Fox Valley Academic Team honorable mentions
Alexis Christian Brenner
School: Westminster Christian School, Elgin
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Lee Brenner
Sponsor: Scott Sevey, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 44
GPA: 4.07 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Rotary Scholar, graduating with High Honors, Teacher Intern Assistant/Future Teacher Club
Katherine Cai
School: Elgin High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Ying Cai and Lilian Wang
Sponsor: Ms. Cabrera, Gifted Academy director
Class rank: 8 out of 510
GPA: 4.294 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31; SAT: 2230
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; AP Scholar with Distinction; Illinois State Scholar
Nick DeNardo
School: Hampshire High School
Hometown: Hampshire
Parents: Penny Rens, John DeNardo; stepfather Dennis Rens
Sponsor: Kris Nilsen
Class rank: 2 out of 261
GPA: 5.96 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
College: Wheaton College
Planned major: Biblical studies, accounting
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholarship Program Commended Student, 2012 AP Scholar with Honor, Illinois State Scholar
Ryan DiCicco
School: Cary-Grove High School
Hometown: Cary
Parents: Paul and Julianne DiCicco
Sponsor: Dori Chianakas, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 487
GPA: 4.613 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: engineering
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Todd Dickey
School: St. Charles North High School
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: Alan and Babette Dickey
Sponsor: Mike Horn, business education department
Class rank of student: 2 out of 503
GPA: 5.829 on 5.0 weighted
Test scores: ACT 34
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: National Merit Commendation; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar
Rachel DiPirro
School: Marian Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: Michael and Gloria DiPirro
Sponsor: Rebecca Reed, guidance director
Class rank: 1 out of 160
GPA: 4.6122 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2150
Planned major: Computer engineering
Awards, honors: Highest Ranking Student Award, Illinois State Scholar, Rensselaer Medal Award
Robert Doby
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: David and Kathy Doby
School: Harvest Christian Academy, Elgin
Sponsor: Wendy Mattner, guidance counselor
Class rank: 2 out of 30
GPA: 4.067
Test scores: ACT: 34, SAT: 2140
Planned major: Aeronautical/astronautical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Honor Roll eight semesters; Distinguished Christian High School Students Award for Academics
Katelyn Floyd
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Aaron and Kim Floyd
School: Harvest Christian Academy, Elgin
Sponsor: Wendy Mattner, guidance counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 30
GPA: 4.156
Test scores: ACT: 36, SAT: 1960
Planned major: Pre-med/biology
Awards, honors: Distinguished Christian High School Students Award Academics, National Honor Society, Honor Roll eight semesters
Nate Harms
School: Batavia High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: Elvin and Sara Harms
Sponsor: Kristen Stern, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 460
GPA: 4.28 on a 4 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1780
Planned major: Aeronautical engineering
Awards, honors: Honor Roll, Upstate Eight Academic All-Conference, National Honor Society
Eric Nathaniel Holmgren
School: Central High School, Burlington
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Jeffery and Janet Holmgren
Sponsor: Jon Young
Class rank: 1 out of 267
GPA: 4.28 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1990
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar; High Honor roll each semester; Bausch & Lomb Science Award
Brian Jones
School: St. Edward Catholic High School
Hometown: South Elgin
Parents: Robert and Kathy Jones
Sponsor: Mike Horn, teacher
Class rank: 2 out of 74
GPA: 4.46
Test scores: ACT 33
Planned major: Communications
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, High School Academic All Conference in Golf, Straight A Award three years
Brigitte Keslinke
School: Elgin Academy
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Bettina and Richard Keslinke
Sponsor: Sharon Williams, college counselor
Class rank: not given
GPA: 4.03
Test scores: ACT, 33
Planned major: Archaeology
Awards, honors: Frederick Douglas and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Studies, Cum Laude Society, Rotary Club “Straight A” Award four times recipient
Colin Lillibridge
School: Geneva High School
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Craig and Sue Lillibridge
Sponsor: Mary Jane Johnson, director of counseling and advising
Class rank: 2 out of 480
GPA: 4.55 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: American Chemical Society Chemistry Olympiad National Qualifier, WYSE Team Regional First Place in Chemistry and Math, Two time WYSE Team State Qualifier
Colleen Madlinger
School: Rosary High School, Aurora
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: Cathy and Steve Madlinger
Sponsor: James Sanders, theology department chairman
Class rank: 1 out of 101
GPA: 4.365 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 2180
Planned major: Aerospace engineering or physics
Awards, honors: National Merit Scholar Finalist, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Scholarship, Villanova Scholarship
Harrison McClure
School: Larkin High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Craig and Dalia McClure
Sponsor: Elizabeth Zuniga, English teacher
Class rank: 3 out of 390
GPA: 4.797 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2170
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: American Math Contest Winner, Platinum Level Career Readiness Certification
John McDermott
School: St. Charles East High School
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: John and Jean McDermott
Sponsor: Mark M. Pereda, counselor
Class rank: 7 of 545
GPA: 5.659 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Double major in accounting and finance
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Wirth Gustafson Award for highest GPA on football team
Rachael Ohlrich
School: Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Joseph and Victoria Ohlrich
Sponsor: Stephanie Kouri
Class rank: 1 out of 534
GPA: 5.966 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Bioinformatics and forensic science
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award for Math and Science, Super Honor Roll
Elle Murata
School: St. Charles North High School
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: Cathy and Sam Murata
Sponsor: Michael Zernone, social studies teacher
GPA: 5.05
Test scores: ACT 33
Planned major: International relations/pre-med
Awards, honors: Valedictorian; Cross Country Captain and State Qualifier; National Honor Society President
Kevin Peterson
School: South Elgin High School
Sponsor: Matt Sheahan, counselor
Class Rank: 3 of 631
GPA: 7.747
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: International studies, political science
Awards, honors: High Honor roll three years; Elgin Rotary Club Straight “A” award four years; perfect attendance junior year
Beau Ott
School: Kaneland High School, Maple Park
Hometown: Elburn
Parents: David Ott and Julie Carls
Sponsor: Patricia Welker, English teacher
Class rank: 5 out of 339
GPA: 4.145 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: History education and Spanish education
Awards, honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Scholastic Bowl, Model UN
Mitchell Aaron Pepa
School: Larkin High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Eric and Danielle Pepa
Sponsor: Jill Hunt, counselor
Class rank: 4 out of 390
GPA: 4.750 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2130
Planned major: Engineering, computer science
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; Math Team State 2009, 2013; AMC10 School Winner
Benjamin Pho
School: Marmion Academy, Aurora
Hometown: Maple Park
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Binh D. Pho
Sponsor: Daniel Thorpe
Class rank: 4 out of 109
GPA: 4.480 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT 33: SAT: 1960
Planned major: Chemistry or math
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, WYSE Competition
Greg Rosenthal
School: Cary-Grove High School
Hometown: Cary
Parents: Sandra and Michael Rosenthal
Sponsor: Dr. Hank Harvey, student services coordinator
Class rank: 8 out of 487
GPA: 4.0469 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2250
Planned major: Business
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, High Honor Roll seven semesters, Illinois State Scholar
Zachary Strittmatter
School: Batavia High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: Rick and Carol Strittmatter
Sponsor: Corey Bernard, counselor
Class rank: 1 out of 460
GPA: 4.28 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: chemistry
Awards, honors: National Football Foundation Scholarship, Honorable Mention IHSA Academic All-State Team
Keeley Sawyer
School: Hampshire High School
Hometown: Hampshire
Parents: Duane and Christine Sawyer
Sponsor: Mr. D. Rumoro, psychology teacher
Class rank: 1 out of 261
GPA: 5.98 on 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 44; SAT: not given
Planned major: pre-professional studies
Awards, honors: Honor roll, National Honor Society student advisor
Peter Shares
School: Marmion Academy, Aurora
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: Michael and Nancy Shares
Sponsor: The Rev. Joel Rippinger
Class rank: 5 out of 109
GPA: 4.456
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Business management
Awards, honors: Superior Cadet, Illinois State Scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society
Meg Van Der Bosch
School: Marian Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Tom and Erin Van Der Bosch
Sponsor: Rebecca Reed-, guidance director
Class rank: 1 out of 160
GPA: 4.6122 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2250
Planned major: biology
Awards, honors: Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award; Highest Ranking Student Award-2010, 2011, 2012; National Merit Scholar Finalist
Patricia Jane Winsauer
School: Westminster Christian School, Elgin
Hometown: West Dundee
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Donald Winsauer
Sponsor: Carolyn Palmer
Class rank: 9 of 44
GPA: 3.83
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Math education
Awards, honors: Graduating with high honors, National Honor Society
Laith Yasin
School: Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Carpentersville
Parents: Hasan and Intisar Yasin
Sponsor: Christopher Caramela, teacher
Class rank: 10 out of 534
GPA: 5.83 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Mathematics
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Honor Roll, National Merit semifinalist, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar