8 Jan 2007
2006 Graduate Emily Bordelon Named Advanced Placement State Scholar
DALLAS—Dallas Independent School District Superintendent Michael Hinojosa will salute nearly 400 of the district's highest academic achievers and their teachers in the National Merit and Advanced Placement programs at the Superintendent's Academic Scholars Reception, at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 9, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, 2301 Flora St.
"This event is the pinnacle of our AP program," said General Superintendent Michael Hinojosa. "These students are proving to their parents, the district and themselves that they will become the leaders of tomorrow," said Hinojosa. "This is a true testimony that when students work hard and are dedicated to learning and achieving, the successes of higher standards will be reached," he said.
The Advanced Placement Program Scholars Awards are intended to recognize high school students who have demonstrated college-level achievement through AP courses and examinations. Although there is no monetary award, students receive a certificate and the achievement is acknowledged on any grade report that is sent to colleges the following fall.
Along with nearly 400 academic scholars being honored this year, 31 National Merit Semi-Finalists will also be recognized. The number of students honored has risen for the past few years, from 297 in 2003, to 337 in 2004, and 399 in 2005.
This year, Emily Bordelon, a 2006 graduate of the School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center, was named the 2006 AP State Scholar. Bordelon, who was a National Merit Semi-Finalist last year, completed 22 AP courses.
Bordelon is currently a pre-med student attending Wellesley College in Massachusetts. The mission of Wellesley College is to provide an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world.
In addition to Bordelon, the district has had five previous AP Placement State Scholars: Joshua Schonborn in 2005, now attending Oberlin College in Ohio; Frederick Wulff in 2004, now at Stanford University; the male and a female winners in 2002, Ross Losher, now at California Technical Institute and Lucy Angle, now at Vassar College; and Eric D'Avignon in 2001, now at the University of Texas at Dallas.
Charles Tuttle, chemistry teacher and interim principal at Townview's School of Science and Engineering, had this to say about Bordelon: Emily is a student that would take what she was given and then complete a task correctly, no matter how difficult. She would do anything a teacher asked her to do and it always turned out right. In 28 years of teaching at all levels, Emily is one of those rare individuals that you only see a few times in your career. I know that she will succeed in the major she selects and will eventually become one of the leaders in that area. I regret that I was only able to work with Emily for four years. I wish that I could be one of her university professors working with her as she continues to learn and grow. What fun that would be!
Melisa Shew, English teacher at Townview's School of Science and Engineering, had this comment about Bordelon: Emile or Emily? On her birth certificate, it's spelled Emily and she signs her papers Emile. Emile is a rare gift, one whom I had too briefly in my classroom. She is one of those students, seldom seen, who loves English just as much as she loves math and science. I could always count on Emile for witty insight into a tough AP essay prompt or witty insight into the ditzy character she portrayed in our One Act Play competition entry, "The Bathroom Door." I believe she scored a 4 on the former and an Honorable Mention on the latter. As her senior sponsor, I was so proud that she graduated Valedictorian, and I'm just as proud of Emile now.
The program's keynote speaker will be Julie Dam, a 1989 Dallas ISD graduate of Skyline High School who also was the valedictorian. Dam, born in Saigon, Vietnam, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard University in 1993, served as Time magazine editor from 1993-1999, and is currently senior editor of People Magazine. She has also authored a book that was published by Warner Books in 2006 titled, Some Like It Haute.
Note to Editor: Students will be available for interviews and photos from 5:45 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. on the night of the event.