Contact: Sammy McDavid
Top row, left, Presidential Scholars Adrienne Bottom, Grant Chandler, Kristina Moore,
Bottom row, left, Presidential Scholars Jennifer Rupinski and Mandy Wallace Schillig Scholar, Alex McIntosh
Four high school students from Mississippi and two from Alabama are the newest selections for Mississippi State's top scholarships.
Five will be Presidential Endowed Scholars; the other, an Ottilie Schillig Leadership Scholar. All are ranked at the top of their respective senior classes.
The Presidential Scholars include Adrienne Bottom of New Hope, Grant Chandler of Athens, Ala., Kristina Moore of Biloxi, Jennifer Rupinski of Homewood, Ala., and Mandy Wallace of Jackson.
Alex McIntosh of Brandon is this year's Schillig Scholar, a family honor now being shared with his sister Kate, a senior communication major.
Each scholar 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 125-year-old land-grant institution.
"Their achievements in the classrooms and in various leadership activities brought them these honors," said MSU President Emeritus Donald W. Zacharias, coordinator of the Presidential Scholars program and mentor to the Schillig Society.
"Everyone on the scholarship selection committee is excited about having them join the Mississippi State family," Zacharias added. "We are confident they will contribute to the university and continue their academic and leadership development in an outstanding manner."
MSU Presidential Scholars work with individual faculty mentors on research or other projects related to their particular field of study. The five new members join nine current scholars in a special program supported by separate endowments from several private donors.
The Schillig scholarship program was established in 1986 through a donation from the private Ottilie Schillig Trust of Port Gibson. McIntosh will be among more than 20 members of the Schillig Society, which offers a variety of extracurricular enhancements, including regular meetings with leaders in industry, government, education, and business.
Biographical information on the 2003-04 Presidential Scholars:
Adrienne Bottom, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Bottom, is ranked first in a class of 177 at New Hope High School, where she also is a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She is secretary of the Senior Beta Club and a former team captain at the Mississippi Governor's School. She also is captain of the high school band and an active member of the Teenage Republicans chapter. Bottom plans to major in aerospace engineering.
Grant Chandler, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Chandler, is ranked third in a class of 205 at Athens High School, where he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed." A member of the National Honor Society and Science and Spanish clubs, he has been recognized for outstanding work at the United States Army and Missile Command's Redstone Arsenal at Huntsville. When not in class, he plays snare drum and serves as a section leader in the high school marching band. Chandler plans to major in mechanical engineering.
Kristina Moore, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Moore, is ranked first in a class of 203 at D'Iberville High School, where she serves as president of the student council and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. She also is treasurer of the Beta Club and co-captain of the varsity basketball and softball teams. While at DHS, she has been honored with a Daughters of the American Revolution Patriotism and Good Citizenship Award, and a Sports Medicine Leadership Award. She plans to major in biological engineering.
Jennifer Rupinski, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Rupinski, is ranked second in a class of 205 at John Carroll High School, where she also is a National Merit Scholarship finalist. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Latin Club and Mu Alpha Theta national mathematics honor society. She has served as captain of the Scholars Bowl and Science Olympiad competitions. When not in class, she is a cartoonist for the school newspaper and a member of the cross-country track team. Rupinski plans to major in biological sciences.
Mandy Wallace, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wallace, is ranked sixth in a class of 200 at Terry High School, where she also is a National Merit Scholarship finalist and the school's STAR Student. She is captain of the varsity cheerleader squad, as well as a member of the Chamber Choir and Girls' Sextet. She was selected to represent THS at the Hough O'Brian National Leadership Conference. Wallace plans to major in biochemistry.
Biographical information on the 2003-04 Schillig Scholar
Alex McIntosh, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David McIntosh, is ranked in the top 2 percent of his class of 270 at Northwest Rankin High School, where he also is a National Merit Scholarship finalist and the school's STAR Student. He is president of the Beta Club, co-president of student government, vice president of Mu Alpha Theta national mathematics honor society, secretary of the Key Club, and assistant editor of the school newspaper. He also is captain of the baseball team. For his achievements, McIntosh has been honored with the Principal's Award for Outstanding Leadership. He plans to major in either biological engineering or biochemistry.
NEWS EDITORS/DIRECTORS: For additional information on the scholars, telephone Sheila Coleman at (662) 325-2559.