Sport in world

Julie Remes named WIU's Student Laureate in Lincoln Academy of Illinois

November 25, 2007 on 8:10 pm | In Athletics |

MACOMB, Ill. - Julie Remes (Arden Hills, MN), a member of the Western
Illinois University Centennial Honors College majoring in political
science with a pre-law minor, was selected as the University’s
recipient of the 2007 Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate
Award.

The prestigious Lincoln Academy of Illinois Student Laureate Award is
presented annually to an outstanding senior from each of Illinois’
four-year degree-granting institutions, to honor them for overall
academic excellence and extracurricular activities.

Remes, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) nominee, and Rick Hardy,
political science department professor and chair, attended the Oct. 27
Student Laureate Award Ceremony in the Hall of Representatives Chamber
at the Old State Capitol in Springfield. Remes received the Lincoln
Academy Student Laureate Medallion, a certificate of achievement and a
check for $150 in recognition of her outstanding achievement. She also
participated in a luncheon, hosted by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, at the
Executive Mansion.

In addition to her advanced studies, Remes is a fourth-year goalkeeper
on the Westerwinds intercollegiate soccer team; a participant and
leader in academic organizations; and a volunteer in service projects
on campus and in the Macomb community.

This semester, she also took on the responsibility of student
coordinator for Western’s “The Road to the White House” mock
presidential election (http://roadtowhitehouse.wiu.edu), scheduled for
Oct. 23, 25, 30 and Nov. 1 and 5. In that role she contacted and
organized student campaign managers and assisted with the
administration of the simulations.

“This was a chance for me to help Western Illinois University and its
students, the political science department and to show myself what I
could accomplish,” Remes said.

Athletic competition is also important to Remes.

“At Western Illinois University, I am fulfilling my dreams to play the
highest level of soccer. Not only have I succeeded, but my freshman
class (Fall 2004)…brought about a significant improvement to the
women’s soccer program,” Remes said. “[We] have gone to the conference
tournament and have had the best two seasons in history. I am honored
to think I was a part of this experience.

“My teammates and I also seek to change the community. We spend hours
off the soccer field, bettering the local community and ourselves,”
Remes added. “I chose this program for this reason. I want to build
myself not only as a soccer player and student, but also as a person.”

Included in the more than 700 hours of community service Remes and the
Westerwinds soccer team completed in the 2006-2007 academic year was
volunteering with Macomb’s Big Brothers Big Sisters, tutoring local
grade school children (Elisha Project) and working on campus
beautification projects.

Remes is the president of Western’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha: National
Political Science Honor Society and she served as a student council
member (2006-2007) for Western’s College of Arts and Sciences. In
Spring 2007, Remes served an internship in the McDonough County Public
Defender’s office.

“I hope [all of] this can lead me to a career in law,” Remes said. “I
aim to use a law degree to get involved in my community through public
interest, and maybe someday become a judge. I want to use my position
to hire hardworking individuals who share my enthusiasm toward service
and improvement of our local communities.”

Julie is the daughter of Bill and Amy Remes of Arden Hills, MN, and a 2003 graduate of Totino-Grace High School (Fridley, MN).
Originaly from Source