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Jordan Alexander, 17, was selected from a list of seven nominees for the Robert J. Patten Memorial Scholarship awarded annually by the Sanilac County News.

Alexander, daughter of Steve and Lisa Alexander of Carsonville, stood out for leadership and volunteerism from the group of nominees from the seven high schools in the county.

Alexander was the unanimous choice of Publisher Jane Vanderpoel, Editor Eric Levine and Sports Editor Dale Ball, who reviewed the applications for the $500 scholarship that honors the late Robert Patten, founder of the News, who died in 1988.

"Jordan Alexander was a stand-out among scholarship applicants due to her volunteerism in both school and community events, in addition to a clear leadership role among her peers," said Vanderpoel.

"Jordan is self-assured about her career choice of veterinary medicine and has already set her course to achieve those goals."

In addition to the monetary award, Alexander's name will be engraved on the Patten trophy, a traveling trophy that will be on display at CPS High School in the 2008--09 school year.

Alexander is ranked third in her class with a grade point average of 3.91. As a senior, she has served as captain of the varsity basketball, cross-country, softball and volleyball teams, and runs track. She is vice president of the student council and treasurer of the National Honor Society. She's a member of the Sanilac County Youth Advisory Council participates in YAC's Cardboard City, volunteers at Carsonville Project Blessing, is an after-school tutor volunteer, a 4--Her, and active in her church youth group.

Her goals are to study pre-veterinary medicine and earn a bachelor's degree at Saginaw Valley State University, obtain a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Michigan State University, and eventually open her own veterinary practice.

"Knowing the importance of my education for the future, I feel these goals are probable because of all the hard work that I have put in participating in sports and other extracurricular activities at school and in the community, while being an honor roll student throughout my high school career," said Alexander.

"Jordan is a gifted scholar -- a serious student with a wide range of talents," said CPS Counselor Anna Lopez, who nominated Alexander for the scholarship. "You will see from her extra-curricular activities that she is well-rounded, is a leader, and is generous with her time.

"Jordan is a young lady who is capable as a team player in the sports arena and has taken leadership as captain... She is a great role model and an active participant in all her chosen areas," Lopez stated.

The other nominees for the 2008 Patten Scholarship were Jose Cardenas from Sandusky High School, Jessica Lange from Marlette High School, Nicholas Lazurka from Croswell--Lexington High School, Michael Mann from Peck High School, Andre Sanson from Brown City High School, and Ashley Szymanski from Deckerville High School.