Medallion Scholars wrap up their first semester
Jan. 13, 2004
KALAMAZOO--Twenty-one Western Michigan University freshmen have completed their first semester at the University as Medallion Scholars--winners of the University's most prestigious award for incoming students.
The 21 successfully competed against top high school seniors in the graduating Class of 2003 to win one of WMU's prestigious Medallion Scholarships. The prizes, valued at $32,000 over four years, constitute one of the largest merit-based awards in American higher education and the highest honor WMU can bestow to an incoming freshman.
This year's Medallion Scholars began their studies at WMU this fall and are scheduled to graduate in the 2006-07 academic year.
Each Medallion bears the name of the scholarship donor or the name of an individual in whose name the scholarship was established. Recipients are selected in an annual competition held on campus in February that includes essay writing and group problem solving for the students as well as informational sessions for their parents.
To be invited to compete, students had to apply to WMU by Dec. 31, 2002, and have a high school grade point average of at least 3.8 (on a 4.0 scale) and an American College Test score of at least 25.
The 21 2003 Medallion Scholars were among 748 seniors from 322 high schools in 13 states who participated in the 19th annual Medallion Scholarship Program Competition this past winter. They have a collective GPA of 4.11 and an average ACT score of 30.
The 2003 competition included 370 students with perfect 4.0 GPAs and 232 students who scored 30 or higher on the ACT. Participants who did not win a Medallion Scholarship were awarded either a $24,000 Board of Trustees Scholarship or a $4,800 WMU Academic Scholarship.
2003 Medallion Scholars
Miranda Anzures of Fremont, Mich., received the David and Karen Custer Medallion and is studying biomedical sciences/premedicine. She graduated from Fremont High School and is the daughter of David Anzures of Castaic, Ca., and Laura Kraley of Fremont. A National Honor Society member, she participated in theatre for four years, acting, serving on the business staff and coordinating stage make-up. Anzures also was a yearbook staff member for two years and participated in the marching and concert band for two years. Her community involvement has included mentoring children; doing make-up for the Stage Door Players; and participating in a toy drive, blood drive and cropwalk.
David Ashworth of Chesterfield Township, Mich., received the Marjorie Frazier Medallion and is studying mechanical engineering. He graduated from Anchor Bay High School and is the son of Larry and Jiraporn Ashworth. A National Honor Society member and president, he was dual enrolled at Macomb Community College and attended the Summer Institute for the Arts, Science and Technology at WMU in 2001. He served four years on Anchor Bay's student council as well as participated in cross country and track for two years. Ashworth also received several awards for his performance in Michigan Industrial and Technology Education Society competitions, including taking second in the region and ninth in the state as a sophomore, and won a Voice of Democracy Scholarship from the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7573. His community service includes work with the VFW.
Jeffrey Breisach of Kalamazoo received the Joseph Reish Medallion and is studying aeronautical engineering. He graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and is the son of Eric and Tobi Breisach. His father is a WMU alumnus. A National Honor Society member, he was dual enrolled at WMU, where he was selected for a staff leadership post with the marching band. He was a member of the KCHS orchestra; pit orchestra; and marching, symphonic and concert bands as well as served as a two-time witness for the mock trial team, which took first in the state and 11th in the nation in 2001. Breisach earned numerous honors in music, such as being selected to take part in the 33rd International Horn Symposium at WMU, perform with WMU's Brass Quintet and join the Michigan State University Honors Band. An Eagle Scout, his community involvement has included collecting goods and funds for the underprivileged, participating in his church's youth group and serving as an acolyte.
Emily Dannison of Alto, Mich., received the Jerry and Susan Miller Medallion and is studying biology/premedicine. She graduated from Caledonia High School and is the daughter of Charles and Linda Dannison. Her parents and brother Charles are WMU alumni. A National Honor Society member and treasurer, she participated in the school orchestra and was active in student government throughout her high school career, serving as class and student council secretary her freshmen year and as class and student council treasurer her sophomore, junior and senior years. Dannison has successfully shown horses competitively at the national level and was on the CHS equestrian team, which won the Class A state championship in 2002. In addition, she was active in 4-H as well as the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, St. Cecelia's Youth Symphony and Caledonia Community Players. Her community involvement activities included serving as an acolyte guild member for her church, serving on the KISD Safe and Drug Free Schools/Health Advisory Council, and working with Helping Hands and Adopt-A-Highway. She has traveled to England and Ireland, performing and touring with the Caledonia High School Orchestra.
Jeffrey Dodds of Novi, Mich., received the J.D. and Beth Kalleward Medallion and is studying mathematics. He graduated from Novi High School and is the son of Robert and Yvonne Dodds. His father and sister Kimberlee are WMU alumni. A National Honor Society member and vice president, he won a University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship and was on the Novi honor roll all four years of high school. He served as a section leader for the Wildcat Chorus and participated in the thespian club and spring musicals. Dodds also was active in the Novi Singers and represented NHS at events such as the Disney Millennium Celebration in Florida and choir choral performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. He was a four-year member of the soccer squad, serving as junior varsity captain his sophomore year, and was named to the Academic All-State Team once and the Academic All-Conference Team twice. His community involvement has included serving as a church volunteer, a mathematics tutor, an after-school teen mentor, a captain of the Novi Jaguars soccer club and a youth soccer coach.
Ashley Guelette of Davison, Mich., received the Merrill "Gus" Armstrong Medallion and is studying business administration. She graduated from Davison High School and is the daughter of Patrick and Holly Guelette. A National Honor Society member and treasurer, she has attended state and district DECA International Leadership conferences and served as DECA club president her senior year. She also was involved in the prom committee, pompon squad and a local dance company and participated in powder puff football. Guelette was selected as homecoming princess for her sophomore class as well as a second runner up on the 2002 Miss Davison Court. Her community involvement has included organizing fund raisers for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, reading to elementary students, working with the Red Cross and parks and recreation department, and volunteering for Key Club events.
Kelly Haigh of Iron Mountain, Mich., received the Edward and Diana Bernard Medallion and is studying computer science. She graduated from Kingsford High School and is the daughter of John and Jean Haigh. A National Honor Society member and Who's Who Among American High School Students selection, she has earned numerous honors, including being named a National Mathematics Award recipient, CLEW leadership work-shop delegate, county youth coalition peer educator and two-time All-State Academic Team pick in cross country. She was selected for the Inland Seas Women in Science scholarship cruise and the Michigan State Board of Education Summer Institute for Technology. She was a member of the French Club, Tri-Hi-Y service club and Students Against Destructive Decisions, and participated for a year in the concert and marching bands and the drama club. In addition, Haigh spent four years with the Praise Music and Church Music Provider groups and one year maintaining and updating the school district Web site. She also was on the soccer team for four years, serving twice as captain; was on the volleyball team for three years, serving twice as junior varsity captain; ran cross country for two years; and studied abroad in France. Her community involvement has included providing music at a nursing home and serving as a church council member, church services escort for a VA hospital and peer educator with the Healthy Youth Coalition.
Lindsay Harris of Rothbury, Mich., received the Seth Schupan Medallion and is studying secondary education/mathematics. She graduated from Montague High School and is the daughter of Michael and Debra Harris. A National Honor Society member, she served as president of her class all four years of high school; was a member of the honors choir for four years, serving one term as vice president; was a member and captain of the color guard for three years; and competed in the winter drumline for three years. Harris also participated in track, theatre and photography for one year and was a member of a private dance school. In addition, she was a member of the regional and state honors choirs. Her community involvement has included mathematics tutoring and serving as co-chairperson of the Muskegon County Youth Advisory Council as well as a member of the Rothbury Village Planning Commission.
Nicholas Horsmon of Three Rivers, Mich., received the Merze Tate Endowed Medallion and is studying mechanical engineering. He is the son of Albert and Christine Horsmon and is a graduate of Three Rivers High School. His mother is a WMU alumna. A National Honor Society member, he was a frequent qualifier for the Michigan Math Prize and a two-time team leader for the Southwest Michigan Math Tournament. Prior to this fall, he already had completed more than 15 credit hours of courses at WMU and at Glen Oaks Community College. He participated in both the symphony and marching bands for four years and was a section leader his last two years. Horsmon earned nearly a dozen first ratings at regional and district solo and ensemble musical competitions. He also participated in cross country and track for three years. An Eagle Scout, his community involvement has included participating in his church youth group and bell choir, serving as an assistant scoutmaster and trip leader for the Boy Scouts, and participating in the St. Jude's Bikeathon and a cropwalk.
Meghan Lindsay of Kalamazoo received the Jerry and Beverly Love Medallion and is studying nursing. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and is the daughter of Bethany Lindsay. Her father and grandfather are WMU alumni. A National Honor Society member, she has attended state and regional conferences of the Health Occupations Students of America and placed highly on the HOSA medical terminology test and in HOSA Quiz Bowl. Lindsay was a four-year member of the tennis team and softball team, of which she also served as a captain; a two-year member of the marching band, symphonic band and volleyball team; and a one-year member of the student council. Her community involvement has included serving as community science chairperson for HOSA, tutoring elementary students and volunteering for the March of Dimes and Bronson Hospital.
Michelle Magalski of Saginaw, Mich., received the Orv Schneider Medallion and is studying speech pathology. She graduated from Heritage High School and is the daughter of Joseph and Karen Magalski. A National Honor Society member, she participated in the marching band for three years, part of that time as a pit percussion section leader; participated in concert band for two years; and was a member of the volleyball team for two years, serving a stint a team manager. Magalski also was active for four years with the Helping Hands Club, serving terms as both president and vice president, and for two years with the Heritage Political Awareness Committee, serving one term as vice president. Interested in the political system, she has traveled to Washington, D.C., for the Close-Up program, studying and debating issues in current events with students from around the country, and has participated in the Michigan Youth in Government program, which gives students a chance to exchange places with state legislators to try and get legislation passed. Her community involvement has included work with the Young Democrats and serving and as a children's zoo volunteer and 4-H physical therapy assistant.
Talat Mangla of Portage, Mich., received the W. Ford Kieft Medallion and is studying business administration. She graduated from Portage Central High School and is the son of Inayat and Ayesha Mangla. Her father is a WMU professor and her brother, Usman, is a WMU alumnus. A National Honor Society member and Who's Who Among American High School Students selection, she has participated in several conferences and competitions and received numerous honors. She was nominated by the PCH faculty as one of two females to receive the YWCA Kalamazoo Young Woman of Achievement Award, earned a National Forensics League Degree of Superior Distinction and competed in numerous national policy debate tournaments. She was selected for a national debate institute at the University of Michigan and a political science program at Albion College, and, as a district champion in the International Oratorical Optimist Club contest, was chosen to represent her school in a districtwide promotional video. Mangla was editor of the yearbook and served as captain of the debate team twice and captain of the forensics club once. She also participated in the student council, GSA, Rotary, the French club, the Montage literary arts magazine and soccer. Her community involvement has included helping to put on an annual national religious convention, serving as a leader at a religious education camp and coordinating a communitywide food drive as well as working with the Michigan Democratic Party, Portage Flowerfest, and area nursing homes.
Maria Markus of Kalamazoo received the Edward and Ruth Heinig Medallion and is studying elementary education/Spanish. She graduated from Portage Northern High School and is the daughter of Robert and Ellen Markus. She attended the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center, where she served as a member of the student council; a chairperson of the Memory Book (senior yearbook) committee; and an active member of the KAMSC Climate Committee, participating in numerous orientation efforts for new KAMSC students. At PNHS, she was a staff member for the school paper and participated in swimming for a year. Committed to her intended profession, Markus spent much of her time at Haverhill Elementary School, where she worked with special needs children--planning her own supplemental curriculum and assisting with grading and other classroom activities. Her community involvement has included tutoring middle students; participating in March of Dimes walkathons; and working with Breadlift, Paws with a Cause, the Festival of Trees, the Mayfest concert and the Nature Center.
Jennifer Moss of Kalamazoo received the Harold and Beulah McKee Endowed Medallion and is studying art. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and is the daughter of Albert and Carol Moss. Both of her parents are WMU alumni. A local Young Artist Award winner, she attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College as well as took a vigorous course of high school study that included advanced mathematics. Moss participated for two years in the marching band and for one year in the jazz band, which she served as a section leader.
Laura Osborne of Delton, Mich., received the John and Elaine Nelson Medallion and is studying accountancy. She graduated from Gull Lake High School and is the daughter of Robert and Valerie Osborne. A National Honor Society member and vice president, she was a commended National Merit Scholarship Competition participant; National Hispanic Recognition Program semifinalist; and National Ventures Scholar, an invited honor for high-achieving minority students through a program that promotes equity and excellence in medicine, the allied health professions, engineering, and other science- and mathematics-based careers. She attended the Kalamazoo Area Math and Science Center and earned academic honors at both the center and GLHS all four years of high school. Osborne was a four-year member of the concert band, attaining the position of section leader, and of the marching band, attaining the positions of squad and section leader. She received numerous high ratings in regional and state solo and ensemble competitions and was a member of the Quiz Bowl team that won a conference title in 2002. A leader in several clubs, she served terms as president and treasurer of the Spanish club, president and treasurer of the Spanish Honor Society, and treasurer of Volunteens. Her community involvement has included participating in her church's youth group and adult and youth choirs, tutoring middle and junior high students in mathematics and Spanish, and serving as a book buddy for elementary students.
Mary Radcliffe of Canton, Mich., received the Garrard MacLeod Medallion and is studying mathematics and Spanish. She graduated from Canton High School and is the daughter of David and Linda Radcliffe. A National Honor Society member, she was selected for Who's Who Among American High School Students and qualified for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. She was active in the fine arts, participating in the choir, serving as a solo accompanist, and participating in theatrical productions as an actor and assistant properties crew head. Radcliffe also was a member, assistant teacher and teacher at a private dance studio. In addition, she participated in Quiz Bowl for a year and served as a newscaster, DJ and trainer for the Escape, her high school's radio station. Her community involvement has included mission work, volunteering with the Salvation Army, and providing music for her church as well as directing its youth choir.
Samuel Reese of Traverse City, Mich., received the Gayl Werme Medallion and is studying university curriculum. He graduated from Traverse City High School and is the son of Julie Kelly. A National Honor Society member, he was a commended National Merit Scholarship Competition participant and the recipient of numerous music honors, including outstanding achievement awards at national, Midwest and WMU invitationals. He also won first place trophies at the 2002 district and regional forensics tournaments and was a member of the 2001 team that took second place in the Michigan mathematics tournament. An active fine arts participant throughout high school, he performed in theatrical and musical productions and was a member and squad leader for the chorale. Reese also was a member, soloist and/or squad leader for other smaller vocal ensembles and he formally studied dance and acting. In addition, he served on the student council for three years, was a member of the forensics club for two years, served as editor of the school paper his senior year, and participated in soccer outside of school through the UMCA and Traverse Bay Area Youth Soccer. His community involvement has included performing with his church choir and at madrigal dinners, working with the Old Town Playhouse and Way to Grow organizations, serving on the Munson Student Advisory Committee, volunteering with the Traverse Area District Library, and serving as an assistant youth soccer coach.
Emilie Robyn of Kalamazoo received the James and Tonia Kalleward Medallion and is studying pre-engineering. She graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School and is the daughter of Ronald and Karen Robyn. Her mother and two grandparents are WMU alumni. A National Honor Society member, she was selected for Who's Who Among American High School Students in 2002-03 and received 2003 awards from Kalamazoo County Excellence in Education and the Kalamazoo Scholars Program. She participated in softball for three years, tennis and volleyball for two years, and the marching and symphonic bands for two years. Robyn also took piano less and participated in regional, state and national musical competitions and performances throughout high school. Her community involvement has included volunteering with the Red Cross and participating in a co-op work experience at the Miller-Davis Co., a construction management firm, which allowed her to work with supervisors, project managers and accountants as well as attend meetings with architects and engineers.
Jaime Timmins of South Lyon, Mich., received the Everett Hiestand Medallion and is studying environmental studies. She graduated from South Lyon High School and is the daughter of Patrick and Sheila Timmins. A National Honor Society member, she was selected for Who's Who Among American High School Students in 1999-2003; received a United States Achievement Academy Award in 2001; received a National Band Foundation Honors Award in 1999; and was named a National Society of High School Scholar, All-American Scholar and National Honor Roll member. She was a member of the marching band for four years, attaining the position of section leader; a member of the pit orchestra for four years; and a member of the wind ensemble for three years, attaining the position of section leader. Timmins also participated in the jazz band and winter drumline and was a member, secretary, treasurer and president of Students Against Destructive Decisions. Her community involvement has included serving as an assistant leader at Girl Scout day camps and as a patrol leader, serving as a member of the Mackinac Island Scout Service Camp, helping to found chapters of Students Taking a New Direction at two South Lyon middle schools, serving on the Library Youth Advisory Committee, and volunteering with the Kiwanis Club and Salem Elementary School wetlands signage installation.
Steven Vaught of Harper Woods, Mich., received the Alvin Frays Endowed Medallion and is studying aviation flight science. He graduated from Lutheran East High School and is the son of August and Nancy Vaught. Both of his parents are WMU alumni. A National Honor Society member, he was a semifinalist in the National Merit Scholarship Competition. He was involved in theatre for three years--two years as a cast member and one year as a crew member. Vaught also spent two years on the staff of the yearbook and the school paper, for which he served as editor his senior year, as well as participated in cross country for two years and track for one year. An FAA-certified private pilot, he had nearly 90 hours of flight time when he participated in WMU's Medallion Scholarship competition. His community involvement has included assisting his church as an usher and as a volunteer in the sound room and for Bible school.
Erica Wade of Holland, Mich., received the Elwyn "Doc" Carter Medallion and is studying music. She graduated from Hamilton High School and is the daughter of Robert and Wendy Wade. A National Honor Society member and president, she was a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Competition, a selection for Who's Who Among American High School Students and a dual-enrolled student at Hope College. She attained the position of first violin during four years with the Hope College Chamber Quartet, served as concertmaster for the regional youth symphony orchestra, was a substitute violinist and guest soloist for the Holland Symphony Orchestra and was invited to play with the Hope College Symphonette during its United Kingdom concert tour in 2002-03. In addition, she won or placed highly in competitions sponsored by the HSO and Michigan Music Teachers Association and participated in music institutes and programs at the Interlochen Center for the Arts, Mt. Holyoke College, Oberlin College and WMU. Wade also recorded a violin piece for the National Public Radio program "From the Top" and had two poems published. She was a member of her high school Spanish club for four years and the accreditation committee for one year, participated in volleyball for one year, and was a member of the spelling bee team that was a national finalist in 1999-2000. Her community involvement has included extensive work with her church's youth group and Sunday school, Habitat for Humanity, and the Red Cross as well as activities on behalf of the Holland Symphony, World Servants and DeVos Children's Hospital.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu