Hometown: Naperville

Class: Senior

Parents: Michael Boettcher, Irene Boettcher

Sponsor: Emily Richardson, instructor and learning support coach

Community service: The Merry Tutor, founded the nonprofit organization that provides free tutoring and offers high school students the opportunity to volunteer as tutors. Also created and designed the website at themerrytutor.org; The Field Museum Youth Council; Future Problem Solving Club, cofounder of the club at Naperville North

Personal statement: “I’ve learned, through projects like The Merry Tutor and Future Problem Solving, that so many people want to change the world. And that being a pioneer means more than leaving your own legacy. It means making people believe they can make a difference too.”

Sponsor’s endorsement: “At our particular high school, the majority of the students are high-achieving, ambitious, driven and very academically successful. Yet, Jane has a perspective that is both introspective and conscientious, allowing her to transfer information in a much more meaningful way.”