School News
Austin College students receive academic awards at annual Honors Convocation
By Austin College
Apr 26, 2011

SHERMAN
, TEXASAustin College's annual Honors Convocation held April 21 on the campus focused on the academic achievements of students and faculty. A number of academic fellowships and scholarships were awarded during the special all-campus convocation. In most cases, award decisions are made by departmental faculty and many involve research opportunities as well as the financial assistance provided. 

The student honorees, the local high school from which they graduated, their parents’ names, and the scholarship(s) and fellowship(s) they received are listed below. 

Allen, Texas

Anna Covington, Allen High School, daughter of Jerry and Betsy Covington, The Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarships in Teacher Education;

 

Ardmore, Oklahoma

Clarissa Johnson, Plainview High School, daughter of Greg and Ann Johnson, The S. D. Heard Fellowship in English;

 

Arlington, Texas

Joseph "Drew" Whatley, Arlington High School, son of Dale Marie Whatley and Jason Whatley, The Dr. Thomas Baker Memorial Scholarship in Teacher Education;

 

Austin, Texas

Andrea Schneider, The Liberal Arts and Science Academy, daughter of Robert and Kathleen Schneider, The William B. Steele, Genevieve Wakefield Steele, and Sue Steele Fellowship;

Andrea Schneider, The Liberal Arts and Science Academy, daughter of Robert and Kathleen Schneider, The Lois Jenkins Scholarship in English;

Sean Simpson, Lake Travis High School, son of Dr. Scott and Dr. Karon Simpson, The Brittain Memorial Biology Student Research Award;

Marie Stevens, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, daughter of Kevin and Jana Stevens, The Charles Curtis McKinney Memorial Fellowship in Psychology;

 

Burleson, Texas

Rachel Jimenez, Burleson High School, daughter of Edward and Loretta Jimenez, The Andy and Narcadean Buckner Biology Scholar Award;

 

Carrollton, Texas

Evan Runyon, R L Turner High School, son of Jonathan and Lisa Runyon, The William H. and Bess Hardwicke Omohundro Foster Award in Music;

 

Colleyville, Texas

Blair Lenhan, South Lake Carroll Senior High School, daughter of Helen and Aaron Sallee, The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship in Classics;

Samantha Smith, Grapevine High School, daughter of Barny and Cindy Smith, The Brittany Danielle Simpson Endowed Scholarship;

 

Collinsville, Texas

Austin Light, Collinsville High School, son of Chip Light of Collinsville, Texas, and Sharon Light of Whitesboro, Texas, The Charles "Bo" Miller Scholar/Athlete Award;

 

Corpus Christi, Texas

Jessica Carlson, Flour Bluff High School, daughter of Jeff and Jacqueline Carlson, The Rev. David A. Sharp Scholarship in Music;

 

Corsicana, Texas

Manasa Karumuri, Corsicana High School, daughter of Satyadev and Amala Karumuri, The John S. and Rachel Heard Fellowship in Religious Studies;

 

Dallas, Texas

Diana Juarez, Townview Center for Education and Social Services, daughter of Conrado and Virginia Juarez, The Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award;

 

Decatur, Texas

Connie Tran, Decatur High School, daughter of Dr. Gene and Yen McDaniel, The Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Erwin Fellowship in Pre-Medical Studies;

Courtney Tran, Decatur High School, daughter of Dr. Gene and Yen McDaniel, The Dr. and Mrs. J.C.Erwin Fellowship in Pre-Medical Studies;

 

Denison, Texas

Catherine Chauncey, Pottsboro High School, daughter of George and Ginger Chauncey, The Peter W. Grayson Fellowship in History;

Nicole Gilliam, daughter of Mary Gilliam, The Virginia Love and Bill Freeman Creativity in Teaching Award;

Jessica Webb, Melissa High School, daughter of Claude and Susie Webb, The Erwin Smith Fellowship in History;

 

Falcon Heights, Texas

Anna Snyder, Roma High School, daughter of Calvin and Debra Snyder, The Margaret Zauk Memorial Fellowship in Music;

 

Flower Mound, Texas

Thao Pham, Lewisville High School, daughter of Duc and Hue Pham, The Dr. Arthur N. Springall Fellowship in Pre-Medical Studies;

 

Fort Worth, Texas

Victoria Briscoe, North Crowley High School, daughter of John and Tina Briscoe, The Scott H. Boyd, M.D., Memorial Scholarship in Psychology;

Kaitlin Elledge, Fort Worth Country Day School, daughter of Mark and Patti Elledge, The Charles "Bo" Miller Scholar/Athlete Award;

Marcus Gomez, South Hills High School, son of U.L. Phillips and Valerie Gomez, The Bernice and Sara Rebecca Honea Fellowship in Teacher Education;

Christopher Hickson, South Hills High School, son of Clarence and Monica Lewis, The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship in Teacher Education;

 

Friendswood, Texas

Erin Slade, Friendswood High School, daughter of Nancy Slade, The Laura H. Shoap Fellowship in Music, The John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship in Languages;

 

Frisco, Texas

Ben Elberson, Grayson County College, son of Kathleen and Ed Elberson, The Bradshaw Fredrick Armendt Fellowship in Chemistry;

Connie Herrera, Wakeland High School, daughter of Elmer and Irma Herrera, The Howard McCarley Biology Student Research Award;

Lucy Li, Wakeland High School, daughter of Ling Shen Liang of Frisco, Texas, and Jing Ming Li of Richardson, Texas, The Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service;

Melanie St. John, Frisco High School, daughter of Todd and Michelle St. John, The Verta Eckman Memorial Fellowship in Music; The Margaret Zauk Memorial Fellowship in Music;

 

Gunter, Texas

Travis Zambiasi, Gunter High School, son of Doug and Donna Zambiasi, The William B. "Bill" Davis Fellowship in Teacher Education;

 

Harrison, Arkansas

Joshua Willis, Oak Grove High School, son of Paul David and Rhonda Willis, The Sig Lawson Memorial Scholarship in Teacher Education;

 

Houston, Texas

Hannah Dyer-Holzhauer, St Agnes Academy, daughter of Eileen Dyer and Paul Holzhauer, Jr., The John Cameron Memorial Scholarship in French;

Meaghan Gomm, Northland Christian High School, daughter of Dale and Rhonda Gomm, The William B. "Bill" Davis Fellowship in Teacher Education;

Nicole Hassumani-Carter, Westwood High School, daughter of Sabrina Hassumani and William E. Carter, The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship in Teacher Education;

Sophia Perrault, Carnegie Vanguard High School, daughter of Larry and Anna Perrault, The Paul W. Beardsley Fellowship in Communication Studies;

Nadeen Siddiqui, Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, daughter of Masoon Balouch, The Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service;

 

Keller, Texas

Amanda Eyer, Keller High School, daughter of Scott and Sandra Eyer, The Thomas W. Folbre, Jr. Fellowship in History;

 

Mesquite, Texas

Chelsea Parker, Dr John Horn High School, daughter of Ron and Amy Parker of Mesquite, Texas, and Matt and Jenell Crane of Quinlan, Texas, The E.H. Black Memorial Scholarship in Teacher Education;

Christina Thomas, Mesquite High School, daughter of Philip and Ammini Thomas, The George L. Landolt Memorial Fellowship in Chemistry; The John S. and Rachel Heard Fellowship in Religious Studies;

 

Mexico City, Mexico

Abraham Menaldo, American School Foundation AC, son of Victor H. Menaldo and Frances Menaldo, The Clara Zauk Binkley and James Binkley Scholarship in Languages;

 

Plano, Texas

Tyler Brannen, Plano Senior High School, son of Tom and Valerie Brannen, The Thomas Edgar and Kathryn Heard Craig Fellowship in Business or Economics;

Neema Dad, Plano East Senior High School, son of Jaleh and Mehdi Dad, The Hanschen Scholarship in Pre-Medical Studies; The Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship in Business or Economics;

Priscilla Lo, Plano West High School, daughter of John and Joyce Lo, The Temple Foundation Endowed Scholarships in Teacher Education;

Komal Mehta, Plano East Senior High School, daughter of Mukesh and Dipti Mehta, The Anne Lorraine Dennis Memorial Fellowship in Chemistry;

Gabriel Montoya, daughter of Gabriel and Gabriela Montoya, The Stephen F. Austin Scholarship in History;

Rija Siddiqui, Plano East Senior High School, daughter of Ishrat and Bina Siddiqui, The Hanschen Scholarship in Pre-Medical Studies;

 

Quinlan, Texas

Chelsea Parker, Dr John Horn High School, daughter of Matt and Jenell Crane of Quinlan, Texas, and Ron and Amy Parker of Mesquite, Texas, The E.H. Black Memorial Scholarship in Teacher Education;

 

Richardson, Texas

Nicole Breckling, Richardson High School, daughter of Stephanie Breckling, The Clara Zauk Binkley and James Binkley Scholarship in Languages;

Lucy Li, Wakeland High School, daughter of Jing Ming Li of Richardson, Texas, and Ling Shen Liang of Frisco, Texas, The Will Mann Richardson Prize for Outstanding Scholarship and Service;

Michael Roos, Plano Senior High School, son of Don and Pam Roos, The Peter W. Grayson Fellowship in History;

 

Rowlett, Texas

Stefanie Faith, Sachse High School, daughter of Sharon Faith, The E.H. Black Memorial Scholarship in Teacher Education;

 

Royse City, Texas

Ernesto Vargas, Royse City High School, son of Antonio Vargas Sr. and Gudelia Vargas, The Grace Collins and Will Collins Scholarship in Business or Economics;

 

Seabrook, Texas

Drew Davee, Clear Lake High School, son of Bob and Lisa Davee, The Dr. Arthur N. Springall Fellowship in Pre-Medical Studies;

 

Sherman, Texas

Carla Khalaf, Sherman High School, daughter of Elias and Marina Khalaf, The Stephen Dudley and Lillie S. Heard Fellowship in Sciences;

Elizabeth Oltman, Sherman High School, daughter of Shelia Abbott, The Bonnie J. Beardsley Fellowship in Communication Studies;

Adani Sanchez, Sherman High School, daughter of Isela Sanchez and Dennis Carter, The Carl B. and Florence E. King Fellowship in Classics;

 

Texarkana, Texas

Jon Payne, Pleasant Grove High School, son of Don and Kelly Payne, The P.S. Wharton Memorial Fellowship in Chemistry;

 

The Woodlands, Texas

Astrid Grouls, The Woodlands College Park High School, daughter of Henk and Yvonne Grouls, The M. D. "Bud" Bryant Fellowship in Biology;

 

Tunis, Tunisia

Zak Kerfai, American Cooperative School of Tunis, son of Dorothy Kniker Kerfai and Abderazak Kerfai, The John Peyton and Mary Louise Shoap Fellowship in Languages;

 

Whitesboro, Texas

Austin Light, Collinsville High School, son of Sharon Light of Whitesboro, Texas, and Chip Light of Collinsville, Texas, The Charles "Bo" Miller Scholar/Athlete Award.

Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges That Change Lives.