Senior Lizzy Warner began the ceremony by winning three awards: Comcast, Kiwanis Vic Shaul, and Junior League of Champaign-Urbana. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click to enlarge)

Senior Karolina Kalbarczyk won the Illinois Science Teachers Association Award. With her are science teachers David Stone (second from left), David Bergandine, and Patricia Morris.

Junior Tej Chajed won the Bausch and Lomb Science Scholarship Program Award. Behind him are teachers Stone (left) and Bergandine.

Senior Richard Wang receives the Philip Anderson Outstanding Science Student Award from Bergandine.

Senior Andrew Lovdahl receives the James Tobin Award for Excellence in the Social Sciences from social studies teacher Janet Morford.

Junior Vivian Robison was one of two students to win the Wylde Q. Chicken Award; the other, senior Joy Shapley, had to leave early to compete in the girls soccer playoff game later that afternoon.

Senior Caroline Brown, co-recipient with Isaac Chambers of the Illinois Principals Association Award, with Assistant Director Sue Kovacs.

English teacher Elizabeth Majerus won the Ella Leppert Award for outstanding teaching. The senior class selected the winner.

URBANA — Senior Isaac Chambers was named Student of the Year at Uni High's annual awards ceremony Tuesday afternoon at Uni Gym. He was selected by a vote of the school's faculty members.

Chambers, the Student Council executive president, was honored for his work on behalf of the school and community, as well as for his commitment to academics and his demonstrated respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.

A complete list of awards and honors earned by Uni students this year will be mailed out in June.

The following are some of the awards given at the assembly, with an emphasis on those whose winners were announced for the first time.

SPECIAL AWARDS FROM OUTSIDE UNI

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Award
Lizzy Warner, senior
This $1,000 scholarship recognizes the academic achievement, community service, and leadership skills of outstanding students. Kristen Pollock, representing Comcast, presented the award. Warner plans to major in economics at Knox College.

STUDENT SERVICES AWARDS

Kiwanis Club of Champaign-Urbana Vic Schaul Award
Lizzy Warner, senior
The Champaign-Urbana Noon Kiwanis Club started a scholarship program in 1989 in honor of one of their club's finest members — Vic Shaul, a member from 1945 until his death in 1993. This $500 scholarship recognizes him for his contributions to the C-U community and its young people.

Junior League of Champaign-Urbana Volunteer Scholarship Award
Lizzy Warner, senior
Each year, the Junior League of Champaign-Urbana presents a $500 scholarship to one young woman from each of C-U's six high schools. The recipients are selected by their high school’s internal process based upon their volunteer service to our community. Danielle Wilberg, representing the Junior League, presented the scholarship to Warner.

DEPARTMENTAL AWARDS

Christopher Bannister Memorial Award
Daniel Borup, senior
This award is given by the fine arts department in memory of the late Christopher F. Bannister, a member of the Uni High Class of 1955. He was a master harpsichord builder who believed that Uni High was a unique and ideal place in which to grow and stretch one's mind in many directions while still allowing one to specialize in particular interests.

According to Bannister, "There’s something 'immediate' about our society — learning the discipline of almost anything has fallen out favor. But be it in music or photography or anything else, subtlety and appreciation only come from self-discipline and study. And it's very rewarding if you make that effort." Borup, an all-state musician, National Merit finalist, and Presidential Scholars semifinalist, plans to study engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Emma Koenker Award
Vaishnavi Giridaran, senior
Emma Koenker, a member of the Uni High Class of 1998, died on Aug. 16, 1995, as the result of a brain tumor. In her memory, the foreign languages department presents the Emma Koenker Award each year to an outstanding foreign language student who displays enthusiasm about learning languages and has a spirit of adventure and shows an eagerness to try something new. Giridaran plans to major in biochemistry at the California Institute of Technology.

Tom Jolly "Spirit of Uni" Award
Daniel Borup, senior
In September 1991, Tom Jolly, a former Uni parent, dedicated fan of Uni athletics, and devoted supporter of the school, passed away following an accident. This award, given by the athletic department, is dedicated to his memory and is given to the Uni High senior who best displays the characteristics and enthusiasm Jolly exhibited during his life.

"In addition to being an outstanding student," said Director Steve Epperson in announcing the award, Borup has been "very active in a number of activities both here at Uni and in the community. He competed in WYSE, plays violin/viola, sings in chorus/madrigals, played and assisted with the boys basketball team, sang the male lead in 'West Side Story' this spring and he even assists with leading and conducting rehearsals when the opportunity arises.

"In the community, Daniel is active in Terrine Gomez's string studio, he sings with his father in his church choir, and he also plays in the bell choir. He also has an amazing ability to be friendly with his Uni colleagues and to keep strong relationships with friends in the community."

Illinois Science Teachers Association Award
Karolina Kalbarczyk, senior
This award, sponsored by the Illinois Petroleum Resources Board, goes to a junior or senior who has a strong science background. The student must have good leadership abilities, excellent laboratory and study skills, be able to solve problems, and have a strong scholastic rank. He or she must have an interest and desire for a career in science.

"As a subfreshman this year's winner wrote a paper on the latest developments in volcano research," said Epperson in announcing the recipient. "She has an enthusiasm for science, a passion for research and a drive to help others. With the capacity to lead and compassion to serve, she will continue to spread her influence far beyond the halls of Uni High." Kalbarczyk plans to major in chemical engineering at the California Institute of Technology.

Bausch and Lomb Science Scholarship Program Award
Tej Chajed, junior
This award goes to a junior who has demonstrated superior achievement in all of the sciences and who has shown exceptional skill in laboratory experimentation, and who possesses the qualities requisite to a future career in the sciences.

For his subfreshman science research paper, Chajed investigated hydrogen fuel cells. In addition to being a top performer academically in all of his science classes, he has shown great involvement in science-project development through three years of participation in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision competition as well as the Inventors Club. Chajed was a member of Uni's international award-winning ExploraVision team this year.

Philip Anderson Outstanding Science Student Award
Richard Wang, senior
This award honors Philip Anderson, who was a member of the Uni High Class of 1940 and won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1977. Wang entered Uni as a sophomore in 2006. According to Epperson, "He is distinguished not only for consistently scoring at or near the very top of all the science classes, but for his ability to learn the material independently, and most of all for going above and beyond class requirements.

"He has shown himself to be an independent and motivated student of science.  His investigation of the biochemical response to mechanical forces at the molecular level by looking at a type of guanosine triphosphatase earned him a college scholarship as a regional finalist in the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science, and Technology."

Wang was also a quarterfinalist for the U.S. Physics Team and took first place in this year's Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering mathematics exam at the state finals. He plans to major in chemistry at the University of Chicago.

James Tobin Award for Excellence in the Social Sciences
Andrew Lovdahl, senior
The James Tobin Award for Excellence in the Social Sciences was established in honor of Uni graduate James Tobin, an economist who won the Nobel Prize in 1981. The Tobin Award is given each year to a graduating senior who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the questions and principles of the social sciences.

Said Epperson in announcing the winner: "This year's awardee demonstrates that commitment in many ways: through a clear grasp of historical concepts, superior critical thinking skills, and careful attention to detail and causation. In addition, this student exhibits an uncanny ability to recall historical minutiae from previous years’ classes.

"What sets this student apart, however, is his ability to cogently articulate challenging and nuanced interpretations of historical causation, in ways that the entire class and even the teacher can easily benefit from — doing so with stylistic grace, incisive humor and sensitivity to the human condition. In the assessment of one faculty member, 'not only does this student manifest the milk of human kindness, he is also the cream of the crop of an excellent crop of senior historians.'" Lovdahl plans to major in biology at the University of Chicago.

SCHOOLWIDE AWARDS

Ella Leppert Award
Elizabeth Majerus, English teacher
This award is named in honor of Dr. Ella C. Leppert, a long-time social studies teacher at Uni High and recognizes outstanding teaching. Selection is made by the senior class. The recipient shall receive recognition by having his name engraved on the permanent plaque displayed at the school and a cash honorarium of $100. Majerus, a published poet who earned her doctorate in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is the head of Uni's English department.

Iris Chang & Peter Kolodziej Writing Awards
Danny Ge, junior, first place, nonfiction
Buck Walsh, sophomore, first place, fiction
Elaine Gu, senior, honorable mention, fiction
These awards honor the memory of writer Iris Chang, Class of 1985, and scientist Peter Kolodziej, Class of 1979. Peter's younger brother, Daniel, worked with Chang on the Unique student literary magazine. He established the awards in recognition of the central role that good writing played in the lives of both Iris and Peter. First-place winners in each category receive $100, a book award, and a plaque. Ge won the nonfiction award for his profile of Uni musician Daniel Cheng, "With Fire and Passion." Walsh won the fiction award for his story "War and Boy." Gu won honorable mention in fiction for her story "Street."

Wylde Q. Chicken Award
Joy Shapley, senior
Vivian Robison, junior
The Class of 1972 established this award 12 years ago to honor students for their unbidden creativity and their willingness to challenge orthodox ways of doing things. The full title of the award is the "Wylde Q. Chicken Spontaneous Generation Award for Coloring Outside the Lines." English teacher Suzanne Linder nominated Shapley and Robison for their responses to Orwell's "1984," which they read in Linder's class on utopian and dystopian literature.

One student produced a unique work of art, which Linder described as "an outrageous beaded portrait of Big Brother." Linder went on to write that "while seemingly domestic, feminine and non-threatening, it is totally terrifying if you look at it for long. Due to the use of pearlescent beads, it looks like Big Brother's eyes are following you wherever you go." The judges were impressed by this student's use of light and beautiful materials to capture the sinister face of a totalitarian government.

Linder's second nominee not only wrote an acceptable two-page paper on the language of "Newspeak," but she further translated her essay into Newspeak itself, resulting in a one-paragraph synopsis that also amused the judges. Shapley plans to major in linguistics at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Illinois Principals Association Award
Caroline Brown, senior
Isaac Chambers, senior
This award recognizes students who have exhibited excellence in a variety of areas, including grades, co-curricular activities, and involvement in community activities.

Brown was selected based on grades, extracurricular activities such as United for Uganda and Queer Straight Alliance, and for being a student who is always positive, a good role model, and a giver of her time. "Caroline is one of those people who draw causes to themselves," said Epperson in announcing the award. "If Caroline sees something that is unfair, needs attention, or needs doing, she will volunteer to take care of it. She is a person to go to." Brown plans to major in anthropology at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Chambers has been selected based on grades, participation in student government, sports, extracurricular activities such as leadership in his class and on Student Council, his development of the Allerton park project for the freshman class, his plans for the development of a new building addition, his ability to make a Uni dream a possible reality, and "just being an all-around positive student at Uni, but mostly because he is a leader and go-getter," Epperson said. Chambers plans to study business at Emory University.

Matt Wilhelm Memorial “Service with a Smile” Award
Adam Tiouririne, senior
Matt Wilhelm, Class of 1999, was a dedicated member of the Uni student body who was constantly helping others. Each year, the Matt Wilhelm Memorial “Service with a Smile” Award is voted on by the faculty and goes to a member of the Uni student who, like Matt, went above and beyond the call of duty to serve the Uni community.

Tiouririne has made a name for himself at Uni and in the Champaign-Urbana area with his work as the school's public address announcer, especially at basketball games. Some of the comments from faculty members about him included: "His service to Uni has been outstanding. His work assisted many and always with a smile!" "He helped so many students in so many ways, often giving up his own time to shoot video, assist with school functions, whatever it took to get the job done, and always with a smile!" Tiouririne plans to study finance and politics at New York University.

June Mank Award
Natsuki Nakamura, senior
June Mank was the bookkeeper for Uni High from 1972 to 1988. She served on the Champaign City Council from 1979-2003. In her spare time she drove cancer patients for treatment, delivered meals on wheels, and served on various neighborhood committees, plus church activities.

This award is voted on by the faculty and given to a student who most shares June’s supportive role in the interest of Uni High. The student may have a long-term commitment to a single project, a short-term commitment to a variety of projects, or is engaged in service to the school without being asked.

Comments about Nakamura, who is Student Council executive secretary-treasurer, included: "She has volunteered for about everything at Uni. She embodies the spirit of this award." "If there is work to be done around the school, she will be the center of it. S4BW, Student Council, Habitat — she distinguishes herself with an unusual combination of competence and unassuming helpfulness." "She is the student that you can rely on to make things happen smoothly. She never seeks the spotlight." Nakamura plans to major in biology at the University of California at Davis.

Director’s Award
Daniel Borup, senior
This award is given at the discretion of the principal. The award is intended to recognize a student who exhibits strong character and is a good role model for others both in the classroom and outside it. In Epperson's words, Borup "has contributed to Uni High in a variety of ways. He is an outstanding student, has participated in athletics, and been very involved in music and fine arts. We encourage Uni students to be well-rounded, and this student exemplifies what this means."

Student of the Year Award
Isaac Chambers, senior
This award is determined by the faculty. The following are the criteria used to select the winner:

1. The student demonstrates respect for the dignity and worth of the individual.
2. The student is sensitive to the needs of his/her school and community and initiates constructive action without seeking self-glorification.
3. The student is willing and able to operate as a leader or follower as the situation demands.
4. The student is creative and demonstrates ability to inaugurate and carry out original proposals. The student is not bound by tradition.
5. The student has a strong interest in and commitment to their academic program.

Comments about Chambers included: "He has put all of his energies into improving the school and everything associated with the school." "He has had a huge impact on Uni all of the way back to his subfreshman year. He is a constant source of innovative ideas. He is as dedicated to Uni as a student can be."

"He is an idea person — a pusher of ideas and solutions. He has learned to work with other people to complete projects that require more than one person." "He has been consistently dedicated to his school, his classmates, and his community. He is not bound by tradition — instead he has examined various areas of Uni in a creative and constructive way — proposing new programs, ideas, and ways to make Uni a better place for all."

Mike Byrd accepts Uni's $3,460 donation to the Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club. The school raised the money through X-Week events, including Big Show. In the background are Student Council executive president Isaac Chambers, vice president Alan Liang, and secretary-treasurer Natsuki Nakamura, along with Director Steve Epperson. Gargoyle photos by David Porreca (click any photo to enlarge and to create your own slideshow)

Members of Uni's international award-winning ExploraVision team as well as three teams that won honorable mention at the regional level were honored at the awards ceremony. Standing from left: Anna Rubakhina (hm), Zack Korol-Gold (hm), Isaac Chambers (1st), Danny Ge (1st), Daniel Cheng (1st), Tej Chajed (1st), Kathy Qiu (hm). Front row: Dax Earl (hm), Eric Chen (hm).