The Culver Academies' Third Class of Batten Scholars

The following students are the third class of Batten Scholars.

Eighteen semi-finalists were selected from among 200 applicants 

and invited to visit the campus 

for a weekend of school activities, interviews and Batten Scholars dinner.  

The following five finalists were selected from among those 18.  

Hameedat Temilade Adeniji, of Arlington, Texas, is a senior and fourth-year student at Culver this fall.  The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lateph A. Adeniji of Arlington, Texas, Temi has received four Gold A Awards at Culver. Attained with a grade-point average of 3.7 or higher, the award is the highest academic honor available during a given semester. She also earned one Silver A (3.2 grade-point average or better) and has earned three letters in both varsity volleyball and track and field.

Temi, who scored 1290 on the SAT as an eighth-grader, was selected to participate in the South Bend Symphony Orchestra Association May 2002 Side-by-Side Concert, featuring the best high school musicians from seven Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan counties performing in concert with the members of the orchestra.

Matthew Gethers, of Danbury, Connecticut, is a senior and fourth-year student this year. The son of Ms. Marian Campbell-Gethers and Mr. Harry Gethers, Matthew has received six Gold A Awards. Because of these accomplishments, he recently was inducted into the Blue Key Society, the top scholastic honor society for juniors at the Academies. He also earned a third varsity letter in fencing in 2004 and was voted captain-elect for this season. Matt participated in the Indiana University Honors Program for Foreign Languages in Mexico City this past summer.

Shane Giuliani, of Orlando, Florida, is a senior and fourth-year student  this year. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Giuliani, Shane has received six consecutive Gold A Awards and began his senior year as Regimental Commander, the highest-ranking cadet in the corps of 400-plus male students at Culver.  Because of these accomplishments, he recently was inducted into the Blue Key Society, the top scholastic honor society for juniors at the Academies. He has twice earned letters in swimming and diving and also earned his first letter in both horse jumping/rough riding and polo as a junior.

Christine Hannon, of Absecon, New Jersey, is a senior and fourth-year student. The daughter of John Hannon and Susan Henne has received five Gold A Awards. She also earned a Silver A first semester sophomore year. Because of these accomplishments, she recently was inducted into the Blue Key Society, the top scholastic honor society for juniors at the Academies. She has lettered in cross country and also previously was a member of Dancevision.  

Maia Tountcheva, of Danville, Pennsylvania, is a senior and fourth-year student at Culver. The daughter of Mr. Tihomir Tountchev and Dr. Dimka Tountcheva, Maia has received three Gold A Awards.  She also has performed in the fall play, was in the drama and science clubs and has competed for the varsity girls’ tennis team for three years, in addition to earning a Silver A Award twice and being elected class president.