All four will receive their scholarship checks, $1,000 apiece, at the Grissom Scholarship Banquet at Sultan’s Run Golf Course on June 24. The scholarship and the banquet are sponsored by the local Purdue Alumni Club.
The four scholars graduated from their respective high schools in May, and will begin freshman studies on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus in August.
Across the next few days, we will present a quick sketch
of each honoree.
Hannah Burgess
As the No.-two-ranking senior of J.H.S.’s class of 2010, HAN- NAH BURGESS tries harder. The effort has served her well:
She is only two months from beginning six years that will make
her a Purdue pharmacist in 2016. The salutatorian wrapped up
her Jasper career with a weighted GPA of 4.522.
Why Purdue?
“I was on the campus for Scho- lars’ Day, in January,” explained Hannah. “That’s when I learned about an international study program that will give me an opportunity to spend a year in Kenya. That’s what got my attention. And for the rest of the day, the campus, the facilities, the people – everything – really just blew me away. After that day, I was sure I wanted to go to Purdue. Now, it's almost time to get started.”
As soon as she arrives on campus, she will begin looking for any number of extracurricular activities to keep her entertained. Dance, Math Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Nessie Club occupied much of her “free” time at J.H.S. Similar pursuits are in her Purdue plans.
After Purdue and after Kenya, Hannah will set her sights on a residency in a hospital, probably in a large city on this side of the ocean. Look for Hannah, ultimately, in the field of pediatric pharmacy.
Tyler Jenkins
Long before TYLER JENKINS took possession of his J.H.S. diploma, he had set his mind on four years at Purdue and a degree in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. With lift-off only two months away, his dream is about to become reality. Although he admits to a degree of inexperience in the cockpit,
he dreams BIG.
“Beyond Purdue, I’ll work for NASA may- be, or Boeing. Right now, I’m just diving in. I’m sure that eventually I’ll find something specific that interests me.”Taking a quick step back, one could call Tyler a globetrotter considering his years in Taiwan, North Carolina and, most recently, Atlanta. The family traded Atlanta for Jasper in 2002. So when and why did Purdue enter the mix?
“I realized I wanted to go into engineering, and I began seriously considering Purdue two years ago. I went to a football camp there a year ago, and everything has kinda fallen into place." A weighted GPA of 4.323 at J.H.S. helped make several major decisions considerably easier.
Tyler understands that as an aeronautical engineer, a background in airplanes, jets or next-generation space shuttles could only be a benefit. He is ready to begin pilot training as soon as the curricu- lum calls for it. How does a non-pilot become interested in flying after eighteen years on the ground?
“Aviation has interested me my whole life,” said Tyler, “so I decided to just do it. I think it’s fascinating that something so large can fly.” Wheels Up, Tyler!
Molly Johnson
As a NE Dubois Jeep, Molly was President of her senior class. She filled her spare time with commitments to Academic Bowl, All-Stars, the Beta Club, Future Farmers of America, Spanish Club, Spell Bowl, track and 4-H. She might be a Jeep forever, but “I have Boilermaker blood, bred and born a Boilermaker,” she recently admitted. Already, she and her family have logged many trips and thousands of miles on the Jasper-West Lafayette trek for football games, FFA events, Spell Bowl and others. There will be many more.
Upon arriving on campus in August, Molly will go straight into Purdue’s pre-vet curriculum. She expects to have her D.V.M. degree in 2016. What then?
“I plan on coming back here, to Dubois County, and working here until dad retires. Then, maybe I’ll buy the practice… keep it in the family.
“I’ve been ready for this for a long time!” she said last week. “I’m ready to get started!”
Justin Wendholt
“My brother goes to Purdue, and I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.” For that reason, let us give credit to brother Jason for inspiring JUSTIN WENDHOLT to choose Purdue for his first college degree. A month ago, Justin wrapped up his high-school years with a diploma from Forest Park H.S. In August, he’ll take his first steps toward a degree in health sciences. His long-range goal is a career as a chiropractor.
Expect success: Wendholt compiled a 3.975 GPA at Forest Park, and did it while staying plenty busy with extracurricular activities. He was a member of the Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and earned letters in Ranger Football and Baseball. Had F.P.H.S. awarded letters for time served on student council, Justin would have won there, too: He was President of his class across all four years of high school.
FOR THE SIXTEENTH TIME, the Club has honored an impressive crop of Grissom Scholars. They will be the focal points of the Club’s scholarship banquet on the 24th. At 1 p.m., however, golf- ers will ply the fairways, hazards and slopes of Sultan’s Run. As a reward to all challengers, the Club will put several cash prizes up for grabs: Low gross, low net and probably a longest drive or two will serve as rewards for the best of the best.
Golfers of all skill levels are invited to help make the day enjoyable and successful. Money raised throughout the day will fund next year’s Grissom Scholarships. Anyone who plays the game with a “standard” foursome, any golfer who more often plays solo, the Purdue Club wants ALL! If you have no foursome, directors will find one for you. ALL golfers are Welcome among us!
For more information, please contact Classic Chairman Craig Knies at ph.: 634-1635; E-mail: c.knies@insightbb.com.
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