North High School Names Class of 2011 Top Two Percent

Community High School District 99 in Downers Grove has named the North and South High students who ranked academically in the top 2 percent of their senior classes. Twenty-five students in the district made the cut -- 10 from North and 15 from South.

“Being a member of the top two percent at each campus is a most distinguishing academic honor, as it acknowledges a consistently high level of academic performance across seven semesters of high school,” said District 99 Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald in a district release. “We are proud of these students and know that each one has an incredibly bright future.”

The top two percent of students from North High School include: 

Claire Bedalov of Downers Grove, daughter of Greg and Lynn Bedalov, attends North High School. She has received the Chemistry Student of the Year, Math Student of the Year, National Spanish Exam-Gold Level, and Gold Key in Math awards. She’s been part of the Link Leaders, Math Team and National Honor Society, and has played on the badminton team. She has volunteered for Good Samaritan Hospital and Downers Grove Township Peer Jury. Claire plans to attend either the University of Notre Dame or University of Illinois and major in biochemistry and Spanish. Favorite memory: “The Evolution of Dance at this year’s homecoming assembly was a really fun thing to do with the senior class, and I think the rest of the school really liked it too.” 

Stephanie Bollow of Downers Grove, daughter of Caryn Englander and Richard Bollow, attends North High School. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar. She’s been on the Straight-A Honor Roll and has received the J.Kyle Braid Scholarship. She’s been part of the J.Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation, National Honor Society, French Honor Society, Link Crew and Operation Snowball. Stephanie has been on the cross country, track and field, and soccer teams and has volunteered with the Rotary Club. Favorite memory: “Directing the Winter Snowball was a lot of fun, working with the leaders and other directors. It was also very rewarding to see all of our hard work unfold into a successful event.”

Kaitlin Jeffries of Downers Grove, daughter of Mike and Terry Jeffries, attends North High School. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar. She has received the AP Scholar with Distinction, the Gold Level on National Spanish Exams, and the Gold Key in Math awards. She has directed plays at the Children’s Theater of Western Springs, been an all-state member of choir, is part of the National Honor Society and is a Link Leader. She’s part of the cross country team, and has volunteered for The Giving Tree and Youth in Government. Kaitlin plans to major in neuroscience. Favorite memory: “Going to the All-State convention for choir was amazing because it gave me the opportunity to witness and be a part of incredible musical performances and to meet other students who cared about music as much as I do.”

Marie Kirkegaard of Downers Grove, daughter of Dana and Margaret Kirkegaard, attends North High School. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar and has received an AP Chemistry Department, Rising Stars Music, and Band Legacy awards. She’s been part of the Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, “Belief 2 Behavior” club and Band Board. She took a service trip to Cambodia and Laos and was a church instrumentalist. Marie plans to major in chemistry and minor in math in college. Favorite memory: “My favorite high school memory is my first football game as a drum major of the marching band. Climbing up the ladder to conduct my first half-time show was thrilling.” 

Ivan Marquez of Woodridge, son of Jesus and Gloria Marquez, attends North High School. He was the Hispanic Heritage Award Bronze Medalist for Mathematics and Engineering, a National Hispanic Recognition Scholar, and an AP Scholar with Honors. He’s a member of the National Honor Society. Ivan has played soccer. He has volunteered for the Fairview Baptist nursing home and St. Scholastica. Ivan plans to attend Stanford University as a pre-medicine student, majoring in biology and psychology. 

Stuart Melton of Downers Grove, son of Drs. Jeff and Darlene Melton, attends North High School. He is a National Merit Commended Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Illinois State Scholar and Illinois Boys State award winner. He has been involved in the Math Team, National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl and Humanitarian Club. He is part of the track team and has been a soccer player for four years. Stuart has volunteered for the Wheaton Center for History and on the Downers Grove Human Service Commission. Favorite memory: “My favorite memory was scoring a goal on senior night for soccer, and then going on to beat OPRF in penalty kicks.”

Erin Portman of Downers Grove, daughter of Chris and Carol Portman, attends North High School. She is a National Merit Finalist and received the Daily Herald Leadership Team-Honorable Mention, AP Scholar with Distinction, and North Star awards. She has participated in the Northwind literary magazine, Scholastic Bowl, Speech Team and Orchestra and played volleyball. Erin has volunteered at the Morton Arboretum Children’s Garden and St. Mary of Gostyn. She plans to major in humanities and chemistry in college. Favorite memory: “I really enjoyed writing and performing music for the spring play, Of Mice and Men. It was a great opportunity to use my understanding of the book and of music to entertain my peers and community.”

Kevin Scantlen of Downers Grove, son of Steve and Cheryl Scantlen, attends North High School. He is a National Merit Finalist, Eagle Scout, an AP Honors with Distinction student, and Illinois State Scholar. He has participated in the Scholastic Bowl, National Honor Society, Close Up and Model U.N. Kevin has played football and baseball and is involved in the Boy Scouts. He plans to attend Georgetown, Maryland, Wisconsin, Northwestern or Brown. Favorite memory: “Going to Washington D.C. with the Close Up program was probably my favorite memory. Meeting people from all over the country and talking to elected officials were things I really enjoyed and, more importantly, something that had a profound effect on who I am today.”

Haley Sims of Downers Grove, daughter of David and Janice Sims, attends North High School. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and Straight-A Honor Roll student. She is a three-time IHSA State Swimming Champion, 14-time State Medalist and 14-time High School All-American. She has been part of the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Group, Student Athletic Council and National Honor Society. She has volunteered for St. Mary of Gostyn and the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. Haley will attend Stanford University and major in biology. Favorite memory: “I can’t pick out one specific moment, but a combination of the following comes close: school dances, pasta parties, singing in the locker room, French V, winning state, and weekends with friends.”

Alexander Vogler of Downers Grove, son of Greg and Maria Vogler, attends North High School. He was part of the 2011 IHSA All-State Academic Team and the Chicago Fire 1^st Team All-Academic, and received the IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award. He was also a 2010 AP Scholar with Distinction. He has been part of the bass fishing team and has played both basketball and soccer. He plans to attend Purdue University and major in chemical engineering. Favorite memory: “My best memory is beating South High School 5-1 in my senior year soccer game, with all of the stands completely packed.”