Erik Calmeyer, NIU Executive Club 2007 Scholarship Recipient
Erik Calmeyer graduated from Johnsberg High School in June 2007. His academic performance, extracurricular activities, community service, and work experience throughout his high school career indicate a strong potential for Erik as a future business leader.
Academically, Erik was a member of the National Honor Society, Toastmasters International, Link-Crew, and an Illinois State Scholar. He was a competitor in the Big Northern Math Contest, and served as a student tutor and teacher assistant. Erik played soccer during high school while also taking both college and major specific preparatory classes.
Erik is a community leader as well. He assisted for three years with the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Winthrop Harbor Yacht Club. He worked on fundraisers to support U.S. Troops overseas through the Skokie Valley Power Squadron, and assisted in teaching computer classes for adults. Erik was an assistant coach for ten-year-old girls and mentored young referees on the laws of the games and professionalism. He is a member of the Skokie Valley Power Squadron and completed coursework to obtain a boater's and personal watercraft license. Erik also finds time to spend one day a week mentoring a young student from another school within the district.
Erik is an officially certified referee and has refereed Johnsburg White Lightening soccer games for seven years. He works at the Great Lakes Yacht Sales 100 Club as a seasonal employee. Erik also works as a stockroom team member at Target, and previously worked at Menards.
An education from Northern Illinois University has been a goal for Erik since beginning high school. Erik plans to major in Management and further pursue an M.B.A. degree. The NIU Executive Club believes Erik has a strong potential to become a future business leader with a strong work ethic, great communication skills, and a dedication for continual improvement and learning.
Danielle Kahn, NIU Executive Club 2006 Scholarship Recipient
Danielle Kahn was selected as the 2006 NIU Executive Club Recipient based on her outstanding academic, extracurricular, and service qualifications. Danielle has displayed leadership potential in her past that looks promising for her future business career.
A recent graduate of Morris Community High School, Danielle has been an active member of the school volleyball team for four years. Her love for sports also drove her to play travel and school softball for an additional two years, along with participating in the Athletics Club. Off the court, Danielle was involved in Spanish Club, M-Club, the National Honors Society, and the National Honor Roll, qualifying her to be an Illinois State Scholar.
Danielle is also committed to service. In her community she has rang bells for the Salvation Army, helped local church food drives, lead her junior youth church group, and organized Morris’ Public Policy Project. Danielle has even extended herself outside her community ringing Salvation Army Bells in surrounding locations and traveled to Kentucky to repair old houses for the Appalachian Service Project.
Danielle also established work as a priority. Having held two jobs during high school, one as a salesperson/cashier at a small retail store and the other as a cashier at a candy shop, Danielle has learned practical business knowledge. Learning the responsibilities of tending cash has created a desire for Danielle to pursue accounting.
Danielle feels “the contacts and opportunities that would be presented to her through this scholarship would be tremendous assets in helping her through Northern and eventually find a CPA position.” In addition Danielle has plans to use her accounting degree to help a charity or other beneficial organization.
Ryan Lotich, NIU Executive Club 2005 Scholarship Recipient
Ryan Lotich graduated from William Fremd High School in June 2005. He excelled academically and as a leader, and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. In addition to being a member of the high school soccer team for four years, he also participated in the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club for three years. Ryan also participated in high school tennis for two years, is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and is an Instructor/Black Belt of Tae Kwon Do. As an active member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, and a featured student writer/author at a Community-wide Writer's Week, Ryan exemplifies a well rounded, outstanding student with potential for becoming a business leader.
Ryan also displays leadership and participation in community service activities. He organized a school-wide Blood Drive orientation and donation day which placed Fremd High School in first place for the number of donations given. He participated in Assist-a-Family, a Holy Family Church program providing food and gifts for the less fortunate. He also participated in National Honor Society activities including a Food Drive, Senior Center visits, Adopt-a-Family, and Grant-a-Wish program for underprivileged Chicago children. Ryan was a Student Goalkeeper Coach for the Fremd High School Girls Soccer Team, the first Student Goalkeeper Coach in the program's history.
Ryan has served as a Peer Juror for the Hoffman Estates Police Department since 2001. This program aids adolescents to search for underlying causes in their criminal behavior and activities as well as understand the consequences of their actions. Additionally, he managed to also find time to work for the ITA Group constructing promotional marketing tools.
Ryan appreciates this opportunity to work with and learn from the successful business members of the NIU Executive Club. He feels this experience, along with the outstanding NIU College of Business program, will be the “winning combination” he needs to reach his future goals.
Click to view a Student Spotlight article recently published about Ryan.
Alvin Philip Smith, Jr., NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship Fund Recipient 2004
Alvin Philip Smith Jr. was selected as the 2004 NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship recipient based on his exceptional academic qualifications, as well as his potential as a business leader.
Alvin is from Oswego, Illinois and graduated second in his class of 516 in June 2004. He was a member of the conference champion Mathletes team and placed third individually at the regionals. He was president of the National Honor Society, a member of the WYSE (World Youth in Science and Engineering) Team, Scholastic Bowl, Student Council, Band, and Wind Symphony. He was a recipient of an academic letter, placed on the high honor roll every semester, and was selected as the only recipient of the Principal's Leadership Award. Additionally, Alvin participated in peer tutoring, was a member of the Baseball team, Basketball team, and was Senior Co-Captain of the Golf team.
Community service is a priority for Alvin as well. He served as a guest speaker at disability conferences throughout his junior and senior years. He also offered free summer tutoring for two summers, and served as a Youth Group Board Member and assisted with the organization of a craft show for the National Honor Society.
In addition to his school, sports, and community service activities, Alvin worked as a cashier at Jewel-Osco. Alvin plans to study corporate accounting and become a C.P.A., with aspirations of one day becoming a CEO or CFO of a major corporation.
Anthony Querciagrossa, NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship Fund Recipient 2003
Anthony Querciagrossa was selected as the sixth recipient of the NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship. This endowment was established by members of the Club to assist the College of Business with recruiting the best and brightest high school students to NIU. Querciagrossa has proven himself as one of the best and brightest, and possesses many qualities of a business leader.
Querciagrossa is a 2003 graduate of Lincoln-Way Central High School in New Lenox, Illinois. He held leadership positions in the Future Business Leaders of America, the Lincoln-Way Bookstore, and Lincoln-Way Television. He was national qualifier and state award winner in Business Law competition, treasurer for the bookstore, and received the Golden Turkey Award as sportscaster for Lincoln-Way Television. He was the designer of the bookstore's website and web store, as well as creator of the inventory software.
Involvement with community service is also important to Querciagrossa. He designed the website and built computer work stations for St. Mary's School and Church. He also assisted the Minooka Elementary School with web server installation and helped with their initial web site design. In addition to school and outside activities, Tony works almost 40 hours per week all year long.
Tony expressed that “Success is something I plan to achieve, and I strongly believe that NIU's School of Business will lead me to success.”
Paul Fricilone, 2002 - 2003 Recipient
Paul Fricilone graduated first in his class of 725 from Lockport High School in June 2002. He excelled academically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. In addition to being captain and starter on the soccer team, he was involved in student government, the National Honor Society, and the French National Honor Society. He also participated in several scholastic competitions including the National French Test, Milwaukee School of Engineering Science Competition, Science Olympiad in Bottle Rockets and Practical Data Gathering, Illinois Institute of Technology Competition, and the Math Team. Paul received the Principal’s Award for Leadership 2001, All-American Scholar 2000, and Who’s Who Among High School Students 1999, 2000, 2001.
Paul also displays leadership and participation in community service activities. He hosted a local cable show “Teen Talk” 1998-2000, received second place award at Volunteer Video Awards, was a participant in St. Bernard’s Teen Group, Parish Picnic Game Host, Bingo Game Helper at Holy Family Villa, Volunteer for Market Day, Order of the Sons of Italy, Dinner Volunteer, and Collector for Alzheimer’s and Cooley’s Anemia Fund.
Paul describes himself as “an involved, determined person who is passionate about the business world.” He plans to use his prestigious business education from NIU as a foundation for a career as a portfolio manager.
Janice Bergeron, 2001 - 2002 Recipient
Janice Bergeron graduated fourth in her class from Yorkville High School in June 2001. Janice excelled academically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. She served as President of the Student Council (2000-2001) and was the 1999-2000 recipient of the "Above and Beyond Award". She was also a member of the National Honor Society, actively participating in tutoring as well as fund raising events. She also participated on the Character Counts Committee, Future Business Leaders of America, assisted teachers as a Grade School Helper and Teacher’s Aide. Janice played the lead in the spring play, as well as supporting roles for three years, and received the "Above and Beyond Award" 2000, and the "Best Actress" award 1999. She participated on the speech team, placing fifth at the Seneca Irish Invitational for Dramatic Duet Acting and Impromptu Speaking.
In addition to school activities and work, Janice demonstrates her leadership skills through community service activities. She was a Peer Facilitator, a Blood Drive Coordinator for three years, and received the Blood Drive Achievement Award two times. Janice was selected as the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Representative for Yorkville High School.
Janice plans to own and/or operate her own business one day, and believes a business degree from Northern Illinois University will help her to accomplish her goal.
Eric Odelson, 2001 - 2002 Recipient
Eric Odelson was selected as the recipient of the NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship Fund based upon his academic qualifications, as well as his potential as a business leader.
Eric is a 2001 graduate of Buffalo Grove High School. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the Talent Development Program, and the Chess Team. Eric was the first place champion of the 2000 Harper College Accounting II competition. Additionally, Eric was active in sports as a member of the football team and baseball team.
Eric demonstrated leadership and community service at the Buffalo Grove Recreation Association where he participated for four years on the Buddy Baseball league for handicapped children. He also assisted children with Cerebral Palsy to play bingo at Bingo City and the Golden Tierra. In addition to these activities, Eric worked as a sales representative and merchandise specialist for two years at Best Buy.
Eric wants to work his way up in the Chicago area stock exchange and plans to use his business degree to achieve his goal of becoming a partner in a brokerage firm.
Alexandria Ross, 2000 - 2001 Recipient
Alexandria Ross is a class of 2000 graduate of Rich East High School in Park Forest, Illinois. Alexandria excelled academically and participated in numerous extracurricular activities. She was a member of the Spanish National Honors Society(president), the National Honors Society (president), Peer Mediation, Marching Band, Symphonic Band(first chair), Student Council, Class Officer(vice president), and Mathlete (member of conference champion team). She was selected as the Outstanding Spanish Student, and first place winner (verbal and written) of the poetry contest. Community service is important for Alexandria as well. She serves as a tutor for the National Honors Society, describing her job as "helping any student who deserves to succeed." She also plays in a musical ensemble for holiday mall shoppers, and organized a food, clothing and supply drive for the hurricane victims in Honduras. Alexandria expressed that as a receipient of the NIU Executive Club Sholarship, she will use the opportunity given to her to enhance the education of others. "With a business degree from NIU, I will be able to assist many young adults find direction on this difficult road of life. The most prestigious gift an individual can pass on to others is the gift of knowledge."
Monica Wallace, 1999 - 2000 Recipient
Monica A. Wallace was selected as the first NIU Executive Club Endowed Scholarship recipient based on her academic qualifications, as well as her potential as a business leader. Monica is from Hampshire, Illinois and graduated third in her class from Central High School in June 1999. Monica was the first high school student elected to be a member of the SITE Base Team, demonstrating leadership and decision making for implementing school/educational changes. She was also a member of the National Honor Society, Academic Bowl, Math Team, WYSE (World Youth in Science and Engineering) Team, Student Council, Student Government, Spanish Club and Spanish Honor Society.Community service is a priority for Monica as well. She serves as a regular volunteer at St. Joseph Hospital and serves Dinner to the Needy for St. Joseph Church. She also has fun with her peers running a Cheerleading Clinic/Camp for grade school girls, working on homecoming and prom events, and participating in the Burlington Community Parade. Monica plans to study business to become a health care (hospital) administrator.