Huntington University awards Presidential Scholarships
FOR RELEASE: Thursday, February 7, 2008
Huntington, Ind.-Sixty-one future Huntington University students were awarded a Presidential Scholarship of $7,000 during the seventh annual Presidential Scholar Celebration Day on Feb. 8. Some of these students received an additional Colloquium Scholarship of $1,500. The Presidential and Colloquium Scholarships at Huntington University are the highest honors bestowed on an incoming student. Learn More:
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Academic criteria for the Presidential Scholarship are a 3.6 grade point average and either a 1250 SAT or 28 ACT score. The additional Colloquium Scholarship is awarded to students who achieve a 1320 SAT or 31 ACT score. The Presidential and Colloquium scholarships can continue to be awarded annually throughout the student's academic career at Huntington University if he or she continues to demonstrate high achievement.
The Celebration Day provided an opportunity for the Presidential Scholars and their families to learn more about the experiences of other high-achieving students at Huntington University and to meet with faculty within their chosen academic divisions. Scholarship recipients also met with current students, recent alumni, and university staff members to gain insights about degree programs, internship opportunities, campus life and the integration of faith and learning.
During the Presidential Scholar Luncheon, each recipient was introduced by Dr. Norris Friesen, vice president and dean of the university, and presented with a certificate by Dr. G. Blair Dowden, president of the university.
The following individuals were recognized as Presidential Scholars and will receive a scholarship of $7,000. Those denoted with an asterisk (*) will receive the additional $1,500 Colloquium Scholarship:
Editor's Note: Click thumbnail images below for high-resolution photos of Huntington University President G. Blair Dowden congratulating each scholarship recipient.
Scott Arnold
Arnold, of Bryan, Ohio, is the son of Jeffrey and Brenda Arnold. He plans to pursue a major in pre-medicine and wants to be a part of what is happening at the frontier in society. Arnold attends Bryan High School, and he is involved with National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and foreign language club. He participates in football, basketball and track and is an outstanding scholar-athlete for all three sports. Arnold was the Kiwanis Club senior of the month and accompanied his superintendent and vice principal to Rotary Club. He has been a part of the New Hope Community youth group, and he went to both Biloxi, Miss., and New Orleans, La., for hurricane relief work with the youth group.
Elizabeth Atz
Atz, of Kendallville, Ind., is the daughter of Terry and Linda Atz. She is a student at East Noble High School where she has been active with golf, student council, yearbook, theater, French club and National Honor Society. Atz also has been involved as a Vacation Bible School music leader, a volunteer at Apple Festival of Kendallville, and a teen board member of Life and Family Services. In the summer of 2007, she went to Washington, D.C., with the REMC Youth Tour. Atz plans to major in English or journalism and would like to one day be an editor of a magazine.
Ryan Austin
Austin, of Clarksville, Mich., is the son of John and Patricia Austin. He plans to pursue a major in biology and would like to do field studies on wildlife after he graduates. He attends Saranac High School where he plays soccer, is involved with National Honor Society, and has won the National Science Award. He also has won an award of excellence in almost every course he has taken, including pottery.
Mary Bevilacqua*
Bevilacqua, of Boulder, Col., is the daughter of Michael and Cathy Bevilacqua. She plans to pursue a major in chemistry. She is homeschooled and is an artist and a thespian. She studied history and theater in New York City and practiced her Spanish and her art in Mexico. She has also competed at a national level in Tae Kwon Do. She currently works as a barista at a local coffee shop.
Robert Bitting
Bitting is from Mentone, Ind., where he attends Tippecanoe Valley High School. He has been running cross country for seven years and track for three. He also has been involved with student government, National Honor Society and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He spends time with both FCC youth group and United Ministries, a youth group comprised of teenagers around the community. Bitting, the son of Jerry and Tammy Johnson, plans to major in exercise science, hoping this will lead to a position in physical therapy.
Shelly Bradbury*
Bradbury, of Houghton, N.Y., is the daughter of Ron and Terri Bradbury. She plans to pursue a major in journalism. She attends Houghton Academy and plays soccer and basketball. Bradbury is also involved with National Honor Society, band, and has been published in the school's literary magazine, Kaleidoscope. She also has been the secretary, vice president and president of the student government. She is involved in youth group as well as working in the church nursery. Bradbury wants to major in journalism and perhaps one day write for a Christian newspaper or magazine.
Jameel Brenneman
Brenneman, of St. Marys, Ohio, is the son of Brice and Lydia Brenneman. He plans to pursue majors in broadcasting and economics and would love to announce for a professional sports team on the radio or a television station. Brenneman has been a member of the basketball, tennis and soccer teams for Memorial High School. He also has been in National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and jazz band. Brenneman spends his time at youth group, Goodfellows, the recycling center, highway cleanup and is a blood donor. He has traveled to four different continents visiting family, including trips to Germany, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt.
Luke Brenneman*
Brenneman attends Spencerville High School in Spencerville, Ohio. He has run both cross country and track for four years. He also has been in concert, marching and jazz bands; honors choir and show choir; school musicals; Quizbowl; and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Brenneman participates in youth group, the youth group worship band, Teens for Christ, as well as going on mission trips to Indonesia and the Dominican Republic. He has earned many awards, including Spencerville's Lime Exchange Club Student of the Year and Lima Elks Youth of the Month. Brenneman spent a year living and learning in Brazil. He also has two older siblings that are a part of the Huntington University family. Brenneman plans to major in sociology, and that may lead him into a career as a professor. He is the son of Brent and Joanne Brenneman.
Vince Bruinsma
Bruinsma attends Elkhart Christian Academy in South Bend, Ind., where he has been on the soccer team and in the band. He has been a member of both his church and youth group praise and worship bands. Bruinsma also took a mission trip to Honduras in the summer of 2007. He enjoys playing guitar, singing and playing soccer. Bruinsma is currently undecided but is considering majoring in worship leadership. He would one day like to do something with music or praise and worship ministry. He is the son of Bill and Mary Bruinsma.
Tara Carson
Carson is from Avon, Ind., where she has been in choir, show choir, drama, Youth ALIVE!, National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society at Avon High School. She is also involved with youth group, voice lessons, the children's drama team at her church and community theater. In the summer of 2007, she was a cast member of "Seussical the Musical" at Hendricks Civic Theatre, and the show won Best Musical Production at the Encore Awards. Carson is the daughter of Carrie Carson, and she plans to major in youth ministry.
Tyler Chernesky*
Chernesky is from Fort Wayne, Ind., where he is in band and the student newspaper at Carroll High School. He is also involved at his church, Pathway Community. Chernesky plans to major in English education and is the son of John and Tonya Chernesky.
Jordan Crabtree
Crabtee was born in Bellingham, Wash., but now resides in Chariton, Iowa. He attends Chariton High School where he has been involved in football, cross country, basketball, soccer, Spanish club, National Honor Society, band, Quill and Scroll Society, and yearbook. He also participates in youth group, church praise band, a local band, church promotion videos, church video presentations, and has taken mission trips to Atlanta, Ga.; Montana; Nashville, Tenn.; and Mexico. Crabtee is still deciding between a major in film studies and digital media arts and wants to one day direct feature-length films. He is the son of Chuck and Janae Crabtree.
Mathew Craig*
Craig resides in Lima, Ohio, but was born in New Jersey. He has been involved in baseball, band, school plays, choir and the pep band while attending Temple Christian. Craig's activities outside of school include being in the church band, volunteering at a crisis pregnancy center, being a bass guitarist for a local Christian rock band and going on mission trips. He is the son of Michael and Martha Craig.
Jordan Dawes
Dawes, of Leesburg, Ind., attends Wawasee High School where he has been involved with golf and Impact for four years. He also has been on the soccer team and is a member of National Honor Society. Dawes is involved at North Webster Church of God. He attends youth group, is a student leader for the middle school youth group, ushers, and even occasionally teaches Sunday school. Dawes is currently undecided but is leaning toward a major in business management or economics and finance. He wants to either be the head of a major company or a sports broadcaster for a major television network. He is the son of Brian and Donna Dawes.
Justinian Dispenza
Dispenza is from Fort Wayne, Ind., and attends Leo High School where he runs both cross country and track. He also has been in band, choir, 4-H, school plays, East Allen County Schools honors choir, National Honor Society and youth theatre. In addition, he has served as an emcee at pep rallies. Dispenza has been on the high honor roll and was a semi-finalist in radio broadcasting and speech. He is also a volunteer for Special Olympics and has taken mission trips to Mexico, Ind., and Brazil, Ind. He plans to major in broadcasting and hopes to provide effective and memorable communication through various media channels. He is the son of Robert and Jackie Dispenza.
Lauren Doctor
Doctor attends Lakeland Christian Academy in Winona Lake, Ind., where she is National Honor Society president, junior class president and student body vice president. She has been the volleyball manager, a Spanish tutor, and has gone through the Kosciusko County Leadership Academy. Although Doctor goes to school in Winona Lake, she lives in Warsaw, Ind., where she is involved in her church's youth group. She enjoys boating, water sports, creating scrapbooks and reading. Doctor plans to major in pre-medicine. She is the daughter of David and Sandra Doctor.
Christopher Erickson
Erickson is from Peoria, Ill., where he attends Dunlap High School, and his favorite class is music theory. He plays baseball, is in the band, and is known as "Adidas" in the Ultimate Frisbee Club. He has been a violinist in the Central Illinois Concert Orchestra, the Central Illinois Youth Symphony and the Peoria Pops Orchestra. He goes to youth group and is the drummer for his church worship team. He also volunteers his time at a local retirement community. Erickson is currently undecided but is considering majors in music or mathematics. He is the son of Kenton and Marianna Erickson.
Christina Espiritu
Espiritu, the oldest of six girls, was born in Mount Vernon, N.Y., but now attends New Castle Chrysler High School in New Castle, Ind., where she has been in track, musicals, show choir and the Jazzettes. She also has been a member of the science academic team, the chess club and National Honor Society. She spends time at youth group, as a crew leader for Vacation Bible School and tutoring. She also participated in a mission trip to Romania. Espiritu plans to major in nursing and would like to one day teach at a college or university. Her parents are Rex and Melissa Espiritu.
Rebecca Evans
Evans, of Zeeland, Mich., attends Zeeland West High School where she has been involved with softball, Dutch dance and National Honor Society. Evans wants to major in art education and eventually teach in an elementary school. She is the daughter of Douglas and Barbara Evans.
Leanne Gehrke
Gehrke, of Huntington, Ind., has been involved in student council, concert choir, Future Educators of America and National Honor Society at Huntington North High School. She has been in the top 25 of her class all four years of high school. Gehrke also has been involved with freshman mentoring and peer tutoring. Outside of school, she has been a Campus Life student leader and has completed the Huntington County Youth Leadership Academy. She also volunteers at the Boys and Girls Club and is a teacher for the one-year-olds at her church. Gehrke plans to major in elementary education and wants to work with young children. She is the daughter of Mark and Jean Gehrke.
Alyssa Goodman
Goodman attends Northwood High School in Nappanee, Ind., where she has been on the varsity tennis team as well as a wrestling manager for three years. She also has been involved with volleyball, concert choir and National Honor Society. Goodman attends Nappanee United Methodist where she serves as the vice president for the youth group. In addition, she volunteers for the Family Christian Development Center. She would like to be either a hematology or oncology nurse at a small hospital. Goodman would like to thank her mom and late dad for making her the person she is today and helping get her where she is today. She is the daughter of Kathy Goodman.
Lisa Hartz*
Hartz, of Tucson, Ariz., attends Desert Christian High School. She has been in the handbell choir, concert band, choral ensemble, theater, soccer, basketball, tennis, National Honor Society and the International Thespian Society. She enjoys playing handball and creative writing. Hartz plans to major in digital media animation and wants to work in the movie industry in post-production. She would like to use computer animation to create special effects in live-action and animated films. She is the daughter of Vernon and Deborah Hartz.
Maddie Harvey
Harvey is from Fort Wayne, Ind., where she attends North Side High School. She has been on the cheerleading squad, the speech team, in the jazz choir, musicals, show choir and National Honor Society. Harvey also has been the yearbook graphic design editor, a member of DECCA, and in the top 10 of her class. She was an intern at Brotherhood Mutual Insurance Co. for graphic design and media communication. She is also involved with her church praise band. Harvey plans to major in graphic design and wants to travel internationally and be involved in not-for-profit organizations and/or informational media concerning world aid. She is the daughter of Christopher and Cynthia Harvey.
Becky Havens*
Havens, of Fort Wayne, Ind., is homeschooled. She has been on the YMCA swim team and also teaches swim lessons there. In addition, she baby-sits for the Women's Care Center. Havens is currently undecided about her major, but she likes spending time with children, and she also enjoys the sciences, especially chemistry. She is the daughter of Andrew and Joanne Havens.
Brittany Hawkins
Hawkins attends Leo Junior/Senior High School in Fort Wayne, Ind. She plans to major in either public relations or psychology and wants a career in the Christian community helping others and hopefully working with worship teams and dramas. She is the daughter of Ronald and Joy Hawkins.
(No photo available) Katrina Helmer
Helmer was born in Brighton, England, but now lives in Noblesville, Ind., and attends Noblesville High School. She plays the violin in the orchestra and has been involved with the German Exchange Program while at Noblesville. She has been involved in Irish dance and her church's youth group. Helmer is considering both broadcasting and business management as majors and would like to work for a top network, manage a broadcasting business, or go overseas to help mission agencies promote their mission. She went on a mission trip to Japan in the summer of 2006 and is currently living there and teaching English. She is the daughter of Donald and Sheryl Helmer.
Holli Hilgendorf
Hilgendorf is from Donovan, Ill., and Donovan High School where she plays basketball and is the president of student council. She plans to major in psychology or social work and then earn her master's and possibly her doctorate. She would like to help children in any way that she can. She is the daughter of Craig and Debbie Hilgendorf.
Robert Hindy*
Hindy, of Fowlerville, Mich., attends Fowlerville High School. He has been in marching band, wind ensemble, county honors band, student council, game programming club, National Honor Society, SADD, SWAK and soccer. He is also a student ambassador, placed first at a regional science Olympiad, and was involved in Baker College's Competitive Olympics. He is a member of the River Leadership Team at Fowlerville United Brethren Church. Hindy plans to major in either computer science or physics and eventually wants to teach at the high school or the college level. He is the son of Gregory and Pamela Hindy.
Zachary James*
James, of Granville, Ohio, is homeschooled. He is in National Honor Society, was selected for Who's Who among High School Students, and received the Excellence Timothy Meritorious Award. He has toured with Wendy and the James Gang as well. James has been involved in church drama, worship band and the youth praise team where he has assisted with sound and running the media. He leads a small group for the Celebrate Recovery Youth Program and does youth service projects. He also is involved with the local community theater and karate. He plays the piano, drums, and acoustic and bass guitars. James plans to major in music for the contemporary church and would like to be a worship leader or a pastor because he is passionate about music, God and ministry. He is the son of David and Wendy James.
Sarah Johnson*
Born in Long Beach, Calif., and now living in Davenport, Iowa, Johnson has been homeschooled and has been involved in 4-H, piano, drama and choir as well as youth group, church drama and Pickwick Club, a writing club. She enjoys reading, writing and doing origami. Johnson plans to major in journalism so she can one day write for a news organization and do freelance creative writing. She is the daughter of Howard and Susan Johnson.
Joshua Kampfe*
Kampfe, of Fort Wayne, Ind., has been a part of the Fort Wayne Area Home Schools organization. He has been involved in Spanish, piano, fencing and the Future City Competition. Kampfe enjoys creating and programming PC games. Along that line, he wants to major in computer graphics because he would like to one day work in either the film or gaming industry doing CGI. He is the son of David and Kristen Kampfe.
Amber-Dawn Katulic
Katulic, of Winter Garden, Fla., attends Dr. Phillips High School. She is in the theater, visual and performing arts magnet program as well as the drama club. She has been to both district and state theater competitions, is a member of the Florida Thespian Conference, and is a recipient of a technical theatre scholarship from her high school. Katulic plans to major in theatre design and technology and wants to become a technical director for either a touring company or an established theatre. She is the daughter of Samuel and Marylu Katulic.
Zachary Keller
Keller resides in Portland, Ind., and attends Jay County High School. He is in National Honor Society, swing choir, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Spanish club. He also has been a Campus Life member and a student leader. Keller works at First Merchants Bank and the Jay Community Center. He has been involved with youth group and is a Bible School volunteer. Keller plans to major in mathematics education and would like to teach math at Jay County High School. He is the son of Kevin and Christine Keller.
Sean Kelty*
Kelty, once a missionary child in Mexico, now lives in Bremen, Ind., where he has been involved with the varsity soccer team, intramural basketball and Spanish club at Bremen High School. He was also a part of DECA as the club president and district vice president. He placed 10th in DECA's National Finance Competition. Kelty also is in youth group, helps with Bible school, has been a recreation coordinator and has taken mission trips to El Salvador and Ireland. In addition, he earned the President's Volunteer Service Award. Kelty plans to major in business and minor in Spanish and one day be the president or owner of a company. He is the son of David and Sheila Kelty.
Maggie Kubina
Kubina resides in Sheridan, Ind. She attends Sheridan High School where she is involved with Quizbowl, track and National Honor Society. Kubina plans to major in pre-medicine and would like to use that to become a medical missionary that has a strong influence on Africa and other continents. She is the daughter of Guy and Sara Kubina.
Morgan Lantz
Lantz is from Archbold, Ohio, where she attends Pettisville High School and runs cross country and track. She attends youth group at West Clinton Mennonite Church. She also works at a nursing home. Lantz is interested in the medical field and would like to earn a degree that could lead her to becoming a physician's assistant. She is the daughter of Tim and Theresa Lantz.
Hannah Lengel
Lengel attends Southwood High School in Wabash, Ind. She participates in basketball, track, the art club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society and serves as a volleyball manager. She has also been involved with 4-H, in the IHSAA leadership conferences and senior class cabinet. In addition, she is the secretary of student congress. She earned most outstanding player and first team all-conference and all-county for her skills in basketball. She is the daughter of Dewayne and Julia Lengel.
(No photo available) David Lingwood
Lingwood attends Liverpool High School in Liverpool, N.Y., where he has played tennis, been in Junior Honor Society and has been a member of the anime club. He enjoys drawing, playing video games, anime and watching movies. Lingwood would like to create characters for video games and cartoons. He is the son Daniel and Laura Lingwood.
Andrew Luiten*
Luiten, of Peoria, Ill., attends Richwoods High School and has played baseball and run cross country. He also attends White Rose Fellowship Church where he is involved with the church youth group and worship band. In addition, he umpires baseball games. Luiten plans to major in psychology. He is the son of Gary and Susan Luiten.
Julie Manges
Manges is from Bremen, Ind., and attends Bremen Senior High and Community Gospel Church. She hopes to reach out to others through Huntington. Manges also expects Huntington to help prepare her to reach out to others and live her faith even after she has graduated. She is the daughter of Jon and Cathy Manges.
Katie Martin*
Martin resides in Eaton, Ohio, where she has been homeschooled since kindergarten. She has been in the Preble County homeschool choir, art show and yearbook committee. She is a vocalist for the youth band at her church, a team sister for a Little League baseball team, scorer for barefoot water-ski competitions, a member of students-teaching-students about the harmful effects of smoking and a mentor to junior high students. Martin has been on mission trips to Kentucky, Belize and Haiti. She currently tutors two public school girls and works at the YMCA. She plans to major in middle school education with mathematics and science concentrations and wants to teach in a small city school and coach girls' basketball. She is the daughter of Clifton and Jana Martin.
Michelle Mitchener*
Mitchener attends Troy Athens High School in Troy, Mich., where she has been in track and cross country as well as orchestra and National Honor Society. She also has been in the youth handbell choir, youth vocal choir, youth group, church council, and she teaches preschool Sunday school. Mitchener plans to major in chemistry and would like to earn her Ph.D. and become a researcher or a chemistry professor. In 2007, she received the Madame Curie Award from the Society of Women Engineers for excellence in science and mathematics. Mitchener is the daughter of John and Lauren Mitchener.
Brianne Morrison
Morrison is from Greeley, Col., where she attends Frontier Academy Secondary School. She is involved in theater, peer counseling, National Honor Society, class government and the swim team. She also participates in Ember Youth Group, YeahWho Dance Productions, and she went to Peru on a mission trip in the summer of 2007. The oldest of four children, Morrison is undecided regarding her major but knows that she would like to somehow use the arts to minister to hurting people. She is the daughter of Scott and Sue Morrison.
Cynthia Morton
Morton, of Phippsburg, Maine, attends Morse High School in Bath, Maine. She is involved with Spanish, cheerleading, choir and the ambassador club. She also serves as an AWANA leader, a dance teacher and a Vacation Bible School teacher. In addition, she has a part-time job as a bookkeeper. Morton plans to major in pre-medicine and would like to become a pediatric oncologist. She is the daughter of Martia Beck.
Christopher Patterson
Patterson, of Mount Vernon, Ohio, attends Mount Vernon High School where he participates in swimming, drama, band, choir and National Honor Society. He also enjoys playing ultimate Frisbee. Patterson plans to major in missions. He says he felt God calling him to become a missionary on a mission trip. He is the son of Renard and Polly Patterson.
Andrew Paulsen
Paulsen, from Maumee, Ohio, attends Toledo Christian Schools. He is the class treasurer and the class president. He runs both cross country and track. Paulsen was chosen as the American Legion Buckeye Boys State Delegate in 2007. He is the sound technician at his church, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, and is completing an internship at a local PBS affiliate. Paulsen plans to major in broadcasting and would like to pursue a career in the network television industry and eventually move into the film industry. He is the son of Gary and Julie Paulsen.
Nicole Ramsey
Ramsey is from Brooklyn, Mich., where she attends Napoleon High School. She has been in band for four years, secretary for National Honor Society and senior class secretary for student council. She also has been an AWANA teacher and has taken mission trips with her youth group to New Orleans and New York City. Ramsey plans to major in education and would like to teach kindergarten. She is the daughter of Pamela Ramsey.
Monica Salvo
Salvo hails from Deerfield, Wis., where she has been a member of the soccer, basketball and volleyball teams as well as National Honor Society, science club and yearbook at Deerfield High School. She earned academic all-conference honors her junior year. Salvo also has been a member of Xtreme youth group and a student leader program. She enjoys reading, friends, football, listening to music and drawing. Salvo plans to major in social work and work in a clinic. She is the daughter of Bruce and Sue Salvo.
Nicole Schanke*
Schanke is from Trenton, Ohio, and is a student at Edgewood High School where she has been involved in student council, basketball, Spanish honor society, National Honor Society and the academic team. She also has been active in 4-H, Middleton Community Foundation Youth Council, youth group and as a tutor. She is a certified scuba diver. Schanke plans to major in biology so that she can earn her master's degree in marine biology and work in a research lab by the ocean. She is the daughter of Terry and Rebecca Schanke.
Ryan Schnurr*
Schnurr, of Fort Wayne, Ind., has been in theater, cross country, choir, baseball, National Honor Society and as student body president at Blackhawk Christian High School. He also has been a youth group worship leader, a Wildcat Baseball League coach, in the Band of Barnabi youth service group, and has been on a Hurricane Katrina relief mission trip. Schnurr plans to major in communication and become a business manager or a news anchor. He is the son of Lawrence and Lora Schnurr.
Zach Schroeder*
Schroeder hails from Hoagland, Ind., where he attends Heritage High School. He is involved with both baseball and National Honor Society. Schroeder plans to major in mathematics education and would like to teach secondary mathematics and coach baseball. He is the son of Jeffrey and Ruth Schroeder.
Brittany Sommers*
Sommers, from Macedonia, Ohio, is a student at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy where she is involved in the handbell choir, golf team, Diakonas and the Royal Thespian Society. She has also taken mission trips to Battle Creek, Mich., and Haiti. Sommers plans to major in psychology, which she hopes will lead her to a career in Christian counseling. She is the daughter of Brad and Beth Sommers.
Matthew Souers
Souers, of Woodburn, Ind., attends Blackhawk Christian High School where he has played soccer and has been involved with Spanish and choir. During the holiday season, he volunteers as a bell ringer for the Salvation Army. Souers plans to major in business administration so that he can one day run his own business. He is the son of Edward and Kaylene Souers.
Byron Spear
Byron, born in Tulsa, Okla., now lives in Shippensburg, Pa., where he has been in National Honor Society, German club, and played football at Shippensburg High School. He also is involved with the youth group and worship team at his church. Spear plans to major in youth ministry and aspires to be a youth pastor at a large church. He is the son of Roxton and Diane Spear.
Elijah Stewart
Stewart, of Columbia City, Ind., is a student at Columbia City High School where he enjoys art, music and Spanish. He plays guitar for his church worship team and has been on mission trips to Mexico and Biloxi, Miss. Stewart plans to major in worship leadership and would like to have a position leading worship at a church and maybe even go on tour with a Christian band. He is the son of Ellen Smith.
Savannah Swope
Swope, of Ashland, Ohio, attends Ashland High School and is on the dance team. She also enjoys being a part of musicals and is in National Honor Society. She is involved with her youth group at Park Street Brethren Church. Swope would like to major in pre-medicine and afterwards attend medical school to specialize in pediatrics. She is the daughter of John and Catherine Swope.
Ashley Upchurch
Upchurch, a student at New Castle Chrysler High School in New Castle, Ind., has been involved in cheerleading, show choir, jazz choir and National Honor Society. She also has been a Young Life student leader, a member of the Young Life worship band and a counselor at Summerfest summer camp. She enjoys reading, dancing, waterskiing, going to the beach and collecting thimbles from around the country. Upchurch plans to major in biology and would like to work at Eli Lilly doing cancer research. She is the daughter of Jeff Upchurch and Karen Bell.
Andrew Van Gessel*
Van Gessel, of Avilla, Ind., attends East Noble High School. At East Noble, he is involved in National Honor Society and has been a stagehand for the school play. He also has been on the Spell Bowl team where he has finished third in state finals. In addition, Van Gessel has played baseball and soccer. In soccer, he was named top team player, an award given by the Indiana Soccer Coaching Association, and was named Academic All-State. Outside of school, he works at home on the grain farm and is a part of Catholic Heart Work Camp. He plans to major in either history education or mathematics education so he can teach high school and possibly even coach soccer. He is the son of Jeff and Monte Van Gessel.
Megan Verhasselt*
Verhasselt, of Bartlett, Ill., has been in choir, on the math team, in the French club and in National Honor Society at Elgin High School. She also has been involved with her youth group and has been an AWANA leader. She enjoys reading, singing and dancing. Verhasselt plans to major in mathematics education so that she can become a high school math teacher. She is the daughter of Kirk and Lisa Verhasselt.
Abigaile Wichman*
Wichman was born in San Diego, Calif., but now lives in Grand Haven, Mich., where she is homeschooled. She expects her thinking and her horizons to be challenged both inside and outside the classroom by professors and fellow students at Huntington. Wichman plans to major in theater. She is the daughter of Keith and Mary Wichman.
Corban Young
Young, from Bremen, Ind., is the oldest of five children in a homeschool family. He is on the Home School Honor Society and is a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He is the media director at Vineyard Community Church as well as an active volunteer and youth group member. Young plans to major in digital media arts and DV cinema so that he can one day conceptualize, start and lead a media production company. He is the son of Jay and Bobbie Young.
