Clemson University announces its 2019 National Scholars class

CLEMSON, South Carolina – Ten top high school students from around the country have been selected to enter the Clemson University National Scholars Program this fall.

Chosen from more than 1,600 applicants to the Honors College and from a group of 36 who were invited to interview on campus in February, National Scholars are selected on the basis of their academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, the depth and breadth of their interests and experiences, their leadership activities and potential, and the impact they have had or will have on their local and global communities, said Sarah Winslow, director of the National Scholars Program and senior associate director of the Honors College.

They will receive a full cost-of-attendance scholarship to Clemson; exclusive academic and community engagement opportunities, including a fully funded study abroad experience after their first year; intensive advising and mentoring; and the benefits of joining a community of scholar-leaders.

This year’s National Scholars are:

Katelynn (Katy) Bortz of Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School in Richmond, Virginia
Katy was a member of the Virginia State Champion “We the People” constitutional debate team and a three-time varsity field hockey player. She is a National Merit Semi-Finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction and the recipient of the John Merchant Book Award from the University for Virginia for her efforts to promote diversity in her school and community.

Mary Grace (Gracie) Boyce, Richland Northeast High School, Columbia

Gracie was the editor-in-chief of her school’s literary magazine, “Psyche,” and was managing editor of the yearbook, winning three national awards for her work. She was the concertmaster of her school’s chamber orchestra. A National Merit Finalist, IB Diploma Candidate and AP Scholar with Distinction, Gracie was a varsity co-captain and All-Region player for girls’ tennis.

“I chose to attend Clemson not only because of the availability of impactful experiences, but also because I love the sense of family in the National Scholars Program and Clemson as a whole,” she said. “Everyone on campus, including students in the NSP and faculty in the business school and music department, are proud of the Clemson community, and I knew I wanted to be a part of that as well.”

Lauren Bulik, Long Beach High School, Long Beach, New York
Lauren was the editor-in-chief of Long Beach High School´s nationally award-winning literary magazine “Fragments” and has earned a Gold and Silver Key in the Scholastic Writing Awards for her writing.

Lauren has done extensive independent research on microplastics, which she has been recognized for at science competitions such as NYSSEF and LISEF. She is an IB Diploma Candidate, National Honor Society member and a Commended National Merit Scholar.

Jonathan Daniel, Georgia Cyber Academy, Stonecrest, Georgia

Jonathan was the lead programmer of Toaster Tech Robotics, a high school robotics team. He is also a FIRST Dean’s List Award semi-finalist, the winner of the 2017 GA-04 Congressional App Challenge, a 2017 Georgia Governor’s Honors Program Engineering Major, a Georgia Certificate of Merit recipient and a Cheddar TV Trailblazer of the Week for his development of TEFAP Tracker, an app that helps manage the inventory at his local food bank where he volunteers regularly.

“At the end of the (National Scholars) weekend, Clemson felt like home, and even if I didn’t receive the NSP Scholarship, I would still try to find a way to attend,” he said.

Sabrina Manji, Greenville Technical Charter High School, Greenville
Sabrina served as team captain of FIRST Robotics Team 6366, a competitive award-winning robotics team that seeks to foster growth and further STEM in its community.

She is a FIRST Robotics Dean’s List Finalist, is a member of Phi Theta Kappa, holds an FAA commercial pilot’s license and has made the President’s/Dean’s Lists at Greenville Tech for five semesters.

“I remember all the current Scholars and even the alumni proclaiming that the program was ‘not just a scholarship,’” she said. “That truly resonated with me, and throughout the (National Scholars) weekend I experienced an unexpected sense of camaraderie and community amongst the scholars, alumni and faculty. “

Madeleine (Maddie) Maylath, Chapin High School, Chapin, South Carolina
Madeleine was president of the Space Settlement Design Team, a group that competes in an international design competition supported by NASA. She is a member of Health Occupation Students of America and plays viola in her high school orchestra.

Madeleine interned at the University of Texas at Austin Institute for Geophysics, where she began her research on the use of radar to map marine ice thickness in Antarctica. She presented her research at the American Geophysical Union 2018 Fall Meeting.

She is a part of the Academic Leadership Academy at Chapin High School and has earned a varsity letter in tennis and lacrosse. She is a National AP Scholar and National Merit Semifinalist.

Grant Wilkins, Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport, Tennessee
Grant serves as an assistant scoutmaster in Troop 51 and is an Eagle Scout, having completed this rank by building an accessible gazebo at George Washington Elementary School. He also conducted original research for Pioneer Academics in computational quantum chemistry.  He is a National Merit Finalist, Presidential Scholar Candidate and AP National Scholar.

Aaron Williams, Raleigh Charter High School, Morrisville, North Carolina
Aaron served as chair of North Carolina State Youth Council, the governing board for all of the teen councils across the state of North Carolina, and he sat on the Youth Advisory Council for the state of North Carolina.

Aaron is a two-time All-American sprinter with the USA Track and Field Junior Olympics and has received a Presidential Service Award all three years of high school.

 

Terryn Witherspoon, Green High School, Green, Ohio
Terryn was the founder and executive director of “creArts aLive,” an art event that advocates for mental health and expression during exam season. She was a workshop leader and poet for the Diversity Center of Northeast Ohio, speaking to students about improving politics with a focus on immigration and tolerance.

She received her varsity letter as a sophomore and she served as a varsity captain in her last golf season. She has received recognition for GPA excellence and the Scholar-Athlete award.

“After NSP Weekend, I knew that I was going to come to Clemson,” she said. “It was a combination of the amazing people I met, the academic programs and the beauty of Clemson’s campus that made me absolutely sure about my decision. Everyone in NSP has been so welcoming, and it has made me feel comfortable with being so far from home.”

Aaron Woolfolk, Westlake High School, Atlanta, Georgia
Aaron is an IB Diploma Candidate in the Engineering Pathway of the Magnet Program. One of his passions is mathematics, which sparked him to lead an effort to personally revitalize the math club where he has served as president for the last two years.

Aaron’s other passion is playing the drums, serving as the lead drummer for the high school jazz band and performing with private groups Evolution and Millennial Straight, the latter of which he helped found.

He is the valedictorian for a class of 540-plus students and has been named STAR Student, which recognizes him for having the highest SAT in the graduating class.