Fox Valley Academic Team honorable mentions
Zain Ali
Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Maria Lopez and Tariq Ali
Sponsor: Jason Johnson
Class rank: 1 out of 532
GPA: 5.99 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 26
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor
Angela Faith Bavaro
Westminster Christian School
Hometown: Gilberts
Parents: Michael and Mandi Bavaro
Sponsor: Carolyn Palmer
Class rank: 1 out of 51
GPA: 4.15 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
Planned major: Education
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Illinois State Scholar, Science Olympiad
Carlee Bettler
St. Charles North High School
Hometown: South Elgin
Parents: John and Maria Bettler
Sponsor: Brenna Ohlson
Class rank: 1 out of 454
GPA: 5.81 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2160
Planned major: Bioinformatics
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with distinction, Girl Scout Gold Award, Presidential Scholar
Megha Bhattacharya
Elgin High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Ramanuj and Mahuya Bhattacharya
Sponsor: John Devine
Class rank: 5 out of 499
GPA: 4.73 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Pre-law and economics
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction, Rotary Club for Academic excellence, member of Gifted and Talented Academy
Gabriel Boebel
Aurora Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: Steve Boebel
Sponsor: Bridget Buckley
Class rank: 1 out of 149
GPA: 4.39 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar
Katherine Bruckner
Rosary High School
Hometown: DeKalb
Parents: Paul and Sandi Bruckner
Sponsor: Sister Katrina Lamkin
Class rank: Not given
GPA: 4.66 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Spanish
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honors Society
Anton Christensen
Central High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Birger Christensen and Kerri Christensen-Kissel
Sponsor: Andrea Keil
Class rank: 1 out of 285
GPA: 4.41 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; WYSE medalist, Underclassmen Science Award
McKenna Lynn Conforti
Westminster Christian School
Hometown: Sleepy Hollow
Parents: Lorebeth and Bill Conforti
Sponsor: Carolyn Palmer
Class rank: 3 out of 51
GPA: 4.08 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Zoology
Awards, honors: Prairie State Achievement Award, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar
Amanda Corona
Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Salvador and Josefina Corona
Sponsor: Jason Johnson
Class rank: 4 out of 532
GPA: 5.8 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 24
Planned major: Neuroscience
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honors, National Honor Society executive board member
Morgan Fasino
Harvest Christian Academy
Hometown: Gilberts
Parents: Richard and Diane Fasino
Sponsor: Wendy Mattner
Class rank: 2 out of 26
GPA: 4.05 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
Planned major: Missions aviation
Awards, honors: Excellence Award, Rotary Club, AP Scholar
Matthew Havard
Cary-Grove High School
Hometown: Cary
Parents: Milissa and Rich Havard
Sponsor: Jay Sargeant
Class rank: 2 out of 436
GPA: 4.682 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with honor, High honor roll
Thomas Havemann
St. Edward Central Catholic
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Lori and Mark Havemann
Sponsor: Chris Zurek
Class rank: 4 out of 103
GPA: 4.55 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar, High Honor Roll, Illinois State Scholar
Kayla Heflen
St. Charles North High School
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: Gary and Laura Heflen
Sponsor: Von Essen
Class rank: 2 out of 474
GPA: 5.72 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30; SAT: 1850
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Honor Roll, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Alec Heidlauf
Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Lisa Heidlauf and David Heidlauf
Sponsor: Dan Crabtree
GPA: 3.982 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Nicholas Heise
Wheaton Academy
Hometown: Elburn
Parents: Susan Heise, Robert Heise
Sponsor: Dan Crabtree
GPA: 3.977 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Physical sciences
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, Honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Emily Hollenbaugh
West Aurora High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: James and Sue Hollenbaugh
Sponsor: Amy Winslow
Class rank: 11 out of 787
GPA: 4.07 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Finance
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; High Honor Roll; Blackhawk Pride
Madison Jurcenko
Kaneland High School
Hometown: Elburn
Parents: Michelle and Steve Jurcenko
Sponsor: Anna Lamica
Class rank: 1 out of 309
GPA: 4.16 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Physician assistant
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Cassie Kemmler
Elgin Academy
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Michael and Lori Kemmler
Sponsor: Doug Sept
Class rank: Not given
GPA: 4.14 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31; SAT: 2080
Planned major: Conservation biology
Awards, honors: Cum Laude Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Kylee Knox
Harvest Christian Academy
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Bill and Joy Knox
Sponsor: Wendy Mattner
Class rank: 1 out of 26
GPA: 4.09 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Exercise science
Awards, honors: Rotary Club, captain of basketball and track
Tyler Meathe
Hampshire High School
Hometown: Hampshire
Parents: Michael and Susan Meathe
Sponsor: Kristina Wade
Class rank: 3 out of 294
GPA: 5.99 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with distinction, Science fair regionals, High honor roll all four years
Alyssa Mertka
Rosary High School
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: William and Susan Mertka
Sponsor: Sister Katrina Lamkin
Class rank: Not given
GPA: 4.61 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 2230
Planned major: English
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; Perfect Score on the National Latin Exam 2012; first place at WYSE Regionals in English 2014, 2015
Nicole Meyers
Crystal Lake South High School
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: Michael and Marie Meyers
Sponsor: Kyle P. McCaughn
Class rank: 44 out of 437
GPA: 4.09 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 28
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: First Place state qualifier for Math Team, Excellence in Choral Music, First Place WYSE Academic Challenge
Hannah O'Hagan
Marian Central Catholic
Hometown: McHenry
Parents: James and Medalit O'Hagan
Sponsor: Rebecca Reed
Class rank: 1 out of 183
GPA: 4.61 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Chemistry
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar
Tyler Rasmussen
Geneva High School
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Greg and Angie Rasmussen
Sponsor: Cindy Kovach
Class rank: 2 out of 4.85
GPA: 4.63 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Electrical engineering
Awards, honors: National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Honor, Illinois State Scholar
Maria Sancen-Rodriguez
Crystal Lake South High School
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: Not given
Sponsor: Tammera Freund
Class rank: 59 out of 437
GPA: 3.979 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 26
Planned major: Obstetrician
Awards, honors: High Honor Roll 4 years, National Honor Society
Kailin Sepp
Larkin High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Nancy K. Sepp
Sponsor: Brittany Walker
Class rank: 3 out of 381
GPA: 4.74 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1830
Planned major: Zoology
Awards, honors: Southeast Asia Youth Leadership Program, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Thomas H. Sieben
Marmion Academy
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Ed and Caroline Sieben
Sponsor: Anthony Tinerella
Class rank: 1 out of 125
GPA: 4.87 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Superior Honor Roll
Kristin Simkus
Central High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Janice and Victor Simkus
Sponsor: Sarah Schwartz
Class rank: 2 out of 254
GPA: 4.39 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Industrial engineering
Awards, honors: WYSE State Medalist, AP Scholar with Honor, Big Northern Math Contest Medalist
Taylor Sledz
Marian Central Catholic
Hometown: McHenry
Parents: Duane and Constance Sledz
Sponsor: Rebecca Reed
Class rank: 2 out of 183
GPA: 4.59 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
Planned major: Business
Awards, honors: Salutatorian; Top Ranked Student Award Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Years; perfect attendance all four years of high school
Pricilla Torres
Larkin High School
Hometown: Streamwood
Parents: Josue Torres and Mariza Cabel-Torres
Sponsor: Dr. Jon Tuin
Class rank: 1 out of 381
GPA: 4.87 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 29
Planned major: Theater
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, lead roles in school plays
James M. Tunney
West Aurora High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Martin and Christine Tunney
Sponsor: Ryan P. Gatbunton
Class rank: 17 out of 792
GPA: 4.46 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Accounting
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society
Adrian Scott Valena
Elgin High School
Hometown: Streamwood
Parents: Henry and Marlyn Valena
Sponsor: John Devine
Class rank: 10 out of 497
GPA: 4.86 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Human biology
Awards, honors: High Honor Roll, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction
Lauren Van Vlierbergen
Harry D. Jacobs High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Dave and Sherri Van Vlierbergen
Sponsor: Janet Avampato
Class rank: 1 out of 527
GPA: 4.0 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Business
Awards, honors: Wendy's High School Heisman National Award Winner, AP Scholar with honors, Illinois State Scholar
Elizabeth Varley
St. Edward High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Doreen and Brian Varley
Sponsor: Melanie Dewey
Class rank: 3 out of 103
GPA: 4.64 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Public health policy
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Margaret Veltri
Elgin Academy
Hometown: East Dundee
Parents: Peggy and Joe Veltri
Sponsor: Doug Sept
Class rank: Not given
GPA: 3.97 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 2180
Planned major: Vocal performance
Awards, honors: Excellence in U.S. History Award, Classical Literacy Exam — Gold Medal, National Merit Commended Scholar
Karen Wu
Harry D. Jacobs High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Xiu Qing Guan and Yuk Ming Wu
Sponsor: Phillip Timm
Class rank: 1 out of 527
GPA: 4.0 on a 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Civil engineering
Awards, honors: Scholastic Leader Award, National Honor Society, AP Scholar