15 area students among Presidental Scholars candidates
Youth News for Friday, Feb. 10, 2012
Area students were named candidates for this year’s United States Presidential Scholars Program. There are 49 candidates statewide.
The 15 area candidates are Garrick L. Mayweather, McKinley High School; Kalle W. Liimatta, Jasmine L. Miller, Steven A. Olsen, Inderbir Singh, Ipsita Subudhi, Hyungie Sung and David Zhang, Baton Rouge Magnet; Tyler J. Daigrepont and Benjamin P. Wiseman, Catholic High; Felipe Hernandez, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts; Gabrielle C. Runnels, Runnels School; Caroline T. Morganti and Alise K. Alexander, St. Joseph’s Academy; and Morgan B. Westbrook, St. Amant High School.
Students were selected for their exceptional performance on either the College Board SAT or the ACT Assessment exams.
Further consideration is based on students’ essays, self-assessments, description of activities, school recommendations and school transcripts.
Some 500 Presidential Scholar semifinalists will be named in the near future and of those, 141 scholars will be named and invited to Washington, D.C., in June to receive a presidential medallion.
Visit http://www.presidentialscholars.org/scholars.asp.
Troop 7’s new Eagle Scouts
Five Scouts in Boy Scout Troop 7 have achieved the rank of Eagle, Scouting’s highest honor. The troop, led by Scoutmaster Greg Grandy, is chartered by St. Aloysius Catholic Church.
About 5 percent of all Boy Scouts earn the Eagle rank. To earn it, a Scout must progress through six ranks, serve in a leadership position within his troop, provide service to his community and earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, of which 12 — in such areas as finance, family, citizenship and personal fitness — are required.
A Scout must also plan, develop and give leadership to a service project.
Brandon Curwick
Age: 18.
School: University Laboratory High.
Grade: 12.
Eagle project: Constructed a sidewalk to help First United Methodist folks safely cross the street to get to church from the parking lot.
Extracurricular: Soccer team, swim team, cross country.
Parents: Denise Curwick, of Baton Rouge, and Philip Curwick, of St. Francisville.
Ben Grandy
Age: 15.
School: Catholic High School.
Grade: 10.
Eagle project: Built benches for the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center.
Extracurricular: Football team, lacrosse team, Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Parents: Claire and Greg Grandy.
Benjamin PuckettAge:
17.
School: Catholic High School.
Grade: 11.
Eagle project: Constructed and installed wood duck boxes for Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Nature Trail.
Extracurricular: cross country, track, hunting, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, camping, hiking.
Parents: Don and Karen Puckett, of St. Francisville.
Austin SimoneauxAge:
16.
School: Catholic High School.
Grade: 10.
Eagle project: Built three shower benches, newsletter stand and donation bin for St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Extracurricular: Lacrosse team, Key Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, St. Patrick Youth Group.
Parents: Dennis and Stephanie Simoneaux.
Avery St. Dizier
Age: 18.
School: LSU. Eagle project:
Built picnic tables with attached awnings for Sacred Heart School.
Extracurricular: Cycling, canoeing and running.
Parents: Paul and Amy St. Dizier
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