Class of 2011 Students Have Stories of Accomplishment
June 7, 2011 - The class of 2011 is the largest to graduate from the Wake County Public School System with 8,858 students.These students earned a record $79.8 million in scholarships. Many of students have established records of tremendous accomplishment, some despite difficult circumstances. Here are just a few:
Isa Ferrall of Athens Drive High is a Benjamin Duke Scholar, earning a full four-year scholarship to Duke University. Isa has been involved in math and science competitions, participating in Key Club, Psychology Club and National Honor Society, as well as running track and playing soccer. She spent one summer as an assistant counselor at Gwynn Valley Camp, teaching children about the natural environment in the Blue Ridge Mountains and another one studying optical engineering at UNC-Charlotte through the Summer Ventures Program. The past four years she has been dedicated to music through the Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Marching Band. During her senior year, she was one of two award-winning drum majors in her school’s 135-person marching band. She also actively worked toward preserving the local environment by volunteering year-round at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve and leading the Environmental Awareness Club at her school.
Jubayer Ahmed of Garner Magnet High is a Gates Millennium 2011 Scholar Recipient. Jubayer has maintained a 4.0 unweighted average throughout high school, all the while participating in many extra-curricular activities. He served as President of the Jets Club from 2010-11, President of the Science Olympiad from 2010-11; Vice President and Secretary of the Junior Civitan Club from 2007-11 and member of the Beta Club from 2008-11. Jubayer also served as a Junior Marshall for Graduation 2010. His athleticism is demonstrated in serving as a member of the Junior Varsity Soccer Team and Quarterback and Team Captain of Sports Fest Football Team at UNC-Chapel Hill. Jubayer’s leadership is further demonstrated in service to The Al-Furquan Sunday School, Islamic Center of Raleigh as a Teacher’s Assistant. The aforementioned activities are only a few of the many that this intelligent, outstanding, compassionate, and engaging young student has been involved in over the four years at Garner Magnet High. He is a student who goes out of his way to help others and be a superb role model.
Timothy Anthony Rupnarain of Wake Early College of Health and Sciences obtained two, consecutive summer internships at Wake Med Health and Hospitals where he rotated through several different surgical specialties as a surgical observer. He earned a similar opportunity at Duke University Medical Center and participated in a summer research internship with the US Environmental Protection Agency. Rupnarain is the school’s valedictorian. He said this was a high honor for his family. They immigrated from Surinam to the US with very little. He will attend Emory University and wants to become a surgeon.
Ellen Corbitt Currin of Broughton High is a Morehead-Cain Scholar earning a full four-year scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill. Currin was yearbook editor, captain of the cross country team and president of Young Women for Women International, a service club that raises funds for and awareness of women’s issues across the world. She was a member of Broughton’s Class Council and a vocal leader of a campaign against proposed cuts to the school’s international baccalaureate program.
Michael Marion, President of the Panther Creek Student Body, was offered the prestigious Park Scholarship but will be attending Duke University. Marion served in numerous elected offices during his four years as a student leader at Panther Creek. Most notably, however, was his natural and informal leadership that he demonstrated frequently. When Panther Creek had other schools from across the state visit to observe SMART Lunch, Marion was an ambassador and cheerleader for Panther Creek and its programs. When he was not playing lacrosse, he could be counted on to be the leader of the student section at any Panther Creek athletic event. Through social networking, he communicated with hundreds of Panther Creek students and alumni weekly during football season to promote the week's theme for the Friday night football game. His enthusiasm was contagious and led to capacity crowds throughout the season. Students, faculty and parents followed his leadership as he led the crowds in what he and Panther Creek fans called "The Roller Coaster." His school spirit resulted in WRAL and High School OT naming Panther Creek as the Triangle's Best Student Section for 2010. He leaves a legacy of leadership that is respected by his peers, the faculty, and the Panther Creek community.
Cameron James of Fuquay Varina High is the recipient of the SECU People Helping People Scholarship. James will be attending NC State University where he will major in Civil Engineering. Throughout his high school career, he has been involved in Key Club where he has received several distinguished awards and a Key Club Medallion, which signifies high commitment, achievement, and community service. He is a member of the National Honor Society, served on his church youth council, and has attended several mission trips to various states across the country. As a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he was selected to attend a leadership camp through Campbell University. He hopes to have a career where he can combine his love for the outdoors and his commitment to helping others.
Jim Turner of Middle Creek High is a Presidential Scholar and Park Scholar, earning a trip to the White House and full four-year scholarship to NC State University. Turner is the president and founder of the Math Honor Society and is president of the National Honor Society. Turner scored a perfect 2400 on his SAT. He has been recognized by the North Carolina Children’s Hospital for raising more than $1400. He makes origami cards that are sold in gift shops and bookstores. All proceeds from the cards are donated to the Children’s Hospital. He is a US Environmental Protection Agency and Shaw University Research Apprentice. He has been recognized as a Prudential Spirit of Community Distinguished Finalist and has earned six Presidential Volunteer Service Gold Awards for completing over 1,700 hours of community service.
Ioan Bolohan of Millbrook Magnet High is a Morehead-Cain Scholar earning a full four-year scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill. Bolohan is president of the student executive board and a varsity runner on the school’s cross-country team. As student body president, he started a fundraising campaign for the United Service Organization of North Carolina, founded an event to support the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and began Millbrook’s first school-wide tailgating program. As president of DECA, he won awards at the International Conference and initiated a charitable project for the Muscular Dystrophy Association which involved all classes in one united effort. A musician, Bolohan learned piano early in life before moving on to clarinet. He is teaching himself to play the guitar.
Neel Mandavilli of Southeast Raleigh Magnet High is a Park Scholar, earning a full four-year scholarship to NC State University. Mandavilli is vice president of student government and has served as president of the Science National Honor Society. He is a tri-speaker for the NC Youth Legislative Assembly. Mandavilli is a recipient of the Congressional Award Gold Medal, Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership World Leadership Congress Student Representative Award, and the U.S. Senate Youth Program Award. He plans to pursue a career in public policy.
Safiyah Ismail of Cary High is a Morehead-Cain Scholar earning a full four-year scholarship to UNC-Chapel Hill. Ismail is president of the student body and captain of the women’s cross-country team. As president, she organized student activities and events raising school spirit. She is a longtime volunteer in local retirement homes and chair of the Cary Teen Council.
Charan Sai Mohan of Green Hope High is a Park Scholar, earning a full four-year scholarship to NC State University. Mohan is president of the tutoring club, captain of the cross-country team, and vice president of the Health Occupations Students of America club. He is a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language for elementary school students, and is a recipient of the President's Volunteer Service Award. Mohan plans to major in biomedical engineering.
Arjun Bhattacharya of Enloe Magnet High earned his way along with a partner to Regional Finalist in the Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology. They worked on a possible regulation mechanism in the stem cell therapy of the heart. Bhattacharya was selected to attend Research Science Institute 2010, a six-week summer program in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Students lived on campus there and intern at nearby universities. He interned at Harvard University. He will attend UNC-Chapel Hill and wants to become a doctor running a free clinic.
Vikram Mukherjee of Wake Forest-Rolesville High was awarded an appointment to the US Naval Academy valued at $408,000.00. He has served as co-captain of the cross country team and also competes in track and field. He is Sergeant at Arms in the Key Club, maintaining order at the meetings and assisting the president. He organized a fundraiser through the Latin Club, raising money for a trip to Europe and is Sports Editor of the school newspaper. He actively serves in the National Honor Society and can often be seen tutoring other students. Mukherjee took research oriented classes through the NC School of Science and Math On-line Program and participated in a week long summer symposium on world-wide food distribution. He participates in various community organizations. He is very active in the Boy Scouts, working towards his Eagle Scout Award and has contributed numerous community service hours coaching a basketball team for 9-10 year olds, working with the American Legion, “Meet in the Street”, DRC Autumn Arts Festival, and Knights of Columbus. He was chosen Mr. WFR and an Outstanding Senior, was a Morehead-Cain semifinalist, and named an AP Scholar of Distinction by scoring all fours and fives on his AP Exams.
Rachel Elizabeth Chapla of Green Hope High was awarded the NC Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship, the largest college-based scholarship at NC State, worth nearly $48,000. She was co-president of the school's Red Cross Club and an active member of the Young Democrats Association and the Harry Potter Club. She participated in varsity lacrosse and cross country for three years. During the summer, she worked with elementary and middle school students at NC State's Engineering Summer Camp. Chapla plans to attend NC State University and major in textile engineering.
Kelsy Pauline Fuller of Athens Drive High was awarded the NC Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship, the largest college-based scholarship at NC State, worth nearly $48,000. She is a member of National Honor Society and Key Club and a leader of Unite Bible Study and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Fuller is also a seven-year participant in Camp Invention, an exploratory camp focused on innovative ideas for the future. Fuller plans to attend NC State University and intends to study polymer and color chemistry.
Omar Imad Knio of Athens Drive High School was awarded the NC Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship, the largest college-based scholarship at NC State, worth nearly $48,000. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Environmental Awareness Club, Key Club, Chess Club, Arabic Club, Youth and Government and the Model United Nations. He was also a four-year participant in the Science Olympiad and was on the Athens Drive soccer, track, and tae kwon do teams. He volunteered four hours every Sunday at the Miriam Clinic, translating for Arabic patients and organizing medical record files. Omar plans to attend NC State University and pursue a career in materials science or polymer science.
Lauren Ashley Koepnick of Athens Drive High School was awarded the NC Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship, the largest college-based scholarship at NC State, worth nearly $48,000. She is an officer of the Environmental Awareness Club and secretary of the Psychology Club. Koepnick participated in the March of Dimes and MorLove, where she knit a purse out of recycled cloth to raise money for children in Uganda. She was the lieutenant of personnel for the school marching band, where she was accountable for a 90-member horn line. She plans to attend NC State University and intends to major in textile engineering.
Jaclyn Elizabeth Smith of Millbrook High School was awarded the NC Textile Foundation's Centennial Scholarship, the largest college-based scholarship at N.C. State, worth nearly $48,000. She was inducted into the National Honor Society and designated student body treasurer of the Millbrook Executive Board. Since the seventh grade, She has been a member of the NC Youth Tap Ensemble, a nonprofit tap company that performs across the nation. She volunteered at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and participated in Summer Ventures in Science and Mathematics, a four-week enrichment program for academically gifted students. She plans to attend NC State University and intends to study polymer and color chemistry.
Lara Marye Funke of Enloe Magnet High was awarded the Erlanger Merit Scholarship, valued at $20,000. She was in the Italian Club, Drama Club, College Club and drama productions and was on the varsity swim team. She is a Girl Scout and took dance classes at the North Carolina Dance Institute. She attended NC State's Design Day Camp. She plans to attend NC State University and major in textile technology.
Molly Elizabeth Renaud of Wakefield High has been awarded a NC Textile Foundation John & Jane Fennie Prestige Scholarship, valued at $10,000. She was a member of the National Honor Society and a key leader of BackTalk, a scoliosis support group for teens across the country. Through her church, she participated in the Student Action Leadership Team, which took her to Kentucky to work with Teens Opposing Poverty and Appalachia Service. Last year, she completed an internship at JSH Design making curtains, draperies, and other home furnishings. She plans to attend NC State University and major in textile engineering.
Amanda Meredith Marshall of Athens Drive High has been awarded the Dickson Prestige Scholarship, valued at $10,000. She was vice president of the National Technical Honor Society and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the math and mother-daughter book clubs. She also played varsity tennis. She volunteered time at With Love From Jesus, a warehouse for the needy in Raleigh, and Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, a nonprofit that supports and equips homeless families. She was part of the NC State's Summer Textile Exploration Program. She plans to attend NC State University and major in fashion and textile management.
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