Goshen College announces nine President’s Leadership Award recipients for 2007

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College has announced the names of the nine college-bound students chosen to receive its 2007 President’s Leadership Award (PLA), the college’s top merit scholarship.

The PLA recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service in their schools, churches and communities. The award, worth $15,000 per year and $60,000 over four years, is renewable if recipients maintain a 3.2 grade point average during college. Applicants must meet at least two of the following criteria: earn at least a 1270 on the Enhanced SAT or 29 on the ACT; rank in the top 5 percent of their graduating class; record a grade point average of 3.8 or higher on a 4.0 scale; or be a National Merit Semifinalist.

The college received 85 applicants this year who provided information about leadership, involvement and honors in school, work, community, church and volunteer activities. Each candidate was interviewed in February by a team of two teaching faculty members and a current GC student who previously received the PLA. During their visit to campus, each applicant wrote an essay, responding to one of three optional questions, which was then scored by English faculty members. Once all of the scoring was completed, a selection committee then chose the recipients based on the criteria.

The 2007 PLA selections, who will receive the scholarship upon enrollment at Goshen College, include:

Rachel Friesen of Paoli, Ind., daughter of Merlin and Rita Friesen, is graduating from Paoli Junior-Senior High School. She was a National Merit Semifinalist, a National Honor Society member, sophomore class president and a 2005 representative to Indiana Leadership Seminar. She participated in marching band, Drama Club, tennis and the !Explore Theological Program for Youth. She attends Paoli Mennonite Fellowship where she is involved in her youth group.

Chelsea Kaufman of Racine, Wis., daughter of Dennis and Rebecca Kaufman, is graduating from Walden III High School. She was participated in the U.S. Academic Decathlon, environmental initiatives at her high school, the state forensics team, the Kiwanis Chamber Singers, school main stage plays, as a delegate to both the Model Organization of American States and Model United Nations, and as the prose editor for her high school’s literary magazine. Kaufman attends North Suburban Mennonite Church in Libertyville, Ill.

Patrick Maxwell of Harrisonburg, Va., son of Daniel and Joyce Maxwell, graduated from Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, Kenya, where his parents were missionaries. He was a National Merit Finalist and received a number of awards of recognition for his academic and theater achievements from his high school and the Association of Christian Schools International.

Miriam McAuley of Kijabe, Kenya, daughter of missionaries Ralph and Linda McAuleys, is graduating from Rift Valley Academy, where she was involved with managing soccer, basketball and volleyball, a big brother/big sister program and an outreach Bible study. She attends Trinity Presbyterian Church in Aledo, Ill., where she is involved with the worship team.

Kelly Miller of Harrisonburg, Va., daughter of Lawrence and Ellen Miller, is graduating from Harrisonburg High School. She has taken piano lessons for 10 years and been involved in school musicals, tennis, the Young Democrats, the honors choir and the school newspaper. Miller attends Shalom Mennonite Church, where she led worship and was on the worship committee.

Jennifer Speight of Cleveland, Ohio, daughter of William and Karen Speight, is graduating from Jane Addams Business Careers Center, where she was involved in the Environmental Club, Student Council as secretary and president, and Key Club as secretary and president. Speight attends Friendship Mennonite Church in Bedford Heights, Ohio, and was a member of the church youth group, a nursery worker and an usher.

Brian Waidelich of Wauseon, Ohio, son of John and Sherri Waidelich, is graduating from Pettisville High School, where he was president of the senior class, editor of the school newspaper and leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has participated in theater, band, pep band, choir, men’s choir, academic quiz team, Spanish Club, soccer and baseball. Waidelich attends West Clinton Mennonite Church where he is a leader in the youth group, on the praise band, in the men’s chorus and a song leader.

Noah Weaverdyck of Ann Arbor, Mich., son of Curtis and Shelly Weaverdyck, is graduating from Pioneer High School, where he was a National Merit Semifinalist and in the National Honor Society. He participated in the school’s film society, comedy troupe and French Club. Weaverdyck attends Shalom Community Church where he is involved in the youth group, on the service-outreach committee and an usher.

Ana Yoder of Nairobi, Kenya, daughter of missionaries Kevin and Sharon Yoder, is graduating from Rosslyn Academy, where she was president of the National Honor Society, captain of the basketball team, most valuable player in soccer and a team leader for the worship team. She played keyboard in the orchestra and piano accompaniment, and was a class representative. Yoder attends Olive Mennonite Church in Elkhart, Ind.

Editors: For more information about this release, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

###

Goshen College, established in 1894, is a residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News and World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.