MSU awards top academic scholarships to high school seniors

Contact: Maridith Geuder

High school students from the Northeast, Central and Gulf Coast areas of the state are the newest selections for Mississippi State's top academic scholarships.

Five will be Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholars, while three are Presidential Endowed Scholars. Entering freshmen for the 2002-03 school year, all are graduating with perfect or near-perfect grade point averages.

The Schillig group includes Bahar Adeli of Starkville; Cory B. Carter and Jonathan D. Cole, both of Brandon; Claire L. Fellman of Ocean Springs; and Amy C. Wilkinson of Clinton.

Jared P. Fisher of Pascagoula, Peter J. Gilbert of Starkville and Robert R. Stranghoener of Jackson are the new Presidential Scholars.

Each receives a total of $34,000, which is approximately the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, and books for four years of study at the Starkville land-grant institution.

"These students represent many of the finest young people in Mississippi," said MSU president emeritus Donald W. Zacharias, coordinator of the Presidential scholarship program. He also is the new Schillig Society mentor.

"These young men and women have excelled in academics and in leadership roles," Zacharias added. "They are tributes to the excellent teaching and advising in our secondary schools. Each will receive many new opportunities at Mississippi State to achieve the next level of success."

Now in its 15th year, the Schillig scholarship program was established in 1986 through a donation from the private Ottilie Schillig Trust of Port Gibson. The latest Schillig Scholars will join the nearly 30 other members of the Schillig Society, which offers a variety of extracurricular enhancements, including regular meetings with leaders in industry, government, education, and business.

MSU Presidential Scholars work with individual faculty mentors on research or other projects related to their particular field of study. Their awards are supported by separate endowments created by several private university donors.

Biographical information on the Schillig Scholars:

--Bahar Adeli ranks first in her class at Starkville High School, where she is president of the National Honor Society, Key Club and Environmentalist's Society. She has volunteered for community organizations ranging from Habitat for Humanity to the Humane Society. Adeli, who plans to major in biological engineering, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ardeshir Adeli.

--National Merit Scholar Cory Carter is second in his class at Jackson Academy, where he has been a member of the school's Honor Applied Research Program that conducts cancer research at the Veterans Administration Hospital. He also has been head football team manager, head member of the school's show choir band and captain of the school's 2002 Quiz Bowl team. Carter, who plans to major in biological engineering, is the son of Dr. Ralph Carter and Janice Carter.

--Jonathan Cole ranks fifth in his class at Northwest Rankin High School, where he has served as student body president. He also has been vice president of the National Beta Club and news editor of his high school paper. Chairman of the Teenage Republicans chapter, he has been an active volunteer with the state Republican Party and a variety of church projects, including the First Baptist Church Youth Council. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Cole, he has not yet decided on a major.

--National Merit Scholar Claire Fellman is sixth in her class at Ocean Springs High School. Among her school activities are the National Honor Society, concert percussion ensemble, golf team, and marching and concert bands. She volunteers both as a "candy striper" at the local hospital and a technician's assistant for a local veterinarian. Fellman, who plans to major in biological engineering, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Fellman.

--National Merit Scholar Amy Wilkinson is second in her Clinton High School class. She is National Honor Society chapter president and a member of student council and Junior Classical League. She has been a three-year starter with the volleyball team, serving as team captain her senior year. She also volunteers for the local United Way, Adopt-A-Family program and the Blair E. Batson Children's Hospital. Wilkinson, who has not yet decided on a major, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Wilkinson.

--National Achievement Scholar Jared Fisher is first in his class at Pascagoula High School. In addition to membership in the Junior Civitans and National Honor Society, he has been a Boys State delegate and a member of his school's scholars bowl. He has volunteered with the community soup kitchen and Christmas Angels project. Fisher, who plans to major in civil engineering, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Fisher.

--Peter Gilbert, a National Merit Scholar, is a graduate of the Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. While earlier attending Starkville High School, he was a member of the high school band and tennis team. In addition to scoring in the top 1 percent in physics and top 2 percent in mathematics in statewide academic competition, he achieved the highest score in MSMS's 2001 American Math Competition. Gilbert, who plans to major in computer science, is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Jerry Gilbert.

--National Merit scholar Robert Stranghoener is graduating from Jackson Preparatory School with a 4.5 grade-point average (out of a possible 5). He is a member of the school's Junior Engineering and Technical Society, National Honor Society and quiz bowl. He also has been recognized for achievement in art. Stranghoener, who plans to major in electrical engineering, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Randy Stranghoener.