KPMG as an auditor.
• Bradley University, Peoria: Area students who have been named in to the dean's list at Bradley University for the spring semester include: Kristina M. Jones of Dundee; Elizabeth A. Dolan, Jennifer A. Laird and Beth C. Petersen, all of Elgin; Justin C. Lucas of Sleepy Hollow; and Ashley M. Miller of South Elgin:
• St. Ambrose University, Davenport, Iowa: Dean's list for spring 2007 term includes local students
Algonquin: Brett Cole and Heidi Naatz
Barrington: Matthew Hoynoski
Burlington: Daniel Knewitz
Cary: Steven Ostergaard
Crystal Lake: Matthew MacCrindle, and Courtney Meyer
Huntley: Cathy Mangan
Lake in the Hills: Kyle Bolinder
McHenry: Kristen Raabe and Kimberly Wolff
Sleepy Hollow: Julie DeGregorio
Woodstock: Caitlin Herina and Elizabeth Schuberth
• Illinois Wesleyan College Bloomington: Several area students are members of Illinois Wesleyan's Collegiate Choir making eight appearances on its 2008 tour from March 14-20. The choir's itinerary will include performances in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Illinois.
Area choir members include: Jeremy Pease, a junior majoring in music education and a graduate of Harry D. Jacobs High School; Derek Schmidt, a senior majoring in art and a graduate of Barrington Community High School; David Wendler, a sophomore majoring in educational studies and a graduate of Barrington Community High School; Andrew LoDolce, a sophomore majoring in music and a graduate of St. Charles East High School; Christopher Burrichter, a senior majoring in political science and a graduate of Batavia High School; Christopher Olmstead, a junior majoring in acting and a graduate of Batavia High School.
Students in the choir are selected by audition and maintain a rigorous rehearsal schedule in preparation for their concert tour and other engagements throughout the year.
• Bradley University, Peoria: These area students have received recognition on the dean's list for the spring semester at Bradley University:
Algonquin: Tiffany N. Newman
Barrington Hills: Dana L. Charmoy, Hubert A. Gudanowski, Lindsey A. Olmon and Blanka Roguljic.
Carpentersville: Kristen M. Rich
Elgin: Jennifer A. Laird, Michelle D. Coyle, Kaitlyn Harm, Meghan L. Hernandez, Kaylin M. McMahon, and Kelly J. Nelson.
Lake Barrington: Chelsea L. Sullivan
Lakemoor: Jacqueline M. Beaudry
Sleepy Hollow: Rachel M. Raab, and Kari E. Sanders.
Spring Grove: Kathryn M. Thomas
West Dundee: Leah C. Moran, Lauren M. Peterson, and Jennifer J. Weldon.
• Aurora University: Area residents named to Aurora University dean's lists include:
High dean's list:
Algonquin: Brittany Brooke and Jennifer Spoden
Crystal Lake: Alina Barboselu and Mandi Joplin
Elgin: Caryssa Douglas, Melissa Lose and Candy Starr
Lake in the Hills: Dina Howard
McHenry: Hannah Herriges and Lisa Smith
South Elgin: Jenna Diede
Regular dean's list:
Carpentersville: Cole Guetschow
Crystal Lake: Shannon Galloway
Elgin: Carla Clements, Gary Esch, Karisa Hansen, Ashley Hebert, and Jason Wolfe
Lake in the Hills: Brian Dahme
Lakemoor: Kyle Kapusta
Sleepy Hollow: Deanna Landgraf
South Elgin: Danielle Winters
Woodstock: Christopher Jackowiak.