Marshall University selects newest members of Society of Yeager Scholars

Kayla Deneé Chappelle of Huntington, W.Va. – Chappelle will graduate from Huntington High School. She plans to major in either chemistry or education. In high school she was accepted to the Governor’s Honors Academy, received the National Achievement Scholarship for outstanding black American students, was a semi-finalist for the National Achievement Scholarship, participated in West Virginia State Science and Engineering Fair, Maier Latin Cup, was named an Outstanding Chemistry Student for SCORES, and is active in many school clubs and honoraries, and community volunteering.

Alexander Reben Edelmann of Arcadia, Fla. -- Edelmann will graduate from DeSoto County High School. He intends to major in engineering. He is a two-time first place winner in his regional State Science and Engineering Fair and was twice a finalist in Florida’s State Science and Engineering Fair. In 2007 he received the Thomas A. Edison Award and the U.S. Air Force Achievement Award. He served as team captain for the DeSoto County High School basketball team, the DeSoto County High School tennis team, and was a varsity player for his high school’s golf team. His volunteer activities include teaching basketball fundamentals to middle and elementary school students and working at a football camp for at-risk youths.

Richard Isaac McKown, III of Ravenswood, W.Va. -- McKown will graduate from Ravenswood High School. He intends to major in molecular biology. He received a perfect score on the West Virginia State Writing assessment, is an Honors AP Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M music honorary, All-State Chamber Choir and placed second at Jackson County Math Field Day. He is dance captain and co-president of his school’s Show Choir, involved in student council, and president of school Christians in Action Club. Isaac volunteers for concert, jazz and gospel choirs that perform musical benefits for his community.

Rikki Nicole Miller of Ripley, W.Va. -- Miller will graduate from Ripley High School. She plans to major in science and pursue a career in medicine. She received an AP Scholar Award, many leadership awards from her county 4-H and from Rotary Club, the Carlos Hilado Award for Science and for Math, and is a Jackson County Junior Fair Grand Champion for leadership. She is president of her local 4-H club, co-captain of Ripley High School Varsity Cheerleading squad, President of Jackson County Teen Leaders, vice president of Take It From Us, a member of the Ripley High School Band, was involved in Student Council, clubs, and is an active community volunteer.

John Randal Price of Delbarton, W.Va. – Price will graduate from Burch High School. He plans to major in political science. He participated in the Academic Games Leagues of America national games as an individual and as a member of the first place team, West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy, Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Conference, National Beta Club English contest winner, Mingo County Math Field Day winner, County Spelling Bee Champion, and took first place at his high school’s Social Studies Fair in Economics. At Burch High School, he was Green Team President, on the Yearbook staff, involved in Beta Club, National Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, RAZE-WV, and C-World. He volunteers for Special Olympics and Vacation Bible School.

Shaina Danielle Wichael of Petersburg, W.Va. – Wichael will graduate from Petersburg High School. She intends to major in English and would like to eventually attend law school. She attended Governor’s School for the Arts, Governor’s Honors Academy, Governor’s School for Math and Science, and Rhododendron Girls State. She received the Golden Horseshoe award, first place in the county level Voice of Democracy Contest, and Honorable Mention for Political Science category in West Virginia State Social Studies Fair. At her high school she was vice president of the National Honor Society, a member of student council, and co-captain of the girl’s varsity soccer team. Her community activities include being an intern at Petersburg Elementary School and the Maysville Bible Brethren Youth Group.