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CLEMSON, S.C. The National Scholars Programat Clemson University announces 14 National

Scholars for 2014.

The 10 women and four men who comprise the 2014 cohort of Clemson National Scholars are the mostaccomplished in the 15-year history of the program, both in and out of the classroom. Beyond the

remarkable academic records they present with an average SAT of 1500 and high school class rank in

the top 0.2 percent these Scholars are a diverse and talented group of researchers, writers, artists,

actors, musicians, athletes and community servants.

The National Scholars Program is Clemsons most selective academic merit program. National Scholars

receive a four-year merit scholarship that covers tuition and fees; an allowance for room and board; anda summer group study-abroad experience after freshman year; as well as a range of intellectual

enrichment opportunities and dedicated mentoring.

This was the most impressive group of finalists weve ever reviewed, said Jamie Williams, director of

the National Scholars Program. There was a marked increase in the number of Honors College

applications, which made an even stronger pool of candidates to consider.

The Scholars were chosen through a rigorous selection process. Out of more than 1,400 applicants to theCalhoun Honors College, 39 were invited to compete in February on campus in a series of interviews,

small group meetings and a large group decision-making exercise. The 14 new National Scholars are:

Kristin Fuller, Daphne High School, Daphne, Ala.| Fuller is a three-year captain of Daphne HighSchools swim team, earning a varsity letter, and has written, produced and directed an originalplay as part of the Drama Club. She completed a study-abroad program in the British Isles throughthe International Baccalaureate program, and is a National Merit Scholarship CommendedStudent. Fuller is the daughter of Doris and John Fuller and plans to major in chemicalengineering.

Zachary Girvin, Mauldin High School, Simpsonville, S.C.| Girvin has been a leader on Mauldinscross-country and track and field teams, serving as a captain and earning All-Region, All-Countyand All-State Honors. A leader also in both Beta Club and the National Honor Society, Girvinreceived the West Point Leadership Award and is a National Merit Scholarship semifinalist. Girvinis the son of Rhonda and Douglas Girvin and plans to major in bioengineering.

Grace Glenn, Wando High School, Mount Pleasant, S.C.| Glenn is captain of Wandos Mock TrialTeam and has been named Most Effective Attorney twice in competitions. President of theHonors Latin Club as well as vice president of the Latin Club, Glenn is involved extensively inservice in the Charleston area as president of the Interact Club. As a freshman, Glenn won thestate National History Day Award and is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Glenn isthe daughter of Emily Johnston and Robert Glenn and plans to major in computer science.

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Patrick Gorospe, S.C. Governors School for Science and Mathematics, Rock Hill, S.C.| Gorospecreated the Student2Student tutoring program as his Eagle Scout project, connecting GovernorsSchool students to local fourth- and fifth-grade students. He also conducted a research internshipon game theory at the Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Daejeon, SouthKorea. A National Merit Scholarship semifinalist, Gorospe received the Yale Book Award andreceived the West Point Leadership Award. Gorospe is the son of Michelle Gorospe and plans tomajor in political science.

Neha Kumar, Southside High School, Simpsonville, S.C.| As chairwoman of the Debate Team,Kumar has been nationally ranked three consecutive years and third in South Carolina twoconsecutive years. A volunteer at the Shriners Hospital for Children, she is captain of the tennisteam, literature chairwoman of the Academic Team, and an International Baccalaureate Programfreshman mentor. Kumar is both a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and anAdvanced Placement Scholar with Distinction. Kumar is the daughter of Neena and Arun Kumarand plans to major in biological science.

Joseph Litts, home school, Florence, S.C.| Litts combines a passion for art and history, focusingon the relationship between the evolution of 18thcentury decorative arts and major historicalevents both in the U.S. and abroad. As an independent project, he designed and built both QueenAnne- and Biedermeier-style furniture. Litts has participated in juried art shows at the Piccolo

Spoleto Festival and the S.C. Watermedia Society. Litts is the son of Martha and Ray Litts andplans to major in history.

Killian McDonald, A.C. Flora High School, Columbia, S.C.| McDonald holds several leadershippositions in Student Government, Youth in Government, Young Democrats, Model United Nationsand the National Honor Society. McDonald has received the Brown University Book Award forExcellence in Language and the A.C. Flora Falcon Service Award, and has won state-level awardsat National History Day competitions. McDonald is the daughter of Shannon and Gris McDonaldand plans to major in genetics.

Tyler Rodgers, Academic Magnet High School, Charleston, S.C.| Rodgers is captain of the Speechand Debate Team and has won multiple regional and state awards. For the last two years, she hasresearched micro-architecture and has designed and built a 12-foot long, eight-foot wide and 13-foot tall house as a model for temporary housing that can be used by the homeless or afterdisasters. Rodgers was named the Arthur N. Rupe Scholar at the 2013 National Speech andDebate Tournament. Rodgers is the daughter of Elizabeth and Stanley Rodgers and plans to majorin architecture.

Ansley Sackett, Walter Hines Page High School, Greensboro, N.C.| Sackett serves as seniorcaptain of the cross country team, president of the Latin Club and captain of the Quiz Bowl Team.She has performed in ten productions of the Page Playmakers Drama Club and volunteers with afood-assistance program for the homeless in Greensboro. Sackett is both an Advanced PlacementScholar with Honor and a National Merit Scholarship Commended student. Sackett is the daughterof Lucile and Henry Sackett and plans to major in animal and veterinary science.

Jessica Schnorr, Ashley Hall, Mount Pleasant, S.C. | Schnorr volunteers extensively in theCharleston area, including at a local medical clinic and Charleston Youth Serve. In addition tobeing captain of the lacrosse team, Schnorr is a leader on Student Council and editor-in-chief ofThe Acanus, Ashley Halls literary magazine. She has received the Harvard Book Award and theAshley Hall Co-Curricular Leadership Award. Schnorr is the daughter of Susan and John Schnorrand plans to major in political science.

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Sarah Timmins, St. Benedict School, Memphis, Tenn.| Timmins conducted chemical engineeringresearch at Mississippi State University, studying the mechanical properties of polymer hydrogelsat the nanoscale. She also serves as president of Model United Nations and captain of theKnowledge Bowl Team, and is the lead vocalist for her schools jazz and soul band. Timmins is aNational Merit Scholarship Commended Student and an Advanced Placement Scholar withDistinction. Timmins is the daughter of Karen and Robert Timmins and plans to major in chemicalengineering.

Sarah Waldvogel, D.W. Daniel High School, Central, S.C.| Waldvogel is an accomplishedmusician, serving as primary soloist for the Marching Band and as first chair for flutes in theConcert Band. She has been named an all-county, all-region and all-state player. As president ofthe Beta Club, she restructured the organization to offer more service and leadership opportunitiesand helped raise more than $10,000 for the Relay for Life team. Waldvogel is a National MeritScholarship Semifinalist and won first place in both divisions I and II at the Clemson UniversityBiology Merit Exam. Waldvogel is the daughter of Sheryl and the late Jerry Waldvogel and plans tomajor in genetics.

Casey Young, Calvert High School, St. Leonard, Md.| Young has worked with the U.S. Navy toprogram battle simulations, including the Joint Integration Missions Model, as well as with a teamof mechanical engineers to design radiation-emitter horns for helicopters. She is captain of the

swim team, first chair viola for Advanced Orchestra and a member of the varsity cross-countryteam. Young is an Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction and received the Bausch andLomb Honorary Science Award. Young is the daughter of Jennifer and Donald Young and plans tomajor in bioengineering.

Eric Zuberi, La Salle Academy, Lincoln, R.I.| Zuberi founded his schools chess club, which wonfirst place in the 2013 state tournament; Zuberi also won top player. Hes served as captain of theMock Trial team for two years and is a member of the tennis team. Zuberi has volunteered for twoyears as an aide at a medical clinic, assisting neurologists, gerontologists, internists andanesthesiologists. He received the book award from the College of Holy Cross, and is an AdvancedPlacement Scholar with Honors. Zuberi is the son of Rebecca and Faheem Zuberi and plans tomajor in microbiology.