Freshmen Congress Students

Tim Ahlberg graduated Perrysburg High School’s class of 2009 in the top 10 percent of his class. He was a member of the National Honor Society and was on the High Honor Roll every year. A four-year student council member, Tim was also the President of his senior class. Tim was a three-year letter winner in soccer at his high school and he captained the varsity soccer team his senior year. Tim was an active member of his local church youth group and he even played in the youth praise band for a year. A current member of the varsity soccer team at North Park, Tim plans to double major in Spanish and Business & Economics Non-Profit Management. Wanting to build bridges between The United States and Latin America, Tim hopes to start his own non-profit organization that targets poverty throughout the Americas while spreading the Gospel.

Kaitlin Dailey was the Valedictorian of Canton-Galva High School's class of 2009 with a GPA of 4.0 in Canton, Kansas. She was recognized as Kansas University Honors Student, Governor's Scholar, KWCH Top of the Class, Wendy's Heisman Award Canton-Galva and regional winner, a four year academic letterman, Hutchinson Community College Highest Honors Honor Roll, and Who's Who Among America's High School Students award winner. Kaitlin also played volleyball and basketball for four years, ran track for two and recieved six letters for sports. She participated in SADD, FBLA, FCCLA, 4-H (acheived the Kansas State Key Award for Leadership, Service, and Citizenship), Big Brothers Big Sisters, elected Student Council President, elected Vice-President of National Honors Society as well as actively participated in her youthgroup. In the future she plans to major in Biology with an emphasis in Genetic Engineering at North Park University. She hopes to use this knowledge to research genetic diseases and further God's Kingdom.

Peter Ek, son of Tom and Cheryl, graduated ranked fifth in Galesburg High Schools class of 2009. Ek gave academics high priority throughout his time at Galesburg, earning Principal’s Scholar and High Honor Roll honors all four years, and was named an Illinois Student Assistance Commission State Scholar and Western Big 6 Academic All-Conference for boys soccer his senior year. Peter was selected by his fellow classmates to represent the top academic students by speaking at graduation. Proving he was more than just a student, Peter was named The Galesburg Exchange Club Youth of the Month for November 2008 and also earned a “Triple G Award” for lettering academics, activities, and sports. Ek participated in both club and high school soccer for four years, three of which were on the varsity team. Peter followed the family tradition in Galesburg’s very successful music program, where he played trombone for four years with the Marching Streaks and concert bands, the last two spent with the top band, the Wind Symphony. Also heavily involved in clubs at school and in the community, Ek participated in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, spending three of his last four years on its leadership board, Latin Club and Project Graduation for three years, a member of the 2009 intramural dodge ball champions “Prestige Worldwide,” and worked in the Chrysalis/The Weekend community all four years, serving on several leadership teams and two years on the leadership board. Peter was also an active member of the Galesburg Covenant Church, participating in Sunday school, youth groups, many retreats, and attended CHIC in both 2006 and 2009. Following another family tradition, Ek worked at Portage Lake Covenant Bible camp three out of his four high school summers.

Rachel Lindsay graduated from Paul V. Moore high school in Central Square, NY in June of 2009. In high school she was very actively involved in many activities but her true passion was for loving on and serving others. She attended various state-side and international missions trips and was involved in a great deal of other volunteer work. Rachel is in her freshman year at North Park University majoring in Art and Biblical Studies. Her focus is toward the mission field, looking to serve God in whatever way He sees fit. The ideal place she would like to see herself would be running a rehabilitation home in India or Thailand, ministering to human trafficking victims. She wishes to use art as a therapeutic tool with this ministry. In addition, Rachel hopes to use her skills as a photography and a writer to do some photojournalism. Finally, through being at North Park, Rachel has realized the importance of listening to people that one wouldn't normally take the time to learn from. With this she hopes to one day write a book about the people that have come in and out of her life titled The People We Pass.

Julie Miller graduated from Buhler High School as Valedictorian in 2009. She was awarded the Governor's Scholor, KWCH Top of the Class, Kansas University Honors Student, a four-year academic letterman, Hutchinson Community College Highest Honors Roll, and Who's Who Among America's High School Student award winner. Julie was a member of National Honors Society, Spanish Club, Art Club, SADD, and FCA. She was also an acctive participant in her youth group. In addition she participated in Varsity Soccer and Cross Country. She is currently pursing a Global Studies Major at North Park University. She hopes to use this major to promote social justice and peace and reconciliation.

Jessica Peters graduated from Dearborn High School in 2009 with high honors including a four year Academic Achievement Award. She was a part of the varsity field hockey team and was a member of Dearborn High's top choir, Vocal Impressions. Jessica got the opportunity to travel to Spain with the spanish club and received the World Language Award for spanish. She has played piano for nine years now and has been in multiple recitals including her own senior recital. Jessica was a Link Crew leader for the freshman orientation program. She was a part of her church's worship team, playing piano and singing since she was 13. Jessica also worked at Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp for three summers. She plans to pursue a major in accounting and get a job where she can contribute back to society and participate in volunteer work.

Shelby Peters graduated from Dearborn High School in 2009 and received the four year Academic Achievement Award. She traveled to Spain with the Spanish Club and received the World Language Award for spanish. She played on the varsity field hockey team and was involved in Dearborn High's top choir, Vocal Impressions. She was a Link Crew leader for freshman orientation at her high school and has played piano for nine years. Shelby has been in many recitals including her own senior recital. She has also played piano and sang for her church's worship team, starting at age 13. Shelby worked at Portage Lake Covenant Bible Camp for three summers and loves serving God and others. She plans to pursue an accounting major while here at North Park University.

Robin was born in the city of Duluth but at the age of three and spent the entirety of his young life in the small towns of Northern Minnesota. He graduated first in class from the public High School in the quaint town of Moose Lake. Throughout his life Robin has spent his time working to honor God and help those around him in various ways, including teaching for Junior High Youth Group at his church, playing on worship team, and volunteering at a food distribution program in his community. At Moose Lake High School, Robin was part of choir, band, drama team, National Honor Society, swing choir, jazz band, math league, and knowledge bowl. He was a National Merit Scholar and placed 3rd in his region at math league competition. Although time did not permit him to be a part of varsity sports, Robin ran a marathon just after graduating, and he now plays on the Lost Boys ultimate team. It is Robin’s joy to also teach music to students at Hibbard Elementary. Robin is studying guitar and theology at North Park with the hopes of using both to serve God.

Aaron Van Til is from Highland, IN. He attended Illiana Christian High School in Lansing, IL. While there he was an active member in both the drama and music departments. He played tuba in Illiana's Wind Ensemble, brass quartet and pit orchestra, and also participated in Sets Running for plays/musicals all four years. He graduated with a 3.7 GPA, High Honors, and is a National Merit Commended student. He continues in his extracurricular interests, playing tuba in NPU's concert band, and will get involved in the drama department, schedule willing. He aspires (for now) to be a counselor. He enjoys immense amounts of coffee, conversation, and all things geeky.

A south-Chicago native, Elizabeth Wassenaar attended Chicago Christian High School, graduating in the class of 2009. While there, she was Secretary of her Honors Congress chapter and also placed in the Fine Arts competition for her drawings. Additionally, she was named an Illinois State Scholar for her graduating year. Recipient of the Nyvall scholarship, Elizabeth’s goal is to attain her Bachelor of Nursing from North Park University and begin working in a hospital setting after graduating. She hopes to pursue further education in the same field in order to obtain a Masters in Nursing, with a focus in either a Certified Nurse Midwife or Nurse Educator Program. Currently a member of North Park’s International Justice Mission(IJM) chapter, Elizabeth hopes to continue her passion for justice and service after graduation. Working with either IJM or another mission-oriented organization, she wishes to eventually use her nursing skills to provide help and healing to those who need medical care and otherwise would not receive it.