2009 Scholars
Albert Lee
Mentor: Dr. Yidong Bai
Alamo Heights High School
Albert Lee is vice president of the Surge Research Program and is currently conducting research in an antibiotics lab at UT Austin.
Alexandra Sharp
Mentor: Dr. David Morilak
TMI– Episcopal School of Texas
Alexandra is a member of NJHS and in the corps of cadets in JROTC. She is in the high performance tennis academy and participates in varsity cross-country and basketball. She is a Fisher House volunteer.
Aspen Meineke
Mentor: Dr. Feng Liu
Science & Engineering Academy
Aspen is a member of NHS and student council. She has received numerous awards to include placing in the regional science fair and the Assoc. of Quality Award. She is also VP of her school’s mentoring program
Bria Woods
Mentor: Dr. Daniel J. Lodge
Johnson High School
Bria is a member of the UIL science and key clubs. She is VP of the FBLA and a Jr. Docent at the Institute of Texan Cultures. She has won the Presidential Volunteer Service Award and is a youth leader at Sunday school.
Brigitte Lee
Mentor: Dr. Susan Mooberry
Keystone High School
Brigette is president of her freshmen class and plays varsity volleyball and basketball. She is a member of the tennis and golf team and the Spanish club. She participated in the ISWEEP.
Charlotte Greif
Mentor: Dr. Senlin Li
St. Mary’s Hall
Charlotte Greif is studying at Harvard and has recently been working with a group on a computer program to help children with multiple sclerosis access technology more easily.
Darren Sanchez
Mentor: Dr. Renee Yew
Clark High School
Darren has competed at the state level in water polo and is a district finalist in swimming. He is a member of MAHPA program and volunteers with may community organizations.
Elizabeth Arriaga
Mentor: Dr. Benjamin Eaton
Burbank High School
Elizabeth is a member of the marching band and winter guard. She plays the clarinet and bassoon. Elizabeth also sings in her church choir, tutors at a local elementary school and is a modern oratory UIL winner.
Elizbeth Santiago
Mentor: Dr. Sunil Ahuja
International School of the Americas
Elizabeth is a member of the math and science club and served on the freshman board. She is in the Spanish Honor Society and MUNSA. She is also a varsity cheerleader and volunteers with the ADA.
Helen Smith
Mentor: Dr. Lily Dong
Alamo Heights High School
Helen placed 7th in the National French Exam and was state recognized at the Duke talent search. She is in student council, young republicans, baking club and golf team. She plays in the church orchestra.
Joshua Shandera
Mentor: Dr. Yan Xiang
Central Catholic High School
Joshua is president of the National Junior Beta club. He is in the JROTC and serves in his church youth group. He is also a member of the band and has been involved with the speech team
Kael McInnis
Mentor: Dr. Murat Digicaylioglu
Keystone High School
Kael is currently ranked No. 2 in the USA and is the Mexican National Champion Fencer. He was the Vice-President of his freshman class and is in student council and Spanish club. He also plays the guitar.
Kent Ratliff
Mentor: Dr. Sunil Ahuja
International School of the Americas
Kent served as a member of the freshman board. He is the patrol leader of his boy scout troop. He also plays the viola in orchestra and volunteers in the Urban Connections after school program.
Lauren Muras
Mentor: Dr. Luis Penalva
Churchill High School
Lauren served as secretary of NJHS and is a member of the Spanish club and the school drill team. She was chosen to attend the Genetic Update Conference and volunteers at CAMP Camp and NC Baptist Hospital.
Lauren Tsai
Mentor:
Johnson High School
Lauren is a member of the marching band and key club. She is an officer of the math club and founder and president of Envirothon. She is also a staff writer of the school newspaper, and plays the piano.
Megan Abbott
Mentor: Dr. Peter Hornsby
TMI- Episcopal School of Texas
Megan is the Vice President of her class. She is the TMI Times managing editor and NJHS member. She also belongs to the Hill Country Youth Orchestra and is a second degree black belt.
Michael Anderson
Mentor: Dr. John Hart
Brandeis High School
Michael is a member of the science and math UIL clubs and the high school varsity and all-region orchestras. He is a pianist and a volunteer with the Angel Food ministry program.
Peyton Bluhm
Mentor: Dr. Senlin Li
Health Careers High School
Peyton is a member of HOSA and the Latin club. She will be competing in the Latin nationals this summer. She is treasurer of Mu Alpha Theta and a member of Teen ACTS. She also plays in the Health Careers concert band.
Reanna Witherspoon
Mentor: Dr. Merry Lindsey
Burbank High School
Reanna is a student leader in the GEAR-UP program and raises pigs in the FFA. She is a member of the junior varsity soccer team and has been recommended for the National Hispanic Institute Leadership
Stephanie Gonzales
Mentor: Dr. Veronica Galvan
The Atonement Academy
Stephanie Gonzales has begun clinical rotations in her nursing degree program at University of Pittsburg.
Thomas Focht
Mentor: Dr. Peter Hornsby
Churchill High School
Thomas participates in debate and student congress. He plays football and baseball and is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is in the NJHS and is also working towards his rank as an Eagle Scout.
Yun Liang
Mentor: Dr. Yidong Bai
O’Connor High School
Yun is a member of the math and science team and the Latin club. She is a state UIL winner and the concert master of the varsity orchestra. She has attended PREP and is a member of the regional science bowl team.