Indiana State University Newsroom

Indiana State University has recognized 20 incoming freshmen as President's Scholars for 2011.

The President's Scholarship is highly competitive and is Indiana State's most prestigious financial award. Recipients are chosen based on academic performance in high school, as well as personal accomplishments and interviews.

This year's President's Scholars boast an average high school grade point average of 3.89 on a 4.0 scale. Recipients were also heavily involved in student government, National Honor Society, sports and a variety of clubs.

Indiana State welcomes the following President's Scholars for fall 2011:

Taryn Ash, daughter of James Ash of Anderson, is a graduate of Anderson High School and plans to major in recreation and sport management. During high school, she was treasurer of the Senior Exec Council and involved in AP Club, International Club, Business Professionals of America and National Honor Society.

 

Emily Barrett, daughter of Gina Barrett and Tim Barrett of Aurora, is a graduate of South Dearborn High School and plans to major in athletic training. While in high school, she participated in student government, National Honor Society, STARS Mentor Program, and Knight Fight Club, as well as softball and volleyball. She has won numerous awards, including the Feather in Your Hat Leadership award as well as the Mental Attitude Award and Hustle Award in softball.

 

Anna Berenz, daughter of Susan and Mark Berenz of Catlin, Ill., is a graduate of Schlarman High School in Danville. She plans to major in psychology. In high school, she was involved in National Honor Society, volunteer work, cheerleading, track, soccer, wrestling and photography.

 

Daniel Burkett, son of John Burkett and Nancy Burkett of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School and plans to major in chemistry. During high school, he was on the swim team and took part in theater, Continental Corps, Spanish club, student council and National Honor Society. He was a varsity and academic letter-winner in swimming and was a Hoosier Boys State delegate.

 

Luke Carr, son of John Carr and Candy Carr of Columbus is a graduate of Columbus North High School. He plans to major in criminology and criminal justice. In high school, he was active in National Honor Society, Theater/Thespian Honor Society, football, student assembly and his church youth group. He lettered in academics, theater and football and received the Tom Orr award, which is presented to a football player with a passion beyond athletics.

 

Sarah Ford, daughter of Tracy Ford and John Ford of West Terre Haute, is a graduate of West Vigo High School. She is also a Rural Health Scholar, a joint program with the Indiana University School of Medicine to train future physicians to work in underserved areas. She plans to major in biology and pre-medicine. In high school, she was involved in Link Crew, Key Club, jazz band, pep band, Academic Superbowl, Knowledge Masters, Quiz Bowl and National Honor Society.

Dylan Gentilcore, son of Patrick Gentilcore and Judy Gentilcore of Modoc, is a senior at Union High School. He plans to major in computer science. In high school, he was part of the academic team, drama club, pep band, National Honor Society, student council, basketball and cross country team. He was also involved in Youth Salute and was an interdisciplinary academic team state finalist. He also received theater awards, including best lead actor and best supporting actor.

Hickory Ham, son of Scott Ham and Heidi Ham of New Albany, is a graduate of New Albany High School with plans to major in professional aviation flight technology. While in high school, he was actively involved in his church and traveled to Haiti twice for mission trips. He was also a Hoosier Boys State delegate.

 

Oscar Henriquez, son of Oscar Henriquez and Dolores Rivas of Wheaton, Ill., is a graduate of Wheaton-Warrenville South High School and plans to major in computer engineering technology. While in high school, he was a student athletic trainer and Puente Student Leader. He was also a volunteer and participated in track and field.

 

Devon Jacobs, daughter of Rebecca Jacobs and Jim Jacobs of Martinsville, Ind., is a graduate of Mooresville High School and plans to major in elementary and special education. During high school, she was involved in concert band, pep band, marching band, cadet teaching at an elementary school, Spanish club, National Honor Society and her church youth group.

 

Nathaniel Lee of Bedford, son of Sarah Lee, is a graduate of Bedford-North Lawrence High School. He is also a Rural Health Scholar, a joint program with the Indiana University School of Medicine to train future physicians to work in underserved areas. Lee plans to major in biology at Indiana State. During high school, he was active in swimming, track and field, football, soccer, tennis, Spanish club, Latin club, school musical, choir and orchestra. He served as class president for three years and was a delegate and award winner at Hoosier Boys State.

Brianne Lingl of Schaumburg, Ill., daughter of Maureen Cairns and Michael Lingl, is a graduate of Schaumburg High School. She plans to major in pre-medicine with a goal of becoming a pediatric doctor or surgeon. In high school, she was a member of National Honor Society, high school softball and the Schaumburg Sluggers travel softball team. She was a member of the Spanish Honors Society and received the Saxon Pride Award and an IHSA award for academic excellence.

 

Dierre Littleton of Belleville, Ill., son of Victoria Littleton and Dwayne Wright, is a graduate of East St. Louis Senior High School. He plans to major in biology or mathematics. He played volleyball and participated in drama club, speech club, Beta Club, Junior ROTC, drill team, color guard, Scholar Bowl and Upward Bound Math and Science. He has won numerous awards, including Outstanding Cadet, all-conference team drill commander, most valuable player and Scholar Award.

 

Joshua Mannix, son of William Mannix and Kimberly Mannix of Indianapolis, is a graduate of Decatur Central High School and plans to major in pre-law. During high school, he took part in marching band, concert bands, show choir, concert choir, National Honor Society, SADD, Brain Game and College Summit. He was also an AP Scholar, valedictorian and Show Choir Rookie of the Year.

 

Carly McDonald, daughter of Susan McDonald and Joseph McDonald of Terre Haute, is a graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School and plans to major in pre-medicine. In high school, she took part in National Honor Society, Link Crew, Interact Service Club, Eco-Citizens, Spell Bowl and Academic Superbowl. She was a volunteer at the Vigo County Public Library and United Methodist Temple and is also an AP Scholar, recipient of the Interact Tireless Service Award and a four-year recipient of the Academic Excellence Award.

Blain Meadows, son of Matt Meadows and Shannon Meadows of Plainfield, is a graduate of Plainfield High School with plans to major in criminology and criminal justice. During high school, he was involved in National Honor Society, DECA, Academic Superbowl, Spanish club and Boy Scouts of America. He received the History Department Award and is also an Eagle Scout, obtaining the Emergency Preparedness Award and earning 41 merit badges. 

 

Katherine Runge, daughter of Katrina Runge and Mark Runge of Crothersville, is a graduate of Brownstown Central High School and plans to major in music education. During high school, she participated in band, tennis, National Honor Society, Brownstown Christian Church Youth Group, Christian Club and Student Council. She was vice-president of her class and president of the Christian Club, drum major for three years and a four-year recipient of the Outstanding Musician Award.

 

Blaine Timonera, son of Cirilo Timonera and Gail Timonera of Batesville, is a graduate of Batesville High School and is undecided on a major. During high school, he was involved in Spanish club, student council, St. Louis Catholic Church, football and FFA. He received the Junior Spanish Academic Standout Award was named to the all-conference football team.

 

Jonathan Wachala, son of Michael Wachala and Carol Wachala of Munster, is a graduate of Munster High School and plans to major in Spanish and psychology. He participated in speech and debate, theater, soccer, track and field, National Honor Society, mixed ensembles, Spanish club and ISU Summer Honors Program in aviation. He received the Highest Honors Scholarship Award, Spanish Award, Scholar Athlete Award and was first team academic all-state for track and field.

 

Madeline Webster, daughter of Melissa Webster and Jim Webster of Marshall, Ill., is a graduate of Marshall High School and plans to major in psychology and German. While in high school, she participated in dance, vocal and instrumental music, German club and volunteer activities. She received the Outstanding Dancer award and placed first several times as a vocal soloist at the Illinois Music Educators Association's solo and ensemble competition, was first chair flute and sang in the Illinois All-State Honor Choir.

Contact: Sarah Wurtz, associate director and scholarship coordinator, Office of Admissions, Indiana State University, 812-237-3935 or Sarah.Wurtz@indstate.edu 

Writer: Mallory Metheny, media relations assistant, Office of Communications and Marketing, Indiana State University, 812-237-3773