2012-2013 Northwest Suburban Academic Team
Benjamin Brissette
Maine West High School
Hometown: Des Plaines
Parents: Constance Weil and Richard Brissette
Sponsor: Principal Audrey J. Haugan
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.6727 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36; SAT: 2400
Planned major: Biochemistry
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholar Finalist; National AP Scholar; Maine 207’s Best: Academic Achievement
Personal statement: “I want to leave the world a better place than it was when I came into it. I don’t know exactly how I’m going to do that, or what it entails, so I’ve been striving to make an impact on the world in every way possible.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: He made a perfect score on the ACT not just once, but twice! He has taken the most rigorous course load at our high school, plus Spanish for Spanish Speakers, Fashion 1, Chamber Choir, AP US Government, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, and is a PE Senior Leader. He has a beautiful voice, is a talented actor and a talented athlete. He is a leader in his Scout troop, does many extracurricular activities, and is an amazing young man.”
Darby Alise Dammeier
Wheeling High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Drew and Linda Dammeier
Sponsor: Richard Watson, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.67 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biochemistry, molecular biology
Awards, honors: American Legion Scholarship Award; Spanish National Honor Society; Leader in the number of tutoring hours
Personal statement: “The student I tutored struggled in the beginning, barely passing. Later, her teacher came to speak with me. Not only did she have an A, she also frequently raised her hand. When I passed her in the hall she asked, ‘Where was the Declaration of Independence signed?’ ‘Independence Hall,’ I said. She laughed, and shouted over her shoulder, ‘No, at the bottom!’ My favorite joke.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Somehow she has balanced an incredible number of activities over four years and still maintains a perfect ‘A’ average. One of her greatest qualities is her positive outlook on life and finding the best in others rather than looking for faults.”
Priyanka Kanal
William Fremd High School
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Raj Kanal
Sponsor: Brigid Tileston, former English Department chairwoman
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.01 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: English/journalism and psychology
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; Published in “American High School Poets Topical Anthology”
Personal statement: “My passion, ethics and drive have been cultivated by my many high school experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. I am inspired by the idea that in the future my own research and writing as a medical correspondent could impact people’s lives all around the world by informing them about medical practices.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Other students recognize that when Priyanka shares an insight, it is coming from a thoughtful and respected source. Students and staff alike know that her love for literature, writing, and the world around her is unique, even in a very competitive school.”
Sarah Merchant
Barrington High School
Hometown: South Barrington
Parents: Hasan and Sheri Merchant
Sponsor: Jack Bowyer, AP Senior English teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 4.760 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 2250
Planned major: Biochemistry/global health double major; pre-med track
Awards, honors: AP National Scholar; Spanish Honor Society; American Legion Award
Personal statement: “My experiences have led me to conclude that this desire for purpose is fulfilled when I invest energy outside of myself, when I pursue academic discovery, and when I establish myself as an individual with the capacity to remedy my community. I hope to study medicine and global health, to influence the lives of my patients while also protecting developing populations from infectious diseases.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “With Sarah, you have one of the very best, a rare gem of a student whose potential is extraordinary, who combines scholarship, maturity, and leadership with charisma, unfailing ethics, and a healthy sense of humor.”
Colleen O’Mahoney
Palatine High School
Hometown: Palatine
Parents: Brian and Suzanne O’Mahoney
Sponsor: Michelle Calisch, counselor
Class rank: First out of 690
GPA: 4.0 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Double major in mathematics and secondary education; with minor in physics
Awards, honors: National Honor Society; Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar
Personal statement: “I want nothing more in this life than to be a teacher ... Regardless of what subject I decide to teach, my accomplishments thus far in life have proved to me that I want to help future generations develop their own passions. Just as I have been aided on my path I want to help individuals like myself dream, explore, grow, and reach their goals.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Colleen is a uniquely talented student who excels in and out of the classroom. Her intelligence and work ethic has allowed her to succeed, but it is her desire to help that really sets her apart. Her maturity and character only add to her overall impressive nature.”
Thomas Palcheck
Schaumburg High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: Julie and Tom Palcheck
Sponsor: Mary Lopez, AP history teacher
Class rank: Tied, first out of 625
GPA: 5.032 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Mechanical engineering with an environmental minor or electrical engineering double major
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; Illinois State Scholar; High School Academic Award (top 25)
Personal statement: “Academia isn’t the only way that I have worked to plan ahead for my future. Through my involvement in Scouts, my church, the school wrestling team and other activities, I feel that I have picked up on many skills that others are unable to glean just in school.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “His strong academic skills and impressive work ethic were clear, and his success was truly impressive. Even more impressive were the lengths to which he went to ensure the success of others. He was the first to volunteer to tutor in the science tutoring center, and other students would deliberately attend when he was there.”
Krush Patel
Hoffman Estates High School
Hometown: Schaumburg
Parents: Surendra and Heena Patel
Sponsor: Suzanne Fetherling, science teacher
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.143 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Chemistry or biology
Awards, honors: University of Chicago Book Award; Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica; Future City Competition — Best Safety Design
Personal statement: “More than anything, it is my love for science that has consumed me and driven me to study medicine. 15-page lab reports for AP Biology are rewarding journeys; weekly tests in AP Chemistry are something I look forward to. Learning about the world around me through scientific facts has become an adventure.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “He sets himself apart with a passion for learning and a curiosity that can be kindled by many different facets of science. He finds excitement in the process of problem solving and finding new ways to cultivate his interests. His classmates are amazed by his talents and attracted to his humility.”
Maximilian Rohde
Prospect High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Matthias and Jenny Rohde
Sponsor: Lynn Thornton, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.73 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Physics
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Scholar Commended Student; National Honor Society member
Personal statement: “Physics fascinates me because it encompasses subjects as abstract as string theory or as concrete as structural engineering. Looking back on my accomplishments in high school, I see that they have aided me in both the abstract and concrete areas of my life. Some accomplishments have taught me useful skills that I will be able to use later on in a career, while others have aided me by making me a more well-rounded person.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Maximilian is one individual who has learned to work through adversity, face fears head-on, and come away stronger and more competent for it.”
Megan Rullo
Buffalo Grove High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Frank and Mary Rullo
Sponsor: Maxine K. Levy, counselor
Class rank: School does not rank
GPA: 5.76 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Cell and molecular biology, pre-dentistry; double major or minor in music
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar; IMEA All-State Honors Band, January 2013
Personal statement: “Ever since sixth grade when I had braces, I have been determined to become an orthodontist. Making teeth more orderly appeals to me, along with running an office and having different patients pass through every day.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Nothing she did in high school was ‘to get into college.’ What she did was to learn about herself as she prepared herself for the challenges of her future. Megan possesses a voracious appetite in the pursuit of knowledge in multiple areas. Her desire: to be a well-rounded individual who understands the world in which she lives.”
Vivek Shah
John Hersey High School
Hometown: Arlington Heights
Parents: Kamlesh and Varsha Shah
Sponsor: Jackie Ballarini, math teacher
Class rank: Second out of 469
GPA: 5.80 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2350
Planned major: Biomedical engineering; medical school for oncology
Awards: Fifth place, 2013 Illinois State Debate Tournament and All State Team; Math Team, sixth place Calculator Team at State Tournament 2010; National Geography Challenge Finalist 2009
Personal statement: “High school has laid the foundations for achieving my lifelong goals with poise, awareness, and humility. It is these intangible traits that will help me be a biomedical engineer. However, it is my passion for knowledge that will elevate me to being a biomedical innovator.”
Sponsor’s endorsement: “Last fall, a student backed out of a Math Team competition the day before. The topic was Number Theory with a focus on Diophantine Equations, a college level course ... and we needed someone who could read and understand the text in one night. Vivek accepted this challenge — and took third place at the meet.