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Winners' Biographies
Alabama
Peter Wang | Auburn High School | Auburn, AL
"Nuclear Proliferation in Response to the Threat of Foreign Encroachment"
Coordinator: Mr. Deming Wang
Peter resides in Auburn, Alabama but he was born in Shanghai, China and has lived in Belgium for two years. He plans to pursue an undergraduate degree in either International Affairs or Economics. He volunteers at his local community market helping to bag groceries and stock shelves for low-income families. At his school, Peter is Vice President of Student Council and Parliamentarian of National Honor Society. He is a member of Judicial Club, and his team placed in the top five in last year’s state mock trials and advanced to state in scholars bowl. For the past seven years, he has participated in the science Olympiad, advancing to nationals for five years and winning two national and numerous state and regional medals. His hobbies include impromptu tournaments of Risk as well as participating in international rock, paper, and scissors competitions.
Alaska
Jenna M. Jeffryes | Anthony J. Dimond High School | Anchorage, AK
"Non-Proliferation Efforts: Past and Present"
Coordinator: Mr. Greg Brown
Jenna lives in Anchorage, Alaska and will return to Anthony J. Dimond High School for her senior year in the fall. After high school, Jenna plans to continue her education, most likely focusing on engineering. Jenna is involved with various clubs, such as National Honor Society, Model UN, and Rare-T, and she spends most of her free time playing soccer for a competitive team, CSC Fury. Jenna has also lettered in cross-country running and soccer, and participated in cross-country skiing. Last spring, Jenna was awarded the Principal’s Award at Dimond. She has also received honors for Math, Social Studies, and English. Jenna is excited to travel to Washington D.C. for the first time, and is honored to represent the great state of Alaska.
Arizona
Matthew A. Houston | Buena High School | Sierra Vista, AZ
"The Image of Hypocrisy"
Coordinator: Ms. Lisa Adeli
Matthew Houston is a sophomore at Buena High School in Sierra Vista, Arizona. He is a member of and actively participates in the school’s theater technology program. His two major interests are science and classical literature. In his spare time, Matthew pursues his interests by performing experiments and reading. He hopes to pursue these interests by attending MIT and majoring in Physics. He is a lay speaker at his church and participates in his local youth group. He is also a self-taught welder and enjoys metalworking as a hobby.
Arkansas
Renee M. Powell | Pulaski Academy | Little Rock, AR
"Nuclear Non-Proliferation and the Korean Peninsula"
Coordinator: Ms. Ginger Kidd
Renee is a senior at Pulaski Academy, a college preparatory school in Little Rock, Arkansas. She is a member of a two-time state champion girls soccer team. She is a volunteer tutor at a local elementary school and secretary of the Spanish Club. She is a National Merit Commended student. Renee is also very active in the water ski community. She is currently undecided about where she will attend college, but plans on going to medical school afterward.
California
Gautam A. Wilkins | Patrick Henry High School | San Diego, CA
"Turning Back the Clock: Devising Successful Efforts to Reverse Nuclear Weapons Proliferation"
Coordinator: Mr. William G Bowles
Gautam is a senior at Patrick Henry High School in San Diego, California. After graduation, he plans to attend UC Berkley, where he has been awarded a Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship. He intends to double major in applied mathematics and electrical engineering. He has a strong interest in politics and international affairs and keenly follows current world developments. In school, he has actively participated in the Model UN club, the Science Olympiad club, the California Scholarship Federation, and an ultimate Frisbee club. His extra curricular activities include martial arts, playing the violin, and volunteering at a local hospital. He has studied martial arts for four years and is currently a black belt candidate. In his volunteer activities, he contributed over 200 hours of community service. He is a National Merit Finalist, a national AP scholar and his school’s valedictorian.
Colorado
Janae M. Todd | Gateway High School | Aurora, CO
"Nuclear Weapons: Pakistan and Russia"
Coordinator: Mr. Phil Gerkin
Janae was born and raised in Aurora, CO. During high school she participated in many sports and clubs such as: Tennis, Swimming, Volleyball, Figure Skating Club, Peer Counseling in, Mu Alpha Theta, Tennis Club, Spanish Club, FBLA, National Honors Society, and Student Council. Awards and recognitions she has received include: Who's Who Among America's High Schools, 1st Place in district for the Optimist Essay Contest, Junior Escort, and USAA National English Merit. After high school she plans to attend Colorado State University and major in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Spanish. After she receives a licensure in Elementary Education, she hopes to eventually teach in impoverished countries and possibly even join the Peace Corps. After that, she may continue her education and eventually become a high school History teacher.
Connecticut
Lara C. Taylor | Northwest Catholic High School | Rocky Hill, CT
"Proliferation of the Globe: US and Russia and the World vs. Terrorism"
Coordinator: Mr. William Tressler
Lara lives in Rocky Hill, CT and is a senior at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, CT. She will graduate in June and plans to attend New York University in the fall. She has been a member of the varsity cheerleading squad for four years and a varsity tennis player for three years. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and the Empty Bowls program. She is a rhythmic gymnastics instructor for her town’s park and recreation department. She has competed as a gymnast for many years and takes great pride in passing down the art form for a younger generation to enjoy. At NYU she plans to major in art history, and minor in studio art.
Delaware
Willem G. Daniel | Newark High School | Newark, DE
"An Innovative Analysis and Approach to Nonproliferation"
Coordinator: Mr. Tyler J Tomashek
Willem lives in Newark, Delaware and attends Newark High School. He plans on studying economics and political science in college before going to Law School. He hopes to work on public policy issues. He is involved in youth and government and Model United Nations through the YMCA. He was nominated to attend the National Conference (CONA) for two years and voted Outstanding Senator by his peers in Delaware. He is also involved with the youth group at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark. Last year, he went on a youth service trip to Belize and this summer will be going to Beards Fork, West Virginia to help at the Southern Appalachia Labor School. Also this summer, he will be representing Newark High at Boys State.
District of Columbia
No winner was selected for the District of Columbia. We strongly encourage teachers and students from the District of Columbia to participate in next year's contest.
Florida
Garret S. DeReus | Home Schooled | Brandon, FL
"Establishing Nuclear Security with an Advanced Missile Defense System"
Coordinator: Ms. Karen DeReus
Garret lives in Brandon, Florida and is home-schooled. He is taking a full load of high school work and is also dual enrolled at Hillsborough Community College. He enjoys debating and public speaking in the National Christian Forensics and Communication Association league. He has participated in many dynamic tournaments. He has been involved in Boy Scouts of America almost his entire life. Through this great organization he has developed leadership skills that were a major contributor to his recently completing the many requirements necessary to receive the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts. He is also the Vice President of the Dollar and Cents investment club. Subsequent to graduating high school, he plans to attend college, earn a degree in Political Science and then pursue a law degree. Following this, his future goal is to enter the political arena.
Georgia
Cody K. Nichol | Parkview High School | Lilburn, GA
"Controlling the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons for a Safer Tomorrow"
Coordinator: Dr. Lisa Tilley
Cody lives in Lilburn, a nice suburban area in Georgia. It is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but close. He attends Parkview High School, which is known for its high academic standards and its football team. He is involved in many clubs such as the Technology Student Association and Future Business Leaders of America. His hobbies include spending time with friends, doing volunteer work, playing the alto saxophone, and playing soccer. After high school, he hopes to attend Georgia Tech and major in civil or industrial engineering. During the summer, he will be attending the Governors Honors Program majoring in German. He went through a series of local and state interviews to be accepted into this program. He describes his life as simple, but extremely busy.
Hawaii
Shelby S. Williams | Aiea High School | Aiea, HI
"Argentina, North Korea and the Task of Nonproliferation"
Coordinator: Mr. Bill Taylor
Shelby is from Aiea, Hawaii. After high school she plans to go on to college and major in English or Journalism. She hopes to be a writer or even a filmmaker. This year she organized a fundraiser for hurricane Katrina survivors and was the student coordinator for her school’s blood drive.
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