Indiana State University has selected 20 incoming students as President's Scholars for 2012.
"These students are the best of the best," said John Beacon, vice president for enrollment management, marketing and communications. "President's Scholars are selected following two intensely competitive weekends when more than 140 students come to campus to write essays, be interviewed and problem solve. Every student is a winner before the event begins, and each will be a success at ISU and in the future."
The President's Scholarship is Indiana State's most prestigious financial award, with a four-year value of $68,000. It is just one component of an $11.6 million per year financial aid program that awards more than $8.5 million in merit scholarships. About 4,200 undergraduates have enrolled at ISU with merit awards during the past four years, and more than 1,400 more will join this group when they enroll in the fall, Beacon said.
President's Scholars are chosen based on academic performance in high school, personal accomplishments and interviews during their campus visits. This year's incoming scholars boast an average high school grade point averge of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.
Indiana State welcomes the following President's Scholars for fall 2012.
Jessica Bicknell of Seymour, daughter of Malinda Bicknell and Richard Bicknell, is a senior at Seymour High School and plans to major in accounting. During high school, she participated in the National Honor Society, Key Club, Latin Club, Show Choir, Business Professionals of America and youth group, among other activities. She also received a number of awards for soccer, the Financial Analysis Team and the Economic Research Project.
Taylor Cable of New Ross, daughter of Mamie Cable and David Cable, is a senior at Southmont High School and plans to major in speech-language pathology. While in high school, she was involved in the National Honor Society, Key Club and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. She has received recognition in German and Chemistry and was awarded by the Rotary Club.
Bryant Clayton Jr, of Indianapolis, son of Bryant Clayton Sr. and Stephanie Guyan, is a senior at Heritage Christian High School and plans to major in psychology and pre-medicine. During high school, he served as student body president, as well as a member of both the National Honor Society and Leaders of Tomorrow. He was also a football team captain and was a finalist for the Kiwanis Academic MVP for the team.
Trey Decker of Terre Haute, son of Tris Decker, is a senior at Terre Haute North Vigo High School and plans to major in German. He was president of the German club in high school, sang bass for the Counterpoints choir and participated in student government. A member of the Maryland Community Church Praise Band, he has had perfect attendance since fourth grade and scored in the 91st percentile on the National German Exam.
Lindsay Farmer of Shirley, daughter of Tara Scott and Cory Scott Farmer, is a senior at Eastern Hancock High School and plans to major in special education and elementary education. During high school, she participated in the Fine Arts Academic Team, National Honor Society and Student Council. She also was involved with the school newspaper and served as a volunteer at Hancock Regional Hospital.
Kendal Fluhr of Georgetown, daughter of Cheri Fluhr and Joseph Fluhr, is a senior at Floyd Central High School and is undecided on a major. In high school, she played cello for the Floyd Central Orchestra and Floyd County Youth Symphony. She also participated in the National Honor Society, Student Renaissance and Northside Christian Life groups. She has received numerous 4-H awards and was chosen Miss Floyd County in 2011.
Ashley Furtek of New Lenox, Ill., daughter of Kathy Furtek and Jeff Furtek, is a senior at Lincoln-Way Central High School and plans to major in psychology. While in high school, she participated in the Mid Level Institute, National Honor Society, the National Society of High School Scholars and Mu Alpha Theta. A member of the swimming and diving team, she was also involved in the Visionary Magazine Club and had her writing published in editions of the Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans.
Jordan Gillenwater of Bloomfield, daughter of Jeanne Gee and Brad Gillenwater, is a senior at Bloomfield High School and plans to major in nursing. In high school, she was an award-winning member of the dance team, president of the Christian Service Club and vice president of the Spanish club. She was also involved in band, speech club, National Honor Society and served as an elementary cadet teacher and student mentor.
Clayton Greis of Jasper, son of Butch Greis and Amy Greis, is a senior at Jasper High School and plans to major in political science. During high school, he was an academic team captain and Hoosier Boys State delegate. He also participated in marching band, speech team, robotics and Key Club and was named Americanism and Government Test Program Winner and Outstanding Social Studies Student.
Jacob Kemp of Valparaiso, son of Robert Kemp and Julie Kemp, is a senior at Morgan Township High School and plans to major in biology and pre-medicine. In high school, he participated in the National Honor Society, Athletic Leadership Council, Spanish club, German club, soccer and basketball.
Mariah Longyear of Terre Haute, daughter of Stephanie Longyear and Scot Longyear, is a senior at Terre Haute North Vigo High School and plans to major in dietetics. During high school, she served as the National Honor Society treasurer and participated in Interact Club, Jazz Band and Continental Corps. She has gone on several international mission trips and serves in the youth praise band at Maryland Community Church. She has received multiple First Financial Bank Academic Excellence Awards and was nominated to attend the Hugh O'Brien Youth Leadership Conference.
Jennifer Martell of Bloomington, Ill., daughter of Susan Martell and Alan Martell, is a senior at Tri-Valley High School and plans to major in elementary education. In high school, she participated in the Youth Ministry Board, band, National Honor Society, art club and the math team, among other activities. She also ran cross-country and was selected as an Illinois State Scholar and member of the superstate concert band.
Alisha Piper of Lafayette, daughter of Robin Piper and Lesley Piper, is a senior at McCutcheon High School and plans to become an optometrist. While in high school, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble and Brady Lane Church of Christ youth group. She also participated in International Club, marching band and pep band and has received multiple solo and ensemble awards.
Yahzmine Rodriguez of Indianapolis, daughter of Ashaki Rodriguez and Arturo Rodriguez, is a senior at Franklin Central High School and plans to major in marketing. During high school, she participated in the Indiana University Kelley School of Business' Junior Executive Institute, National Honor Society, marching band and the Indiana School Student Music Association. She also volunteered at LaPlaza and the Nur-Allah Islamic Center of Indianapolis.
Kaitlyn Schmitt of Washington, daughter of Susan Schmitt and Lee Schmitt, is a senior at Washington High School and plans to major in speech-language pathology. In high school, she was Student Council President, a member of the National Honor Society and National Beta Society and recipient of the Academic Achievement Award. She was also a captain of both the basketball team and golf team and was selected to the all-conference golf team.
Erin Sluyter of Terre Haute, daughter of Sue Sluyter and Kevin Sluyter, is a senior at Terre Haute North Vigo High School and plans to major in biology. While in high school, she participated in marching band, pep band and jazz band, as well as the National Honor Society, Interact Club, Continental Corps and Link Crew. She also served on the Wabash Valley Community Foundation youth grant committee and participated in the Clabber Girl Cookoff.
Nicole Stobbe of Darien, Ill,, daughter of Sandy Stobbe and Greg Stobbe, is a senior at Hinsdale South High School and plans to major in pre-medicine. During high school, she participated in dressuge-style equestrian training, where she mentors younger horseback riders. She also was a member of the diversity club and French club and received the AP Scholar Award.
Emily Sturgess of Terre Haute, daughter of Michelle Sturgess and Tim Sturgess, is a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School and plans to major in marketing. In high school, she participated in Senior Senate, Link Crew, Interact Club, yearbook and the National Honor Society. She was a dancer at the Academy of Dance, volunteer at the Terre Haute Children's Museum and a Rex Baseball youth ambassador. She was also named an AP Scholar.
Madison Thompson of Carmel, daughter of Cheryl Newbold-Thompson and Paul Thompson, is a senior at Cathedral High School and plans to major in nursing. During high school, she was a member of the National Honor Society and served with Habitat for Humanity, Kids Against Hunger and Invisible Children, where she was co-president. She also participated in softball and marching band and was manager of the wrestling team, as well as a member of the liturgy planning committee.
Mitchell Wasmund of Avon, son of Mark Wasmund and Gina Wasmund, is a senior at Avon High School and plans to major in political science. In high school, he was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and the baseball team. He also served as a mentor with Avon's Incredible Mentors program, received the Mental Attitude Award and was voted most likely to be president.
Contact: Sarah Wurtz, director of scholarships, Office of Admissions, Indiana State University at 812-237-3935 or sarah.wurtz@indstate.edu
Writer: Mallory Metheny, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University at 812-237-3773