Sailing the blue waters of Lake Michigan this summer, Marquette Catholic High School senior Stephani Zakutansky didn’t give much thought to school or tests. Or at least one specific test – the PSAT (Preliminary Scholarly Aptitude Test). But Wednesday brought good news, as the National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced its list of semifinalists – including Stephani.
“It was a very pleasant surprise,” Stephani said during an interview at Marquette Catholic on Wednesday.
As one of about 16,000 semifinalists – and the only semifinalist in La Porte County – the honor means Stephani moves on to the next level of competition, with the lure of more than $35 million dollars in scholarships at stake for the finalists. Success in the final round means that Stephani could further narrow down her current field of 10 potential colleges and universities, schools “across the spectrum,” she explained, and schools that cover a wide range of interests.
Although she is currently considering a career in medicine, Stephani said she has had the opportunity to broaden her horizons through several internships and other opportunities with various outside organizations. “I try to stay focused on my career (aspirations),” Stephani said, “but I am also very mindful of my other passions.”
Some of her newer passions include sailing, as she had the chance to sail aboard one of the world’s 200 tall ships through the John G. Shedd Aquarium’s High School Lake Ecology Mentor Program this past summer. During the summer of 2007, Stephani participated in the Shedd’s High School Marine Biology Program, for which she attended class at the Shedd in Chicago for a week prior to spending a week aboard the Shedd’s research vessel in the Bahamas. Both programs focused on field-based research.
Another interest of Stephani’s includes fashion, as she currently sits as a member of Nordstrom’s BP Fashion Board. She attends monthly meetings to discuss the various fields of fashion and to explore current trends. “It’s an outlet for expression,” Stephani explained.
Stephani said she credits both her family and Marquette with her successes. “I have to thank Marquette, its teachers, and its administrators for their flexibility and continued support,” she said. “They’ve worked with me to help me achieve my academic goals.” Taking advantage of several college-level programs and taking accelerated classes has given Stephani a leg up in some aspects.
“(Marquette) has challenged me to challenge myself,” she explained.
And outside of her school family is her own family, who she said are equally as supportive. “I am grateful for my family’s constant support. They push me to adopt an ‘out-of-the-box’ approach to life and it is because of this mindset that I have been able to take advantage of the opportunities I have.”
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