Thomas Butler, Central DeWitt High School
$1,000 National Association of Women in Construction Scholarship
Thomas Butler is a senior at Central DeWitt High School. He has an unweighted GPA of 3.96 with an ACT score of 28. Thomas is well accomplished in the areas of academics, athletics, performance, service and leadership. Thomas has been a four year honor roll student while earning 36 college credits through EICC programs. He has played basketball for three years, but went out for cross country and track for the first time his senior year. He ran varsity and lettered with his first cross country experience. Thomas has participated in the high school play for three years, musical for two years, and Speech Contest for two years. He had a lead in his senior year musical “Once Upon a Mattress” and has been an All-State speech participant both years he has participated in Speech Contest. Thomas has served on week-long construction mission trips in Memphis and Bonne Terre with his youth group. He will also be going to Kenya this summer with members of his church to work in an orphanage. While participating in these activities, Thomas is the current Student Council President, National Honor Society President, and Student Body President.
After high school, he will be attending Iowa State University where he will major in Civil or Industrial Engineering while minoring in Leadership and/or Business Management.
Aspiration: After earning his degree, Thomas would like to use his engineering education to work overseas.
Nicholas Lorenz, Davenport West High School
$1,000 IEEE Iowa-Illinois Student Scholarship
Nicholas Lorenz is a senior at Davenport West High School with a 3.8 unweighted GPA and an ACT score of 28.
He is an active member in the National Honor Society, is involved in tennis and has participated in football. He also participates in FTC robotics, where his team won the Inspire award. In 2015 he attended the FTC World Championships with his team. He is Employed part-time at the Blue Grass Drive-in.
Nicholas is attending Iowa State University in the fall and plans to major in electrical engineering.
Aspiration: Nicholas hopes to use his knowledge in electrical engineering to improve upon renewable energy and more efficient storage devices.
Macy Morrow, Muscatine High School
$1,000 Iowa State University Scholarship
Macy Morrow, a senior at Muscatine High School, is 6th in her class with a GPA of 4.67 and an ACT score of 29. She is heavily involved in her school’s Student Council, chairing several committees and holding an officer position each year. Macy is secretary of Muscatine’s National Honor Society, achieved the Silver Cord award, chosen for the Gifted and Talented Program, and is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). She is team captain of the Girls’ Varsity Volleyball team and a student representative on the School Board Advisory Committee. Macy has also made time to serve as a youth leader of middle school students at her church for four years. This past summer she attended RYLA camp and interned at United Way of Muscatine setting up activities for kids during the Summer Lunch Program.
Macy will be attending Iowa State University this fall to major in Chemical Engineering and minor in Biomedical Engineering.
Aspiration: After college Macy will continue helping people through her engineering degrees on improvements in medicine and/or medical technologies.
Emily Edwards, Moline High School
$1,000 Iowa State University Scholarship
Emily Edwards is a senior at Moline High School. She is ranked first in her class of 498 with a 4.7 GPA and an ACT score of 32.
She is a Section Head and Vice President of Yearbook and Vice President of Link Crew. She has also been a member of National Honor Society, Health Occupation Student Association (H.O.S.A.), Natural Helpers, Key Club, and Environmental Club. Emily was also selected for Junior Rotarians and is an Illinois State Scholar. Additionally, Emily is employed by Oakwood Country Club and as a 5th and 6th grade volleyball coach through the City of Moline.
Emily plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall of 2016 to major in Biological Systems Engineering.
Aspiration: Emily wants to further her education in Biological Systems Engineering in hopes of developing a product that will positively impact the health and lives of people around the world.
Spencer Schmalz, Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa
$1,000 University of Iowa Scholarship
Spencer Schmalz is a senior at Muscatine High School. He has a 4.0 GPA and scored a 33 on the ACT. Spencer is involved in First Tech Challenge, Tennis and National Honor Society. He is currently employed by Reynolds Engineering as part of Muscatine High School’s Work Based Learning Program where he works on a variety of projects in order to gain hands on experience in the field of engineering. Spencer also devotes time to volunteering as a mentor for a First Lego League team, as well as with local elementary school students as part of an after school program. He hopes to inspire the next generation of students to become involved with STEM.
Spencer plans on attending the University of Iowa to pursue a degree in Electrical Engineering.
Aspiration: Spencer wants to design and build control systems for an aerospace company, as he has always been interested in flight and space.
Stephen Eckert, Homeschool, Davenport, Iowa
$2,000 Exelon Corporation Scholarship
Stephen Eckert is a homeschooled senior with an ACT score of 33. He is a captain of his FIRST Tech Challenge team at Davenport West High School and was a recipient of the FIRST Dean’s List Award for FTC at the 2015 FIRST World Championship. Stephen participates in various state and national STEM groups. His other activities and interests include volunteering in the community, piano, mentoring FIRST teams, Rubik’s cubes, chess, and learning Korean.
Stephen plans to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or Iowa State University this fall to major in mechanical engineering.
Aspirations: Stephen hopes to work in the field of aviation, space exploration, or space mining.
Elizabeth Wolf, Annawan High School
$2,000 National Defense Industry Association Scholarship
Elizabeth Wolf is a senior at Annawan High School. She is ranked first in her class with a GPA of 5.19 and an ACT score of 34. She was named an Illinois State Scholar and a National Merit Commended Scholar. She holds leadership positions in band, National Honor Society, Health Careers Club, Art Club, Games Club, and the senior class council. She has been selected to represent her school in several honors bands, choirs, and an orchestra. She plays percussion in the Quad City Youth Symphony Orchestra, and also participates on a FIRST Robotics Team and a Bradley Bridge Pals team. She enjoys volunteering to teach music to young children, assist the local reading program, and help out at her local food bank. She also holds part-time employment at a sandwich shop.
Elizabeth plans to major in Materials Engineering, but is undecided on her future university. She plans to continue on with her music and leadership.
Aspiration: Elizabeth plans to obtain a master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, and one day go on to become a doctor so she can combine her skills to help treat people in new ways.
Diana Wu, Pleasant Valley High School
$2,500 QCESC Scholarship
Diana Wu is a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. She has a 4.48 GPA average and an ACT score of 35. Extracurricular-wise, she is the president and founder of the Future Physicians of America Club and has volunteered extensively at the Genesis Hospitals. In addition, Diana has participated in research at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine over ovarian cancer. At school, she is the team captain this year of FTC Team 7196, Everything That’s Radical, as well as a leadership member of the Students’ Service Learning Committee and the Raising Students’ Voices for Participation Organization. Diana is also active in contributing to the community and is a member of the Teens for Tomorrow, a grant-making and philanthropy organization; she also runs a small crafting business, HopeColoredCrayons, and teaches local crafting classes during the summer. Diana intends to attend a four year university next fall, majoring in chemical engineering with a pre-medical focus.
Aspiration: Diana would like to not only pursue a career in the medical field, but also motivate younger generations of students in entering STEM engineering and medical occupations through creating or expanding organizations in which focus on increasing learning and hands-on opportunities to students.
Hannah Mathews, Pleasant Valley High School
$1,000 Society of American Military Engineers Scholarship
Hannah Mathews is currently a senior at Pleasant Valley High School. She received a 31 on the ACT and currently has a 3.85 unweighted GPA.
Hannah is currently a member of the National Honor Society and has participated in the Pleasant Valley FIRST FTC robotics, including advancing to the Super-regional level of competition her junior year.she volunteers as a tutor at Pleasant View Elementary School and works part time as a math tutor at Mathnasium.
Hannah plans to study engineering at Mcgill University in Montreal, Canada.
Aspirations: Hannah hopes to design and develop new technologies working as a chemical or biomedical engineer.
Scott Summers, Bettendorf High School
$2,000 SAE Mississippi Valley Section Scholarship
Scott Summers is a senior at Bettendorf High School. He is ranked 1st in his class of 350 students with a 4.0 GPA and has an ACT score of 32. He is a member of The Bettendorf High School Student Council and National Honors Society. He has also participated in football, baseball, and track. Scott was granted scholarships to attend the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) Air Academy Basic and Advanced programs held in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He is employed at the Bettendorf Hy-Vee as a Customer Service Representative.
Next fall, Scott plans to attend The University of Alabama to study mechanical engineering.
Aspiration: Scott would like to use his skills in engineering to make positive changes in the automotive or aeronautical field.
Gabe Behrendt, Davenport Central High School
$1,000 University of Iowa Scholarship
Gabe Behrendt is a senior at Davenport Central High School. He is currently ranked first in his class with a 4.0 GPA and an ACT score of 28. Gabe participated in football and wrestling. He is a two-time captain of the wrestling team and qualified for the state wrestling tournament this year. Gabe serves as a Student Representative to the Davenport School Board. He has been a Junior Rotarian. Gabe is a member of the National Honor Society. He is actively involved in his church youth group and their summer mission trips. Gabe has travelled to North Carolina and Kansas to do volunteer work.
Gabe plans to attend the University of Iowa and major in Mechanical Engineering. His four older brothers have also attended Iowa and majored in Engineering.
Aspiration: Gabe would like to become an Imagineer for Walt Disney World and develop new Disney experiences.
Zach Manary, Moline High School
$1000 Iowa State University Scholarship
Zach Manary is a senior at Moline High School. He is ranked number one in his class with a 4.77 weighted GPA and a 34 ACT score. Zach is a varsity swimmer for the MHS swim team and participates in the technical theater program as an audiovisual technician and in set construction. He was a Junior Rotarian, an Illinois State Scholar and helped in the production of James and the Giant Peach a Illinois High School Theatre Festival play.
Zach plans to attend Iowa State University in the fall to study mechanical engineering.
Aspiration: Zach plans to further advancements in vehicular technology, both capability and efficiency.
Grant Nollette, Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa
$2,500 University of Wisconsin – Platteville Scholarship
Grant Nollette is a senior at Muscatine High School with a 3.8 GPA. He is a member of the National Honor Society, the National Council on Youth Leadership, and was a US Ambassador for the International Friendship Camp held in Shanghai, China last August. Grant is involved with the MHS FLL Robotics Team, Drama Productions, River City Rhythm Show Choir, Orchestra and Symphony. In his spare time, he teaches private viola lessons.
Grant plans to attend UW-Platteville and major in Mechanical Engineering with minor in Business and participate in their Orchestra program.
Aspiration: Grant hopes to pursue a career in the Automotive Design Industry.
Tony Nguyen, Davenport West High School
$2,500 American Society of Civil Engineers Scholarship
Tony Nguyen is a senior at Davenport West High school. He is ranked 14th out of 439 in his class, has a GPA of 3.93, and scored 28 on the ACT. Tony is highly active in his school by participating in FIRST Tech Challenge, Lemelson-MIT InvenTeams, Real World Design Challenge, National Honor Society, and band ensembles. He is also active in the community by volunteering for his church, Kids Against Hunger, the Rotary Club of Davenport, and Boys & Girls Club of the Mississippi Valley. Furthermore, he as received recognition as a Dean’s List Finalist, IHSMA All-State Festival alternate, and National Manufacturing Day/Manufacture Your Future Virtual Field Trip student representative.
Tony plans to attend California Polytechnic University to major in architectural engineering and minor architecture.
Aspiration: Tony will start an architecture and engineering firm in the Quad Cities to help improve our community’s infrastructure and skyline.
Katherine Braught- Bettendorf High School, Bettendorf, Iowa
$2,500 QCESC Scholarship
Katherine is a senior at Bettendorf High School. Having a 4.0 GPA, she is ranked first in her class. Katherine ran cross country for four years. She also plays string bass in orchestra, electric bass and piano in jazz band, and various instruments in pit orchestra. Katherine is the president of National Honor Society, treasurer of student council and the president of her 4H club. Katherine spends time doing various community service projects earning her the President’s Bronze Community Service Award from Washington D.C. She also works part time at Smooth Cool Treats, an ice cream shop.
Katherine is still choosing between Iowa State University and the University of Iowa to study bioinformatics and computational biology and genetics.
Aspiration: Katherine hopes to work in a research lab to find ways to prevent or treat genetic diseases.
Ian Wirt, Erie High School
$1,000 Western Illinois – Quad Cities Scholarship
Ian is a senior at Erie High School with a grade point average of 4.2 and an ACT score of 29. Ian has participated in football, basketball, and baseball during all four years of high school and has achieved the IHSA Academic Achievement Awards each of those years. Ian enjoys being active in the community by volunteering at the local food pantry and acting as a skills coach and mentor for the Erie Youth Basketball. Ian is a member of the National Honor Society and was named as an Illinois State Scholar. During the summer, Ian works for 2 area farmers,
handling livestock and operating machinery.
Ian plans on attending Western Illinois University, majoring in Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.
Aspiration: Ian plans to become a manufacturing engineer working in the field of nuclear energy.