Fox Valley Academic Team honorable mentions, 2018-2019
Emily Aicher, St. Charles North High School
Hometown: South Elgin
Parents: Terry and Susan Aicher
Sponsor: Natalie Ross, science teacher
GPA: 5.0
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1530
Planned major: Biological engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, National Honor Society president
Sravalika Allala, Hampshire High School
Hometown: Gilberts
Parents: Linga and Udaya Allal
Sponsor: Anthony Lis, counselor
GPA: 4.0 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1370
Planned major: Business
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Dual Credit student earning a high school diploma and associate's degree
Justin Anderson, Hampshire High School
Hometown: Hampshire
Parents: Jim and Kim Anderson
Sponsor: Anthony Lis, counselor
GPA: 4.0 on traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1160
Planned major: Sports management
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Salutatorian, Dual Credit student earning a high school diploma and associate's degree
Dominic Bianchi, Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Sleepy Hollow
Parents: Steve and Jodi Bianchi
Sponsor: Scott McNess, science teacher
GPA: 5.97 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 29; SAT: 1370
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: Husky Innovation Leaders Award, VFW Voice of Democracy District Qualifier, Illinois State Scholar
Madigan Boborci, Elgin Academy
Hometown: St. Charles
Parents: James and Courtney Boborci
Sponsor: Dan Rafferty, college counselor
GPA: 3.92 on traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Marine biology
Awards, honors: Frederick Douglass and Susan B. Anthony Award in Humanities and Social Science Award, Dartmouth College Book Award, Cum Laude Society
Julie Bottarini, Rosary High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Jay and Trisha Bottarini
Sponsor: Laura Biancalana, English teacher
GPA: 4.587 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 30
Planned major: Pre-professional studies
Awards, honors: Four-year Army ROTC Scholarship, All State Academic Team Scholarship, Maxima Cum Laude Award on National Latin Examination
Abigail Bright, Cary Grove High School
Hometown: Fox River Grove
Parents: Devin and Lauren Bright
Sponsor: Matthew Hawley, math teacher
GPA: 4.57 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1450
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Math Team State Qualifier, WYSE
Alondra Cervantes, East Aurora High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Martha Lopez
Sponsor: Andrew Rathje, career counselor
GPA: 4.721 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1230
Planned major: Pre-law
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, Aurora Hispanic Advisory Board Youth Leader Award, Second Place in DECA State Competition
Emily Check, Harvest Christian Academy
Hometown: Wheeling
Parents: Brian Check and Erika Check
Sponsor: Tabitha Yi, teacher
GPA: 4.244 on 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 22; SAT: 1120
Planned major: Business marketing
Awards, honors: Christian Character Award, Team Member of the Month, Leadership Award from Chick-fil-A, Rotary Club High Honor Role, student government, National Honor Society
Benjamin Matthew Cuga, West Aurora High School
Hometown: North Aurora
Parents: Daniel and Diane Cuga
Sponsor: William Stanley, counselor
GPA: 4.0 on traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1540
Planned major: Finance and political science
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, French Honor Society, AP Scholar
Deepa Dhillon, Huntley High School
Hometown: Huntley
Parents: Sonia and Bob Dhillon
Sponsor: Carolyn Frasor
GPA: 4.66 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34; SAT: 1490
Planned major: Biology, statistics
Awards, honors: AP Scholar, National Merit Commended Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Keely Frens, Westminster Christian School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Tim and Bonnie Frens
Sponsor: Fred Versluys, Upper School principal
GPA: 4.27 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Nutritional science
Awards, honors: President's Gold Scholarship from Baylor University, Illinois State Scholar, varsity basketball and soccer
Mason Hartweger, Marmion Academy
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Patrick and Cindy Hartweger
Sponsor: Daniel Thrope, career counselor
GPA: 4.856 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Canterbury Award for Service, National Honor Society Secretary, Math Team State Qualifier
Benjamin Hausch, Crystal Lake South High School
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: David and Jennifer Hausch
Sponsor: Kerri Bowers, counselor
GPA: 4.720 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Aerospace engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Defensive Player of the Year, Captain of ACES Math Team
Karina Herrera, East Aurora High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Filemon and Maria Herrera
Sponsor: Andrew Rathje, career counselor
GPA: 4.814 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1430
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: University of Illinois Chancellor Scholarship, Valedictorian, Marching Band Color Guard Captain
Jennifer Jasin, Aurora Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Aurora
Parents: Sugianto and Monica Jasin
Sponsor: Jessica Prill, director of counseling
GPA: 4.43 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33; SAT: 1430
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: Aim High Scholarship, National Art Honors Society, Student Ambassador
Neha Karna, Elgin Academy
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: Anoop and Sandhya Karna
Sponsor: Lynn Martin, director of marketing and communications
GPA: 4.12 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Economics and computer science
Awards, honors: Cum Laude Society, National Center for Women in Technology Certificate of Distinction, student class vice president
Erin Kremer, St. Edward Central Catholic High School
Hometown: South Elgin
Parents: Brad and Maureen Kremer
Sponsor: Rachel Popa, counselor
GPA: 4.53 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 29
Planned major: Computer science/engineering
Awards, honors: Metro Suburban Academic All-Conference, Student Athlete of the Year, Illinois State Scholar
Robert McCarthy, Aurora Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Sycamore
Parents: Edward McCarthy and Theresa Pivar
Sponsor: Jessica Prill, director of counseling
GPA: 4.44 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Cellular and molecular biology
Awards, honors: Ted Bratton Youth Leadership Award, Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, National Honor Society president
Madelyn McGraw, Westminster Christian School
Hometown: Carpentersville
Parents: Leanna McGraw
Sponsor: Fred Versluys, Upper School principal
GPA: 4.26 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32; SAT: 1380
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Master Musician Award
Gabe McKenna, Marian Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Johnsburg
Parents: Mike and Kris McKenna
Sponsor: Jim Stamatakos, college counselor
GPA: 4.6191 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biological chemistry
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Tri-M Music Honor Society president, Academic Excellence Award
Garrett McPheron, Geneva Community High School
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Kristine and Ian McPheron
Sponsor: Brian Vaughan, counselor
GPA: 4.58 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1550
Planned major: Bioengineering
Awards, honors: Tradition of Excellence award, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Kathryn Mueller, Rosary High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: David and Talitha Mueller
Sponsor: Sarah Hoying, math teacher
GPA: 4.341 on a traditional 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Secondary education
Awards, honors: Purdue University Presidential Scholarship, National Merit Commended Scholar, National Spanish Examination winner
Clare Muhvic, Dundee-Crown High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Jay and Bethany Muhvic
Sponsor: Lydia Markham, English teacher
GPA: 5.91 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31; SAT: 1420
Planned major: Biomedical engineering
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, ILMEA District 9 Participant, National Honor Society
Hope Mylin, Harvest Christian Academy
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Gregg and Chastity Mylin
Sponsor: Carli Lopez, director of student services
GPA: 4.302 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 25; SAT: 1230
Planned major: Actuarial science
Awards, honors: The Mitchell Swaback Torch Award; United States Achievement Academy National Science Award Nominee; 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 Rotary Club Academic Awards
Zachary Olenek, St. Edward Central Catholic High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Mike and Lora Olenek
Sponsor: Rachel Popa, counselor
GPA: 4.6531 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 27
Planned major: Aviation
Awards, honors: Lewis University President's Excellence Award, IHSA Track and Field State Qualifier, Illinois State Scholar
Ambika Salwan, Central High School
Hometown: Elgin
Parents: Arun and Priyanka Salwan
Sponsor: Megan Marciniec, counselor
GPA: 4.4 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: SAT: 1530
Planned major: Biochemistry and Spanish
Awards, honors: WYSE, Senior Class president, National Honor Society president
Issac Schifferer, Batavia High School
Hometown: Batavia
Parents: Andy and Kim Schifferer
Sponsor: Corey Bernard, counselor
GPA: 4.375 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35; SAT: 1520
Planned major: Mathematics and computer science
Awards, honors: AIM High Grant, Eagle Scout, Section Leader in Madrigals
Neehar Shah, St. Charles East High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Deven and Maulika Shah
Sponsor: Kari Batka, counselor
GPA: 5.833 on a 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology and medicine
Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Peer Leadership Program PLA Leader, Future Doctors of America vice president
Madeline Smith, Harry D. Jacobs High School
Hometown: Algonquin
Parents: Mike Smith and Chris Heetland
Sponsor: Pierre Thorsen, history teacher
GPA: 6.07 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Finance and Spanish
Awards, honors: Illinois State Science Fair Qualifier, AP Scholar with Distinction, Academic Challenge team
Alyssa Spunder, Huntley High School
Hometown: Huntley
Parents: Jen and Bob Verdonck, Mike and Gina Spunder
Sponsor: Carolyn Frasor, counselor
GPA: Not given
Test scores: ACT: 27; SAT: 1290
Planned major: Neuroscience and Spanish
Awards, honors: Daughters of the American Revolution, National Honor Society, Good Citizen Huntley High School Award
Mairead Stotz, Crystal Lake South High School
Hometown: Crystal Lake
Parents: Michael and Beverly Stotz
Sponsor: Tammy Freund, counselor
GPA: 4.674 on weighted 4.0
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Secondary English education
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Madrigal Singers