Whiz Kids: Royal Oak High School Top Grads

Freida Blostein

Parents: Joel Blostein and Barbara Oppewall

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: Drama Club President, Model United Nations Finance Officer, Marching Band, JV and Varsity Soccer, Track, National Honor Society

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Box City, Volunteering at Public Library

Scholarships & Awards: National Merit Finalist, Presidential Scholar Semifinalist, University of Michigan Shipman Scholarship and Regents Merit Scholarship, WXYZ “Brightest and Best”, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Richard Bremer

Parents: Rick and Kathy Bremer

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: Wind Ensemble, National Honor Society, Medical Skills Cooperative Education

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Addams Elementary and Royal Oak Middle School Math Tutor, St. Mary’s of Royal Oak Altar Server

Scholarships & Awards: Wayne State University Presidential Scholarship, Oakland County Career Technical Education Student Recognition Award, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Wayne State University

Veronica Cook

Parents: Jim Cook and Susan Sammut

Distinction: 3.95

School Activities: Varsity Sideline and Competitive Cheer, Senior Cheer Captain

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Helped Coach Royal Oak Chiefs Youth Cheer

Scholarships & Awards: Hope College Alumni Honors Scholarship, Hope College Award, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Hope College

Blaire DeWilde Kohler

Parents: Laurie Kohler and Ivan DeWilde

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: National Honor Society, International Club, German American Partnership Program, Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Oakland Youth Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, Civic Youth Ensembles – Civic Orchestra, Royal Oak Youth Soccer Association

Scholarships & Awards: Wayne State University Presidential Scholarship, National Merit Commendation, Society of Women Engineers Madame Curie Award, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Wayne State University

Dan Dobras

Parents: Pamela Dobras

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: Senior Class President, Acorn Editor in Chief, Varsity Cross Country Captain, Wrestling and Track Teams

Scholarships & Awards: Al Neuharth Free Spirit and Journalism Scholarship, AP Scholar with Honors, Roiyal Oak High School Staff Recognition Scholarship, William S. Broomfield Scholarship, James C. Covert Athletic Award, Royal Oak High School Coaches Recognition Award, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Alexandra Dulin

Parents: Kathleen Otruba and Kevin Dulin

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Jazz Ensemble, A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers, Marching Band, Drama Club, Soccer

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Girl Scouts

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship, Chuck Jones Athletic Award, Royal Oak High School Athletic Boosters Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Veronica Dulin

Parents: Kathleen Otruba and Kevin Dulin

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: National Honor Society, Model United Nations,

Symphony Band, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Softball

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Girl Scouts

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship, Model United Nations Ambassador Augustus, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Nehel Haji, Jr.

Parents: Nahel Haji

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: Main Office Co-op

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Relay for Life, Teen Bible Study

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan M-Pact Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Jessica Lee

Parents: Kathy Lee and Joe Lee

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: Dance Company, International Club, National Honor Society, Acorn School Newsmagazine, Powder Puff Football

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: PBS Kids Fair, PTA Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair, Arts Beats and Eats, Spanish Tutor, Royal Oak Public Library

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan Scholarship, Royal Oak Education Association Scholarship, Royal Oak Rotary Club Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Shannon Mabee

Parents: Lori and Tom Mabee

Distinction: 3.95

School Activities: Band, Yearbook, National Honor Society

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Volunteer at South Oakland Family YMCA, Addams Market Cay, 6th Grade Camp Counselor

Scholarships & Awards: Donald M. Currie PTA Scholarship, University of Michigan Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Anna Marck

Parents: George and Gayle Marck

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: Choir, National Honor Society, Drama Club, Chamber Singers

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Stagecrafters Community Theatre, Birmingham Village Players, Motor City Youth Theatre

Scholarships & Awards: Donald M. Currie Memorial PTA Scholarship, Oakland University Presidential Scholarship, Royal Oak Musicale Scholarship, Royal Oak Arts Council Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Oakland University

Anne Marie Mueller

Parents: Robert Mueller and Rebecca Mueller

Distinction: 3.95

School Activities: Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, National Honor Society, Alternative Strings, Marching Band, Pit Orchestra

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Oakland Youth Orchestra, St. Paul Lutheran Church Bell Choir, Royal Oak Public Library, Cranbrook, South  Oakland Shelter, Arts Beats and Eats, Oak Apple Run

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan Scholarship, University of Michigan Regents Merit Scholarship, Donald M. Currie Memorial PTA Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Adam Quinn

Parents: Kathleen and Lawrence Quinn

Distinction: 4.0

School Activities: Model United Nations, Varsity Track and Field, Varsity Cross Country, S.E.A.

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Paws4Life

Scholarships & Awards: Oakland University Distinguished Scholar Award, James C. Covert Athletic Award, Royal Oak High School Coaches Recognition Award, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Oakland University

Abigail Rogers

Parents: Jim and Laura Rogers

Distinction: 3.98

School Activities: Tennis, National Honor Society, Associate Editor Acorn Newsmagazine, Spirit Club, Varsity Cross Country, Wind Ensemble, German American Partnership Program

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Salvation Army Bell Ringing, Oak Ridge Elementary Math & Science Night, Royal Oak Middle School Camp Counselor

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan-Dearborn Dean’s Scholarship, Donald M. Currie Memorial PTA Scholarship, Oak Ridge Elementary School Alumni Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Jacquelyn Semivan

Parents: Brian and Jennifer Semivan

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: Wind Ensemble, National Honor Society, Soccer, International Club, Flute Choir

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Royal Oak First United Methodist Church Mission Trip, Choir

Scholarships & Awards: Keith J. Leenhouts Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Michigan State University

Christina Villerot

Parents: Patrick and Beth Villerot

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: Cross Country, Track and Field, National Honor Society

Scholarships & Awards: Michigan Technological University Presidential Excellence Scholarship and Student Award, Jack MacLean Athletic Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Michigan Technological University

Elena Yarmy

Parents: Michael and Laurie Yarmy

Distinction: 3.97

School Activities: A Cappella Choir, Chamber Singers, Vice President Choir, National Honor Society

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Church Choir and Three Mission Trips

Scholarships & Awards: University of Michigan Regent Merit Scholarship, Royal Oak United Methodist Church Keith J. Leenhouts Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: University of Michigan

Andre Zapico

Parents: Deanna Zapico and Mark Zapico

Distinction: 3.95

School Activities: Marching Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Concert and Symphony Band, Student Conductor

Volunteer Work/Community Involvement: Detroit Symphony Orchestra Civic Jazz Program, Civic Jazz Orchestra, Michigan Youth Ensemble

Scholarships & Awards: Michigan State University Award, Royal Oak Rotary Club Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa

College: Michigan State University

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Do you know our next Whiz Kid?

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout? How about a school group that worked on a project for charity? Did your local soccer team take the championship? They may be our next Patch Whiz Kid honorees.

Royal Oak Patch seeks suggestions from readers for individual children, youth groups, teens and even sports teams that wow us with their accomplishments. Email your nomination to editor Judy Davids. Be sure to include all of the following information:

• Nominator's name and contact information
• Whiz Kid's name, age and school
• Whiz Kid's accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's key to awesomeness (what made him/her successful?)
• Whiz Kid photo(s)