TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Twenty-eight students have been awarded Indiana State University's President's Academic Excellence Scholarships. The honor includes full in-state tuition, renewable for seven additional semesters.
Academic Excellence Scholars must be ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class or have a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Selection is highly competitive and based upon both academic and personal accomplishments, and an interview is required for all finalists. All incoming freshmen who are admitted to the University by Dec.1 are automatically considered for this scholarship. No additional application is required.
This year's President's Academic Excellence Scholar recipients include (see background on each recipient below): Benjamin Bredhold, Jasper; Tiffany Brewer, Seymour; Leslie Brown, Marshall, Ill.; Sarah Buck, Noblesville; Lauren Burch, Corydon; Joseph Compton, Danville, Ill.; Robert Compton, Danville, Ill.; Megan Cornett, North Vernon; Brittany Cuthbertson, Terre Haute; Samantha DeGott, Bloomfield; George Fritch IV, Linton; Victor Guzman, Olney, Ill.; Aubrey Hancock, Vincennes; Shannon Haynes, Danville; Daniel Hill, Bruceville; James Hubbs, Terre Haute; Amanda Jagoda, Butler; Joshua Koch, Mt. Vernon; Koby Kraemer, Terre Haute; Mitchell McAdams, Seymour; Jessica Marcum, Connersville; Joseph Meggs, Terre Haute; Jessica Price, Camby; Joshua Rustman, Palatine, Ill.; Kendra Slayton, Paoli; Steven Stewart, Rising Sun; Samuel Underwood, Terre Haute and Matthew Williams, Brazil.
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* Benjamin Bredhold, of Jasper, is the son of Scott and Marilyn Bredhold and a graduate of Northeast Dubois High School. He intends to major in biology or chemistry while at Indiana State. While in high school he was involved in 4-H, Spell Bowl, Academic Super Bowl, Spanish Club, Beta Club and the Dubois County All-Stars. Bredhold was a Hoosier Boys State delegate and placed in the top 5 and top 10 at the Indiana Beta State Convention.
* Tiffany Brewer, of Seymour, is the daughter of Scott and Ramona Brewer and a graduate of Seymour High School. She intends to major in nursing. While in high school she was involved in Key Club, Big Brothers Big Sisters High Five program, Spanish Club, Student Council, participated in varsity soccer, gymnastics and track and served as a junior volunteer at Schneck Medical Center. Brewer was a Wendy's High School Heisman finalist.
* Leslie Brown, of Marshall, Ill., is the daughter of Jill Brown and a graduate of Marshall High School. She is undecided on her major, but hopes to attend medical school and go onto work at a children's hospital. While in high school she was involved in Student Council, Leo Club, National Honor Society, Marshall Leadership Team, and Future Business Leaders of America and was a member of the basketball and track teams. Brown was named an Illinois State Scholar.
* Sarah Buck, of Noblesville, is the daughter of Jeff and Julie Buck and a graduate of Noblesville High School. She plans on majoring in speech therapy while at Indiana State. While in high school she was involved in show choir, National Honor Society, marching band, jazz band, speech team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and participated in ISSMA vocal ensemble. Buck won eight golds at the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble.
* Lauren Burch, of Corydon, is the daughter of Kevin and Alisa Burch and a graduate of Corydon Central High School. She plans on majoring in English or liberal arts while at Indiana State. While in high school she was involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, Renaissance, beginning choir, show choir, drama and tae kwan do.
* Joseph Compton, of Danville, Ill., is the son of Joe and Rhonda Compton and a graduate of Danville High School. He plans on studying pre-veterinary medicine while at Indiana State. While in high school he was involved in marching band, jazz band and pep band. Compton was a National Merit semifinalist, an Illinois State Scholar and Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam.
* Robert Compton, of Danville, Ill., is the son of Joe and Rhonda Compton and a graduate of Danville High School. He plans on studying pre-veterinary medicine while at Indiana State. While in high school he was involved in marching band, show choir combo, jazz band and pep band. Compton was an Illinois State Scholar and Magna Cum Laude on the National Latin Exam.
* Megan Cornett, of North Vernon, is the daughter of Darlis and Julie Cornett and a graduate of Jennings County High School. She plans to major in mathematics education while at Indiana State. While in high school she was involved in National Honor Society, French Club and worked as an after-school tutor. She received academic honors the past two years.
* Brittany Cuthbertson, of Terre Haute, is the daughter of Richard and Donna Cuthbertson and a graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School. She plans to major in accounting while at Indiana State. While in high school she was involved in volleyball, tennis, Interact, National Honor Society and played intramural basketball. She earned all county and academic all-state honors in volleyball and was a member of the North Tennis team that placed fourth in the state of Indiana.
* Samantha DeGott, of Bloomfield, is the daughter of Albert and Donna DeGott and a graduate of Bloomfield Jr./Sr. High School. She plans on studying pre-optometry while at Indiana State. While in high school she was involved in Christian Service Club, Art Club, Spanish Club, Girl Scouts, Student Council, National Honor Society, Booster Club, Quiz Bowl, prom committee and Chess Club. DeGott received the silver award in Girl Scouts, was named to Who's Who Among American High School students and was in the top ten of her class.
* George Fritch IV, son of George and Billie Jo Fritch of Linton, is a graduate of Linton-Stockton High School. He plans on majoring in biology and chemistry while at Indiana State in hopes of becoming a physician. During high school he participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Club, History Club, band, Academic Team, Academic Honors Club, Student Council, Letterman Club and played varsity tennis and golf. Fritch also volunteered in the Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation department of Sullivan County Community Hospital. He was named to the Academic All-State in tennis in 2007, a 2007 Hoosier Boys State delegate and was the Crane Naval Warfare Science Fair Champion in 2007.
* Victor Guzman, son of Belinda Guzman and Enrique Guzman of Olney, Ill., is a graduate of East Richland High School. He plans to major in music performance and education while at Indiana State. While in high school he participated in Jazz Band, marching band, pep band, wind ensemble, symphonic band and tutored students in a second grade classroom. He also participated in Relay for Life as a member of the McDonald's team. He achieved the high honor roll all four years at East Richland and was named an Illinois State Scholar.
* Aubrey Hancock, daughter of Alan and Elaine Hancock of Vincennes, is a graduate of Lincoln High School. She plans to major in accounting while at Indiana State. While in high school she participated in Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, yearbook, youth group, V-Women, cross country, track and basketball. She was named an Athlete of Character, a three-time Rotary Club Athlete of the Year and received all-conference honors in cross country for three years.
* Shannon Hayes, daughter of Doug and Renate Hayes of Danville, is a graduate of Danville Community High School. She plans on majoring in social studies education, in hopes of teaching at the junior high or high school level. During high school she was involved in National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, Spanish Club, Spell Bowl, English academic team, marching band, concert band and pep band. She was named the top biology and English student in 2005 and earned an academic letter and bar.
* Daniel Hill, son of Sherri Caballero and Matt Hill, is a graduate of North Knox High School. He plans on majoring in social studies education, in hopes of teaching at the secondary or post-secondary level and becoming involved in politics. During high school he was involved in the North Knox High School band, drama club, National Honor Society, social studies academic team, Spell Bowl, youth group, and participated in Relay for Life. Hill was named to Indiana State's All-Star Band and the All-district band in addition to being a Hoosier Boys State delegate.
* James Hubbs, son of James and Joni Hubbs of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School. He plans on majoring in chemistry while at Indiana State, with hopes of going to medical school and eventually working in a hospital emergency room or intensive care unit. While in high school he participated in swing/Jazz band, Knowledge Masters, pep/basketball band, Link Crew, National Honor Society, marching band, Science Bowl and Latin Club. Hubbs earned an academic letter and a band letter and scored maxima cum laude and summa cum laude on the National Latin Exam.
* Amanda Jagoda, daughter of Andrew and Monica Jagoda of Butler, is a graduate of Eastside High School. She plans on majoring in elementary education while at Indiana State. During high school she participated in varsity basketball and track, Student Council, National Honor Society, served as a D.A.R.E role model and was involved in community service projects through Caring and Responsible Eastside Students (C.A.R.E.S).
* Joshua Koch, son of David and Terri Koch of Mount Vernon, is a graduate of Mount Vernon High School. He plans of majoring in education or biology while at Indiana State. During high school he participated in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Student Athletic Council and played varsity soccer, football and basketball. Koch traveled to Gulfport, Miss. during two Spring Breaks to help with Hurricane Katrina recovery in addition to doing service work in Appalachia. He was named Academic All-State in soccer and football in addition to being named an All Big Eight Conference selection in both sports.
* Koby Kraemer, son of Kyle Kraemer and Michele Barrett of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School. During high school he participated in the NCAA Hall of Champions Stay in Bounds Program, National Honor Society, Senior Internship Program, volunteered with the Southside Evening Optimist Club and the American Cancer Society and played varsity football and baseball. Kraemer received numerous sports honors, including being named to the Indianapolis Colts Academic All-Star Team, All MIC in football and baseball and being named a Humphrey Award recipient.
* Mitchell McAdams, son of Mitch and Suzanne McAdams of Seymour, is a graduate of Seymour High School. He plans on majoring in accounting while at Indiana State. While in high school he participated in National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Student Government, youth group and competed in varsity cross country, track, wrestling and swimming. He also mentored freshman and participated in three mission trips, traveling to volunteer with Hurricane Katrina recovery and working at an Appalachian Work Camp.
* Jessica Marcum, daughter of Sherry and Delbert Marcum of Connersville, is a graduate of Connersville High School. She plans on studying pre-veterinary medicine while at Indiana State, with hopes of continuing her education and eventually working as a veterinarian. During high school she was involved in National Honor Society and Spartanettes, in addition to running track and cross country.
* Joseph Meggs, son of Lindsay and Teresa Meggs of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School. He played varsity baseball and football at Terre Haute North and was active in Key Club, intramurals and Indiana Bulls Baseball Club. While at Chico (Calif.) High School, he played varsity baseball, junior varsity and freshman football and American Legion baseball. He also participated in Chico High School's Academy of Communications and Technology.
* Jessica Price, daughter of Joyce Price and Jerry Price of Camby, is a graduate of Decatur Central High School. She plans of majoring in elementary education while at Indiana State and would like to teach the second grade. While in high school she participated in National Honor Society, Rotary Interact Club, Spell Bowl in addition to playing tennis and cheerleading.
* Joshua Rustman, son of Jim and Cathy Rustman of Palatine, Ill., is a graduate of Palatine High School. He plans on majoring in secondary education while at Indiana State, with hopes of teaching and coaching at the high school level. While in high school, he played varsity basketball and volleyball and participated in Ping Pong Club. Rustman was named an Illinois State Scholar and a recipient of three varsity letters.
* Kendra Slayton, daughter of Kenny and Rexene Slayton of Paoli, is a graduate of Paoli Jr/Sr High School. While in high school she participated in marching band, concert band, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, yearbook, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Booster Club. In addition to making the honor roll, Slayton received two letters for her participation in band.
* Steven Stewart, son of Steven and April Stewart of Rising Sun, is a graduate of Rising Sun High School. He plans on majoring in biology while at Indiana State and hopes to go onto study naturopathic medicine and work at an integrative medical practice. While in high school he participated in Student Council, National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Drama Club, Spell Bowl, academic team, 4-H, and band. He served as a member of the Mayor's Youth Council and served as a Senate page.
* Samuel Underwood, son of David and Dollie Underwood of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School. While in high school he participated in the Link Crew and National Honor Society along with community service projects at the Terre Haute Humane Society, 13th and Chestnut Community Center and Relay for Life. He scored maxima cum laude on the National Latin Exam.
* Matthew Williams, son of David and Cheryl Williams of Brazil, is a graduate of Northview High School. He plans on majoring in social studies education while at Indiana State. During high school he participated in marching band, National Honor Society, pep band, concert band, youth group and played on Northview's golf team.
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