E-mail this pageMeet Our Fall 2008 Presidential Scholars
38% of SUNY Plattsburgh freshmen receive merit scholarships, but our Presidential Scholars are the cream of the crop. For the Fall 2008 semester, 9 of our best students were selected to receive this prestigious, full-tuition Presidential Scholarship. Here are a few of their stories:
Alaina Storck
Hometown: Washingtonville, NY
High School: Washingtonville High School
Major: English Adolescence Education
Extracurricular Activities: Newspaper, Community Service Club, Moffat Library Teen Advisory Board, Youth in Government, Drama Club, Tutoring, National Honor Society
Awards/Honors: National Honor Society, NSHSS (National Society for High School Scholars), Who's Who Among America's High School Students, Excellence in English Award
Why did you choose SUNY Plattsburgh?
The balance of academic standards and extracurricular involvement, the perfect location, the overall atmosphere of the campus and the attitudes of the faculty and students (outgoing and positive) all led me to choose Plattsburgh. I got that infamous "feeling" that everyone talks about when I walked onto the beautiful campus.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
It's funny actually, because the things I'm looking forward to the most are also the things that I'm dreading. I have lived in my town my whole life and haven't really left for more than a week. I'm excited to go somewhere new with a lot of interesting opportunities but I'm also nervous about leaving home. The other thing is that I have two best friends who I spend time with everyday, so it'll be hard to be away from them.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
If I could bring one "item" with me this fall, I would bring my best friend Andrea. We're going to different colleges in the fall, and it's weird because we're basically one person! We've done everything together; she brings out the best in me and always knows the right thing to say when I'm upset. So, I'd smuggle her into my dorm if I could.
Christopher Pell
Hometown: Plattsburgh, NY
High School: Plattsburgh High School
Major: Chemistry
Awards/Honors: Academic Excellence Award, High Honor Roll
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
I chose Plattsburgh State because it is in my hometown, and my brother has enjoyed his experience at the college.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
I went on a trip to Alaska before my junior year of high school. Seeing the vast amounts of uninhabited land in the Harding Icefield made me realize how big the world really is!
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
For me, the most exciting thing about college is that I get to pick what classes I want to take, so I can pursue my academic interests. But, I'm nervous about how much gas I'll have to buy going to school everyday.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
My proudest accomplishment to date is passing my Advanced Writing class with an A.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years I hope to have a job I enjoy and enough free time to spend with family and friends.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
I would probably bring a coat, because Plattsburgh gets really cold in the winter.
Emily Davis
Hometown: Oneonta, NY
High School: Oneonta High School
Major: Undeclared
Extracurricular Activities: Debate Club, FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America), Band, Link Crew, Youth Court, Tutoring
Awards/Honors: Guest of US Representative Michael Arcuri at the 2008 State of the Union Address, National Gold medallist at the FCCLA conference, Area All-State Band participant
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
I had a lot of difficulty choosing what college to attend. I was accepted at six colleges and Plattsburgh was on the bottom of my list. Of course, the Presidential Scholarship was nice, but when I arrived on campus to visit my very first time, I felt so welcomed. Everyone was friendly, honest, and willing to help me. I am sure that my college experience will challenge me in the honors program, but I am also confident that I will also make life-long connections at Plattsburgh.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
Being an only child, I have always had a room all to myself. I'm really nervous about sharing a room and the whole dorm-life experience, but I am very excited to meet new people. I also can't wait to take a variety of classes and figure out what I am interested in.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
My proudest accomplishment is starting an FCCLA chapter at my high school. Through the club, I have had a lot of opportunities to work with my peers and enhance our community.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
Long underwear...definitely long underwear! I'm really excited about the location of Plattsburgh because of its proximity to French speaking Montreal, but the colder weather is going to be hard to get used to.
Michael Racette
Hometown: Cadyville, NY
High School: Saranac Central High School
Major: Business
Extracurricular Activities: I play a lot of guitar and listen to a lot
of music. Sometimes I'll take a break from playing my guitar to play one of my other guitars.
Awards/Honors: High Honor Roll, Top 10 percent of my class
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
I have lived in this area all of my life and I feel comfortable here. I also work on campus, which allows me to work in between classes to make ends meet and still have time for academics and school activities. For the most part though, my decision was based on the fact that I like the overall atmosphere and friendliness of the campus and its staff. It feels like a second home to me.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
I think the experience that has had the most influence on me would be starting to get involved heavily with music. True, it is more of an ongoing and gradual event, but it teaches me patience, the value of hard work, and tons of other moral and emotional lessons. I also feel that I've found something that I can't replace. I'm not sure if anything other than music could satisfy the artistic niche in my character that needs to be filled.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
I am not really that nervous about anything. I'm excited about meeting new people, and new experiences. I'm looking forward to not being tied down to such a strict schedule like in high school. College offers so many more freedoms and individual choices that I can and will take advantage of.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
My proudest accomplishment so far is being granted this Presidential Scholarship. In high school, I didn't get involved as much as I would have liked, but thanks to this scholarship, enough of the financial burden of school has been taken off of my shoulders that I can allow myself some time to enjoy all of the different opportunities and fun things that college can offer.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I see myself living somewhere nearby or in Plattsburgh. I don't see myself going out of the area. I plan on having a decent job and keeping up with my music as much as possible, perhaps even a position with the college if the situation arises.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
Again, I could not live without my guitar. I would have to have it with me. I'd play for food or anything else I might need and I would just hope for the best. Only being able to bring one item with me would definitely make life difficult, and the best way for me to take some of the pressure off of a difficult situation is with my guitar.
Sarada A. Setchfield
Hometown: Salem, NY
High School: Long Trail School (in Vermont)
Major: Entrepreneurship
Extracurricular Activities: Soccer, Sailing, Snowboarding, Dancing, and Animal Shelter Volunteer Work
Awards/Honors: Wellesley College Book Award, National Honor Society
Vice President, Academic Excellence in World Languages (Spanish, French, and English, Academic Excellence in AP Statistics, and Academic Excellence in Business Design
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
On a drive home from Montreal, my family and I passed through Plattsburgh. I was completely enamored with the campus. After several visits, I had fallen in love with the friendliness of the people. SUNY Plattsburgh appeals to me on so many levels - location, size, community, and opportunities - that I couldn't imagine spending my next four years anywhere else.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
Attending the pre-collegiate program at Skidmore during the summer of 2007 will forever stay in my memory. It gave me a small taste of college life and classes. That summer provided me with enough excitement to get through my senior year in high school until I could return to a college campus.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
I am unbelievably excited to meet new people and move someplace new. I can't wait to take new and interesting classes on topics we didn't have in high school. With that, comes leaving behind everything familiar to me which makes me a little nervous.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
In 9th and 10th grade, I developed a community service project where we collected baby clothes which we cleaned, patched and provided to new, underprivileged mothers. I organized bundles of clothing and distributed them to various hospital nurseries in our area. I was so proud the day I got to hold a newborn that had received one of my bundles.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I see myself fulfilling my dreams. I know I have the ability to accomplish anything I set my mind to and I see my future filled with work, family, and love.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
I would bring my posters. They give a slight glimpse into my personality and would bring a bit of magic and beauty to my dorm.
Joe Dilcox
Hometown: Massena, NY
High School: Massena Central High School
Major: Computer Science
Extracurricular Activities: Football, tennis, frisbee, guitar, running crew, stage manager
Awards/Honors: Salutatorian, 4 year academic banquet, National Honor Society.
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
I chose SUNY Plattsburgh for a couple of reasons. I like the distance from home, it's not too far but also not too close. It also has many great options surrounding it with the Adirondacks, downtown Plattsburgh, and Vermont all close by. I was also very happy with the reasonable costs.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
Getting the chance to spend my spring break in Florida with my brother who is living down there gave me the opportunity to see, by seeing what his life is like, what it was like to be living on your own, away from parents.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
What makes me nervous? Well, the thing that excites me the most and also makes me the most nervous is being on my own away from my parents.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
My proudest accomplishment to date would probably be graduating as Salutatorian of my class and actually being able to give a speech in front of a whole arena full of people.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
In ten years, I see myself fulfilling my dreams. I know I have the ability to accomplish anything I set my mind to and I see my future filled with work, family, and love.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
Limiting myself to just one personal item would be incredibly difficult to do but if I could only bring one it would be my teddy bear so that I will also be reminded of where I am from to help me get to where I want to be.
Julia Warren
Hometown: Middletown, New York
High School: Middletown High School
Major: Undeclared
Extracurricular Activities: Indoor/Outdoor Track, National Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, Soccer
Awards/Honors: Honor Graduate, High Honor Roll
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
SUNY Plattsburgh was one of the only SUNY schools that had a nutrition program, which is the degree I might be interested in pursing. Also, I was impressed by the campus and the number of extracurricular activities offered.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
Attending my high school has made a huge impact on my personality. Being a member of the MHS track and field team was also another important experience to me.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
Maintaining high academics, as well as participating in extracurricular activities is one of my proudest accomplishments.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
Stamps and envelopes are essential! A personalized, handwritten letter is a good way to keep in touch with your family and friends. Finding a real letter in your mailbox is the best.
Jamie Smith
Peru, NY
High School: Peru High School
Major: Physics
Extracurricular Activities: National Honor Society
Awards/Honors: High Honor Roll Design
Why did you choose Plattsburgh State?
I chose Plattsburgh because it's close to home. Towards the end of my senior year, I really realized what my friends mean to me and how much I would miss them (and my family) if I went away to college. Now, I'll be going to college with some of my closest friends in an amazing community down the road from my family.
Are there any memorable or exciting experiences that have had a significant influence on you?
Well, I guess I've done many things that have significantly influenced my life. Volunteering taught me that I really want to make a difference in the world. My senior year taught me that I can do whatever I want with my life and I don't have to let others make my decisions for me.
What excites you most about college? What makes you nervous?
I'm excited about everything! Usually, I'm terrified of anything that I think I may not be good at (call it fear of failure), but I have a good feeling about college. I guess I'm most excited to get a fresh start. The thought of becoming an adult and starting out on a path towards a career can be a bit nerve-racking.
What is your proudest accomplishment to date?
As of right now, I'm just proud to be graduating high school with honors. But, this is ever-changing for me. Just last week I might have said something like, "I'm most proud that I was able to not be OCD for an entire day!" or some other random, corny highlight!
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Seriously, this question scares me. Maybe someplace out west where it's not so humid! In a way, I can imagine all sorts of extraordinary things but I'm also kind of scared to wonder. I can only hope that I'll be successful according to my own standards.
If you could bring only one personal item to campus with you this fall, what would it be and why?
Oh wow! I'd probably bring Luke, my black beanie dog (homemade martial arts headband and plaid bow tie included) because he represents true friendship, childhood innocence, and too many memories to count!
Contact Information
For more information about scholarships at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact:
Richard Higgins, Director of Admissions
Plattsburgh State
101 Broad St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901
Phone: (518) 564-2040
Toll-Free: (888) 673-0012
Fax: (518) 564-2045
E-mail: admissions@plattsburgh.edu