May June Newsletter 2012.2 - Forest Hills Public Schools

EASTERN EXPRESS
EHS Student honored by receiving the prestigious Roger B Chaffee Scholarship
Timothy Joel (TJ) DeVries dreams of using his exceptional
math and science abilities to solve a complex problem
that helps people. That desire is one of the reasons the
Forest Hills Eastern senior is this year’s recipient of the
prestigious Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship.The $2,500
scholarship is the oldest in the county, created in honor of
the Grand Rapids astronaut who died in the Apollo I
space capsule fire Jan. 27, 1967.
“I just want the scholarship committee to know how
thankful and honored I am,” said DeVries, 18, of Ada,
who plans to double major in mathematics and mechanical
engineering at Calvin College. “From what I’ve heard
and read, Mr. Chaffee was a really great person. This is a
humbling experience.” DeVries, the son of Joel and Michele
DeVries, was presented the award during a banquet
on Thursday, April 26th at the Boulder Creek Golf Club in
Belmont.
Robert Steelman, president of the Robert B. Chaffee
Scholarship Fund, said DeVries was one of 35 applicants.
He said every year members try to accomplish two things:
Celebrate the memory of Robert Chaffee, “a true hometown
hero” and help a scholar in the area of engineering,
mathematics and science.
DeVries, who has four younger siblings, said the money
will be helpful. He said he has a job in a dental office and
applied for a lot of scholarships because he knows “every
penny counts" and doesn't want to be saddled with loan
debt. He has received an additional $20,000 in scholarships.
Between credits earned from dual enrollment at Grand
Rapids Community College in physics and calculus and
high scores on AP exams, DeVries will save himself time
and money in college. He said he could have as many as
40 credits when he graduates. Steelman said the vast majority
of applicants have GPAs over a 4.0 because of advanced
placement classes and did very well on the ACT,
so teacher recommendations and the students extracurricular
activities help to narrow the field.
“His mathematical ability for a high school student is rare
and exceptional, and his humble nature is a real treat,”
said Don Tolly, who taught DeVries functions, statistics
and trigonometry (FST), pre-calculus and AP calculus his
first three years of high school, in his recommendation
letter.
“I am very confident he will become a college student
that does more than just take classes, he will use his talents
to contribute to the university and community of
which he is a part.”
More than his academic prowess, the maturity of DeVries,
willingness to tutor other students, helping the community
by volunteering such as at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum
and leadership qualities, are what resonated with the
committee. DeVries, who has a weighted GPA of 4.189,
finds time for various interests. He helped establish the
school’s drum-line and plays a variety of percussion instruments,
is a member of the Grand Rapids Youth Symphony,
on the crew team and played basketball his first three
years at Eastern, to name a few of his multiple activities.
“We really look for a well-rounded person that has the ambition
to further themselves and wants to give back to the
community,” said Dale Young, the scholarship fund's historian
and Chaffee’s nephew.
DeVries said he's always had a passion for math and science.
"As a kid, I always dreamed of being an inventor
who would use math and science to help people and do a
lot for the world," DeVries said.
The Roger B. Chaffee Scholarship Fund was established by
Roger’s family and friends for students in the Kent Intermediate
School District. Chaffee graduated from Central
High School and was a graduate of Purdue University. The
Navy pilot was one of 14 men chosen in October 1963 to
be an astronaut. Along with Chaffee, his crewmates Virgil
"Gus" Grissom and Edward White II died in the 1967 fire
during the practice launch.
Besides for the scholarship, Chaffee is honored in Grand
Rapids with a planetarium and road named after him.
Courtesy of MLIVE By Monica Scott