Newsroom | Indiana State University

President's Scholars announced for 2014

May 15, 2014

Indiana State University has recognized 20 incoming students as President's Scholars for 2014.

"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 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. Providing full in-state tuition and premium housing, the scholarship has a total four-year value of $72,000.

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, 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 average of 3.9 on a 4.0 scale.

Olamide Abedogun of Dolton, Ill., daughter of Olabisi Abedogun, is a senior at Thornton Township High School. She is vice president of the National Honor Society and serves her community in the Big Brother Big Sister program, and as co-president of Students against Violence Everywhere (SAVE). She plans to enroll in the pre-medicine program at Indiana State. She wants to become a pediatician and contribute to healthcare in Africa.

Breanna Blythe of Indianapolis, daughter of Brandy and Greg Blythe, is a senior at Ben Davis High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Premiers Choir, the Sounds Choir and the Purple-Aires Choir. She also played softball and volleyball. She plans to major in accounting.

Shayla Bozdech of Effingham, Ill, daughter of Tammy and Mathew Bozdech, is a senior at Effingham High School. During high school, she has held offices in Student Council, played piano and trumpet in Jazz Band, was a member of the National Honor Society and an active member in her local church. She plans to major in psychology.

Alison Cook of Bruceville, daughter of David and Susan Cook, is a senior at North Knox High School. She has participated in Student Council, played soccer and threw discus. She was a team member of Knowledge Masters, volunteered in her community in her church nursery, and she served in Joplin, Mo., helping tornado victims. She plans to major in accounting.

Alexis Crosby of Terre Haute, daughter of Stephanie and Toby Crosby, is a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Link Crew and the Spirettes Dance Team. She is also active in her local church and has served her community as a part of the Eco-Citizens Club. She plans to major in language studies.

Kayla Dunagan of Terre Haute, daughter of Michele Clinkenbeard, is a senior at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. During high school she has run cross country and served her community in Interact - Community Service Club and as a leader of her local church's Awana program. She is a member of Link Crew and the National Honor Society, and she took part in the HERO Anti Bullying Campaign. She plans to major in nursing.

Robby Fraticelli of Wheatfield, son of James and Cynthia Fraticelli, is a senior at Kankakee Valley High School. He is vice president and treasurer of the Youth Alive Club and plays in the school's jazz band. He is a member of the Academic Decathlon and Academic Super Bowl teams and is lead guitarist for the youth group of his local church. He plans to major in music business.

Darcie Fritz of Clay City, daughter of Jeffery and Carol Fritz, is a senior at Clay City High School. She is treasurer and secretary of her National Honor Society chapter, participated in the Peers Educating Peers club, the Business Professionals of America, the Leading by Serving club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions, and she served as president of the German Club. She plans to enroll in the pre-optometry program at Indiana State.

Megan Guthrie of Greencastle, daughter of Clinton Guthrie and Julie Childress, is a senior at South Putnam High School, where she played volleyball, tennis, and was dance captain. A National Honor Society, she sings for her local church and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She plans to major in elementary education.

Katelyn Hufford of Rossville, daughter of Randy and Kathy Hufford, is a senior at Home School Clearing House. She plays piano and organ for her local church and for the Master's Voice Singers, and she participated in Christus Homines Drama Troupe. She plans to major in nursing.

Brittany Kemp of Elburn, Ill., daughter of Daryl and Wendy Kemp, is a senior at Kaneland High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, the Peer Leadership Club, and DECA. She played basketball and ran track and served her community through Kaneland Silver Stars Organization, the Marklund Foundation and Toys for Tots. She plans to enroll in the pre-medicine program at Indiana State.

Carissa Miller of Maple Park, Ill., daughter of Tina Egger and Scott Miller, is a senior at Kaneland High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council and sang in the kaneland Madrigal Singers Choir.She serves her community by volunteering at Delnor Community Hospital in the maternity wing, and through the Grocery Food Drop. She plans to major in business administration.

Brandy Protz of Vandalia, Ill., daughter of Randy Protz, is a senior at Vandalia High School. She is a member of student council and is vice president of the National Honor Society. She participated in the math, science and Spanish clubs and she served her community through the IMPACT youth choir at her local church. She plans to major in athletic training.

Hannah Rose of Aurora, daughter of Angie and Bill Rose, is a senior at South Dearborn High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and student council and played soccer, softball, basketball and ran cross country. She served her community through participating in the Cincinnati Walks for Kids. She plans to major in speech language pathology.

Tanner Smith of Fishers, son of Jada and Jason Svoboda, is a senior at Fishers High School. He is a member of the National Honor Society, ran cross country and track and field, played percussion in band, and served his community by participating in the Riley Dance Marathon and the Independent Holiday Toy Drive. He plans to major in finance.

Dylan Stolz of Terre Haute, son of Alice and James Stolz, is a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. He is vice president of his student council, played baseball, is a member of National Honor Society and serves his community through Big Brother Big Sister and by volunteering at Sullivan County Community Hospital. He plans to enroll in the pre-medicine program.

Bo Turner of Terre Haute, daughter of Georgia and Steven Turner, is a senior at Terre Haute North Vigo High School. She is a member of student council, the National Honor Society, DECA, Knowledge Masters and Fine Arts club. She served her community through Big Brothers Big Sisters and was a cheerleader and a member of the Patriette Dance team. She plans to major in marketing.

Brittany Vancil of Terre Haute, daughter of David and Linda Vancil, is a senior at Terre Haute South Vigo High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the Student Senate, and student council and is captain of the Spirettes Dance team. She served her community by volunteering at the Terre Haute Children's Museum and the C.A.N.D.L.E.S Holocaust Museum. She plans to major in elementary education.

Emily Virostko of Rockville, daughter of Rob and Jayne Virostko, is a senior at Riverton Parke High School. She is a member of the National Honor Society and French club and served as captain of her volleyball and basketball teams. She has raised goats and participated in photography and salon print in 4-H. She plans to major in accounting.

Samuel Wallace of Princeton, son of James and Lisa Wallace, is a senior at Princeton High School, where he is a member of the Key Club and the Environmental Club. He also ran cross country and track and field and served his community by volunteering at the Future Tigers Running Camp and the Future Tigers Baseball Camp. He plans to major in physical education and exercise science.