High achievers in first-year class

Former interns for the United Nations, U.S. House of Representatives and the North Carolina Trade Office in Mexico are among more than 800 students in the Class of 2011.

Two class members won Bausch and Lomb Science Awards, six won Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Awards and five received Kodak Young Leaders Awards. One received an Intel Science and Engineering Award in environmental science. Many class members stood out academically at their high schools: 22 were valedictorians, 11 were salutatorians and seven were third in their class.

The University’s tradition of community service will get a boost from the 525 students who indicated on their applications their commitment to community service.

Fifteen percent hail from Virginia, while 42 percent come from Mid-Atlantic states, 14 percent from New England and 8 percent are international. Countries represented by first-year students include Afghanistan, Bahamas, China, Czechoslovakia, Egypt, England, France, Ghana, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Turkey and others.

Sixty percent of the class graduated from public high schools, and less than 1 percent were home schooled. The remaining students graduated from independent schools. Their SAT scores are impressive, with the middle 50 percent range for SAT-I being 1220–1350. Including the third section, the range is 1830–2040.

Nearly 60 students served as student government or class presidents, seven served as officers of statewide organizations and 65 edited school publications. Thirty-four achieved Eagle Scout or Girl Scout Gold Award status.

Class members also achieved in athletics, with 292 serving as captains of their high school teams. Nearly 400 students earned one or more varsity letters, and 49 were members of state champion teams.