Meet Your Princeton '15 Classmates (news stories)

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
41

<p>Debater Emilie Burke (New Jersey)</p>

<p>[Benedictine</a> Academy Graduate headed To Princeton](<a href=“http://njtoday.net/2011/06/17/benedictine-academy-graduate-headed-to-princeton/]Benedictine”>http://njtoday.net/2011/06/17/benedictine-academy-graduate-headed-to-princeton/) </p>

<p>"ELIZABETH—Benedictine Academy’s Emilie Burke, a recent Class of 2011 graduate, is headed for Princeton University next fall. Burke’s determination and achievements during her four years at the all-female Catholic high school in Elizabeth helped her earn a spot on Princeton’s freshman roster.</p>

<p>“Emilie is one of the most enterprising students whom I have encountered in my years of education,” Benedictine Academy Principal Kenneth Jennings commented. “She has this restless energy to accomplish all of her goals,” he added.</p>

<p>Burke’s passion is politics, government, public speaking and debating. And she is a natural at each. She plans to pursue politics and economics after college. When she first arrived at Benedictine Academy, Burke was determined to be part of a debating club.</p>

<p>She started the school’s Junior State of America (JSA) chapter in her freshman year. JSA is part of the Junior Statesman Program, which for the last thirty-plus years has provided hands-on educational opportunities for young women and men who want to learn about government. . . . (continued)"</p>

42

<p>“Kielar Named National Merit Scholar” (Wisconsin)</p>

<p>[Kielar</a> Named National Merit Scholar](<a href=“http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110518/ADV01/105180478/Kielar-National-Merit-Scholar]Kielar”>http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20110518/ADV01/105180478/Kielar-National-Merit-Scholar) </p>

<p>"Southern Door High School senior Abraham D. Kielar, son of Julie and Daniel Kielar of Sturgeon Bay, has been awarded a $2,500 National Merit Scholarship.</p>

<p>Kielar ranks third in his class of 109 and has a 3.91 cumulative grade-point average. Kielar will attend Princeton University and plans to study biology/pre-med. . . . (continued)"</p>

43

<p>“Susie Park Wins Intel ISEF Addiction Science Award” (New York)</p>

<p>[Altruistic</a> decision making focus of NIDA’s Addiction Science Award, May 13, 2011 News Release - National Institutes of Health (NIH)](<a href=“http://www.nih.gov/news/health/may2011/nida-13.htm]Altruistic”>Altruistic decision making focus of NIDA’s Addiction Science Award | National Institutes of Health (NIH)) </p>

<p>"A study of what influences decision making on issues whose consequences will only be felt by future generations won first prize in the annual Addiction Science Awards at this year’s Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) — the world’s largest science competition for high school students. The Intel ISEF Addiction Science Awards were presented at an awards ceremony Thursday night in Los Angeles. The awards were presented by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, and Friends of NIDA, a coalition that supports NIDA’s mission.</p>

<p>First place distinction went to Sarah Susie Pak, a 17-year-old senior at Roslyn High School in Roslyn Heights, N.Y., for her project Would You Do It for the Kids? Factors Involved in the Prediction of Intergenerational Preferences. The project was based on well-known phenomenon, called delayed discounting, in which people tend to discount the value of a reward that will be received at a later time vs. an immediate, but smaller, reward. Delayed discounting is abnormally high in people who are addicted to drugs and contributes to their impulsive risk taking behaviors, especially drug use. Pak’s project identified generosity and patience as two key interacting factors that increase the likelihood that a person will make altruistic decisions that will primarily help future generations. The senior plans to attend Princeton in the fall. . . . (continued)</p>

44

<p>“Red Land senior Claire Loht is taking her swimming and academic talents to Princeton” (Pennsylvania)</p>

<p>[HS</a> Swimming: Red Land senior Claire Loht is taking her swimming and academic talents to Princeton](<a href=“http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/9211719722182865809/hs-swimming-red-land-senior-claire-loht-is-taking-her-swimming-and-academic-talents-to-princeton/]HS”>http://highschoolsports.pennlive.com/news/article/9211719722182865809/hs-swimming-red-land-senior-claire-loht-is-taking-her-swimming-and-academic-talents-to-princeton/) </p>

<p>"ATHLETE: Claire Loht</p>

<p>SPORT: Swimming</p>

<p>HIGH SCHOOL: Red Land</p>

<p>COLLEGE: Princeton</p>

<p>THE DETAILS: Red Land senior Claire Loht is taking her exceptional talents in the water and in the classroom to the Ivy League next season where she’ll attend Princeton University.</p>

<p>THE SCHOOL: Loht will be headed to the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Chartered in 1746, the New Jersey campus is considered one of the most prestigious in the country with its world-renowned research facilities and enrollment 7,494 students. The swimming and diving program is under the guidance of Susan Teeter, who has led the Tigers to 15 Ivy League championships, including nine in the last 11 seasons. In 27 seasons at the helm, Teeter’s winning percentage is .799. Princeton finished 18th at last year’s NCAA Championships thanks to a second-place finish by Alicia Aemisegger in the 1650-meter final.</p>

<p>THE DECISION: After three official visits, Loht chose Princeton over Harvard and Penn State. “I’ve always loved Penn State due to living here in Pennsylvania,” Loht said. “But the academics at Princeton ultimately won me over.” </p>

<p>PROJECTED MAJOR: Loht said she’ll major in either chemistry with a certificate in sustainable energy or economics with a certificate in finance.</p>

<p>THE ATHLETE: Loht is coming off a successful junior season in which she won a Mid-Penn title in the 200 freestyle, finished second in both the 200 and 500 free at the District 3-AAA meet and took home fifth and fourth-place medals, respectively, in the same two events at states.</p>

<p>THEY’RE SAYING: “I knew that no matter which school I chose, I’d be competing with nationally-ranked swimmers. But the academics at Princeton are unparalleled and by going there, I’d be considered a student-athlete and not the other way around,” Loht said. . . . (continued)"</p>

45

<p>“Brian White, internationally-ranked Irish dancer and National Merit Scholar” (South Carolina)</p>

<p>[Heritage</a> Academy’s Brian White named Merit Scholar](<a href=“http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/05/06/1646492/heritage-academys-brian-white.html]Heritage”>http://www.islandpacket.com/2011/05/06/1646492/heritage-academys-brian-white.html)</p>

<p>"Seventeen-year-old Brian White’s teachers say he is a man of many talents.</p>

<p>He is one of the top students at Hilton Head Island’s Heritage Academy and plans to attend Princeton University this fall.</p>

<p>He is an internationally ranked Irish dancer and began studying ballet this year.</p>

<p>His English teacher calls him one of the best writers she has ever taught.</p>

<p>And this week, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced White is one of 29 South Carolina high school students – and the only in Beaufort County – to win the title of Merit Scholar and a $2,500 scholarship in its annual competition. . . . (continued)</p>

46

<p>Presidential Scholar Arjun Dhillon Heads to Princeton (Wisconsin)</p>

<p>[Dhillon</a> to Washington as state Presidential Scholar](<a href=“http://dailyunion.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=112&ArticleID=8515]Dhillon”>http://dailyunion.com/main.asp?SectionID=36&SubSectionID=112&ArticleID=8515) </p>

<p>"Fort Atkinson High School senior Arjun S. Dhillon is one of two Wisconsin students who have been named 2011 Presidential Scholars.</p>

<p>The son of Dr. Satwant and Rubal Dhillon, he is the first student from Fort Atkinson School District ever to be awarded the honor. Dhillon will join Haley Adams of Central High School in Brookfield and a group of 141 students nationwide to receive the Presidential Medallion at the White House in June.</p>

<p>“He’s one of the most brilliant young men I’ve encountered in 36 years in education, just a really interesting and intriguing young man,” said Fort Atkinson School District superintendent Dr. James Fitzpatrick. “He’s probably the most celebrated academic student I’ve ever seen.” . . . (continued)"</p>

47

<p>“Alexander Sappington, Siemens AP Scholar and math whiz” (Florida)</p>

<p>[Jeffrey</a> Meldon TV20 Scholar Athlete Alexander Sappington - WCJB TV-20](<a href=“http://www.wcjb.com/news/9071/jeffrey-meldon-tv20-scholar-athlete-alexander-sappington]Jeffrey”>http://www.wcjb.com/news/9071/jeffrey-meldon-tv20-scholar-athlete-alexander-sappington) </p>

<p>“Buchholz senior tennis player Alexander Sappington considers himself a smart guy. Looking at his resume, that’s quite an understatement. Alexander has excelled in the classroom, with straight A’s, and garnered multiple math and science awards at the high school level. But when he walks onto the tennis courts, it’s his time to get away. He played tennis off and on, but in 10th grade took it to another level, where he’s been a part of the Bobcat team, even voted team captain this year by his peers. Alexander plans to go Ivy League after high school, considering Yale or Princeton as his final destination. . . .(continued)”</p>

<p>[Buchholz</a> High School seniors Alexander Sappington and Hansol Kang honored by Siemens Foundation | Gainesville.com](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101226/ARTICLES/101229687?p=2&tc=pg]Buchholz”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20101226/ARTICLES/101229687?p=2&tc=pg)</p>

<p>Two Buchholz High School seniors have been named the top math, science and technology students in Florida by the Siemens Foundation.</p>

<p>Alexander Sappington, 17, and Hansol Kang, 17, were notified recently that they had been selected. </p>

<p>Sappington started with math at a young age; his father, an economist, taught him arithmetic as a toddler.</p>

<p>As he got older, an elementary school teacher noticed that the gifted program wasn’t challenging him, Sappington said. His father and the teacher worked with him to help him learn from more advanced books.</p>

<p>“To have guidance, that was so beneficial to me,” he said.</p>

<p>Sappington was accepted early decision to Yale, but said he hasn’t decided where to attend as of yet.</p>

<p>For many kids, it’s mind over math, he said. . . . (continued)</p>

<p>[Gainesville’s</a> Buchholz High School math team aiming for fifth straight win in Dallas | Gainesville.com](<a href=“http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110714/ARTICLES/110719769/-1/entertainment?p=2&tc=pg]Gainesville’s”>http://www.gainesville.com/article/20110714/ARTICLES/110719769/-1/entertainment?p=2&tc=pg)</p>

<p>"The pressure will be on the Buchholz High School math team next week in Dallas.</p>

<p>After about six weeks of four-hour practice sessions three times a week this summer, the team of 41 advanced Buchholz math students heads to Texas on Saturday for the Mu Alpha Theta annual national convention, where starting Monday hundreds of teachers and students from across the country will compete for four days in individual and group math competitions in three divisions: Theta (geometry and algebra 2), Alpha (precalculus) and Mu (calculus).</p>

<p>Buchholz is the reigning national math champion; in fact, the BHS team will be competing for its fifth straight national math championship — the most consecutive national math titles of any high school. . . .</p>

<p>Alexander Sappington, who graduated from Buchholz in June, has been part of the BHS team for his entire high school career and will be attending his last national competition next week. He said he wants to leave with one last team championship before attending Princeton University in the fall. . . . (continued)"</p>

48

<p>“Drew McDonald is Trying to Change the World Through Soccer” (Alabama)</p>

<p>[Give</a> A Kick: Drew McDonald trying to change the world through soccer](<a href=“http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/07/give_a_kick_drew_mcdonald_tryi.html]Give”>Give A Kick: Drew McDonald trying to change the world through soccer - al.com) </p>

<p>"Admit it. You thought soccer balls were filled with air.</p>

<p>Turns out, they’re filled with an equal mixture of hope, dreams, inspiration, magic and opportunity.</p>

<p>Some of them are filled by the preposterous notion of an 18-year-old who is pretty much determined to save the world, one soccer ball at a time.</p>

<p>Drew McDonald is your typical 18-year-old. If your typical 18-year-old happens to have his own business card, is founder and general manager of a nonprofit organization, is an all-star soccer player and is bound for Princeton this fall, where he plans to be a walk-on kicker for the Tigers’ football team. . . .(continued)"</p>

49

<p>“Erin McMunn Heads to Germany to Represent U.S. at Lacrosse World Championship as Member of U.S. National Under 19 Team” (Maryland) </p>

<p>[Women’s</a> Lacrosse: ‘Unique summer’ for former Falcon McMunn](<a href=“http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/local/women-s-lacrosse-unique-summer-for-former-falcon-mcmunn/article_0e914d28-a775-11e0-99e9-001cc4c03286.html]Women’s”>http://www.carrollcountytimes.com/sports/local/women-s-lacrosse-unique-summer-for-former-falcon-mcmunn/article_0e914d28-a775-11e0-99e9-001cc4c03286.html) </p>

<p>"Erin McMunn is in the midst of what she’s calling “a pretty unique summer.”</p>

<p>On May 25, McMunn helped Winters Mill’s girls lacrosse team win its second consecutive state championship. Two weeks later, she graduated and enjoyed some time at the beach with friends. Soon she’ll be getting ready to attend Princeton University and play for the Tigers’ women’s lacrosse team.</p>

<p>But McMunn has something else on her schedule before college - at the end of the month she leaves for Hannover, Germany, site of the Federation of International Lacrosse World Championships, as a member of the U.S. under-19 national team.</p>

<p>McMunn is one of 18 players on Team USA, which finalized its roster in February after a series of grueling tryouts that began last summer. The world championships are set for Aug. 3-13 and the U.S. team has won the past three titles. . . . (continued)"</p>

50

<p>“Passion for learning math leads [16-year old] whiz [Khallid Love] to Princeton” (North Carolina)</p>

<p>[16</a> Year Old Khallid Love Heads to Princeton](<a href=“http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/07/25/2481369.html#ixzz1Vh1OfS9f]16”>http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/07/25/2481369.html#ixzz1Vh1OfS9f)</p>

<p>"Ask Khallid Love to name his favorite subject in school, and he’ll give an answer you won’t hear from many other teenagers.</p>

<p>“Advanced Placement calculus,” he says without hesitation.</p>

<p>Derivatives and integrals, the abstract concepts that drive the average calculus student insane, come easily to his mathematically inclined brain.</p>

<p>So much so that he regularly tutors his 11-year-old brother, Mustapha, and other students around his home in Charlotte’s Hidden Valley neighborhood.</p>

<p>“I just like helping people. I like math, and I like explaining it to them,” he says. “It’s exciting to me.”</p>

<p>That’s not the type of thing most adults would expect to hear from the average teenager. But his mother, Antonette Love, a single parent, kept him focused on learning and out of harm’s way in the troubled neighborhood they call home. Hidden Valley, in northeast Charlotte, has had high-profile struggles with crime, drugs and gangs… . . . " (continued)</p>

51

<p>" ‘Got Milk?’ [Theresa Meyer] Durham Swimmer [and winner of National Scholar Athlete Award] Has Got it All" (North Carolina)</p>

<p>[‘Got</a> Milk?’ Durham swimmer has got it all - High school - NewsObserver.com](<a href=“http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/18/1351533/durham-star-has-got-it-all.html]'Got”>http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/07/18/1351533/durham-star-has-got-it-all.html) </p>

<p>"Theresa Meyer had quite a senior year at Durham School of the Arts.</p>

<p>She won N.C. High School Athletic Association state championships in swimming, earned valedictorian honors at graduation and was accepted to Princeton.</p>

<p>She also got a mustache that she displayed in a full-page advertisement in USA Today on June 24. . . . " (continued)</p>

52

<p>Brian Reed “Aims For the Stars” (Connecticut)</p>

<p>[Salutatorian</a> Aims for the Stars - Newtown, CT Patch](<a href=“http://newtown.patch.com/articles/salutatorian-aims-for-the-stars]Salutatorian”>Salutatorian Aims for the Stars | Newtown, CT Patch) </p>

<p>"Brian Reed wants to be an engineer but he said his best subject may be in English.</p>

<p>“That will help in any field,” said the Newtown High School Class of 2011 salutatorian who is bound for Princeton University in the fall where he expects to study aerospace engineering. . . . " (continued)</p>

53

<p>U.S. Junior National Rowing Team Member Elefant ‘Makes the Cut’ (New Jersey)</p>

<p>[Elefant</a> Heads to World Rowing Championships](<a href=“http://centraljersey.com/articles/2011/07/29/the_princeton_packet/sports/doc4e3195929b1f7787213133.txt]Elefant”>http://centraljersey.com/articles/2011/07/29/the_princeton_packet/sports/doc4e3195929b1f7787213133.txt) </p>

<p>"While his last name may lend different ideas, Jason Elefant is actually the smallest rower on the United States Junior National boys team.</p>

<p>The recent Hun School graduate was a late addition to the selection camp last year, but didn’t make the first cuts. This year, he made the final 22-person roster that will travel to Eton Dorney, Great Britain for the World Championships that begin Wednesday.</p>

<p>”I’m the smallest guy here by quite a bit,” said Elefant, who at 6-feet-2, isn’t short, but isn’t heavy. “Last year was ridiculous. I was 155 last year and the next lightest guy was 169. This year, I’m like 165 and the next guy is 170.”</p>

<p>In the fall, Elefant won’t be dealing with this size disparity. He is projected to shed a few pounds down to 160 to row in a lightweight boat in his freshman year at Princeton University. There is, however, no Junior national lightweight team. . . .</p>

<p>It’s worked for Elefant, who is one of two alternates that the team will take to England. He believes he’s the first lightweight to make the Junior National team since Tyler Nase, who is a rising junior at Princeton University. . . . " (continued)</p>