Discus Award Winner
Winners Gallery
PHOTOS
Cathleen Dunning
12th Grade, IL
ATTRIBUTES
Academics
I have been on either the Principal (all A's and B's) or Commended Honor Roll (max of 1 C) every semester of every year of my schooling. When I graduate from High School in June I will have taken 8 AP classes and 7 college credit classes (at Harold Washington and University of Chicago). Every summer since 2007 I've participated in STEM summer program including a Math Camp, two engineering programs, and an extensive four and a half week pre-college program at Kettering University where I finished 8th in my class of 38 scholars from across the United States and the Bahamas. I received a 30 on my ACT and have been named an AP Scholar for 2011 and 2012, a State Scholar for 2013-2014 and was awarded the University of Chicago book prize three years in a row (2010-2012).
Community Service
The main reason I enjoy participating in community service events is because it makes me happy to know that one, I'm a part of something bigger than myself, and two, what I'm doing actually has a positive impact on someone else's life. I joined my Girl Scout troop when I was 10 with the hopes that I would be able to do just that. Since then I’ve volunteered at an AIDS pantry, help raise awareness for breast cancer, held an event on self-worth for a group of teenage girls and several other things. I also founded 8 week girls mentoring program at a local elementary school last year where I, along with about 6 other junior girls, led discussions with a group of 6th grade girls on topics including: bullying, self-image, character, etiquette, and relationships.
Faith
My Faith has always been an important part of who I am. Growing up in the church has allowed me to understand that you should never be ashamed of who you are or what you stand for. I've been a part of my church's youth choir for the past nine years and I participated a nine month youth discipleship course my freshman year of high school. Currently I work in my church's nursery one Sunday a month and work with the youngest members of our congregation (1-6 year-olds) to help them understand who God is and why he's so important in our lives. I also serve as a youth representative on our Youth Ministry and am responsible along with a small group of other youth for helping to plan the Youth Service we hold one Sunday a month for children 7-19 separate from the adult service.
