Purdue University North Central Chancellor Dr. James B. Dworkin has announced the winners of the 2009-2010 Chancellor's Leadership Award. The students selected for the honor join a distinguished group of students who have a record of academic achievement and demonstrated leadership through involvement in school and community activities.
PNC Chancellor James Dworkin stated, "I am pleased that we can offer students this opportunity to enhance their leadership qualities. This effort will transfer into our local communities as our students graduate and assume leadership positions in their chosen fields of work." Award criteria include school and community involvement and leadership, scholastic achievement and potential for participation and leadership in PNC extracurricular activities. Students earning leadership awards represent high schools throughout Northwest Indiana and were involved in a variety of clubs, activities, community and church organizations and sports.
The Chancellor's Leadership Award is a renewable scholarship program that requires participation in an on-campus leadership seminar and volunteer service, among other requirements. Several of the scholarships are sponsored through endowment funds created by local businesses and individuals. Students earning the awards are:
Lindsay Applegate - A graduate of Michigan City High School, she was captain of the tennis team and qualified for regionals in her senior year. She also worked at tennis camps and gave lessons and volunteered at St. John's Church nursing home.
Alex Barzycki - He is a graduate of Hebron High School. He was a member of Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, chairman of the Homecoming Committee and captain of both the cross country and track and field teams.
Jamie Bostic - A graduate of John Glenn High School, she was captain of the golf team and played basketball and softball. She was a member of S.A.D.D, Spanish Club, National Honor Society and North Liberty Youth League. She participated in the Walk for Hospice, D.A.R.E., Potato Creek State Park Clean-up, was a Spell Bowl volunteer, food drive volunteer and did peer tutoring and road clean-up.
Lindsay Brandner - She graduated from Griffith High School where she played volleyball, basketball and was softball captain. She was a member of the choir, chorale, student government and school newspaper. She participated in Relay for Life and her church youth group. She will be playing softball for the Panthers.
Samantha Clarida - A Morgan Township High School graduate, she was a member of the National Honor Society, Pep Club, Spanish Club, Choir and Drama Club. She also participated in track and volleyball.
Taylor Coleman - Coleman is a current PNC student majoring in Biology. At PNC he is a Student Government member. At Chesterton High School, he was active in Show Choir, National Honor Society and Spanish Club. He helped organize a Rally for Darfur and was a peer teacher in the P.A.T.H organization.
Jordan Delks - He is a PNC student and member of the basketball team. As a high school student in Kokomo, he was an officer in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a member of Future Farmers of America, a representative for PEERS and a captain of the basketball team. At PNC he is a Fitness Center supervisor and a Community Advisor at the University Park apartments.
Tabitha Eggers - A Chesterton High School graduate, she played soccer and softball and was vice president of Student Council, a violinist in Advanced Orchestra, on the Speech and Debate team and a Bridges program mentor. She was a 4-H member, Porter County Boys and Girls Club supervisor, church drama performer and in the church choir.
Marilyn Karas - A graduate of Lake Central High School, she was a member of the marching band, pep band, jazz band, concert band and first chair in the all-region honor band. She completed four mission trips in high school, was a Sunday school "flock leader" for 4th through 6th graders and is a member of a youth group.
Mark Michalec - A Morgan Township High School graduate, Michalec was class vice president and member of National Honor Society, Drama Club, Pep Club, Pep Band and Honors Choir. He was a captain and All-Conference player in soccer. He also was a Youth Group worship guitarist and singer.
Jacob Miranda - A graduate of Hobart High School, his activities included Key Club, Booster Club, Spanish Club and tennis.
Kayla Mrozinske - A current PNC student, she is a staff writer for "The Voice" and a fall 2008 participant in the Chancellor's Leadership Group seminar. A LaPorte High School graduate, she was a member of the pom and dance squad and girls reserves while volunteering for the American Red Cross and as a middle school dance teacher.
Brittany Piaseczny - She is a graduate of George Rogers Clark High School. Her activities included Student Council, National Honor Society, class officer, French Club and prom committee. As an athlete she played volleyball, basketball and softball and was a team captain for each sport.
Taylor Rodriguez - A Michigan City High School graduate, she was a member of Science Club, Japanese Club, Drama Club, National Honor Society, Foreign Language Honor Society - Japanese, Wind Ensemble Band, and Ping Pong Club. In the community she volunteered with the Labor Dayz/Summer Fest, Michigan City Senior Center, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), Barker Mansion and Oktoberfest.
Courtney Schmidt - An Andrean High School graduate, she was involved with Key Club, intramural volleyball, Business Club, Student Ambassador and National Honor Society. She was involved with National Junior League of Cotillion, Lifeteen/GIFT, TAPT/Catholic Youth Experience, Catholic Heart Work Camp, vacation bible school, Café Manna soup kitchen, 30-Hour Famine and was a Eucharistic Minister.
Heather Spence - A graduate of Portage High School, Spence was involved with volleyball, Choraliers, Saga, Health Occupation Students of America, Porter County Career and Technical Honor Society, Student Council, Advanced Mixed Choir and the spring musical. She was active in Campus Life, Anchors Away, Relay for Life, Thanksgiving food drive, winter coat drive, Angel Tree and Toys for Tots.
Samantha Walbright - A South Central High School graduate, she was a member of Spanish Club, Yearbook Club, Leo Club, National Honor Society and was a football manager, bat girl manager and track manager. She was involved at the LaPorte YMCA, she is a babysitter and participated in Great Strides.
Amber Welsh - She graduated from Crete-Monee High School where she was a member of the softball and volleyball teams and a member of National Honor Society and Science Club. She was a founding member of the Travel Softball organization to mentor to youngsters. She plans to play softball at PNC.
Brittani Wilke - A Knox Community High School graduate, she was involved with SADD, yearbook, Theater Arts, float building, National Honor Society, cheerleading, track and field and school fundraisers. She is a Pop Warner cheer coach, volunteers at a local nursing home and the park concession stands and helps elderly neighbors.
Shelby Zarobinski - As a New Prairie High School graduate, her high school activities included robotics, track and field, Future Business Leaders of America, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Senate, Cougar Congress and Academic Superbowl. She is active with 4-H Wagon Masters, Hudson Hustlin Helpers, Relay for Life, Democratic Headquarters, Lions Club, Elementary PTO, food banks and March of Dimes.