Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of three
articles profiling Eastern Michigan University's 16 Presidential
Scholars.
The Presidential Scholarship is a four-year award that
pays 30 credit hours (15 per semester) per year of in-state
tuition, housing, food allowance and mandatory fees. Students
who receive these scholarships must live in University
residence halls the first two years of the award, complete
at least 15 credit hours per semester and maintain a 3.5
GPA.
Scholarship recipients are selected during EMU's annual
Presidential Scholarship Competition. Awards are based
on a competitive exam. To compete, high school seniors
must have either a 3.7 GPA or a 3.5 to 3.69 GPA, with a
minimum 25 ACT or 1,150 SAT score. Each scholarship winner
also must complete a successful interview.
This year, 16 students were found deserving of the honor.
Profiles of the first five are provided below.
Trevor Castor (Goodrich, Mich.)
Trevor Castor's talents represent both sides of the brain.
His love for science led him to take all but one science
class his high school offered. In addition, he is a talented
artist whose work has been featured in art shows and businesses
in his hometown.
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Castor |
Like many of the other Presidential Scholars, Castor took "Math
in a Global/Socio-Cultural Context" his first semester
at EMU, a class that combines Castor's strongest subject
— math — and one that he is considering
majoring in — sociology.
"That was an interesting class," said Castor. "It provided
a lot of food for thought."
Academic achievement and community service were the highlights
of Castor's high school career. He earned a 3.978 GPA while
dedicating himself to helping those in need.
"As a member of the National Honor Society, I logged many
more hours than most of my peers, be it after school or
on the weekends," said Castor. "A woman that I knew — a
single mother — had leukemia. I organized fundraisers at
my school to help her family out. It was really rewarding."
Castor has wasted no time getting involved with service
here at EMU. In his first semester here, he has already
volunteered his time with VISION, cleaning for Ronald McDonald
House.
Though he was very excited to receive the Presidential
Scholarship, Castor had already planned on attending EMU.
He's glad to be here, and has already made close friendships.
"Well I am not completely certain of my future career,
whether it be in criminal investigation, or education,
or something entirely different, I hope to fulfill the
most pertinent education and training for my chosen field," said
Castor.
Alyssa Eckles (Berkey, Ohio)
Alyssa Eckles' parents wanted her to be surprised about
receiving the Presidential Scholarship.
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Eckles |
"My parents had talked to Susan Anderson before I got
home from work and calmly told me she called," said Eckles. "They
were so relaxed about it that I was worried that I didn't
get it. But, I guess my parents were just putting on a
really good show."
Eckles, a 3.95 GPA student, had no reason to be worried.
In high school, she was involved in drama, music, National
Honor Society and community service. The journalism major
won several writing competitions in high school, including
the Power of the Pen regional, the Promising Young Talent
Award and the Gold Key award.
"I currently write for the Eastern Echo, for news and
entertainment. It's a good learning experience because
I want to go into journalism," said Eckles. "The best part
is, that every once in a while, I get to interview celebrities."
So far, Eckles has had the opportunity to interview the
band The Decemberists and actor Christian Bale.
"I spoke to Christian Bale on a conference call," said
Eckles. "It was fun; he was really cool."
Though she enjoys journalism, her real passion is creative
writing. Eckles hopes to be an author, and plans on publishing
several novels (one of which is in the works), screenplays
and scripts.
"I'm not currently taking any creative writing courses,
but I plan on making that my minor," said Eckles. "I prefer
writing fiction when I get the chance to."
For Eckles, winning the Presidential Scholarship was the
icing on the cake.
"I was planning on coming to EMU anyway, because I live
in Ohio and could get in-state tuition," said Eckles. "When
I came for the test and the interview, I really enjoyed
the campus. I could definitely spend the next four years
here."
Nicolas Griffin (Wakeman, Ohio)
Nicolas Griffin had EMU on the brain when he found out
he won the Presidential Scholarship.
"I was sitting at my computer typing my honors application
when the phone rang," said Griffin.
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Griffin |
Griffin, with a 4.0 GPA, was impressed by EMU's campus
when he visited for his scholarship interview. The interviewers
were impressed by Griffin when he came up with a creative
way to portray himself.
"During the interview, I presented a model Volkswagen
Beetle, along with an interactive silhouette to tie my
interest in the biological sciences with my love for automotive
ingenuity," said Griffin. "My motor was my academic achievement,
the trunk contained career goals and the doors revealed
my insect collection, hobbies and extracurricular activities."
At EMU, Griffin has chosen biology as his major, with
the intent of attending medical school after graduation.
He said that medical research sounds more interesting to
him than medical practice.
"I'm a problem solver," said Griffin. "I hope to attain
a research position that will allow me to utilize my critical
thinking skills to help mankind."
Griffin was busy during high school, serving as captain
of the Academic Challenge team, president of the Spanish
Club, a representative in the Model United Nations and
a member of the National Honor Society and Key Club. In
addition, he participated in track, band, golf and football.
At Eastern, Griffin has joined the Honors Student Association.
"The best part [of being at EMU] had been meeting new
people," said Griffin. "It's a different atmosphere, coming
from a small town. I'm glad I chose to go to school here."
Timothy Everett (Ann Arbor, Mich.)
Timothy Everett had good memories of Eastern before
he ever enrolled here. As a member of his high school swim
team, Everett competed at Jones Natatorium numerous times.
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Everett |
"EMU was one of my top choices regardless of the scholarship," said
Everett. "They have a strong swimming program and I've
had great experiences in the past, being here and talking
to the coaches."
Everett kept busy in high school, keeping a 3.35 GPA and
participating in activities such as Student Council, academic
games, math competitions and, of course, swimming. Everett
was the captain of his team and competed in the 100- and
200-meter backstroke. He qualified for the state championship
meet, but broke his arm the day before the competition
and was unable to swim.
"That was a big disappointment," said Everett. "But being
able to swim here at EMU has made up for it completely,
and then some."
As a member of EMU's team, Everett attends 10 practices
a week — four mornings, five afternoons and one on
Saturday. His hard work has paid off. He exceeded all of
his goals for the season and earned some of his best times
ever.
"Swimming helps me juggle classes," said Everett. "It
forces me to get things done on time or earlier, and stick
to a set schedule."
With interests in politics, education and investing money,
Everett has chosen to major in both mathematics and economics.
"That combination gives me a good way to analyze the world," said
Everett. "I'm not exactly sure what I want to do, perhaps
something in law or academia. I do know that I want to
do something to benefit the common good."
Allegra Lanni (New Baltimore, Mich.)
Allegra Lanni had pretty much decided to attend EMU after
touring the campus, but winning the scholarship sealed
the deal.
"I was in the parking lot after a drama competition when
I found out [that I received the scholarship]," said Lanni. "It
was crazy. To this day, I still can't believe that everything
happened the way it did."
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Lanni |
Lanni is enjoying her time at EMU, having chosen political
science as her major.
"I really find government interesting," said Lanni. "I'm
hoping to get accepted to law school and eventually work
in politics."
Though she likes her political science classes here at
EMU, another class sticks out in her mind.
"I really enjoyed 'Math in a Global/Socio-Cultural Context,'" said
Lanni. "It was very interesting and kind of fun."
In high school, Lanni kept up a 3.5 GPA while taking advanced
placement classes and participating in extracurricular
activities such as marching band, forensics, drama and
the swim team. Though she doesn't have as many activities
in college, she's keeping just as busy.
"I work and go to school," said Lanni. "Last semester
I took 17 credit hours, so I haven't had much time yet
to get involved in activities on campus."
