Top high school seniors awarded Medallion Scholarships
Aug. 2, 2000
KALAMAZOO -- Nineteen students successfully competed against hundreds of top graduating seniors in the Class of 2000 to win prestigious Medallion Scholarships to begin their studies at Western Michigan University this fall.
The scholarships, each valued at $32,000 over four years, are the highest honor the University can bestow to an incoming freshman. Each award bears the name of the scholarship donor or the name of an individual in whose name the scholarship was established.
The 19 recipients were selected following a competition in which only this year's top applicants were invited to participate. The recipients, who have a collective grade point average of 3.99 and an average American College Test score of 31, competed against more that 720 talented high school seniors from 317 high schools in 13 states.
This year's Medallion recipients, their high schools, their intended programs of study and the names of their scholarships are listed below.
Lorik Abdullai of Livonia, Mich., Churchill High School, computer science, Tim and Joy Light Medallion. He is the son of Vait and Lirika Abdullai. He was a member of the varsity soccer team and the track team and participated in club soccer. In addition, he was a member of the student council and the Spanish club and had a part-time job.
Keri E. Anderson of Rockford, Mich., Northview High School, elementary education, John and Evelyn English Medallion. She is the daughter of Dwight and Marlene Anderson. A member of the student council, she served as treasurer for two years. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and Students Against Drunk Driving for three years and was a campus life student leader for two years. Besides her involvement in color guard and drama productions, she was a member of the homecoming court her senior year.
Stephanie M. Benton of Wyoming, Mich., Rogers High School, biology, Terri Harris Memorial Medallion. Benton is the daughter of Timothy and Cynthia Benton. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Students Against Drunk Driving. The president of student congress, she also was on the cheerleading, golf and volleyball teams. In addition, she was the captain of the peer resistance team and a member of the marching band.
Brian D. Cheyne of Lansing, Mich., Grand Ledge High School, electrical engineering, Jack and Ann Anderson Medallion. He is the son of Rodney and Claudia Cheyne. He was a varsity club tutor as well as a member of the National Honor Society and the football and wrestling teams. He also was a freestyle wrestling referee and a Special Olympics softball coach.
Courtney M. Dana of Saline, Mich., Saline High School, music, Elwyn "Doc" Carter Medallion. She is the daughter of James and Laura Dana. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the student council. She also was a cast member of school musicals and operas and had a part-time job.
Anna M. Hehl of Monroe, Mich., St. Mary's Catholic Central High School, biomedical sciences, Gardner and Bonnie Ackley Medallion. Hehl is the daughter of Anthony and Laura Hehl. She was a member of the National Honor Society, the drama club, 4-H and Medical Explorers. She participated in the marching band, pep band, concert band and the orchestra. In addition, she was a church server and had a part-time job.
David P. Hoogerheide of Kalamazoo, Plymouth Christian High School, chemistry, Fred and Isabel Beeler Medallion. He is the son of John and Jane Hoogerheide. He was a member on the community involvement committee, the mission committee and the student council. He also participated in the Science Olympiad and the Michigan Math League Competition. In addition, he competed in the Solo and Ensemble Regional Festival.
Aimee J. Jachym of Plymouth, Mich., Plymouth-Canton High School, computer information systems, Dwight B. Waldo Endowed Medallion. Jachym is the daughter of Harry and Karen Jachym. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park Marching Band. She also participated in varsity soccer and had a part-time job.
Carrie R. Janiski of Clio, Mich., Clio Area High School, university curriculum, Thomas and Nancy Edmonds Medallion. She is the daughter of Daniel and Jean Janiski. A member of the National Honor Society, she was involved in the student council and served as secretary for her class. She also was a student athletic trainer as well as the varsity football manager. In addition, she participated in the law club and drama club and had a part-time job.
Ryan C. Kazmirzack of Lansing, Mich., Lansing Catholic Central High School, University curriculum, Dr. Clayton and Stephanie Sherman Medallion. He is the son of Volker and Kristine Kazmirzack. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the student senate. He also participated in Quiz Bowl/Busters, Odyssey of the Mind and the Science Olympiad. In addition, he was a member of the cross country team.
Kristin E. Kenning of Warren, Mich., Cousino High School, music performance, Harold H. Holland Memorial Medallion. She is the daughter of James and Kitty Kenning. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club and served as secretary of the school Thespian Troupe. She also participated in the marching band and jazz band and was a band historian. In addition, she was involved in school drama for four years.
Peter J. Mattei of Rochester Hills, Mich., Notre Dame Preparatory High School, chemical engineering, Dr. Lewis Walker Medallion. The son of Gerald and Madeline Mattei, he was a member of the varsity football and lacrosse teams. He also participated in varsity wrestling and served as captain of the wrestling team. He was a member of the National Honor Society and the St. John Fisher Parish and co-founded the Notre Dame Preparatory Math Club. In addition, he led a band, Jazzmen, as well as started his own Web development company called Visual FX.
Marissa B. Mendrygal of Libertyville, Ill., Libertyville High School, university curriculum, Richard and Carolyn Chormann Medallion. The daughter of Mitchell and Barbara Mendrygal, she is a member of the Orchesis Dance Team and served as its president for two years. She also was a peer mentoring leader and was involved in an anti-drug/alcohol organization called Snowball. She was in several musicals and plays, was a member of the International Thespian Society and was an Illinois Theatre Festival participant. In addition, she was an academic tutor and had other part-time jobs.
Kalvin M. Miller of Kalamazoo, Comstock High School, university curriculum, Harold and Kathryn Knight Medallion. He is the son of Timothy and Peggy Miller. He was a member of the varsity choir, Band of Blue and drama program. He also was involved with the school newspaper, played junior varsity tennis for one year and had a part-time job.
Christine E. Mueller of Arlington Heights, Ill., Rolling Meadows High School, chemistry, Jim Duncan Jr. Medallion. She is the daughter of Wayne and Suzanne Mueller. A member of the National Honor Society and her class councils, she also was on the student council executive board. She participated in softball, swimming and cheerleading. In addition, she was on the Principal's Advisory Council and was a Special Olympics volunteer.
Michael W. Rodgers of Clawson, Mich., Bishop Foley Catholic High School, chemical engineering, Jim and Joyce Betchek Medallion. The son of William and Patricia Rodgers, he was a member of Students Against Drunk Driving and the drama crew. He also played freshman basketball and was the captain of the varsity tennis team. In addition, he was a peer-resistance team leader, participated in Amnesty International and had a part-time job.
Robert J. Shumate of Monroe, Mich., Monroe High School, aeronautical engineering, Michael and Sharon Seelye Medallion. He is the son of Edward and LeAnn Shumate. A member of the National Honor Society, he served as its treasurer as well as participated in the student senate. He received President's Educational Awards in trigonometry, junior English, and food management and nutrition. In addition, he held a part-time job.
Lindsey R. Terbrack of Saginaw, Mich., Heritage High School, secondary education, Merze Tate Endowed Medallion. The daughter of Darrell and Sandra Terbrack, she is a member of the National Honor Society and served as its president for one year. She was a member of her class council, the outdoors club, and the National Thespian Society. She played basketball for one year and softball for two years. In addition, she was an active volunteer in her community and high school.
Diana A. Wilson of Midland, Mich., Bullock Creek High School, art, Harold and Beulah McKee Endowed Medallion. She is the daughter of Denver and Connie Wilson. A member of the National Honor Society, she served as president her senior year. She also served three years as class council president and was president of the National Art Honor Society. She participated in the drama club, forensics and the varsity band. In addition, she volunteered within her community.
The recipients were selected based on their participation in the 16th annual Medallion Scholarship Competition this past winter at WMU. It included essay writing and group problem solving for the students as well as information sessions for their parents.
To be invited to compete, students had to apply to WMU by Dec. 31 with at least a 3.8 grade point average in high school and at least an American College Test (ACT) Score of 25. This year's competition included 322 students with perfect 4.0 GPAs and 155 students who scored 30 or higher on the ACT.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 616 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu