Christopher A. Baker Schaumburg High School

Hometown: Schaumburg

Parents: Kurt and Kathy Baker

Sponsor: Darrell Robin, English teacher

Class rank: 1 out of 603

GPA: 5.11 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 32

College: Caltech or University of Illinois

Planned major: Electrical engineering

Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction Award; IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award 2009, 2010; Dist. 211 Academic Scholar

Personal statement: "I am fascinated by electronics. I hope to lead research in the development of advanced computer and electronic technologies. I began teaching myself about computer hardware my freshman year by assembling my own computer. I learned all the parts in a standard computer and their roles in making the computer work as well as how changes would affect the overall performance."

Sponsor's endorsement: "He will always carry the desire to learn. He will enhance and improve the lives of others regardless of which specific teams recruit him."

Graduation photos - Schaumburg High School

Aakash Bavishi Hoffman Estates High School

Hometown: Hoffman Estates

Parents: Amit and Aesha Bavishi

Sponsor: Heidi Davey, teacher

Class rank: 1 out of 523

GPA: 5.143 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34; SAT 2240

College: Northwestern University, University of Chicago

Planned major: Chemical engineering

Awards, honors: American Cancer Society research program intern; National Spanish Exam Level 3, Level 4 school high scorer; Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago summer research intern

Personal statement: "Challenges are inevitable. Character developed in Boy Scouts will help overcome them (and) drive me to improve the lives of cancer patients. Einstein said, 'Most people say it is the intellect which makes a great scientist. They are wrong: it is character.' It is this character, not accolades or grades, that anchors my journey."

Sponsor's endorsement: "He is willing to do what many top ranked students will not, ask legitimate questions. He brings up things that trouble him, or that he finds interesting. This starts the group down the road of sincere academic discourse."

Graduation photos - Hoffman Estates High School

Jonathon Graven Prospect High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Tracey Graven and Lee Graven

Sponsor: Lynn Thornton, counselor

Class rank: 1st out of 566

GPA: 5.69 on a weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35

College: University of Illinois at Urbana

Planned major: Mathematics, physics

Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; two-time AMC12 school winner; division orals champion

Personal statement: "The service act that most influenced my goals and helped to focus my intentions was the Ron Santo JDRF Walk. I joined my friend to support his battle against juvenile diabetes years ago, and have returned at every opportunity because of the awe-inspiring dedication of the program. Seeing so many people coming together to fight a disease that affects millions of children made me realize I need to do my part."

Sponsor's endorsement: "He is one of those rare individuals who can do most anything with excellence. He can tackle the toughest curriculum and end up with a number one ranking. He can also take on strong membership in athletics and math team, excelling in both. He is passionate about learning."

Graduation photos - Prospect High School

Kathryn Hasz Schaumburg High School

Hometown: Schaumburg

Parents: Pam and Russ Hasz

Sponsor: Mary Lopez, social studies teacher

Class rank: 5 out of 603

GPA: 4.8890 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2250

College: Oberlin College, Macalester College or Illinois Wesleyan

Planned major: Undecided

Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National Council of Teachers of English writing award; AP Scholar with Honor

Personal statement: "In my lifetime, I hope to help people who face the types of illnesses that lead them to self-destructive behaviors. Depression, self-injury, eating disorders - all cause harm to the victim and to surrounding family members and friends. I hope to find a way to better the current treatments and lessen the horrible effects."

Sponsor's endorsement: "She is modest and hard working, which combined with her innate academic skill makes her an exceptional individual. I'm not sure how many students like her I will encounter - she has all the skills requisite to succeed at any challenge and the work ethic to actually do so."

Graduation photos - Schaumburg High School

Daniel Malsom Wheeling High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Mike and Diane Malsom

Sponsor: Rick Watson, counselor

Class rank: Shares 1st with 3 others; out of 487

GPA: 5.0 on a 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2320

College: University of Illinois, Urbana

Planned major: Environmental engineering; environmental science

Awards, honors: Provost and Matthews scholarships from University of Illinois

Personal statement: "My environmental roots lie in the firm, sound soil of natural curiosity and out-in-the-field conservation work, and I will fortify those traits with a more problem-solving, tinkering, building and design-oriented education. My passion: Conserving resources and preserving Earth's natural beauty so everyone can appreciate and respect the time they spend in nature."

Sponsor's endorsement: "I have never known a student who has earned the level of respect Dan has from the entire student body as well as the faculty. Whatever track he takes, he wants to commit himself to improving the environment either as an engineer or scientist."

Graduation photos - Wheeling High School

Paul Organ Hoffman Estates High School

Hometown: Hoffman Estates

Parents: Anne and Jim Organ

Sponsor: Cathy Loh, science teacher

Class rank: 5 out of 523

GPA: 4.9842 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2260

College: George Washington, Georgetown or Boston U.

Planned major: International affairs

Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; Goethe Institute of Chicago Excellence in German Award; ICTM State Math Contest qualifier

Personal statement: "I plan to combine my passions for service and math with my interest in politics and international affairs in (order) to lead an exciting and meaningful life. New technologies will continue to drastically change the way we live, and international relations is a field where this will be especially true."

Sponsor's endorsement: "Academically, he is one of the top five students I have ever encountered. He is that rare student who sees the world from a higher vantage point than others. His world is bigger. He works independently as a matter of course. He likes to be challenged continuously, and does better with more difficult material."

Graduation photos - Hoffman Estates High School

Catherine Park John Hersey High School

Hometown: Mount Prospect

Parents: Kirk and Heasun Park

Sponsor: James Miks, English teacher

Class rank: Tied for 1st out of 513

GPA: 5.69 on a weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34; SAT 2240

College: University of Chicago, UIC or Northwestern

Planned major: Biochemistry

Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Honor, National Merit Scholar

Sponsor's endorsement: "(When) her grandfather became ill, 4-year-old Catherine told him, 'I am going to grow up and fix you - so we can live together forever.' She told me the story because I asked her to explain her intellectual drive. High marks matter to her, but they do not compare to the knowledge she hopes to acquire to become a doctor."

Personal statement: I have never lost sight of what is most important to me: my family. Yet my desire to become a doctor has never changed. To this day, my grandfather calls from (Korea) to ask me the question he has never forgotten: "Do you remember the promise you made to me years ago?" How could I forget? It was the first promise I had ever made in my life.

Graduation photos - John Hersey High School

Parth Patel Conant High School

Hometown: Elk Grove Village

Parents: Hitesh and Nita Patel

Sponsor: Matt Wiley, counselor

Class rank: One of 3 tied for 1st, among class of 672

GPA: 5.0636 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34; SAT 2190

College: UIC, GPPA Medicine program

Planned major: Biochemistry

Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Commended Scholar; Illinois State Scholar

Personal statement: "My social and academic accomplishments at high school thus far have shaped my path toward my future life goals: Not only to become a caring physician, but also to become a sociable, well-rounded individual. These accomplishments have taught me valuable lessons that I will be able to imbibe in my life."

Sponsor's endorsement: "I find Parth to be personable, intelligent, driven and all-around impressive. He is always a pleasure to talk with and his questions are pertinent and goal-driven. The student's unassuming attitude is the model of modesty and leadership for both student and faculty alike."

Graduation photos - Conant High School

Arjun Puranik Fremd High School

Hometown: Palatine

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Ranganath Puranik

Sponsor: Matt Zimolzak, science teacher

Class rank: 1 out of 747

GPA: 5.2382 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2380

College: Stanford, Harvard or MIT

Major: Math; computer science

Awards, honors: Intel Science Talent Search finalist; Research Science Institute scholar; USA Math Olympiad qualifier all 4 years

Personal statement: "I try to keep in mind that it is my responsibility and overreaching goal to try to help people, and, in my case, I want to ... link my academic interest in math and science to something of value to people - be it our understanding of economics or a direct benefit to human health."

Sponsor's endorsement: "He stood out early, not just for his academic achievements, but also for his high level of maturity and love for learning. He is not interested only in the grade; he sincerely strives for an understanding of concepts. This is the main reason why he is so special and such a favorite of mine."

Graduation photos - Fremd High School

Natasha Thondavadi Barrington High School

Hometown: Barrington

Parents: Dr. & Mrs. Nandu and Paru Thondavadi

Sponsor: Jill Argall, guidance counselor

Class rank: 1 out of 725

GPA: 4.733 on a weighted 4.0 scale.

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2320

College: Yale, Princeton or Harvard

Planned major: Greek, Latin literature

Awards, honors: National Latin Exam - Maureen O'Donnell Book Award for 4 Consecutive Gold Medals; Top scorer, Illinois Latin Exam; National AP Scholar

Personal statement: "To me, accomplishments are less about tangible goals than they are an expression of passion. Awards can be earned and competitions won, but these things matter only in the context of how they relate to who I am and what I care about. Since sixth grade, this has been Latin."

Sponsor's endorsement: "She is truly among the best and brightest I have ever encountered. To have the highest GPA in a class of 725 students, a perfect ACT score and to already have perfect scores on nine different AP tests is amazing. Despite choosing our most rigorous curriculum, I do not think she has yet been pushed to her academic limit."

Graduation photos - Barrington High School

Zach Bakal Barrington High School

Hometown: South Barrington

Parents: Debra Bakal and Jeffrey Bakal

Sponsor: Laura Beacom, college counselor

Class rank: 2nd out of 680

GPA: 4.708 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2360

College: Yale University

Planned major: Ethics, politics and economics

Awards, honors: A Scholar with Distinction; National Merit Scholar; four-time National Latin Exam gold medalist

Graduation photos - Barrington High School

Brian Bourn Rolling Meadows High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Ron and Diane Bourn

Sponsor: Katie Page, physics teacher

Class rank: 2nd out of 446

GPA: 5.69 on weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 36; SAT 2190

College: University of Southern California

Planned major: Business administration

Awards, honors: U.S. Presidential Scholar; Physics Student of the Year from the Illinois Association of Physics Teachers; AP Scholar with Distinction

Graduation photos - Rolling Meadows High School

Clare Burke St. Viator High School

Hometown: Barrington

Parents: Christine and Andrew Burke

Sponsor: Eileen Manno, principal

Class rank: 1st out of 265

GPA: 103.96 on a weighted 100/100 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: University of Notre Dame

Planned major: Pre-med/biology

Awards, honors: Class of 2010 Valedictorian; three-year St. Viator English Department Award recipient and St. Viator Science Department Award recipient sophomore year

Graduation photos - St. Viator High School

Meaghan Deegan Palatine High School

Hometown: Palatine

Parents: Mary and Larry Deegan

Sponsor: Mike Campbell, AP Calculus teacher

Class rank: 2nd out of 648

GPA: 5.0117 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2210

College: Dartmouth College

Planned major: Neuroscience or mathematics

Awards, honors: AP Scholar with Honors; Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award; National Merit Commended Scholar

Graduation photos - Palatine High School

Nicole Delaney Buffalo Grove High School

Hometown: Buffalo Grove

Parents: Marlene Delaney

Sponsor: Maxine Levy, counselor

Class rank: 1st out of 473

GPA: 5.69 on weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2340

College: University of Wisconsin-Madison

Planned major: Political science

Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist; National Honor Society President; AP Scholar with Distinction

Graduation photos - Buffalo Grove High School

Jermaine Dictado Bartlett High School

Hometown: Bartlett

Parents: Faustino and Marie Gina Dictado

Sponsor: Tom VanBooven, guidance counselor

Class rank: 1st out of 635

GPA: 4.863 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Loyola University

Planned major: Biological sciences

Awards, honors: Illinois State Leadership Conference - State Finalist, 1st place Medical Math; National Leadership Conference - Nationals Finalist, 10th place Medical Math; Worldwide Youth Science and Engineering - Regionals, 2nd place English

Graduation photos - Bartlett High School

Ashley Doody East Leyden High School

Hometown: Schiller Park

Parents: Terry and Melba Doody

Sponsor: Bryan Miller, music department chairman

Class rank: 2nd out of 424

GPA: 4.4528

Test scores: ACT 32

College: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Wheaton College

Planned major: Math or music

Awards, honors: Leyden High School Top Ten Percent Award, Helen St. John Award in music and physical education, certificate in math and the Fern Award in Music

Graduation photos - East Leyden High School

Stephanie Doong* Stevenson High School

Hometown: Kildeer

Parents: Shain-Jer Doong, Shwu-ing Chen

Sponsor: Melissa Mack, English teacher

Class rank: 2nd out of 1,092

GPA: 4.7882 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2320

College: Stanford University, University of Illinois at Urbana

Planned major: Engineering

Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National AP Scholar; American Invitational Mathematics Exam qualifier 2009, 2010

Graduation photos - Stevenson High School

Anna Galusza East Leyden High School

Hometown: Schiller Park

Parents: Jan and Lucyna Galusza

Sponsor: Heather Shannon, school counselor

Class rank: 4th out of 424

GPA: 4.4902

Test scores: ACT 35

College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, DePaul University, University of California-Berkeley

Planned major: Mathematics and computer science

Awards, honors: Outstanding Career and Technical Education Student; perfect attendance, seven semesters; earned a Polish High School graduation diploma

Graduation photos - East Leyden High School

Aaron Goone* Stevenson High School

Hometown: Buffalo Grove

Parents: Linda and Michael Goone

Sponsor: Melissa Mack, English teacher

Class rank: 1st out of 1,092

GPA: 4.8022 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2270

College: Dartmouth College

Planned major: Economics, Spanish language

Awards, honors: National Merit finalist; National AP Scholar; Gold Honor Roll all through high school

Graduation photos - Stevenson High School

Rachel Hunt Prospect High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Jeff and Peggy Hunt

Sponsor: Dr. Lynn Thornton, counselor

Class rank: 5th out of 566

GPA: 5.63 on a weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34; SAT 2200

College: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Case Western Reserve University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Planned major: Biological engineering

Awards, honors: National Merit Commended Scholar, Illinois State Scholar and an AP Scholar

Graduation photos - Prospect High School

Ethan Husak Elk Grove High School

Hometown: Des Plaines

Parents: Dan and Kathy Husak

Sponsor: Peter Wang, physics teacher

Class rank: 1st out of 473

GPA: 5.66 on a weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35

College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Marquette University

Planned major: Computer engineering, electrical engineering

Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, Illinois State Scholar, National Merit commended scholar and AP Scholar

Graduation photos - Elk Grove High School

Richard Hutyra St. Viator High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Waldemar and Eva Hutyra

Sponsor: Eileen Manno, principal

Class rank: 2nd out of 265

GPA: 102.84 on a weighted 100/100 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: U.S. Naval Academy, Webb Institute, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Planned major: Aerospace engineering or naval architecture

Awards, honors: 2006 IHSA State Science Fair Best-in-Category in Engineering - Senior High School Division; American Association of Physics Teachers 2009 Outstanding Student of the Year award; National Merit Commended Scholar

Graduation photos - St. Viator High School

Kelly Killpack Conant High School

Hometown: Elk Grove Village

Parents: Susan and Tim Fahy and David Killpack

Sponsor: Kathy O'Dell, school counselor

Class rank: 1st out of 672

GPA: 4.0 on traditional 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 29

College: DePauw University

Planned major: Psychology or communications

Awards, honors: National Honor Society; four-year Straight "A" Honor Roll member; Illinois State and Presidential Scholar

Graduation photos - Conant High School

Kaitlin Leopold Lake Zurich High School

Hometown: Hawthorn Woods

Parents: Andrew and Barbara Leopold

Sponsor: Kaye Polakoff, guidance counselor

Class rank: 3rd out of 549

GPA: 4.4953 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34

College: University of Iowa, Tulane or Georgia Institute of Technology

Planned major: Biomedical engineering

Awards, honors: American Legion School Award; Illinois State Scholar; Special Recognition for exceeding standards on PSAE test

Graduation photos - Lake Zurich High School

Kexin (Alice) Liu William Fremd High School

Hometown: Palatine

Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Jianli Liu

Sponsor: Jason English, science teacher

Class rank: 2nd out of 747

GPA: 5.2224 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 34; SAT 2330

College: Dartmouth, Georgetown, University of Pennsylvania

Planned major: Business, international relations

Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar, Honor Roll and National Honor Society Member and Illinois State Scholar

Graduation photos - Fremd High School

Kyle McCall Palatine High School

Hometown: Palatine

Parents: Mathew and Jennifer McCall

Sponsor: Richard Splitt, guidance counselor

Class rank: 3rd out of 648

GPA: 4.91 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2240

College: University of Notre Dame, Northwestern University, Harvey-Mudd

Planned major: Math

Awards, honors: National Merit Finalist, AP Scholar and Illinois State Scholar

Graduation photos - Palatine High School

Jessica Mueller Elk Grove High School

Hometown: Elk Grove Village

Parents: Thomas and Linda Mueller

Sponsor: Dan Davisson, social science teacher

Class rank: N/A out of 483

GPA: 5.63 on a 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35

College: Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Washington University in St. Louis

Planned major: Biomedical engineering

Awards, honors: Student of the Semester in calculus; seven-semester Honor Roll member; IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award; AP Scholar and Illinois State Scholar

Graduation photos - Elk Grove High School

Michael Ozga John Hersey High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: David and Mary Lynn Ozga

Sponsor: Dawn Francis, biology teacher

Class rank: 2nd out of 513

GPA: 5.65 on weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: Duke University, University of Notre Dame, University of California- Berkeley

Planned major: Biochemistry, neuroscience

Awards, honors: On the 'A' Honor Roll seven consecutive semesters; National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Honor, Presidential Scholar and Illinois State Scholar

Graduation photos - Hersey High School

Dan Phelan St. Edward Catholic High School

Hometown: Hoffman Estates

Parents: Bill and Lynn Phelan

Sponsor: Kerry O'Brien, head of counseling services

Class rank: 3rd out of 100

GPA: 4.57 on traditional 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: University of Notre Dame

Planned major: Liberal arts

Awards, honors: High Honor Roll all four years; 1st place at ECC's Worldwide Youth Science and Engineering competition; Rotary Club "Straight A" award freshman year

Graduation photos - St. Edward Catholic High School

Jeff Simnick* Lake Zurich High School

Hometown: Lake Zurich

Parents: Diane and Ray Simnick

Sponsor: Carl Krause, counselor

Class rank: 1st out of 550

GPA: 4.520 on weighted 4.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 33

College: University of Chicago; Northwestern; University of Chicago

Planned major: Economics

Awards, honors: National qualifier in economics and in business procedures for FBLA; third place team in CLC's accounting honors competition

Graduation photos - Lake Zurich High School

Michelle Thai Wheeling High School

Hometown: Buffalo Grove

Parents: Nqoc Thai and Van Sang Thai

Sponsor: Michael Burke, teacher

Class rank: Unknown

GPA: N/A on a 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 31

College: Northwestern University

Planned major: Chemistry

Awards, honors: Received a Northwestern University scholarship

Graduation photos - Wheeling High School

Gregory M. Ward Buffalo Grove High School

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Parents: Martin F. and Teri L. Ward

Sponsor: Peter Duffer, economics instructor

Class rank: 2nd out of 479

GPA: 5.67 on a weighted 5.0 scale

Test scores: ACT 35; SAT 2250

College: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Planned major: Economics, political science

Awards, honors: Member of American Mensa; AP Scholar with Distinction, AATG German Assessment Distinguished Scholar, National Merit finalist and Illinois State Scholar

Graduation photos - Buffalo Grove High School