Schools
Valley View Honors 18 BHS Students with 'Those Who Excel' Awards
Eighteen students were each recognized in a specific area, from science and English to NHS and ROTC.
Top achievers from Bolingbrook and Romeoville high schools were honored at the annual Valley View School District 365U “Those Who Excel” luncheon at Bolingbrook Golf Club Wednesday.
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Hosted by the Board of Education, Those Who Excel has honored the “doers” and “achievers” in VVSD high schools since the early 1970s when several students were taken out to lunch by the school board president and district superintendent.
As the years went by, other board members and administrations joined in the annual outing to honor the young men and women who most demonstrated potential for becoming our leaders of tomorrow. The end of the year get-together has become one of the highlights of the year for students, board members and administrators.
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Honored from Bolingbrook High School were:
Andrew Limthongviratn--Academic Top Senior
Valedictorian of the Class of 2013, Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honors, Scholastic Bowl, Mathletes, tennis, Graduation Committee and PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter). “I hope to pursue a degree in Psychology at, among other colleges, University of Pennsylvania, Stanford, Princeton or Emory. In the coming months, I will search for a publisher for the novel I have written. I intend to continue writing regardless of my success.”
Phoebe Mondala--Outstanding Career & Technical Ed. Student
AP Scholar, Outstanding AP U.S. History Student, Illinois State Scholar, Family Career and Community Leaders of America State Competitor, President of FCCLA, Editor in Chief of the Yearbook, National Honor Society, volunteer at LWCC. “I plan to go to either UCLA or UCSD. I want to be a pediatrician, travel the world, help in third world countries and someday open my own boutique in Los Angeles.”
Nneka Onyejiaka--Outstanding English Student
Third academically in the Class of 2013, MVP for tennis three times, two-time tennis state finalist, State Scholar Award, National Honor Society Junior & Senior year, Volunteer at the Bolingbrook Adventist Hospital. “I plan on attending University of Illinois--Chicago in the Honors Program and then going on to medical school. Hopefully I will be accepted into the Honors College and the Graduate Medical Program that they offer.”
Maria Ortiz--Outstanding ESL Student
1st Honor Roll Honors, 2011-2012 Bilingual Student of the Year, Bilingual Tutoring, and aide for the ESL Department. “I would like to pursue a career in early childhood education. My first teacher, Mrs. Gonzales, was such a great influence on me that I hope to have that same effect on my future students. Children are our future and if I can help them to achieve their goals then I will be successful in my life’s work.”
Alexa Piekarski--Outstanding Female Athlete
Captain of the girls volleyball team Freshman and Senior years, 1st and 2nd Academic Honors, Senior Superlative—Most likely to brighten your day, Student Ambassadors, Yearbook staff, boys volleyball team manager and boys baseball team manager. “The next step in my future will begin at Monmouth College. While I am there I will study Public Relations in my quest to become an event planner or work in the field of hospitality. I also will be joining the Flight Scots Volleyball Team in the Fall of 2013.”
Aaron Bailey--Outstanding Male Athlete
“Preps Plus” All State Football Team, All State football Class 8A, Tom Lamming/NCSA All Area Award, BHS Most Valuable Player, Honor Roll Second Honors, mentoring children and young adults at church. “I plan to attend the University of Illinois on a football scholarship. I plan on getting my B.A. Degree in Communications/Sports Broadcasting, hopefully entering into the draft in 2016, still mentoring children.”
Samantha Patterson--Outstanding Math Student
Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Bolingbrook Park District Danceforce—Award of Excellence and Raising the Bar and Leadership Award, Bolingbrook Park District Danceforce Student Director/Dancer/Teacher, Mathletes, BHS Theatre and Puzzle League Dance Company. “I plan to become a pediatric surgeon. Next year, I hope to go to Northwestern University with a Biology Major and a focus in Pre-Medicine.”
Shane Cook--Outstanding Music Student
IMEA District 9 Orchestra, King of Madrigals and Lord chamberlain of Madrigals at BHS, Drumline Section Leader, Sunrise Singers Vice President, Sunrise Singers Section Leader, Illinois State Scholar, Wind Symphony, Jazz Band I, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Pep Band, spring musicals, Raider Marching Band, National Honor Society, and Youth Group and Worship Team at Naperville Presbyterian Church.
“I plan to attend the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music for a Bachelor of Music in Commercial Music Production.”
Leah Pape--Outstanding NHS Student
Honor Roll First Honors all four years, “Ready Set Ride” Award at the Ready Set Ride Therapeutic Recreation Facility that assists special needs or terminally ill children by providing horseback riding services, National Honor Society, and Tech Crew for Theatre. “I want to become a physical therapist and when I save enough money, I will organize a Stars Program which allows people with special needs to take a mule ride to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Special Needs people are not able to now, due to liability guidelines.”
Janelle Villas--Outstanding Performing Arts Student
IMEA All-State Chorus; 2013 Danceforce Award of Excellence; 2012 Dance Scholarships at Urban Jamm, Chicago Dance Connection and Hollywood Vibe Dance Conventions; Queen of Madrigals, President of Sunrise Singers, Vice President of Thespians, Dance instructor for Bolingbrook Park district Danceforce and dancer for eight years; National Honor Society; fall plays and spring musicals; and training with Acting Studio Chicago Actor for HMA 13. “My hope is to attend The American Musical & Dramatic Academy College in LA to pursue a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre and Performing Arts.”
Kiran Syed--Outstanding ROTC Student
Illinois State Scholar, President’s Volunteer Service Award, The American Legion Scholastic Excellence Medal, AFJROTC Outstanding Cadet Medal, Wing Commander of BHS Unit IL-091st, and National Honor Society. “I plan to attend Loyola University Chicago with a major in Biology and a minor in Neuroscience on the track of Pre-Medicine. I hope to go to medical school and be a pediatric neurosurgeon or a general surgeon.”
Michelle Luna--Outstanding Scholastic Bowl Student
Won “BHS Best 3D Artist” in 2012, WYSE participant; exhibited in SWSC Art Show twice; published on Teenlnk.com; published in Scholastic Art Magazine; won National Breakfast Superhero Design Contest, Scholastic Bowl, Mathletes, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Asian American Club. “I quite passionately want to attend Knox College. My intentions from there are less set-in-stone, but presently I want to study Forensic Sciences so I may be a forensic scientist, at least until I can get a Ph.D. so I may become a Forensic Psychologist.”
Sandeep Bharadwaj--Outstanding Science Student
Recipient of the Bruce Fishkin Fund scholarship, internationally acclaimed world record holder on the violin, recipient of the Outstanding AP Chemistry Student and Outstanding AP Euro Student, National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar with Honor, ranked second academically in the Class of 2013, President of National Honor Society, state qualifier for Mathletes, Co-Captain of Scholastic Bowl , Executive Youth Committee Leader of TAGC, WYSE Regional Chemistry Champion, senior volunteer in Emergency and Medical/Surgical Departments at Adventist Bolingbrook Hospital, Asian-American Club and tutor at Heart Haven Outreach.
“I have been accepted to Northwestern University into the HPME (Honors Program in Medical Education) as an undergraduate in Biomedical Engineering and accepted into the Feinberg School of Medicine. At the present moment, I am interested in specializing in Cardiology/Cardiovascular Surgery. As a physician I want to make a broad impact and participate in free health clinics.”
Alyssa Dieckhaus--Outstanding Social Studies Student
Illinois State Scholar, volleyball, National Honor Society and Chairperson for the Daybreak Service Project. “I plan on attending Lewis University where I will study Nursing for four years before enrolling in medical school to become a dermatologist.”
Brittany Owen--Outstanding Student Services Student
Completed the coursework for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and passed the state exam and received college credits for CNA and Medical Office Program, participated in all Transition Activities offered at Bolingbrook High School, volunteered at the Meadowbrook Nursing Home and participated in the Mentoring Program. “I will be attending Joliet Junior College in the Fall, enrolling in the Nursing Program to further my education. I plan to work at either a hospital or nursing home as a CNA. I am also interested in pursuing a career in home healthcare.”
Jessica Liddell--Outstanding Student Government Member
Attended Student Government Leadership Conventions, tennis, bowling, track, Secretary and President of Student Government, helped with “Feed My Starving Children,” and Graduation Committee. “I plan on attending Joliet Junior College for their Nursing Program and eventually transfer to a four year college for a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing.”
John Williams--Outstanding Transition Student
Honor Roll First Honors all four years, Environmental Club, Graduation Committee, Assisted with Freshman Night Out, Assisted with Open House and Registration, and Concert and Symphonic Bands. “I plan to attend Joliet Junior College and transfer to Robert Morris University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts.”
Carrie Anderson--Outstanding World Language Student
Raider Academic Excellence Award—five times, Outstanding Student in Chemistry—Junior year, tennis, badminton, National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, and Pep Band. “I plan on double majoring in International Studies and History at Loyola University Chicago with hopes to work as a Counter-Terrorism/National Security for the United States Government.”
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