DuPage County honorable mentions
Fatjona Aliaj
Willowbrook High School
Hometown:Lombard
Parents:Ilirjan Aliaj and Mirjana Aliaj
Sponsor:Dan Krause, principal
Class rank:5 out of 526
GPA:4.6596, weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 25
Planned major:Biochemistry, molecular biology, mathematics
Awards, honors:Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar
Payton Bayless
West Chicago Community High School
Hometown:West Chicago
Parents:Stacey Lauro and David Bayless
Sponsor:Mary Howard, language arts division chairwoman
Class rank:1 out of 486
GPA:4.0 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 33
Planned major:Marine biology/marine sciences
Awards, honors:Veterans of Foreign Wars Outstanding Freedom Award winner, National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Nicholas Bessler
Naperville North High School
Hometown:Naperville
Parents:Mary and Scott Bessler
Sponsor:Edward Joyce, Latin teacher
Class rank:School does not rank
GPA:4.6 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 34
Planned major:Undecided
Awards, honors:Illinois State Scholar, USA Swimming Scholastic All-American, AP U.S. History Student of the Year, National Honor Society
Shawn Caeiro
Willowbrook High School
Hometown:Lombard
Parents:Sam Caeiro
Sponsor:Dan Krause, principal
Class rank:1 out of 517
GPA: 4.7547 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 34
Planned major:Engineering and chemistry
Awards, honors:National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, IllinoisState Scholar
Parth Dalal
Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: Haresh and Neena Dalal
Sponsor: Robin Craig, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 621
GPA: 5.814, weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Economics and international studies
Awards, honors: American Cancer Society High School Summer Research Program, Daily Herald Leadership Team, Highest GPA Award, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Hugh O'Brian conference representative
Robert S. Dean
Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Lauran and Robert Dean
Sponsor: Pete Sullivan, principal
Class rank: 1 out of 152
GPA: 4.46 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Business finance
Awards, honors: Coca-Cola Scholar, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Bradley Disbrow
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Hometown:Wheaton
Parents:Mark and Bonnie Disbrow
Sponsor:Shana Williams, teacher
Class rank:3 out of 532
GPA:5.733 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 35; SAT: 2310
Planned major:International relations and biomedical engineering
Awards, honors:National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Outstanding Foreign Language Student of the Year, Principal's 5.0 Academic Award 2008-2012
Thomas Favale
Wheaton North High School
Hometown:Wheaton
Parents:Rochelle and Tom Favale
Sponsor:Daniel Cekay, guidance counselor
Class rank:2 out of 481
GPA: 4.0 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 35
Planned major:Biology
Awards, honors:Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar, National Honor Society
Mark Hirsbrunner
Lake Park High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Alex Hirsbrunner and Theresa Hirsbrunner
Sponsor: Gary Campana, counselor
Class rank: 5 out of 657
GPA: Not provided
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Bioengineering or nuclear/fusion engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, High academic letter, Highest Honor Roll
Connie Hsu
Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Sidney and Li Hsu
Sponsor: Jamie Frodyma, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 336
GPA: 3.94 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2110
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: USA Swimming All-American Academic Team, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar
Rachel Jagrowski
Wheaton Academy
Hometown:Wheaton
Parents:Gerald and Laura Jagrowski
Sponsor:Dan Crabtree, college counselor
Class rank:Top 1 percent
GPA:4.71 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 35; SAT: 2160
Planned major:Biology
Awards, honors:National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, McNallyAchievement Award
Alex Kahn
Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Stasia and Michael Kahn
Sponsor: Chris Lubiniecki, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 533
GPA: 5.8649 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Merit commended scholar, AP Scholar, Junior Calculus BC Award
Caitlin Koehler
Wheaton Academy
Hometown:St. Charles
Parents:Mary Kay Sharp-Koehler and Ken Koehler
Sponsor:Dan Crabtree, college counselor
Class rank:Top 1 percent
GPA:4.81 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 35
Planned major:Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors:Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics Award, 10th Place finish in nationalFrench contest, AP Scholar, National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Sonam Kotadia
Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Bharat Kotadia and Anita Kotadia
Sponsor: Carole Gebka, counselor
Class rank: 4 out of 536
GPA: 5.79 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2280
Planned major: Creative writing and either physics or chemistry
Awards, honors: Outstanding Junior English Scholar, Outstanding Junior Physics Scholar, Outstanding Junior Social Studies Scholar, National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Kathleen Krawczyk
Benet Academy
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Bruce and Leslie Krawczyk
Sponsor: Laura Lundstrom, college counselor
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 99.73 on 100 percent scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2320
Planned major: Biological engineering/biochemistry
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Presidential Scholar
Samantha Kubica
Fenton High School
Hometown: Bensenville
Parents: Thomas and Eileen Kubica
Sponsor: Rachel Georgakis, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 331
GPA: 4.3878 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, school's top seniors award, state math competition
Sabrina Lichon
Benet Academy
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Drs. Francis and Nancy Lichon
Sponsor: Laura Lundstrom, college counselor
Class rank: School doesn't rank
GPA: 99.81 on 100 percent scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2240
Planned major: Biology or pre-medicine
Awards, honors: Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program finalist (University of Notre Dame), AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, National Merit commended scholar, National Honor Society
Molly McCann
Immaculate Conception High School
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Brian and Mary McCann
Sponsor: Cindy Thomas, English teacher
Class rank: 4 out of 83
GPA: 4.5 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Psychology, pre-medicine
Awards, honors:Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award, department awards for AP U.S. history and AP Biology
Mary Kate Olofson
St. Francis High School
Hometown:Roselle
Parents:Peggy and Carl Olofson
Sponsor:Trudy Rigney, guidance
Class rank:2 out of 179
GPA:5.13 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 29
Planned major:Psychology and social work
Awards, honors:St. Michael's College Book Award Recipient, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Alexander Oliva
Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Oscar R. Oliva & Nuvia J. Oliva
Sponsor: Carolyn Erwin, teacher
Class rank: 1 out of 503
GPA: 4.75 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Electrical engineering
Awards, honors: DuPage 88's Best, academic achievement; Math Team, highest scorer; AT's Best, debate team
Jeffrey Pekosh
West Chicago High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: David and Debra Pekosh
Sponsor: Mary Roley, counselor
Class rank: 13 out of 480
GPA: 3.98 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: Fourth in Related Technical Math at 2011 SkillsUSA National Championships, All-sectional Scholastic Bowl, National Merit commended scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Stephanie Prince
The Willows Academy, Des Plaines
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Jennifer and David Prince
Sponsor: Sean Brown, director of college counseling
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 101.12 on a 100 point weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2180
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, French Honor Society; Mu Alpha Theta-Mathematics Honorary Society; IHSA All State Academic Team Honorable Mention
Anirudh Sailesh
Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown:Naperville
Parents:Uma Sailesh and Sailesh Venkatraman
Sponsor:Babs Filkins, guidance counselor
Class rank:1 out of 1,013
GPA:4.71 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 35; SAT: 2330
Planned major:Mathematics and economics
Awards, honors:United States of America Mathematical Olympiadqualifier,National Chemistry Olympiad qualifier, National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Jeremy Shimanek
Fenton High School
Hometown: Wood Dale
Parents: David and Patricia Shimanek
Sponsor: Kimberly Ziemianin-Garrett, guidance counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 331
GPA: 4.3778 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: Sons of American Revolution Award, Top Achieving Senior Student, National Council of Teachers of English, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Zafar A. Siddiqui
College Preparatory School of America
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Dr. Sabet Siddiqui and Samina Ali
Sponsor: Nafe Hussein
Class rank: Not given
GPA: 4.602 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemistry, mathematics
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National AP Scholar, fourth place in chemistry and biology at WYSE state competition
Dylan Sinn
Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Robert and Francine Sinn
Sponsor: Pete Sullivan, principal
Class rank: 1 out of 146
GPA: 5.5 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2100
Planned major: Journalism
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Rishi Sriram
Metea Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Sriram and Reena
Sponsor: Jessica Thomas
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.67 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2240
Planned major: Materials science and engineering or chemical engineering
Awards, honors: Fermilab Science Award (2010, 2011); AP Scholar with Distinction (2011); Indian Prairie Scholar (2011); National Merit finalist, Illinois State Scholar
Rachel Sterling
Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Michael and Kristen Sterling
Sponsor: Laura Broderick, social studies teacher
Class rank: 5 out of 597
GPA: 5.7436 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Linguistics with minor in French
Awards, honors: National Honor Society officer, Scholar Athlete, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government member, English Honor Society, Math Honor Society
Emily Su
Naperville Central High School
Hometown:Naperville
Parents:Tzongan Su and Kuoshu Su
Sponsor:Michelle Kirincich
Class rank:School does not rank
GPA:4.76 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores:ACT: 36; SAT: 2380
Planned major:Biology, biochemistry, or bioengineering
Awards, honors:Nationals ninth place Medical Office Procedures through BPA; State Champion EconomicResearch Project Individual; National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Ivana Surjancev
Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Biljana Pavlovic-Surjancev and Radovan Surjancev
Sponsor: Amy Ferraro, English teacher
Class rank: 4 out of 500
GPA: 4.72 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Chemistry, biochemistry and biology
Awards, honors: District's Best for Academic Achievement, Math student of the quarter, Science student of the quarter
Kelsey White
Downers Grove North High School
Hometown: Downers Grove
Parents: Karen Kobialka and Bill White
Sponsor: Linda Augustyn, English and communication department chairman
Class rank: 2 out of 480
GPA: 4.6818 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2310
Planned major: Aerospace engineering with possible double major in physics
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, 2009-2010 Science Department Award for Chemistry, 2010-2011 Science Department Award for Physics, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Laura Zimmermann
Metea Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Robert and Judy Zimmermann
Sponsor: Jessica Thomas, language arts teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.6 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Political science
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholar finalist, Indian Prairie Scholar, AP Scholar