Five outstanding area students have been selected as recipients of Southeast Missouri State Universitys competitive Presidents Scholarship for the 2019-2020 academic year.
The awardees are Alexandra Jostes of Rochester, Illinois; Karli Rose of Kinmundy, Illinois; Jennifer Tenholder of Florissant, Missouri; Charles Luke Collins of Jackson, Missouri; and Alona Jenkins of St. Louis, Missouri.
The students were on campus Jan. 25 and participated in interviews to vie for the elite scholarship. The $10,000 award covers $7,000 in tuition and fees, and $3,000 for residence hall fees for students living on campus during their first year at Southeast. Students who meet the scholarship renewal criteria may increase their award annually, bringing the total scholarship value to $43,000.
This is our inaugural year for the Presidents Scholarship. All of the students who applied were exceptional, said Lenell Hahn, Southeast director of Admissions. During their interview, we gained insight on how they will contribute to campus through their leadership, involvement and service.
It was an honor to host these outstanding students and their families on campus to showcase Southeasts breadth and depth of accredited academic programs, the investments we have made in our facilities, our personal and supportive student-centered faculty and staff, and how we will prepare them to launch an extraordinary career, she added. Welcome to the flock Alexandra, Alona, Jennifer, Karli and Luke. As a Redhawk, you will do more than take classes. You will take control of your future and build an accomplished resume.
The Presidents Scholarship recipients will be freshmen at Southeast when the fall 2019 semester begins in August. The recipients are:
Alexandra Jostes
Alexandra Jostes
Alexandra Jostes is a senior at Rochester (Illinois) High School, where she has excelled in academics, athletics and in extracurricular activities. Jostes is a student leader, serving this year as the yearbook editor, Chemistry Club president and soccer team captain. In addition to being a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Athletic Academic All Conference Honor Roll and Honor Roll, she also has been active in the Spanish Club, cross country, soccer and 11-11 Club. She has been class secretary, member of the prom committee and a small group leader in mentoring young girls. She also has found time for community service, working with a summer soccer camp, Powerlight festival, Kid Zone, Rochester Christian Church Junior High youth group leader and a mission trip to assist victims of Hurricane Harvey. She has worked as a YMCA summer camp counselor and with the YMCAs afterschool program, both of which have inspired her to pursue a major in elementary education at Southeast. She is the daughter of David and Kathy Jostes.
Karli Rose
Karli Rose
Karli Rose is a senior at Salem (Illinois) Community High School where she has excelled as a student, an athlete and member of the community. She is captain of the varsity volleyball team and track team, is secretary of the Student Council and participates in club volleyball, Spanish Club, the Math Team and Peer Helpers. She is an Illinois State Scholar, participated in the Homecoming Court and is president of the National Honor Society and member of the Spanish Honor Society. She was named Most Valuable Player of the volleyball team and is the Daughter of the American Revolution nominee. Rose also has given back through service as a volleyball clinic instructor, trunk-or-treat volunteer, student registration volunteer and freshmen orientation group leader. She hopes to combine her compassion for helping others, knowledge of the Spanish language and her interest in dermatology as she pursues a future as a physicians assistant with a specialization in dermatology. Her dream is to serve those with skin care needs overseas who lack access to modern medicine. She is the daughter of Rodney and Sami Rose.
Jennifer Tenholder
Jennifer Tenholder
Jennifer Tenholder is a senior at Hazelwood (Missouri) West High School where she is president and assistant lead software engineer with the FIRST Robotics Team. She is also a member of the Symphonic Orchestra, full orchestra and Pit Orchestra; historian of the National Honor Society; president of Tri-M Music Honor Society; member of the Spanish Honor Society; founder and president of Girls Who Code; and a member of the Cyberpatriot Cyber-Defense Team. In addition to Tenholder being listed on the Academic Honor Roll for four years, she was a semi-finalist for the FIRST Robotics Deans List and received the National Center for Women in Information Technologies Award for Aspirations in Computing Award-Regional Affiliate. She has been named an A.P. Scholar by College Board, has participated in the All Suburban Honor Orchestra Program and has received mathematics, science and business academic awards at Hazelwood West High School. Her interest in computers and technology drew her to consider Southeasts cybersecurity program where she dreams of one day joining the Universitys seven-time and reigning state champion cybersecurity team. She is the daughter of Mark and Garland Tenholder.
Alona Jenkins
Alona Jenkins
Alona Jenkins is a senior at University City High School in St. Louis where she is a yearbook editor and recipient of the MJEA Yearbook Design of the Year Award in 2018. She has been active in WE Schools, Youth Leadership St. Louis, Junior National Honor Society, golf and basketball. She has won the Cornell University Book Award for academic achievement and been selected as the St. Louis County Human Services Outstanding Student Leader for 2018. She has won academic awards for science and mathematics and is the University City Public Library volunteer captain. Her passion for photography inspired her to start a photography business, TturtleS Photography, where she works as a business writer and photographer alongside fellow high school photographers. She also is an assistant at Studio 858, where she provides aid in photoshoots. She hopes to use her photography experience to thrive in Southeasts commercial photography program and to, one day, pursue her own photography business where she captures moments that send powerful messages. She is the daughter of Stephanie Jenkins.
Charles Luke Collins
Charles Luke Collins
Charles Luke Collins is a senior at Jackson High School where he is the percussion section leader and drum major of the marching band; All-District and state choir member; vice president of National Honor Society; a member of Student Council; president of the Community Service Committee; officer of Fellowship of Christian Athletes; and leadership director of Future Business Leaders of America. A former class president, Collins has competed at the regional level in the Scripps Spelling Bee and at the Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair, and has participated in tennis, track and football at Jackson High School. He was selected to attend the 2018 Missouri Boys State where he received four Student of the Week Scholarships and was selected among the top four attendees from 950 participants. He received second place in the Simulated Service Project Competition at the 2018 Rotary Youth Leadership Awards Academy and was selected as the 2018 outstanding male leader by the Audrey Walton Youth Leadership Academy. He hopes to combine his love of learning, his natural leadership abilities and his drive for meaning into a career in school administration. He is the son of Jacquelyn and Brian Collins.