Student of the Year

EXCHANGE CLUB INDIANA

Congratulations to Madelyn Shinn, from Michigan City High School, who has won the coveted Exchange Club Indiana Student of the Year Award. Madelyn previously earned the Michigan City Exchange Club Student of the Year honor, which qualified her for the State event. She was chosen for her Exceptional Academic Abilities, Activities, Community Service and Personal Achievement. She wrote a thought provoking essay which provided background for her decision to pursue a medical career. The judges stated it was the best they had ever seen. Madelyn received a $ 1,500 prize to help with the cost of her education. Victory over contestants from 16 other Exchange Clubs in Indiana, qualifies her for consideration as the Exchange Club National Student of the Year.

L to R: Gloria Dunaway-Harley, Indiana District President, Amy Shinn, Madelyns' Mother, Madelyn Shinn, Phil Freese, Exchange Club Committee Chairman

Student of the Year Award

Program Speaker: Speaker Chairman for this week’s meeting Phil Freese, explained today’s program regarding recognizing three students today for their winning scholarship essays. All three students will receive a $500 check and an engraved plaque from the Club. The two Students of the Year were judged based on five separate categories:

#1. Activities #2 Community Service #3 Grades #4 Personal Achievement (local, state, and

nationally) 5 Written Essay (topic supplied by the Exchange Club). The scholarship judges noted that this year’s essays were some of the best they had ever seen, and that it was not an easy decision to pick the winning essays.

Student of the Year and Ace Award Winners 2025

**The A.C.E. Scholarship winner** **Michale Walker**
The “Accepting the Challenge of Excellence” (A.C.E.) Award honors students who have overcome adversity, to graduate high school and move their lives in positive directions. Michale was able overcome a speech problem. He enjoys being a mentor for other youths who are working to overcome speech issues like he faced. Michale will be attending IU South Bend to study speech therapy and play baseball.
Award presented by Jim Fisher.

**Student of the Year from Michigan City High School is:** **Madelyn Shinn**
Madelyn read her essay which was very thought-provoking and provided reasons which helped shape her desire to seek a medical career. She will be pursuing her medical studies at Northwestern University.
Madelyn has also been awarded **Exchange Club Indiana Student of the Year.** For this honor she will be receiving a $1,500 prize and will be considered for the Exchange Club National Student of the Year.
Presented by Phil Freese.

**Student of the Year from LaPorte High School is:** **Drew Bush**
Drew shared his essay with those in attendance today. He described how he found his purpose through helping others, by holding study sessions and mentoring other students to better understand certain math concepts. He was class Valedictorian for LaPorte HS., captain of the tennis team and participated in several other activities. Drew will be attending Notre Dame to study Finance and Policial Science.
Award presented by Phil Freese.

Student of the Month Awards

The Student of the Month program identifies students that are chosen based on several factors including academics, sports, and participation in activities both inside and outside the school. Students are chosen for recognition by counselors at Marquette, Michigan City, and LaPorte High Schools. Each student selected, receives an engraved plaque along with a $50 cash award. Student of the Month Awards are presented six times each year. Winners are encouraged to apply for the Student of the Year which the Club awards every Spring.

Student of the Month - March 2025

La Porte High School Student of the Month: Caitlyn Carnes

Caitlyn participates in Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball and Football, in addition to her academic achievements.

Marquette High School Student of the Month

Alexandria Shoppa

Alexandria has won awards in Golf, participates in Theater and plans to attend Purdue University, Ft Wayne.

Michigan City High School Student of the Month

Nicholas Salcido

Nicholas excels in academics, achieving a coveted spot on the Principals Honor Roll.

Michigan City High School Student of the Month - February

Naomi Williams

Naomi has achieved a spot in the National Honor Society.

Student of the Month February 2025

This month’s student of the month, representing Marquette HS, is Natalie Robinson, (left). Natalie plays Power Forward on the basketball team, believes in serving others, and is looking to pursue a degree in Nursing. Currently, she has not selected a college of choice.

Mia Mejan, (right) from La Porte High School, is the President of Resources, Secretary of the National Honor Society, and Captain of the Tennis Team. She plans to pursue a degree in Speech Pathology.

Student of the Month - January 2005

Emerson Rowley, from Marquette High School, was captain of the soccer team and participated in many other activities through out the year. She will be attending St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, pursuing a degree in Psychology with hopes of becoming a Physical Therapist

Kushi Patel, from Michigan City High School is a member of the National Honor Society, a cheerleader and a volunteer for the Salvation Army. She plans to attend Indiana University - Bloomington, to continue her education.

Caroline Wildfang, from La Porte High School, ran Cross Country as well as specializing in long-distance on the Track Team. She volunteers to serve hot meals in the community and is considering a college degree in Political Science or Biomedical Engineering

Student of the Month - December 2024

Elizabeth Hooper, (left) LPHS, is the captain of the La Porte Dance Team, a member of the Community Choir and she is very active in the Theater Club. Ellie plans to attend the University of Michigan, or the University of Cincinnati, majoring in theater.

Bella Jiang, (center) Marquette HS, is a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.0 average and plays #1 singles on the tennis team. She plans to pursue a career in bio-medicine at the University of Michigan or one of several others schools.

Meshak Luncsford, (not present), MCAS, excels in academics with several appointments to the Principals Honor Roll.

Phil Freeze, (right) Exchange Club Committee Director

Student of the Month Awards - November 2024

From Marquette High School:

Madison Najar.

Madison’s resume includes both high academic achievements as well as award winning golf performances while playing for Marquette. Madison will be continuing her education at Edgewood College where plans to study Physical Therapy.

From Michigan City High School:

John Zaknoun.

John plays soccer and football,

in addition to participating in the Spanish Club and National Honor Society. He is considering IU, Purdue or Butler for continuing his education. John is looking to pursue a degree in Biology.

From Laporte High School:

Sugele Escutia-Jacuinde.

Sugele participates in various activities including the Spanish Club. Sugele has earned several certifications in the medical field while taking multiple nursing classes.