Oana Butnareanu – scholarship in honor of Toshiyuki Horie, Pentel of America, Ltd. Sponsored by Pentel of America, Ltd., attending Stanford University

My name is Oana Emilia Butnareanu and I was born on December 20, 1989 in Ploiesti, Romania. Growing up in a country that had just freed itself from the fierce grip of communism had many setbacks, and I was discouraged from a very young age to have big dreams for the future. But luckily, in 1999, my family and I were able to immigrate to the United States after winning the Visa Lottery. Today, I can honestly say that coming to America changed my life forever.

Although I was only nine years old at the time, my immigration brought many hardships to my life. I had to leave behind all of my friends, family, and the place which I had always called home in order to move to a country half way around the world. I was obligated to learn a new language which I had only previously heard on television in order to make friends and to obtain an education. But today I realize the amazing opportunity that I had been given by coming to America. It was like all of a sudden, I was allowed to dream once again, knowing that in America, dreams do come true.

It does seem almost surreal that only two weeks ago, I graduated the valedictorian of a class of 912 students at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles with a GPA of 4.450. As a member of the Gifted Magnet program at Marshall, I was able to take many classes to enrich my education, my favorite of which was by far Advanced Placement Spanish. After jumping right into an AP Spanish Language course I was overwhelmed at first, but thanks to the Spanish language telenovelas I had watched in Romania, I was able to quickly master the language. And I would very much like to incorporate Spanish in my career plans for the future.

While in High School, I was part of many clubs and organizations, especially those focused on community improvement, such as the California Scholarship Federation, the California Honorary Society, and the Gear UP Mentoring program. In my senior year of high school, I took the initiative of starting a chapter of the National Honor Society at Marshall. Our end of the year project was what I considered to be most successful. As the president and founder, I proposed the idea of sending care packages to US soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. The drive ran for over a month and we collected a wide variety of goods from soaps and shower gels to canned food to DVDs and magazines. The ten boxes we made were sent to four different Forward Operating Bases- to soldiers on the front lines who do not benefit from the presence of a convenience store. And the club plans to make this drive a tradition to follow in future years.

Next year I will be attending Stanford University, to which I was accepted as a Single Choice Early action applicant in December of last year. Although my career plans are not absolutely definite, I would probably like to double major in Biology and Spanish and to study in Madrid my junior year. In the future, I would like to become a doctor (not yet sure which specialization) and work with Spanish-speaking individuals in the US and across the globe.

Bryan Callahan - scholarship in honor of David Anderson, Richards Pen Shop. Sponsored by MeadWestvaco, attending State University of New York - Oneonta

Bryan Callahan graduated from Unatego High School on June 27, 2008. He has attended school in the Unadilla-Otego school district for his entire life. Bryan lives with his parents Jack and Gloria Callahan, as well as his brother Matthew Callahan in Unadilla, a small town in central New York. Bryan has been on the Honor Roll many times throughout High School, as well as the High Honor Roll. Bryan Callahan joined Unatego's chapter of "STAND", a Student Anti-Genocide Coalition, early in his senior year. He has volunteered numerous times at basketball game concessions stands to raise money for this club. Bryan has attended the Sand Hill United Methodist Church since he was five years old and now performs in the church's praise band, "Living H2O. Bryan will have a job creating websites over the summer and has been accepted to SUNY Oneonta to study Computer Science in the fall.

Daniel Short – Sponsored by Smead Manufacturing, attending Washington University

Dan Short lives in Stillwater, Minnesota. In 2008, he graduated from Mounds Park Academy in St. Paul as the valedictorian of his senior class. Dan was a captain and three time letter winner for his school's varsity basketball team, and received All-Conference and MVP honors his senior year. Dan also participated on his school's varsity golf team. Additionally, he served as the Treasurer for the Upper School Student Council, participated in multiple choirs, and was a member of the National Honor Society. Dan was also a Spanish tutor and volunteered with a local charitable organization outside of school. Next year, Dan will continue his education at Washington University in St. Louis through the Olin Business School.

Christopher McFee - Sponsored by MeadWestvaco, attending Rochester Institute of Technology

Christopher McFee is a recent graduate of Bainbridge-Guilford High School. He has been very involved in the sports program at B-G. He has been captain of both the varsity soccer and track teams. He has also participated on the basketball team and helped referee youth soccer. He has served on student council for four years and served as vice president his senior year. He is a member of National Honor Society and acted as a coordinator for a Rachel's Challenge group. He participated in Envirothon and Drama Club. He has also been very involved in the school music program, participating in orchestra, band and chorus for the past four years. He has helped out in our local community with Operation Christmas Child and helping with flood cleanup. He was also able to travel to both Cambodia and Nicaragua on mission trips. Chris plans on attending Colorado School of Mines as an engineering major. Chris says, "I want to take what I have been blessed with and put it towards a good cause. I have considered doing work in third world countries where there is poverty and few opportunities for a better life. I want the focus of my life to be on learning as much as I can so I can help people to the best of my ability."

Luke Nowicki - Sponsored by S.P. Richards Company, Inc., attending Washington University

Luke Nowicki is a 2008 graduate of Riverdale High School in Murfreesboro, TN. He graduated valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA. Along with taking every science class his school offered, his academic honors include the Biology Award, English Award and the Gentry Mayo Award (most all-around outstanding student for four years in science). He also attended the Tennessee Governor's School for the Sciences. Outside the classroom Luke spent most of his time practicing for his high school swim team, where he currently holds two individual school records, two relay team records and is an Academic All-American.

Along with swimming Luke was an active member of the school's Environmental Club, Science Club, Mu Alpha Theta, and National Honor Society. He also participated in the Canon Envirothon, finishing first in the region and fifth in the state with his team. In the Fall, Luke will attend Washington University in St. Louis to study engineering with the help of the OPWA Scholarship, which he is very thankful for.

Allison Walters - Sponsored by MeadWestvaco, attending St. John's University

Allison Walters is a sophomore at St. John's University in Queens, New York. She is a Creative Photography major with deep interests in both fine art and music. Hailing from a rural town in south-central Pennsylvania, she now studies in the largest city in America. She feels that exploration is a key component of understanding, and that exploring the city behind the lens of a Nikon may help her to understand the world on a slightly larger scale. She also feels that it may even help her to understand herself on a deeper level. Most importantly, Allison would like to thank her incredibly loving friends and family for their unparalleled level of support and understanding. She would l i e to stress that her education and exploration could not have been possible without their love, the ultimate incentive.

Marcus Thompson - Sponsored by Smead Manufacturing, attending Trinity University

My name is Marcus Thompson. I am the son of the deceased Leudra Thompson. I stay with my grandparents Littie and Anderson Thompson. I went to school at McGregor High in McGregor, Texas. I played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track. I was also part of the Spanish club for two years. I have been a first team all district receiver and defensive back for the past three years, all district outfielder in baseball, and been to regional in track for four years and been to state twice. I placed third in state in the 1600 meter relay as a sophomore. I have also helped out in relay for life, coached 7 on 7, summer basketball league, and summer track meets. Thank you for choosing me for this scholarship. I will do my best to uphold expectations that this committee has for me.

Phillip Ellsworth, sponsored by 3M Corporation, attending University of Minnesota

Phillip Ellsworth recently graduated from Simley High School in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. He finished valedictorian in his class of 290 students with a 4.00 GPA. In the fall of 2008, Phil will attend the University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology in order to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. One day he intends on working in either nuclear energy or pharmaceutics.

During high school Phil participated in much more than being a dedicated student. He was heavily involved in sports, becoming a Varsity member in both soccer and Nordic skiing. He also was involved in community service through both the National Honor Society and Peer Court.

Outside of school Phil enjoys many activities. He loves golfing, bow hunting with his father, hanging out with friends, wakeboarding, skiing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, fishing, and basically anything else outdoors.