Indiana Criminal Justice Institute Executive Director Neil Moore today announced that 29 youth residing in the Hoosier state have been selected for the 2008-2009 Indiana Point of Youth class.

From the Wabash Valley were Sherry Link and Chelsie Nasser of Vermillion County, Monique Richard of Clay County and Matthew Janeway of Putnam County. The students come from all regions of Indiana and represent both rural and urban communities.

“ICJI is proud to administer a program that encourages young people to foster relationships and build resources within their communities. These skills are especially critical since young people who begin service at an early age are more likely to also serve as adults,” Moore said. Point of Youth is a youth-led advisory group that lends advice to the Governor’s Commission for a Drug-Free Indiana and other policymakers on substance abuse and underage drinking.

The program is largely funded by federal dollars granted to ICJI from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In July 2008, ICJI hosted a three-day retreat in which Point of Youth students were charged with outlining their priority areas for the 2008-2009 year in a Statewide Action Plan. Under the guidance of their adult advisers, the youth collectively decided to focus on reducing underage drinking, the abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs, and school drug testing. Point of Youth members work collaboratively to develop and implement comprehensive action plans that specifically focus on issues unique to their communities. For more information, call (317) 232-1289 or visit www.in.gov/cji.

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Grant Harris of Terre Haute, who will be a high-school senior this fall, earned three hours of university credit this summer by participating in Harding University’s Honors Symposium, a challenging two-week academic program.

While instructors, themes and activities have differed since the program began in 1992, the original aim remains rooted in a learning method made popular by the ancient Greek scholars. “We wanted to have a quality university course taught in the form of a symposium, which is lots of teachers gathered around the academic table offering their comments on a topic,” explains Jeffrey T. Hopper, dean of the Honors College and International Programs and director of Honors Symposium.

Professors participate from disciplines such as communication, history, music, political science, and Bible and religion. Topics of discussion have included Dark Ages, the U.S. Constitution and stem cell research.

Students also engage in community service projects, enjoy recreational activities, and invariably form lasting friendships with other junior scholars. Three hours of transferable university credit are awarded to all who successfully complete the symposium, the content of which is designed to appeal to students of both the humanities and the sciences.

Admission to the symposium is treated on an individual basis, with special consideration given to grade-point average, score from any nationally standardized test (such as ACT, SAT, PSAT, PACT), and a reference letter.

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School of Engineering student Jessica Ann Ji, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. Ji of Terre Haute, and Peabody College student Kiri Gabrielle Longa, daughter Dr. G. Longa and Dr. G. Castillo of Terre Haute, are named to Vanderbilt University’s dean’s list for spring 2008 semester

To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a 3.5 grade-point average for the semester.

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Christian Hines, son of David and Peggy Hines, recently completed a nine-week internship in the Washington, D.C., office of Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind. In September, Hines will return to Indiana University as a sophomore, where he is pursuing a double major in economics and English.

During his freshman year, Hines was named to both Fall/Spring Dean’s Lists in recognition of his 4.0 grade-point average. He is a 2007 graduate of Terre Haute North Vigo High School, where he received both the Carl Riddle and Lilly Community Endowment scholarships.

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Valparaiso University student Andy Cognata, a sophomore chemistry major from Terre Haute, will serve as a residential assistant at VU this coming school year.

Residential assistants help create and carry out educational outreach programs for their fellow students, as well as plan informal activities for the students in their halls. The residential assistant position also provides opportunities to help orient students to college life and aid in the development of their academic and social skills.

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Sarah Knoblock of Terre Haute earned her associate degree in Banking and Pastry Arts from The Culinary Institute of America on June 13.

Sarah is a 2005 graduate of Terre Haute South Vigo High School.

Founded in 1946, The Culinary Institute of America is an independent, not-for-profit college offering bachelor’s and associate degrees in culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. The CIA overlooks the Hudson River in Historic Hyde Park, N.Y. The CIA has an enrollment of 2,700 students and network of 37,000 alumni in the food-service and hospitality industry who have helped the college earn its reputation as the world’s premier culinary college. The CIA is on the World Wide Web at www.ciachef.edu.

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Wendy Chichester of Terre Haute received a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, during graduation ceremonies Aug. 9.

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Stephanie Price of Terre Haute, a third-trimester student in the doctor of chiropractic program at Palmer College of Chiropractic, Davenport, Iowa, was named to the dean’s list for the second trimester.

To be eligible for the dean’s list, a student must achieve a minimum grade-point average 3.5 in all studies for the respective term.

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Degrees were awarded to the following area residents at the spring 2008 commencement at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston: Aaron L. Janssen, Brandon J. Clark, Brant D. Burris, Dara S. Updegraff, James D. Sullivan, Kathleen M. May, and Randilynn L. Harris, all of Casey, Ill.; Seth J. Brooks of Hutsonville, Ill.; Emanuela Galateanu, Nik I. Kern, Tiffany A. Cottrill, and Wendy M. Hill, all of Kansas, Ill.; Barbara M. Cooper, Emily A. Sibley, Emily J. Craig, Kristy C. Kash, Lucas J. Thompson and Nora L. Swalls, all of Marshall, Ill.; Jenny L. Hutchens, Katie M. Goble and Rachelle D. Carlen, all of Martinsville, Ill.; Amy K. Moran, Brittany A. Balch, Courtney L. Alburtus, David T. Mason, Deborah L. McClure, Jared P. Rubsam, Jeana L. Webster, Joshua P. Douthit, Kelley E. Frohning, Lora L. Baird, Megan N. Leahy, Meghan A. Parker, Michael M. Jones, Ryan J. Moran, and Samuel J. Nix, all of Newton, Ill.; Kristina R. Shipman and Lyndsey L. Littlejohn, both of Oblong, Ill.; Barrett J. Robbins, Monica A. Carrell, Samantha J. Bennett and Staci D. Herrington, all of Palestine, Ill.; Christopher Kessler, Darrin B. Johnson, Jacob T. Dawson, Mark E. Cox, Matthew L. Mattingly, Sara B. Crippes and Sarah M. Murphy, all of Paris, Ill.; Amber J. Parker, Brittany D. Smith, Clemens N. Uptmor, Eli T. Counter, Emberlyn Polgar, Jody L. Wilson, Kelli A. Correll, Kenzi M. Murray, Lenzi M. Murray, Melinda J. Fulling and Tina K. Shipman, all of Robinson, Ill.; Stephanie D. Wernz of West Union, Ill.; and Ryan M. D’Arcy of Westfield, Ill.

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Ryan Begerman, son of Charles and Jayne Begerman of Farmersburg, was one of 30 students at Franklin College who recently completed summer internships.

The students were matched with businesses geared toward their majors in order to gain practical experience in their chosen field.

Begerman is majoring in history.

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Sarah Scharff of Sullivan is the recipient of the First National Bank-Robinson Music Scholarship. The award is presented to a full-time Indiana or Illinois student enrolled in the music program at Lincoln Trail College in Robinson, Ill.

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Terre Haute native Alexandria Montgomery is one of 34 incoming freshmen attending Butler University this fall under full scholarship as part of the Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program. Montgomery will study psychology at the Indianapolis university.

The scholarship provides full tuition, required fees and special allocation of up to $800 per year for books and equipment. Butler University has the second-highest number of scholars among Indiana Universities.

Butler’s Lilly Scholars were honored at a breakfast hosted by university President Bobby Fong on Aug. 26 on the Butler campus.

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Kayla Cash, the daughter of John and Roberta Cash of Terre Haute, and John Newman, the son of Steve and Beverly Newman of Terre Haute, recently were initiated into Alpha Lambda Delta at Franklin College.

The college’s chapter of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society received a Bronze Membership Award this summer from the National Council of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society for First Year College Students.

The chapter received the award for increasing its membership by 17 percent in the 2007-2008 academic year.

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Swara Kopparty, a recent high-school graduate from Terre Haute, was among 20 budding American scientists recently chosen to participate in the 40th annual Dr. Bessie F. Lawrence International Summer Science Institute in New York. Kopparty joined 72 students from around the world for four weeks of intensive scientific exploration at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, one of the world’s foremost centers of scientific research and graduate study.

“Some of the most talented students in the U.S. are attracted to the Weizmann Institute program,” noted Jeffrey Sussman, vice president, Marketing Communications and Public Affairs at the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science. “These students, all high-school seniors, are chosen based upon merit and academic achievement.”

Before attending ISSI, Kopparty attended the Research Science Institute, a six-week science research camp at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also was a semifinalist for the Intel Science Talent Search. “My entire family is involved in science or mathematics in some way, so it was under their influence that my interest developed,” she said. “At Weizmann, I learned to do cutting-edge science research, but I also made wonderful friends from around the world and I shared experiences with them that I will never forget.”

She continued, “I plan to study physics in college. My research experience at Weizmann will surely benefit me. I now have more experience in an area of scientific research that I realize I am truly interested in.”

Kopparty also enjoyed the opportunity to travel to Israel’s Judean Desert during the program. ”I did not expect the last week in the desert to be as intense as it was,” she explained. “I was a little scared, but, in the end, I was amazed at the amount that my friends and I accomplished.”

Each year, about 20 American students — or one in five applicants — are accepted into the prestigious program. Eligibility is independent of need and based solely on the candidates’ abilities, grades, achievements and demonstrated interest in experimental science.

“The American students joined future scientists from around the world in experiencing the challenges and rewards of working alongside top, professional scientific researchers at one of the world's leading basic science research centers,” added Mr. Sussman. “At the same time, they also learned about life in Israel.”

“The Weizmann Institute of Science is one of the best research institutions in the entire world. It is a beautiful place where world-class scientists from all disciplines gather to perform research that will change modern science,” enthused Kopparty. “Also, Israel is a beautiful country with an amazing history. I had a wonderful time in Israel and I would love to go back someday.”

Kopparty plans to continue her studies at Harvard University, this fall.

American participants in the ISSI receive full scholarships, including travel to and from Israel. The program, conducted in English, affords students the opportunity to work in small groups with world-renowned scientists and graduate students, conducting actual, ongoing research. Participants select a subject area in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics or computer sciences. Senior Weizmann Institute scientists give supplemental lectures, and participants are invited to join departmental talks and visit the campus’ state-of-the-art science facilities.

The final week of the program is spent at a field school in the Judean Desert, near the Dead Sea. By observing ecology, geography, climate, archeology and other sciences in the field, participants learn to formulate questions that may eventually be explored in the laboratory.

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Northview High School student Devin Ahern of Brazil is among 16,000 semifinalists in the 54th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 8,200 National Merit Scholarships, worth more than $35 million, that will be offered next spring. Ahern is the son of Carol Ahern of Brazil and Mike Ahern of Brazil and the grandson of Harriet Virostko of Rosedale.