Student Spotlight: Aerienne Russell

Aerienne Russell

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School: Cary-Grove High School.

Grade: Senior.

Age: 17.

Noteworthy accomplishments: High honor roll every semester; top 5 percent of class; AP classes; Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering participant; Illinois State Scholar.

Awards: 2007-08 Questbridge College Match scholarship recipient.

Hobbies: Guitar/harmonica, songwriting, making puns

Extracurricular activities: Film club, math team, Scholastic Bowl.

Why chosen: “Aerienne has won a full four-year scholarship, worth nearly $200,000, to Pomona College in Claremont, Calif.,” said Russell’s mom, Stephanie. “She has worked so diligently both at school and at home. … She’s been active on the math team and the Scholastic Bowl for four years, and holds a part-time job. She will be the first woman in our family to attend college.”

Five on the fly

• Favorite book? “A Confederacy of Dunces.”

• Who is your role model? “My mom.”

• Favorite movie? “‘Time of the Gypsies.’”

• Favorite TV show? “I love classic episodes of ‘The Simpsons’ … they never get old.”

• Words of wisdom? “You can't have everything. Where would you put it?”