Goshen College announces 15 President’s Leadership Award recipients for 2006

GOSHEN, Ind. – Goshen College has announced the names of the 15 college-bound students chosen to receive its 2006 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 $12,000 per year and $48,000 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 a record 92 applicants this year, and among them 16 students scored 1400 or above on the SAT; 10 scored 32 or above on the ACT; 3.93 is the average grade point average; 19 are valedictorians; and they come from 23 different states or countries.

Each application is measured on its own merit and is not categorized by gender, geography, high school or congregation or denomination represented. Applicants provide information about leadership, involvement and honors in school, work, community, church and volunteer activities, and submit an essay to Goshen College on the topic of Christ-centered servant leadership. Each candidate was interviewed in February by a team of two faculty members and a current student who previously received the PLA, who also review the student’s application and submit scoring based on a predetermined scale used by all panelists. The applications of the top scorers from that round are then passed without names or other personal information to the GC Enrollment Committee, which finalizes the list of top candidates.

The 2006 PLA selections, who will receive the scholarship upon enrollment at Goshen College, include:

Kathryn Birky of Glenn, Mich., daughter of Curtis and Jean Birky, is graduating from Saugatuck High School where she has received top student awards in Spanish, biology, geometry and physics. She has also received the Sketchbook Award and the Presidents Education Award. Because of her talents Kathryn was asked by Senator Patty Birkholz to attend The First Annual Great Lakes Restoration Conference as a Youth Ambassador. She also volunteered for the United Nations Children’s Conference.

Rebecca Garofano of Syracuse, N.Y., daughter of Mark and Sheryl Garofano, is graduating from Westhill Senior High School. Rebecca is part of the French National Honor Society, plays clarinet in numerous jazz and wind ensembles, writes for her school’s literary magazine and painted a mural for the prenatal center at University Hospital near her home. She has also participated in Little Lambs Ministry in Udatzy, Ukraine; and Youth for Understanding in Hiroshima, Japan.

Alison Gotwals of Telford, Pa., daughter of Brent and Julie Gotwals, is graduating from Souderton Area High School. She has built houses for families in need through Habitat for Humanity, and repaired homes for low-income families in Kentucky through Sharing with Appalachian People. She is a tennis player and instructor for mentally and physically handicapped students. She is involved in Russian Club, the Principal’s Student Advisory Council, is captain of her tennis and soccer teams and is a leader in her church youth group.

Vanessa Hershberger of Cedar Falls, Iowa, daughter of Marc and June Hershberger, is graduating from Northern University High School where she was a member of National Honor Society, student council, the NU singers, a select choir, and the chamber orchestra. In addition to her involvement in school, Vanessa is involved in church activities by leading worship, playing in the worship band and participating in service projects with her youth group. In the summer of 2005, Vanessa participated in !Explore, a pastoral internship through Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

Russell Horst of Dillon, Mont., son of Randall and Laura L. Horst, is graduating from Beaverhead County High School where he was a member of the National Honor Society and editor of the school newspaper. He is youth elder at First Presbyterian Church, a member of the Worship Committee and the church choir. Russell participated in his high school choir, band and pep band. He was in All State and All Northwest honors music ensembles with tuba and voice. He plays fiddle and is a member of the Dillon Junior Fiddlers. Russell has studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, and Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy.

Kristina (Arienne) Johnson of Archbold, Ohio, daughter of Mike and Barb Johnson, is graduating from Archbold High School where she is a member of the National Honor Society, a member of the Company, the high school show choir, and a member of a vocal jazz ensemble. Arienne also played tennis and works as an assistant dance instructor. She received the Art Student of the Year award and is involved in her youth group.

Joel King of Goshen, son of Rod and Sandra King, is graduating from Bethany Christian High School where he has played tennis, basketball and baseball. He is also involved in Jubilate Singers, a quartet “The Incredibles” and the Rotary Club. Joel is also involved in his church’s youth group. He was named the Burger King/WSBT student athlete of the week.

Andrea Kraybill of Elkhart, Ind., daughter of J. Nelson and Ellen Kraybill, is graduating from Bethany Christian High School where she sings in the Cornerstone Singers, the Jubilate Singers and is very involved in theater. Andrea is also her high schools yearbook editor and a member of Key Club. She plays the piano and is involved in her church youth group.

Rachel Lehman of Lancaster, Pa., daughter of Wayne and Sheryl Lehman, graduated from Lancaster Mennonite School last year. She was a member of the National Honor Society, part of the student council, played flute in the pit orchestra for school musicals and won the Scholastic Silver Key in ceramics. She has also participated in a Witness for Peace delegation to Nicaragua, and completed a year of service in Philippi, W.Va., through the Service Adventure program.

Jordan Miller of Lakewood, Colo., son of Mark and Debbie Miller, is graduating from Green Mountain High School where he played soccer and tennis, is involved in student government and is assistant editor of the yearbook. Jordan is also a member of National Honor Society, member of Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the founder of Badminton Club. He is active in his church youth group.

Breanna Nickel of Windsor, Colo., daughter of Donovan and Jewel Nickel, is graduating from Windsor High School where she plays tennis, is a member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club and the French Club. She is a National Merit Finalist and plays violin in the youth orchestra of the Rockies. Breanna is involved in her church youth group.

Kathryn Schlabach of Turner, Ore., daughter of Roger and Kendra Schlabach, is graduating from Cascade High School, is worship leader at Mt. View Wesleyan Church, president of her school’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes, captain of her school softball team and is the flute section leader in her school’s concert band. She has also played soccer and basketball and is a Red Cross volunteer

Joseph Smith of Muncie, Ind., son of Stan and Carolyn Smith, is graduating from Indiana Academy for Science where he participated in the track, cross country and wrestling teams. He received the Leadership-Athlete award in cross country and is part of the National Honors Society. He volunteered for La Casa Help-a-House and the Discovering Opportunity for Outreach and Reflection in Chicago.

Jonathan Spicher of Mountville, Pa., son of James and Carol Spicher, is graduating from Lancaster Mennonite School. He has traveled to Nicaragua on a Witness for Peace delegation, to Honduras on a Work and Learn Team and to Jamaica on a service tour with Habitat for Humanity. He is also a part of his school’s volleyball team, Ultimate Frisbee Club and Backpacking Club. He has helped design and build a teen center for a local library through his local Eagle Scout chapter.

Luke Yoder of Elkhart, Ind., son of Ray and Beth Yoder, is graduating from Elkhart Memorial High School where he plays percussion for the jazz band, orchestra and pit orchestra. He is a member of the student council and is also part of the Superintendent-Student Advisory Council. Luke is also part of the Pastor-Evaluation Committee at his church. He is president of the National Honor Society and he volunteered for the Big Brother/Big Sister program and Salvation Army.

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

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year 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.