New President’s Scholars 2008

Marissa Berenson is from Fort Worth, Texas and was graduated from the Fort Worth Country Day School. She is founder and CEO of Made by Marissa, a home-made jewelry business she initiated when she was 13. Marissa was a member of the National Art Honor Society, Model UN, varsity golf, the Honor Roll and an AP Scholar. She was selected for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award and was Student Ambassador of her high school and in her school's Cum Laude Society. Marissa plans to major in business at SMU.

Hunter Brown is from Cammack Village, Arkansas where he was graduated from Episcopal Collegiate School. He was an AP Scholar, Eagle Scout, and state champion for the high school varsity tennis team and Quiz Bowl. Hunter was also a member of the Beta Club and the National Honor Society. He was the founder of the Harry Potter Club at his high school. Hunter would like to major in political science at SMU.

Nick Burns was graduated from Highland Park High School in Dallas. He is a member of the National Honor Society, French and Science National Honor Societies, and Student Congress. Nick won numerous French contests, the Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition, and the California Institute of Technology Alumni Association Award. Nick plans to major in biochemistry while at SMU.

Trigg Burrage is from Slidell, Louisiana and was graduated from Northshore High School. He was the class president, vice president of the Beta Club, and a National Merit Finalist. Trigg was also a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, and the Northshore Show Choir. He travels all over the United States performing magic tricks and is a member of the Slidell Society of Young Magicians. Trigg will major in business at SMU in the fall.

Caleb Cates is from Valdosta, Georgia and was graduated from Lowndes High School. He was a varsity runner on the high school cross country team and secretary of the Technology Student Association. Caleb was president of the National Arts Honors Society and member of Four H, the Academic Quiz Bowl, and the Beta Club. Caleb will major in public policy while at SMU.

Sharon Chan was graduated from Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas. She was president of the National Honor Society, secretary of the National Spanish Honor Society, and historian for the Symphonic and Full Orchestra playing the violin. She was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta and DECA, a marketing association. Sharon will study accounting at SMU.

Michelle Clinton is from Allen, Texas where she was graduated from Allen High School. She was captain of the varsity cross country team and section leader for the band where she played the oboe. Michelle also has won many awards in science and mathematics and was a member of the National Honor Society. Michelle will study engineering at SMU.

Maret Delf was graduated from Plano West High School in Plano, Texas. She is a volunteer leader for Equestrian Therapeutic Riding and has won various awards in classical piano and voice. She was an AP Scholar with Distinction and a nominated officer for the National Honors Society Faculty. She also won the title of All-American Texas State Champion in gymnastics. Maret plans to study business at the Cox School of Business at SMU.

Alexandra Feldman was graduated from Bellaire Senior High School in Houston, Texas. Allie played varsity basketball and club soccer winning district and state championships. She was a member of the National Honor Society, Honor Roll and was a National Achievement semi-finalist. She was very involved with community service in the Houston area. Allie plans to major in international studies at SMU.

Ayana Fletcher-Tyson was graduated from Saint Mary’s Episcopal School in Memphis, Tennessee. Ayana was student body vice-president in the 11^th grade and president in the 12^th grade. She is also a National Merit Finalist. She was a member of the Cum Laude Society, National Honor Society, National Beta Club, and Mu Alpha Theta. She won awards in history, physics and poetry. Ayana was on the high school track and field team, varsity swim team, and yearbook staff. She plans to major in political science at SMU.

Joe Gaasbeck is from Lawton, Oklahoma where he was valedictorian at Lawton High School. Joe was student council president, captain of the Academic Team, football team, and wrestling team. He was also captain of Mock Trial and won first place in calculus at the National High School Mathematics Competition. Joe plans to study engineering at SMU.

Matthew Gayer was graduated from Rockwood Summit High School in Fenton, Missouri. He was consistently on the high school honor roll, AP Scholar with Honors, voted president of the Rockwood Summit Chapter Future Business Leaders of America, and recipient of the Barbara Bowman Award in the East Central Missouri Area Health Education Centers Program. Matt also won numerous awards in athletics. He will study biological sciences at SMU.

Jessica Hawks is from Leander, Texas where she was graduated from Leander High School as salutatorian. She was secretary of the National Honor Society; founder of the International Baccalaureate program at her high school; and a National Merit Finalist. Jessica was a student leader in her church youth group and won many honors and awards through theatre and drama at Leander High School. Jessica will study biology at SMU.

Howard He was graduated third in a class of 1,309 from Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas. He was a member of the National Honor Society, National Society of High School Scholars and the University of Texas at Dallas Summer Research Internship Program. He was an AP Scholar with Honors, teaching assistant, and volunteer liaison for many Plano festivals and fairs. Howard won the Plano Senior High School President Academic Achievement Award and is a National Merit Finalist. He will focus on pre-medicines studies at SMU.

Saira Husain was graduated from Carroll High School in Southlake, Texas. She was president of the National Honor Society and a member of the varsity track team. Saira was also a member of Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. Saira did research at UT Southwestern and Columbia University. She will major in pre-medicine studies at SMU.

Vladimir Jovanovic was graduated in the top 1% of his class from Flower Mound High School in Flower Mound, Texas. He was president of the Computer Science UIL Club and member of the Viola Lone Start Youth Orchestra, Math Club, and Science UIL team. Vladimir is also a National Merit Finalist. He will major in computer and electrical engineering at SMU.

Lydia Kapp is from Aurora, Colorado and was graduated valedictorian from Grandview High School. She was part of numerous theatre productions, president of the Thespians Honors Society, and a member of the Spanish Honors Society. Lydia was involved with various community service projects, Bible study groups, and dance classes. She will major in theatre studies at SMU in the fall.

Rachel Kittrell was graduated as salutatorian from Woodrow Wilson High School in Dallas. She was a member of the National Honor Society, French National Honor Society, International Club, and Rotary Club of Dallas Mentoring Program. She was team leader for Walk for the Whisper, a charity-sponsored walk to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and writer for “The Angler”, a student literary magazine. Rachel plans to major in creative writing and art at SMU.

Amanda Koons was graduated from Georgetown High School in Georgetown, Texas. She was a Rotary Scholar and won the Academic Excellence Award and the USAA National Foreign Language Award. Amanda was a member of the National Honor Society, President’s Council, and the Instrumental Symphony Orchestra. She plays the piano and cello and was translator for a Mexico Mission trip. Amanda will study Spanish at SMU.

Aaron Krauss is from Edmond, Oklahoma and was graduated in the top 2% of his class at Edmond Memorial High School. He was president of the Science Club and a member of the varsity tennis team, German Club, and Computer Club. He was a participant in a Peruvian Mission trip for four years and was on the Superintendents Honor Roll. Aaron will study engineering at SMU.

Daniel Lopez Romo was graduated from Plano East Senior High School in the top 1% of his class. He is an International Baccalaureate diploma candidate and was actively involved with Boy Scouts of America. He was an Eagle Scout, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Junior Assistant Scout Master, and Den Chief. He was squad leader in the trumpet section of the band and assistant soccer coach for his sister’s soccer team. Daniel will study mechanical and civil engineering at SMU.

Filip Lorinc was graduated from Plano Senior High School in Plano, Texas. He was involved with the debate team and a member of the drum line. Filip was team captain for the Plano Youth Soccer Association and Texas 4H Member of the NRA Rifle and Pistol League. He was the Distinguished Achievement Graduate and AP Scholar with Distinction. Filip has also won many awards in German competitions and rifle marksmanship. He will study real estate and finance at SMU in the fall.

Adriana Martinez was graduated from Ursuline Academy in Dallas, Texas. She was student council president, member of the First Honor Roll and Academic Dean’s List. She has won numerous awards in academics along with awards through Model United Nations and community service. Ady was a member of the National Honor Society, Latinos Unidos, and Ambassadors, which is an elite group of students, selected to represent her high school. Ady will study international relations and political science at SMU.

Jessica Maxey is from Shreveport, Louisiana and was graduated valedictorian of her class at Loyola College Preparatory. She is an AP Scholar with Honors and has won several scholarships and awards through leadership and writing. She is involved with theatre, dance, and singing, and is a member of Mu Alpha Theta and the Student Government Association. Jessica would like to major in theatre and engineering at SMU.

Bushra Mushtaq was graduated as valedictorian from Coppell Senior High School. She was president of Model UN; co-captain of the Academic Decathlon; and secretary of the National Honors Society. Bushra was a member of the National Spanish Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, and volunteered at the Irving library. She will major in International Studies with a Pre-Med emphasis at SMU.

Michelle Pillars was graduated from Minooka Community High School in the top 3% of her class. She is from Shorewood, Illinois. Michelle was president of the National Honors Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She was a member of the varsity tennis team, Youth Council, and Peer Ministers. She was awarded the Kodak Young Leader Award, Scholar Athlete Award, and the AP Scholar Award. Michelle will study physics at SMU in the fall.

Patrick Probst is from Ballwin, Missouri where he was graduated from St. Louis University High School. He was a member of the National Ho nor Society and First Honors, which is for students who maintain a 4.3 grade point average. Patrick played club soccer, varsity racquetball, varsity diving, and high school soccer. He was in many theatre productions and a member of the President’s Ambassadors, a select group of students who represent the school. Patrick will possibly major in pre-medicine studies, art, or business at SMU.

Charlton Roberts is from Ridgeland, Mississippi and was graduated from Saint Andrews Episcopal School. He was a member of the High Honor Roll and the National Honor Society. He won the Theatre Production Book Award and did well on the AP exams. Charlton had lead roles in many theatre productions and was founder of the St. Andrew’s Film Club. He plays the piano, guitar, ukulele, and the violin. He will major in theatre studies at SMU.

Katherine Rossi was graduated from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, California. She has won numerous awards in history, biology, English and math. Katherine is a member of the Ballet Reparatory Theater and the Academy for the Performing Arts. She took part in a Homestay in Japan. Katherine has many interests, including dance; however, she is undecided concerning her major at SMU.

Maria Sanchez was graduated in the top 1% of her class at Nimitz High School in Irving, Texas. She was a member of the varsity tennis team and secretary of the Historians Club. Maria played the violin with her high school orchestra. She will major in engineering at SMU.

Cristina Sanders was graduated from Summit Country Day School in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was a member of the varsity golf and softball teams and the junior varsity tennis team, She was also a member of Student Senate, Math Club, and the National Honor Society. She was a Summit Scholar, which gave her an academic scholarship for all fours years of high school, and the recipient of the Wellesley Book Award. Cristina plays the piano and the harp and did hours of community service with the Association for the Blind. Cristina will major in engineering at SMU.

Jessica Schauwecker was graduated from Oakridge School in Arlington, Texas. She is a National Merit Finalist and has won the Most Outstanding Student Award in history, language, Spanish, biology, English, and algebra. She has also won awards in swimming and diving, piano, and voice. Jessica was a member of student government and the National Honor Society. She will major in mechanical and biomedical engineering while at SMU.

John (Nico) Stirling is from Littleton, Colorado where he was graduated from Heritage High School. Nico is a member of the National Honor Society and the Colorado Youth in Government Program. He was very involved with the high school’s tennis, basketball, and lacrosse teams. Nico has been a foster brother for many years as his family fosters children who come from abused and neglected situations. Nico is undecided about his major at SMU.

Corbin Swagerty was graduated from Washburn Rural High School in Topeka, Kansas. He was on the student council and member of the top select vocal ensemble. Corbin was also a member of the Spirit Committee and the State Barber Shop Quartet. He was on the high school golf team, member of the National Honor Society, and volunteered for Big Brothers and Meals on Wheels. Corbin will major in engineering at SMU.

Sanaz Talaifar is from Frisco, Texas where she graduated in the top 1 % of her class at Centennial High School. She has performed in various ballet productions, and has logged on over 100 hours of community service. Sanaz plays the piano and violin and is a member of the French Club Council. She was an AP Scholar with Honor and has won numerous awards in history and French. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Frisco Rotary Club Student of the Month. Sanaz will study economics and psychology at SMU.

Brian Tenner was graduated from West Brook Senior High School in Beaumont, Texas. He was a member of the Key Club, Science Club, and the Boy Scouts of America. He has become an Eagle Scout and through that organization has many hours of community service including serving the homeless and tutoring. Brian has numerous awards in chemistry, science, problem solving, and mathematics. Brian will study electrical engineering at SMU.

Amrita Vir is from Houston, Texas and was graduated from Memorial Senior High School. She was editor and reporter for her high school newspaper and vice-president of the Music Club. Amrita was a member of the French Club, Girl Scouts of America, and the tennis team. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and the UIL Journalism Team. She was awarded the Award of Excellence and the Girl Scout Silver Award. Amrita will study international relations at SMU.

Chelsea Walker was graduated from Coppell Senior High School in Coppell, Texas. She was on the varsity volleyball team along with the softball and volleyball teams. Chelsea was a member of the National Honor Society, National Spanish Honor Society, and Who’s Who Among America’s High School Students. Chelsea will major in English at SMU in the fall.