DATE: Thursday, July 24, 1997               TAG: 9707230098

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 03   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Thumbs Up 

SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

JENNIFER HARRIS OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR, SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT

Jennifer Harris, 17, has discovered that academic excellence brings more than its own reward.

As valedictorian of the recent graduating class at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, Jennifer was invited to join other valedictorians from graduating classes throughout Hampton Roads for a cruise, sponsored by WAVY-TV, on the ``Spirit of Norfolk.'' Each student was filmed for a commercial saluting them on TV.

The recipient of several awards and accolades, Jennifer was selected to receive the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship. She is one of 149 to be chosen in Virginia for this one-time award of $1,110. She also was awarded $750 as an American Association of University Women Scholar.

In addition, Jennifer received the Tandy Technology Academic Award and has been admitted to an elite group designated as James Monroe Scholars at the College of William and Mary.

This admission allows Jennifer to participate in the interdisciplinary honors seminars during her first year of college. She also will receive up to $2,000 to support a special research, travel, or personal educational project in the summer following her junior year.

Recently, Jennifer attended an overnight visitation program for Monroe Scholars and met her future roommate who was valedictorian at Heritage High School in Hampton.

``I saw lots of friends that I met on the WAVY-TV 10 cruise,'' she said. ``Monroe Scholars live in a special dorm and have their own advisor.''

Born in Raleigh, N.C., Jennifer is the daughter of Stephen and Kristin Harris. The oldest of three siblings, she has a 15-year old sister, Melissa, and a brother, Matthew, 11.

For the past four years, Jennifer was honored for achievements both in and out of school. In the 9th- and 10th-grades, she received maxima cum laude and cum laude, respectively, on the National Latin Exam. In her junior year, she was awarded a certificat d'honneur on the National French Exam.

Jennifer worked on the yearbook and school newspaper, and helped to edit poetry and short stories submitted by students. She was also corresponding secretary of the Honor Council.

Jennifer was a Virginian-Pilot Scholastic Achievement Program member, and was the baccalaureate and graduation marshal during her junior year.

``During the `mini-mester' one year, I helped to tear down a house and build another in its place for Habitat for Humanity,'' she said. ``During another mini-mester, I worked in a Soup Kitchen by making and serving a meal.''

Active in gymnastics, Jennifer received the William Crepps Ocean Tumblers Spirit Award in both the 9th- and 11-grades , and earned a Silver Award as a Girl Scout. She likes to swim, work-out at the YMCA, and read novels.

Always a straight ``A'' student, Jennifer said she worked hard to maintain her grade-point average. To her credit, however, she can claim several college credits as she enters William and Mary in the fall. Last summer, Jennifer was nominated by the staff at N-SA to enroll in college-level courses at Mary Baldwin College.

``I spent three weeks at Mary Baldwin, took micro-biology and chemistry,'' she said. ``I plan a career in medicine and would like to become a pediatrician. I really enjoy working with children. Every child is special. There's something different about all of them.''

Last summer, Jennifer volunteered two days in the emergency room at Obici Hospital and two days at the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters in Norfolk.

``I worked in `Child Life.' I brought a child to the playroom and entertained him or her, or took games to their rooms if they were unable to leave,'' she said. ``This summer, I'm working in the administrative office of the emergency room at King's Daughters and in the transitional care unit.''

Asked how she plans to use the funds designated for Monroe Scholars following her junior year at college, Jennifer said, `` I'm thinking about Operation Smile. I would like to take a trip to work with doctors . . . perhaps, in Europe.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Jennifer Harris

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