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Eight WCPSS Seniors Named Park Scholars

March 10, 2009 - Eight WCPSS high school seniors are among 55 students North Carolina State University has named Park Scholars for the Class of 2013.

The WCPSS students named Parks Scholars include Ryan Alexander Collinsworth of Middle Creek High School, Tyler Confrey-Maloney of Broughton High School, Adam Carswell Dunn of Holly Springs High School, Alyse Cristen Flick of Athens Drive High School, Ebunoluwa Ololade Olaleye of Wake Forest-Rolesville High School, Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High School, Gretchen Louise Stokes of Apex High School and John Michael Turner of Middle Creek High School.

The Parks Scholarship awards are valued at nearly $75,000 for North Carolina residents. More than 1,200 applications were received for this year's class, and 200 NC State faculty and alumni reviewed the candidates in a three-stage selection process. More than 100 finalists were invited to participate in final selection activities.

Selection criteria for the merit-based Park Scholarships include academic achievement; personal characteristics such as character, integrity and motivation; exceptional leadership potential; and commitment to the betterment of one's community. The scholarships are renewable each year, based on academic achievement and personal conduct.

Here is additional information from NC State University on each of the WCPSS students named Park Scholars:

Ryan Alexander Collinsworth of Middle Creek High School where he is President of the National Honor Society, and the Spanish Honor Society, and a member of the Varsity Baseball team. He won the Woodmen of the World Award for proficiency in American History, is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction, and has participated in mission trips to Guayaquil, Ecuador for three years. Ryan plans to double-major in Biochemistry and Spanish as part of a Pre-Medical program.

Tyler Confrey-Maloney of Broughton High School where he is President of the Outdoor Adventure Club, played on the Varsity undefeated State Championship Soccer team, and managed the Broughton Young Democrats' contribution to the Obama-Biden campaign in 2008. He also is a member of the National Honor Society, an Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, and a National Merit Semifinalist. Tyler plans to major in Engineering.

Adam Carswell Dunn of Holly Springs High School where he is actively involved in the school band on Alto Saxophone, the National Honor Society, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has attended Interlochen Arts Camp, the world's most prestigious institute for young performing artists, for two summers. He is a member of the National Honor Band, and participates in many mission trips and service projects with his church. Adam plans to major in Civil Engineering.

Alyse Cristen Flick of Athens Drive High School where she is President of Key Club, Treasurer of the Student Council, and is the reporter and program coordinator for the NC State University Pre- Medical Group. She also serves as the Coordinator for the Imagine No Hunger Program in Wake County, works in a research laboratory at NC State, and will be traveling to the Dominican Republic and Haiti this spring for medical and service mission trips. She plans to major in Biological Sciences with a concentration in Human Biology and minors in Health, Psychology, and Health, Medicine and Human Values.

Ebunoluwa Ololade Olaleye of Wake Forest-Rolesville High School where she is President of the National Achievers Society, Co-President of the Science Honor Society, and Co- President of Students Against Destructive Decisions / Students Against Violence Everywhere Club. She is also a Duke University Medical Center volunteer, Sunday School teacher, and Mayor's Award recipient for summer volunteering. She plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.

Patrick Joseph Short of Sanderson High School where he is the Drum Major of the Marching Band, the Most Outstanding Player on the Varsity Tennis team, and President of the Math Team. He also serves as Vice President of the Senior Class Council, as a National Honor Society tutor and service project volunteer, and as a Church Youth Board Leader. Patrick plans to major in Biomedical Engineering.

Gretchen Louise Stokes of Apex High School where she is President of the Environmental Club and a Trumpet player in Wind Ensemble and for the spring musical. She is also a Junior Curator at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Chief Petty Officer in Sea Scout Ship 207, and graduated first in her class at the 2008 Texas Gulf Coast Sea Scout Advanced Leadership Training course. Gretchen plans to major in Fisheries and Wildlife.

John Michael Turner of Middle Creek High School where he is Student Body President, a National Merit Scholar Semi-Finalist, and a past President of Key Club. He is also a US EPA/Shaw University Research Apprentice and Intern and 2008 Student of the Year. He has created and organized two service fairs to promote youth volunteer service opportunities, and he received three President’s Volunteer Service Awards by giving over 700 hours of community service. John plans to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Collinsworth
Collinsworth		 Dunn
Dunn		 Flick
Flick
Maloney
Confrey-Maloney		 Olaleye
Olaleye		 Short
Short
Stokes
Stokes		   Turner
Turner

The Park Scholarships program is among America's most prestigious undergraduate merit scholarship programs. The scholarship pays expenses for four years of study at NC State, and includes a computer stipend and funds for academic enrichment activities. On campus, scholars participate in a series of activities designed to hone their leadership skills and deepen their commitment to public service, from interactive learning labs in North Carolina and Washington, D.C., to a first-year leadership seminar and speaker series. Scholars can also apply for research and artistic grants or scholarships to study abroad.

The Park Foundation of Ithaca, N.Y., established the scholarships at NC State in 1996 with an initial gift to support 25 Park Scholars. The scholarships are named in honor of the late Roy H. Park, who died in 1993. Park was a distinguished alumnus of NC State and president of Park Communications Inc., a conglomerate of newspapers, television and radio stations that reached one-third of all American homes.

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