Honorable mentions: DuPage County Academic Team, 2016-2017
Tara Aggarwal
Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Lalit & Suparna Aggarwal
Sponsor: Jim Greener, counselor
GPA: 5.6735 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Business, computer science
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, First Place Business Case Competition at YWI at Indiana University, Top Senior of Foreign Language Honor Society for French, honor roll, National Honor Society
Joseph Andrews
Fenton High School
Hometown: Wood Dale
Parents: Chris Andrews and Daryl Andrews
Sponsor: Nancy Connor, counselor
GPA: 4.3958 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Business management, economics
Awards, honors: NCTE Achievement Awards in Writing, certificate for superior writing; AP Scholar with Honor, Illinois State Scholar
Zachary Bachara
Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: Mark & Cindy Bachara
Sponsor: Tony LiFonti, teacher & coach
GPA: 5.69 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Biological sciences
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honors, two-time academic all conference, honor roll, National Honor Society
Sophie Bair
Glenbard South High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Brian and Jennifer Bair
Sponsor: Jennifer Pacheco, school counselor
GPA: 5.6182 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Neuroscience
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, President Scholar candidate, Illinois State Scholar
Elsa Barron
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Allyson and Todd Barron
Sponsor: Cindy Budzikowski, math department head
GPA: 4.67 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Biology
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, honor roll
Sana Basheer
College Preparatory School of America
Hometown: Bolingbrook
Parents: Mohammad Sohail Basheer
Sponsor: Samah Elzahdan, dean of academics
GPA: 4.44 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Major in neuroscience while on a pre-med track
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, American Math Contest national competition, 3rd place; Illinois Junior Academy of Science state competition, gold award; honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Jaemie Bennett
James B. Conant High School
Hometown: Roselle
Parents: YuMei Bennett and Ralph Bennett
Sponsor: Richard Bauer, counselor
GPA: 5.02 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Molecular and cellular biology
Awards, honors: AP Scholar with distinction; National Honor Society; A Honor Roll for freshman, sophomore, and junior year; Science Olympiad and Scholastic Bowl; IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award
Ryan C. Cabildo
Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Conrado and Maria Leni Cabildo
Sponsor: Dana Marine, guidance counselor
GPA: 4.7544 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Math major, music minor
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Eric Chang
Hinsdale Central High School
Hometown: Willowbrook
Parents: Clayton and Wei Chang
Sponsor: John Marinier, counselor
GPA: 5.9767 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Rotary Merit Scholar, National Council of Teachers of English's Certificate for Superior Writing Award, first place in Illinois Association of Teachers of English's poetry and prose Contest, National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Presidential Scholar candidate, student government
Robert Falconer
Downers Grove North High School
Hometown: Downers Grove
Parents: Jeff and Lisa Falconer
Sponsor: Joel Kapitaniuk, world language teacher
GPA: 4.8182 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Mechanical engineer
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, two-time math team state qualifier
Kiara M. Gallagher
Benet Academy
Hometown: Lockport
Parents: Kevin and Kathy Gallagher
Sponsor: Amy Wesley, counselor
GPA: 100.66 on a 100 percent scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Pre-health biological sciences
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, First Honors for four consecutive years
Kaitlyn Grady
IC Catholic Prep
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Brian and Nancy Grady
Sponsor: Jean Field, counselor
GPA: 4.77 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemical engineering with a Spanish minor
Awards, honors: National qualifier Business Professionals of America Computer Animation Team 2017, National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Divya Gudur
James B. Conant High School
Hometown: Roselle
Parents: Srujana Gudur
Sponsor: Scott Altergott, counselor
GPA: 5.045 on a 4.0 weighted scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biochemistry, environmental studies
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar; Presidential Scholar candidate; National Honor Society; honor roll; second at speech regionals 2017; second place in state for Biomedical Debate 2017; Top 10 at Nationals Biomedical Debate 2016
Noah Helm
Benet Academy
Hometown: Geneva
Parents: Scott and Trish Helm
Sponsor: Laura Lundstrom, counselor
GPA: 99.47 on a 100 percent scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Engineering - biomedical, mechanical or aerospace
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, honor roll
Hannah Hewitt
Willowbrook High School
Hometown: Villa Park
Parents: Paul and Marilyn Mast Hewitt
Sponsor: Cindy Zamora-Failla
GPA: 4.6364 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Linguistics
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Ridas Jagelavicius
Glenbard East High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Vaidas & Rasa Jagelavicius
Sponsor: Brad Podraza, math
GPA: 5.7083 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 31
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: United States Achievement Academy, Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar
Lori Kipp
Metea Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Lyle Kipp & Sandra Kipp
Sponsor: Bob Vozza, counselor
GPA: 4.680 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Mechanical engineering
Awards, honors: Ecybermission National Finalist, $5,000 Grant; Seal of Biliteracy, Spanish; AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit finalist, honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Katie Kubik
St. Francis High School
Hometown: West Chicago
Parents: Jim and Jeannine Kubik
Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidance
GPA: 5.20 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Neuroscience and behavior science education
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Jacob Kurian
West Chicago Community High School
Hometown: Winfield
Parents: Patricia and Chacko Kurian
Sponsor: Charles Vokes, algebra teacher
GPA: 5.467 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Chemical engineering with a minor in biotechnology/biochemical engineering
Awards, honors: National Hispanic Scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Caitlin Lang
Lake Park High School
Hometown: Bloomingdale
Parents: Mary Lang, Michael Lang
Sponsor: Taylor Severino, school counselor
GPA: 5.6818 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Psychology
Awards, honors: National Merit commended scholar, 5.0 Scholar, honor roll, student government
Eshan Mehrotra
Fox Valley Academic team winner
Illinois Math and Science Academy
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Ashish and Seema Mehrotra
Sponsor: David McGovern, counselor
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Physics
Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Annalise Morrone
Addison Trail High School
Hometown: Addison
Parents: Lisa and Joseph Morrone
Sponsor: Paul Anderson, teacher
GPA: 4.7407 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: International Relations and Political Science
Awards, honors: Honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Honors, Illinois State Scholar, District 88's Best Recognition, all-conference math team
Sarah Mueller
Wheaton Warrenville South High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Richard and Teresa Mueller
Sponsor: Cindy Budzikowski, math department chair
GPA: 4.766 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: Three-year Academic All Conference, swimming; IHSA Academic Achievement recognition, swimming; Spanish Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, National Honor Society
Timothy Nielsen
Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glen Ellyn
Parents: Erik and Elizabeth Nielsen
Sponsor: Natalie Rubino, counselor
GPA: 5.7209 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Chemical engineering
Awards, honors: International AP Scholar, Outstanding AP Chemistry Student, Spanish Honor Society, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Mary O'Brien
Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Laura and Thomas O'Brien
Sponsor: Arthur J. Stuart III, instructor
GPA: 4.59 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Textile materials technology
Awards, honors: Wellesley Book Award, Dr. Richard Kane Memorial Scholarship for excellence in mathematics, IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Ravi Sanjay Patel
Glenbard North High School
Hometown: Carol Stream
Parents: Sanjay & Ila Patel
Sponsor: Kevin Erday, teacher
GPA: 5.8571 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Pre-medicine, biology
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, Congress of Future Medical Leaders delegate, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar
Shivangi Patel
Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Harshida and Ashok Patel
Sponsor: Kathy Sally, teacher
GPA: 5.476 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Biochemistry with a pre-medicine track and minor in Spanish
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, High Honor Roll, Academic Excellence Award, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar
Lillian Rodriguez
St. Francis High School
Hometown: Bartlett
Parents: Kathleen Rodriguez and Esteban Rodriguez
Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidance
GPA: 5.33 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Engineering
Awards, honors: National Hispanic Recognition Program 2016-17 Scholar, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Katherine Rogers
Wheaton North High School
Hometown: Wheaton
Parents: Michael and Linda Rogers
Sponsor: Joshua Coan, counselor
GPA: 4.80 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Mathematics
Awards, honors: Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with Distinction, honor roll
Brandon Sakas
Montini Catholic High School
Hometown: Westchester
Parents: Christine and Roman Sakas
Sponsor: Maryann O'Neill, principal
GPA: 4.74 on a weighted 4.0
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Computer engineering
Awards, honors: Robert Huntoon Scholarship, Fermilab Science Award, Montini Freshman Scholarship, National Merit finalist, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar
Rana Salem
Islamic Foundation School
Hometown: Riverside
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Salem
Sponsor: Yasmin Jamal, teacher
GPA: 4.83 on weighted 4.0 scale
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Fermilab Science Award, Principal's List for Senior year, Principal's List for Junior year, honor roll, National Honor Society
Ripal Shah
Fenton High School
Hometown: Wood Dale
Parents: Raj and Nina Shah
Sponsor: Ron Cuellar, school counselor
GPA: 4.4318 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 32
Planned major: Molecular biology and computer science
Awards, honors: AP Scholar, Fenton's Finest, Graduation Marshall, honor roll, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Alex Shura
Neuqua Valley High School
Hometown: Naperville
Parents: Jeffrey and Heather Shura
Sponsor: Dan Stadt, counselor
GPA: 4.63 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 35
Planned major: Economics or political science
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, I.P. Scholar (school's version of National Honor Society), honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Andrew Sima
Lisle Senior High School
Hometown: Lisle
Parents: Meg and David Sima
Sponsor: Patrick Woyna, teacher
GPA: 5.5 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Environmental sciences and creative writing
Awards, honors: Presidential Scholar candidate, National Honor Society, Academic Excellence Award from Lisle High School, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Brandon Simons
Lake Park High School
Hometown: Roselle
Parents: Brian and Amal Simons
Sponsor: Michael Sakiewicz, counselor
GPA: 5.70 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Biomedical sciences
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, National Merit commended scholar, AP Scholar, honor roll, Illinois State Scholar
Robert Vitek
IC Catholic Prep
Hometown: Elmhurst
Parents: Don and Gail Vitek
Sponsor: Jean Field, counselor
GPA: 4.75 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Electrical engineering
Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; Academic All-State Football; ninth place in state in physics exam, Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering; honor roll; National Honor Society; AP Scholar; Illinois State Scholar; student government
Samer Wahood
Islamic Foundation School
Hometown: Burr Ridge
Parents: Saba Wahood
Sponsor: Yasmin Jamal, teacher
GPA: 5.1224 on a weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 33
Planned major: Biology and public policy
Awards, honors: Valedictorian, Illinois Junior Academy of Science Gold State Science Fair 2014 (Environmental Science category), 2016 Fermilab Science Award, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar with distinction, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Hamza Zaman
College Preparatory School of America
Hometown: Lombard
Parents: Zakia Zaman and Asad Zaman
Sponsor: Samah Elzahdan, dean of academics
GPA: 4.44 on weighted 4.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 36
Planned major: Computer science
Awards, honors: WYSE 2nd Computer Science STATE, Presidential Scholar candidate, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, student government
Annie Zhu
Glenbard West High School
Hometown: Glendale Heights
Parents: Cai Yun and Yunhua Zhu
Sponsor: Tad Keely, school counselor
GPA: 5.6829 on a weighted 5.0 scale
Test scores: ACT: 34
Planned major: Undecided
Awards, honors: Social Studies Departmental Award, Mathematics Departmental Award, Science Departmental Award, National Merit commended scholar, honor roll, National Honor Society, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar