NSHSS Scholarship Recipients - 2005

Claes Nobel Academic Scholarships
 
James Brown
Fort Washington, Maryland
Bishop McNamara High School, Forestville, Maryland

James will attend Princeton University in the fall. An accomplished musician, he is also a Maryland Distinguished Scholar, Ventures Scholar, and Jefferson Scholar Nominee. He is a class leader and athlete. James recently addressed NSHSS members at the 2005 Scholar's Day celebration in Washington, D.C. A dedicated community volunteer, he says that "The final step on my path is making a contribution to my community."
Jason Ferguson
Dallas, Texas
Ferguson Home School

Jason is an Eagle Scout and Reischauer Scholar, Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do, and president of the local chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha, a home school honor society. He is passionate about mathematics and hopes to develop programs to interest students in math emphasizing mathematical discovery through independent pursuit of challenging topics and problems rather than the rote learning of mechanical algorithms. 'I do not want to change the world overnight--that is an impossible task. But I can, through my mathematical program, reach out to a group of enthusiastic young minds and open their eyes to the beauty of mathematics." Jason will attend Duke University.
Natasa Kovacevic
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Mountain Lakes High School

Natasa is a first-place winner on the National French Exam, which provided her with a study scholarship in Switzerland and has done volunteer work in hospitals and orphanages in Bosnia, where she was born. A pianist, and published poet, she recently received a perfect score of 2400 on the new version of the SAT. Natasa is the only junior to have received a Claes Nobel Academic Scholarship. "My dream is to build bridges between nations, to help forge new ties and repair those that have been broken."
Madison Lyleroehr
Knoxville, Tennessee
South Doyle High School

Madison ranks first in her class. She is president of the Key Club, Co-Captain of the Scholars Bowl Team, and the founder of the Children's Hospital Teen Board. Following spinal fusion surgery at age 13, she wrote a booklet to help other kids facing this ordeal, and the East Tennessee Children's Hospital continues to distribute the publication, now in its fourth printing. She will attend Brandeis University. "I believe that the very best way to make a positive difference in life is on an individual level, by treating others with respect and dignity every day."
Robert Sheppard Leadership Award

Michael Marra
Northport, New York
Northport High School

Michael received this award for his initiative and dedication to community service. Michael leads the 350-member service club STUDENTS FOR 60,000, which provides aid and support for the needy locally and internationally. He has made 3 trips to Nicaragua to build homes, wells, and schools for those in desperate need. He also coordinates with 6 local elementary schools to mentor children in the "Read for those in Need" program. Mike will attend Fordham University, and we know that he will continue to give of himself in his new college community. "Students for 60,000 is a paragon for the future, present, and posterity. Every sweat droplet, tear, and second expended for this cause is not in search of accolades but a result of pure love."
National Scholar Awards
Dan Amiri
Saint Charles, Missouri
Duchesne High School

Dan is a National Merit Semi-Finalist and 4-year class president who was invited to participate in a Global Issues Seminar 2004 at the University of Notre Dame, which he will attend next fall. He wishes to become a teacher, saying that "As a single person, I can do only so much, but with many students whom I will teach to the best of my ability, I can literally change the world."
Brandy Bandaruk
San Clemente, California
San Clemente High School

Brandy has received dozens of academic awards, as well serving as Varsity Swim Team Co-Captain, National Honor Society President, and 2004 National American Miss California Pageant Academic Achievement Winner. She also received the Assisteen's Auxiliary Outstanding Volunteer Award. Brandy will enter California State University, Long Beach, in the fall and hopes to earn a doctorate in biochemistry. She wants to research cures for diseases and plans to travel to Russia and the Ukraine, the land of her heritage. "I have grown to truly love science and plan to research various diseases in order to aid with the cure for illnesses."
Lauren Beal
Marietta, Georgia
Lassiter High School

Lauren is a Georgia Merit Scholar and Lacrosse Scholar Athlete who has founded the LAB Foundation, a nonprofit to improve global relations. She will attend Washington University in St. Louis, studying pre-med. "In going beyond the ordinary and seeking out creative ways to make a difference, I believe I can positively affect the lives of others."
Chris Brydges
Okmulgee, Oklahoma
Okmulgee High School

Chris is a state tennis champion who is also his senior class president and school's National Honor Society president. Chris will attend the University of Oklahoma. "I'm a kid who likes to play guitar and goof off with his friends, but when the time is right, I'll leave my mark."
Joseph Cartwright
Mount Angel, Oregon
John F. Kennedy High School

Joe is a Wendy's High School Heisman State Finalist and Future Business Leaders president, who plans to double-major in computer science and human biology at Stanford. He is interested in ophthalmic studies and researching the leading cause of blindness--macular degeneration. "I have always prided myself on going the extra mile to learn something, to make something right, or to help someone else."
Allen Chiou
Clemmons, North Carolina
West Forsyth High School

Allen is a National Merit Semi-finalist and president of SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), and the Multicultural Society. He loves science, which he will study at Stanford, and has completed four university level courses at Wake Forest, Cornell, and Harvard universities. First in his class, he has assumed multiple leadership roles in his school and community. "When we help others have a better life, we will all have a more beautiful tomorrow."
Jessica Ho
Parsippany, New Jersey
Parsippany High School

Jessica is a Caltech Signature Award recipient for innovation in math or science, a Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, president of the National Honor Society and French Honor Society and serves as the saxophone co-captain in the marching band. She wants to study genetic engineering in order to help feed the world and will attend The College of New Jersey. "There is nothing more rewarding in life than a smile on somebody's face whom you have just helped."
Drew Hogsed
Fackler, Alabama
Scottsboro High School

Drew is his class valedictorian, has received a President's Volunteer Service Award, and is the French Club President and baseball co-captain. He will attend the University of Alabama Honors Program, majoring in chemical/biological engineering. "Drew unselfishly gives of his time to his school and to his community . .. and is one of those exceptional students who is destined to succeed."
 Jessica Kabaz-Gomez
Herndon, Virginia
Oakton High School, Fairfax County, Virginia

Jessica received the University of Rochester Humanities & Social Science Award, is a published poet, and an exhibited artist, as well as the co-captain of nationally recognized rocketry team. Jessica will attend the College of William and Mary in Virginia, where she will study law and foreign relations, eventually hoping to enter politics. "I am passionate about helping to alleviate injustice in then world."
Christopher Krogslund
Otisville, New York
Minisink Valley High School

Christopher is an Eagle Scout who has received the Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Award, is the National Honor Society president, a percussion section leader, and football captain. He plans to study medicine and hopes to help develop a treatment for cancer that is less physically debilitating than the common chemotherapy regimen in current use. He carries his late father's inspiration and dedication to everything in which he participates. "By instilling values such as loyalty, courtesy, and reverence, my father directed me towards the path to success."
Amanda Little
APO, AP
Seoul American High School, Seoul, Korea

Amanda has received academic, leadership, and music awards, including the Philip Sousa Band Award and is president of the National Honor Society. She plans to study biology at Washington University in St. Louis and become a Family Practitioner and hopes to become a member of Doctors Without Borders. She says that after living and traveling in Europe and Asia, her eyes were opened and perspectives broadened. "I know I alone am unable to change the life of every person, but with the acquirement of a medical degree I will change the lives of those with whom I come in contact."
Mary Liu
Hilliard, Ohio
Hilliard Davidson High School

Mary is the National Honor Society president, ranking first in her in class, and was named as an outstanding attorney in the Ohio Mock trial competition. She will attend Harvard where she plans to study biology. She helped start a mentoring program called C.A.M.P (Cross Age Mentoring for Peace). "Tomorrow will bring many changes, and I don't want to just read and learn about them secondhand--I want to help cause that change!"
Rina Mauricio
Sugar Land, Texas
St. Agnes Academy

Rina received a Smith College book award, is a National Merit Semifinalist, East Pacific Youth Club Vice President, and editor-in-chief of her school newspaper. She plans to attend Columbia University as an English major before entering medical school to become a pediatric neurologist. She would like to spend some time practicing in her native country, the Philippines. "If college is to be my training ground, life is to be my adventure. I want to use my time in college to question the world, analyze humanity, and experiment with ideas."
Bryant Moquist
Woodbury, Minnesota
Woodbury High School

Bryant and received English awards and community service awards and serves as the Minnesota State President of the National Honor Society, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, and Student Council president. He wishes to become a neurologist and to form connections with various individuals to foster peace and global understanding, "I cannot imagine a more fulfilling life than a life spent in the service of others."
Lenora Nunnley
Little Rock, Arkansas
J.A. Fair Science and Technology Magnet High School

Lenora has received over a dozen academic, art, and acting awards. She serves as her senior class president, Beta Club president, and National Honor Society president. She also founded "TORB (Teens Overcoming Racial Barriers). She will attend Washington & Lee University, where she will study biology. "Though my schedule is often hectic, the gratifying feeling of possibly impacting someone else's life is worth the time."
Monica Puentes
Auburndale, Florida
Auburndale High School

Monica is the president of the National Honor Society, vice president of Future Business Leaders, and has received the Take Stock in Children McDonalds' Scholarship. She will study biology and foreign languages at the University of South Florida and hopes to attend graduate school at Johns Hopkins University. "I want to be an example to all young people, and I want them to see that they can be anything that they want to be in life."
Alex Segal
Campbell, California
Harker High School

Alex has received the Presidential Freedom Scholarship, and awards as the Physics Bowl top scorer and NASA Student Robotics Challenge Award. President of the Robotics club, he plans to study robotics in college and wishes to change people's lives through robotics and artificial intelligence. "More often than not, it is the hard work over the course of years that makes the difference."
Andrew Smolenksi
San Antonio, Texas
Winston Churchill High School

Andrew has received a National Merit Commendation Award, is president of the French Honor Society, captain of the Debate Team, and a member of the House of Commons (his school's' top leaders). He plans to attend law school and study international law. "I firmly believe that the U.S. cannot act alone in dealing with international issues and for this reason I want to work with the World Court and International Court of Justice to help settle global problems."
 
Josh Sommer
Greensboro, North Carolina
Western Guilford High School

Josh is the National Honor Society president, Math Club vice president, a North Caroline English Teacher's Writing Competition Finalist, Siemens Westinghouse Science Competition Semifinalist, and Science Olympiad District Medalist. He has worked tirelessly in support of toxic mold legislation arising from some tragic circumstances related to this problem from his childhood. His interest in science and technology has expanded to include politics and public service. He plans to study mechanical engineering and public policy at MIT. "I have learned that happiness is not based on possessions, but on the quality of relationships, the insights gained from life events, and the impact one person can have on improving the lives of others."
Rebekah Urbonya
Lansing, Michigan
Everett High School

Rebekah was named Miss Everett High School, outstanding junior, and varsity cheerleader, has received orchestra awards, and is president of the National Honor Society. She plans to attend the University of Michigan to study medicine. "Helping and giving to others is something I believe human beings were meant to do."
David Ying
Coral Reef, Florida
Coral Reef High School

David will attend MIT. He received the Harvard Book Award, is president of the Asian Heritage Club, the Geography Club and Math Honor Society Mu Alpha Theta. He has taught English in China and organized the Comprehensive Tutoring program in his school. He is interested in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and the field of bioengineering, which he wishes to study to help create devices such as artificial replacement hip joints. "The field of bioengineering has just emerged from its infancy." I hope to venture into this vast reservoir of possibilities and come out with a way to help individuals around the world."