NSHSS Student Council 2004-05 We are pleased to announce our new Student Council members for the 2004-05 academic year. These outstanding college-bound students will give advice based on their own experiences and will offer information on Society programs, scholarships, and activities throughout the upcoming year. Membership on the Student Council provides an important leadership opportunity beyond high school. Members graduating from high school in 2005 will be eligible to apply for next year's Council.  To contact a student council member, click here and enter the council member's name in the subject line of the message:  studentcouncil@nshss.org Alhaji Cherif New Carrollton, Maryland Cornell University Alhaif Cherif is a 2004 NSHSS National Scholar Award recipient who served as president of his school's National Honor Society and also founded the Science Club. He received a Maryland Distinguished Scholar Award and has been recognized for his community service activities. Originally from Sierra Leone, Alhaji is a global citizen who wishes to become a researcher, mathematician, and educator. "As a student council member, I will not limit myself to sharing college experiences with fellow members, but I will also be delighted to communicate the strategic skills I used in the college application process." Jamal Grimes Ormond Beach, Florida Florida State University Jamal Grimes, a scholar athlete, is a 2003 NSHSS National Scholar Award recipient. He served as Class Board President, tutored in math, and participated in World Affairs Seminar and Men of Tomorrow, among other activities. He has received numerous athletic and academic honors, including the Junior Statesmen of America Stanford Honor Diploma. "The greatest part about being able to share is that you have now imparted something to another who can learn from your experience." Adam Harbison Crane Hill, Alabama The University of Alabama Adam Harbison received an Advanced Academic Diploma and was selected as his school's valedictorian. A University of Alabama Capstone Scholar, he also served as president of the National Honor Society and 4-H. Adam will pursue a B.S. degree in Management. "I will do my best to give advice to members who have concerns about high school or college life." Kandace Joye Columbia, South Carolina Spelman College Kandace Joye, a graduate of the Discovery Honors Mathematics and Science Magnet Program, also participated in competitive cheerleading and received a National Science Merit Award. She was also selected by "The State" newspaper for the Golden Palmetto Leadership Team, for excellence in leadership and community service. "Being a 'military brat' and consequently traveling throughout the nation, I have become accustomed to communicating my past experience to a divergent audience. The NSHSS Student Council will provide me the opportunity to uphold the pillars of the Society through my character and commitment to the organization." Kinbo James Lee Moreno Valley, California University of California, Los Angeles Of Korean descent, Kinbo Lee will soon be the first in his family to attend a university. Kinbo has won awards not only in academics, but also in chess and in golf. He was also selected for a Distinguished Christian High School Student Award and received a Student Council award for outstanding service. "I wish to join the NSHSS Student Council in order to more effectively voice my opinions and further improve the quality and services offered by this prestigious organization." Folasade Odeniyi Philadelpha, Pennsylvania Harvard University Folasade Odeniyi is the first recipient of the NSHSS Robert P. Sheppard Leadership Award for outstanding commitment to community service. She served as senior class president and president of the World Affairs Club. She is a Venture Scholar who has won awards not only math and science but also in music composition. "I have always been a part of school functions, always trying to make a difference in my school. Now, I seek to make a difference on a wider scale by helping students whom I would not have otherwise gotten the opportunity to help." Rachel Patrick Bloomington, Indiana The University of Michigan Rachel Patrick is a remarkably talented musician who will be attending The University of Michigan this fall on a full scholarship, majoring in violin performance. She has been active in her high school student council and National Honor Society and served as concertmaster for the 2003-04 season of the Indianapolis Symphony Side-by-Side Orchestra. "Because of the guidance of the previous Student Council, I feel ever more confident about attending college next year and would appreciate the opportunity to hopefully do the same for my fellow NSHSS members." Brence Pernell Blackville, South Carolina Duke University Brence Pernell was selected as valedictorian of his high school and received one of five Duke University Reginald Howard Scholarships. He was named a South Carolina "Super Teen" by "Next Step" Magazine. He also served as Student Council President and as a volunteer counselor for the South Carolina Youth Advisory Board. "As a rising college freshman, I especially understand how important it is to provide high school seniors with the valuable tips and hints to college success that aren't often available to us in the college view books. I look forward to being in a position to contribute information to college-bound students." Kenneth Pitchford Henderson, Nevada The University of Washington A scholar athlete, Kenneth Pitchford was a member of the California Junior Scholarship Federation, captain of the wrestling team and regional champion in wrestling. He also received the Man of the Year Award for Varsity Football while maintaining excellent grades. "I hope to give students some inspiration or guidance in their journey to become the best people they can. I would also like to demonstrate how I have been able to be a student athlete without having to give up grades and performance." Anna Rasulova Tashken, Uzbekistan Brown University Anna Rasulova, pictured here in her native costume, received a Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship in 2004. She served as Student Council President at Tashkent International School in Uzbekistan, a remote Islamic country in Central Asia. An award winning debater, Anna speaks five languages and considers herself a citizen of the world. Anna was accepted into nine colleges, with eight of these offering her full scholarships. "I believe that I can give helpful advice and insight to high school students who are now in the tough process of planning and filling out applications. Mr. Nobel has stated that 'Encouraging young people to excel is the finest and most lasting contribution that we can make to the future' and I want to be a part of that contribution through my membership in NSHSS." Katherine Van Schaik Columbia, South Carolina Harvard University Katherine Van Schaik is a Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship recipient for 2004, whose environmental research has been published in the 2003 edition of "STATS" Magazine. She also was selected for a citizenship award from the governor of South Carolina and won a Best of Category award in the Intel International Science & Engineering Fair of 2003. She has worked for many summers each year along with her grandfather as a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. "I wish to utilize my talent for environmental science research for the betterment of the world. In addition, I also wish to use this talent to cultivate in other students their own research abilities; I would like to advise and inspire research students in the same way that my own research teacher has advised and inspired me." Joshua Sommerfeld Palm Beach Gardens, Florida The University of Chicago Joshua Sommerfeld is a Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship recipient for 2003 who would like to pursue a career in trial law and/or civil service. He served as student body president and honor council president in high school. He is a cellist in the Palm Beach Youth Symphony Orchestra and plays drums for the Perry Feyk Project (a student/faculty rock band)! "I view the prospect of becoming involved in the NSHSS Student Council as yet another chance for me to develop myself as a leader ... and as a fantastic opportunity to give something back to a wonderful organization." Ian Tapu Hauula, Hawaii Dartmouth Ian Tapu is a recipient of an NSHSS National Scholar Award and served as student body president. An Eagle Scout, he is an award-winning debater who has participated in a variety of school activities, including Model United Nations and student council. The first in his family to attend college, Ian can also share his experiences in overcoming obstacles, including financial difficulty and the loss of his younger brother. "Attending Dartmouth College will be an excellent opportunity to delve into the inner workings of an Ivy League institution and provide a keen insight into college life academically, financially, and socially for interested students." Shambrekia' Wise Texarkana, Texas The University of Arkansas Shambrekia' Wise will enter the pre-med program in the fall and her ultimate goal is to become a pediatric pulmonologist. Senior class president, Shambrekia' has been named a Gates Millennium Scholar and a Venture Scholar. She has written about her experience in the LEAD Summer Business Institute in the Summer 2004 "Scholar's Journal." "Through years of mentoring with younger children, I know I have a gift to reach out and help people... . As a member of the NSHSS Student Council, I will be able to not only enhance my mentoring and leadership skills but also have a hand in educating future leaders." Pui-Lam (Leon) Yiu Oakland Gardens, New York Dartmouth Leon Yiu is an Eagle Scout, vice president of The National Honor Society and a member of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scouts honor society. He conducted orientation and tours for incoming freshmen throughout his high school career and held the position of Student Coordinator of College Services in his high school, with the responsibility of setting up the College Fair for juniors at his school. "From my knowledge and experience gained from being the College Services Coordinator at my high school, I am sure that I can give NSHSS input and tips regarding scholarships and activities. I know that to college-bound students and their parents, choosing and applying to colleges as well as paying for the institution is an overwhelming task, and I will provide them with the best advice I can in order to make college count as an investment."