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Marshall Announces Yeager Scholars Class of 2006
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Thirteen students from six states, including five
from West Virginia, make up the Marshall University Society of Yeager
Scholars Class of 2006.
The students will arrive on campus in August for the start of the fall
semester.The program is named for U.S. Air Force Brigadier General (Ret.)
Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, who is a native of West Virginia.
The Yeager program is the only scholarship at Marshall for which students
must compete against one another. Students must meet criteria set for
the scholars and then, if they are picked, must participate in an interviewing
process. After receiving the scholarship, the student must maintain a
rigorous course load, as well as a 3.5 GPA, and participate voluntarily
in campus activities. The society also looks for students who have leadership
potential.
"We want the students to be prepared to go out into the world as
leaders," said Martha Woodward, executive director of the Center
for Academic Excellence at Marshall. "This year's class is a diverse
class, in their career interests and what they want to do. This diversity
contributes to the Yeager program and to Marshall University."
The Class of 2006 is the second to be named in honor of the Sarah and
Pauline Maier Foundation and its president, Ed Maier. The foundation and
Mr. Maier were early contributors to the Society of Yeager Scholars.
These students were chosen as the Yeager Scholar Class of 2006:
Ryan Stockton Adkins from Greenup, Ky., son of Carla and Butch
Adkins, graduated as co-valedictorian from Greenup County High School.
He has been a delegate to GCHC Student Council, twice serving as Historian,
and edited the Student Life section of the yearbook. Ryan was a member
of the school chorus, having been selected as a district member six times
and as a state member once. He was a member of the Beta Club, track team,
youth advisory council and dance team. Ryan plans to major in Computer
Science.
Jeremy Donald Ashe from Cinnaminson, N. J., a graduate of Cinnaminson
High School, plans to major in Business. He captained the CHS soccer team
for two years as well as the travel soccer team, which played international
matches. He will play on the soccer team at Marshall. He also played basketball
and was captain his senior year. Jeremy was a Commended National Achievement
Scholar and was selected to attend Boys' State, the Governor's School
of Public Issues, New Jersey Trooper Youth Week, and the Lockheed-Martin
Minorities in Engineering Program. He served as a mentor for new and transfer
high school students and as class treasurer for two terms. He has volunteered
extensively in his community with such groups as a day camp, soup kitchen,
blood bank and women's shelter. He is the son of Barbara and Henry Ashe.
Jessica Ashley Cox from Spencer, W. Va. will major in Broadcast
Journalism. She graduated from Roane County High School, where she was
a student council and class officer, serving as president of the senior
class. She was a longtime 4-H Club member and officer, winning citizenship,
leadership and livestock-showing awards. Jessica attended the West Virginia
Governor's Honors Academy and was a member of Hi-Y, Future Business Leaders
of America and National Honors Society. She directed publicity for the
school literary magazine and worked on staff and eventually as producer
for the school/community television station. In her senior year, she was
named WRCH Channel 2 intern. Her volunteer activities include Relay for
Life, food drives, Toys for Tots, Read Aloud, Salvation Army and many
others. She is the daughter of Brenda and Stephen Cox.
Srijita DasGupta from Nashville, Tenn., daughter of Dr. Jayasri and
Biswaijit DasGupta, graduated from Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School.
She will bring 19 hours of college credit to Marshall as she pursues majors
crossing Liberal Arts and Science. She has won a host of awards in Latin
and Roman culture from the local to national level and was inducted into
the National Forensics League for points accumulated in debate competition.
Srijita won honors at the Youth Legislature; was named outstanding participant
at the Meharry Medical School mentorship program; was inducted into the
International Thespian Society for participation in theatre productions;
and has been involved in a host of other activities. She is particularly
active in Indian classical dance, the Bengali Association of Greater Nashville
and the India Association of Nashville. Her leadership skills have led
to invitations to the People to People Ambassadorship program, Presidential
Classroom, Governor's School for International Studies, Congressional
Youth Leadership Conference and other noteworthy programs.
Mary Catherine Haupt from Beavercreek, Ohio, graduated from Carroll
High School in Dayton, Ohio as a National Merit Semifinalist. She is a
longtime Girl Scout, earning the top Silver Award, and was named to Who's
Who among American High School Students. She has won silver and gold medals
on the National Latin Exam, was a member of the Latin Club and has won
superior awards in school and district science fairs. Mary was a member
of the Ohio Math League and Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honorary and holds
a black belt in karate. She has volunteered at Miami Valley Hospital and
with Habitat for Humanity. Her parents are Eleanor and Stephen Haupt and
she plans to major in Education or Business.
Katie Elaine Hempill from Lucasville, Ohio, daughter of Stacy and
Tony Hempill, graduated from Clay High School and plans to major in Political
Science to prepare for a career in law. She was elected to class officesand
student body president. She was a member of the academic competition
team, National Honor Society, yearbook staff, CHS news crew, band and
chorus. Katie earned honors at several Scioto County science fairs as
well as the Bausch & Lomb Science Award. She was invited to the University
of Toledo Summer Scholars Program and the Foundation for Teaching Economics
- Economics for Leaders Program. She played varsity volleyball,
basketball and softball, earning first-team conference and district distinction
in volleyball and basketball in addition to being selected Player of the
Year All-SOC in volleyball her senior year. She volunteers with her church
and at the Southern Ohio Medical Center.
Nicholas Rice Phillips from Elkins, W. Va., is a National Merit
Scholar graduate of Elkins High School. He has served on the student council
and class council throughout high school and was elected student body
president his senior year. He was a peer mediator, photo editor of the
yearbook, and a member of Interact, SADD, Key Club, Spanish honorary and
the prom council. Nick attended Mountaineer Boys State, was selected as
a Horatio Alger National Scholar, and was named student representative
of the local School Improvement Council and Who's Who among American High
School Students. He was a member of the National Honor Society and placed
4th in the statewide National Spanish exam. He played soccer, basketball
and baseball throughout high school, was captain of the soccer team and
earned an All - NCAC Honorable Mention. His parents are Beth and Eric
Phillips and he plans a career in medicine.
Matthew Keane Prochnow from Tallmadge, Ohio, son of Kathryn and
Jonathon Prochnow, graduated from Tallmadge High School. Twice named Cleveland
Plain Dealer Athlete of the Week and All-Ohio Track & Field, he captained
the cross country, basketball and track teams. He was a member of the
Pep Club, student government and was an officer in National Honor Society.
He was News Editor and then Editor-in-Chief of the school newspaper. He
volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and a soup kitchen and was named
D.A.R.E. Role Model, science student of the year, both French I and IV
student of the year, distinguished scholar and earned an outstanding leadership
award. Matt has not yet selected a major.
Gabriel Kurosh Riazi from Akron, Ohio, son of Linda and John Riazi,
will prepare for a career in law while pursuing his love for theatre.
He was vice president of Student Council and served on the discipline
review committee and band council at Firestone High School. The only student
to receive a full scholarship at the West Side Vocal Academy, he has performed
in numerous musicals and plays. He is an Eagle Scout candidate and a nominee
to both the National Young Leaders Conference and Congressional Youth
Leadership Council. Gabe serves on the March of Dimes youth board and
is a founding member of the YMCA Young Leaders Club and an Amnesty International
chapter. His volunteer activities include Boy Scouts, the Akron Art Museum,
March of Dimes, the Weathervane Community Playhouse and others.
Steven Allen Taylor from Huntington, W. Va., is a graduate of Huntington
High School and the son of Vicki and Allen Taylor. He has been a member
of the school honors program for four years and the National Honor Society
for two, as well as Mu Alpha Theta mathematics honorary, the French honorary
and president of the Science Club. At West Virginia Boys' State he was
elected to the House of Representatives and he was named to Who's Who
among American High School Students. His photograph, "Falls of Hills
Creek," was published and he was named Elks Student of the Month.
He has volunteered extensively in the community at the City Mission, cardiac
rehabilitation, raising funds for arthritis sufferers, and other wellness
efforts. He also was a member of the golf team. Steven has already spent
time as a computer consultant and plans to major in Physics.
Matthew John Vincent from Sheridan, Ind., plans to major in English
in preparation for a legal career. He has participated in a mock trial
program for high school students and Law Day at Indiana University and
was a delegate to Hoosier Boys State. He was a member of the National
Honor Society, academic honors program, History quiz bowl team, foreign
language quiz bowl team and the Ami-Amigo Club. Matt played soccer and
received the Blackhawk Spirit Award. He was elected senior class president
and as a member of the state champion Blackhawk Marching Band he was named
most improved member. He is an eight-year member of the Boone County 4-H
program and an active member of his church. Matt graduated from Sheridan
High School and is the son of Sharon and John Vincent.
Ashley Elizabeth White from Martinsburg, W. Va., daughter of Nancy
and William White, graduated from Hedgesville High School. She plans to
major in Chemistry and become a physician. She won awards in Chemistry
at the county, region and state Science Fairs and wrote for the school
newspaper. She was a member of the junior and senior class steering committees,
the National Honor Society, Rotary Interact and JETS team. Also she was
a cheerleader and Mountain State Apple Harvest Festival Princess. Ashley
was selected for the Judicial Scholars program and the Apollo Civic Theatre
youth summer workshop. She has volunteered with her church, community
theatre, Red Cross and Salvation Army.
Michael Dean Wooten, from Wharton, W. Va., was a Student Council Representative
at Van Junior/Senior High School, was elected Student Body Vice President
his junior year and then Student Body President his senior year. He also
was the editor of the school newspaper and yearbook while participating
in a number of clubs and honoraries. He played football and baseball four
years, was selected captain of the football team and for all-county honors
in both sports. He attended West Virginia Boys' State, Hugh O'Brien Leadership
program, Bridgewater College High School Leadership Academy, Know Your
State Government Day and was a West Virginia Secretary of State SHARES
Ambassador. Michael participated in the West Virginia Young Writers competition,
regional Math Field Day, the Geography Bowl and Chemistry Olympiad. He
participated in theatre, won a Veteran's Day essay contest and participated
in the Eagles' Nest leadership/mentoring program as well as the school's
peer mediation organization. Michael is the son of Roberta and Dallas
Wooten. He plans to major in Political Science and become a lawyer.
More information about the newest Yeager Scholars is available by contacting
Martha C. Woodward at (304) 696-2475 or woodward@marshall.edu.
