1998 Mattoon, Coles Co, IL. She earned high honors in high schooland w as named a state scholar resulting in her becoming valedictorianof the 1 998 graduating class. During her farewell speech shechallenged fellow g raduates to take responsibility for their ownlives, for pursuing their g oals regardless of others who might try tosteal that dream. She conti nued by recounting her own experience 2years prior when she was kidnap ped at knifepoint and forced to drive250 miles to a remote area of Mis souri where she was sexuallyassaulted. Despite being naked and bleedi ng profusely, she managedto escape and ran over 2 miles to safety. Th e man was later arrestedand imprisoned.
3/9/99 Champaign, Champaign Co, IL. Now in college at the Universityo f Illinois and a member of the US Navy ROTC drill team, she wasawarded t he Single Gold Academic Achievement star by the Navy for a3.0 grade-po int average.
