The Carlin Nalley Foundation is proud to announce that Lisle High School senior Richard Arechar has been awarded the 2025 2025 Dr. John Mulcare Outstanding Science Student Scholarship, a $4,500 award presented during the Senior Recognition Night on May 7, 2025.
This prestigious scholarship recognizes Richard’s achievements, leadership potential, and passion for pursuing a future in science. We are confident he will continue to represent the Lisle community with distinction in his next chapter.
We asked Richard for his thoughtful responses to the following questions:
CNF: Following graduation, what are your educational plans—where do you intend to enroll, and what will be your major field of study?
RA: I intend to enroll at the University of Illinois-Chicago and major in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering and a minor in Chemistry.
CNF: Which teachers or staff members at Lisle High School had the most significant impact on you, and what made them so influential?
RA: Three teachers had the most significant impact on me: Mr. Bamboat, Mrs. Novak, and Mrs. Honzel.
First, Mr. Bamboat taught me many skills like programming, which will carry into my professional plans; however, he also taught me two major lessons. First, engineering is a discipline that requires a healthy mindset revolving around working towards improving everyone's livelihoods. Secondly, problem-solving requires the courage to question any possible change to achieve a desirable outcome. These lessons have reshaped the perspective that I will take into my career, and from this, I am even more excited about what comes next.
Next, Mrs. Novak took my class's French lessons, making them more relatable. She made French a unique experience where we could merge our creativity with our enjoyment of French into a creative outlet where we learned how to express ourselves and be confident going to a francophone region. In addition, she made a unique bond in my French class, being a friend to all, which allowed us, in turn, to form great friendships and many great memories. Mrs. Novak has ultimately boosted my curiosity to learn about other cultures and the power of having good relationships with those around me.
Finally, Mrs. Honzel, whose fiery passion for chemistry (especially in AP Chem) lit my passion for chemistry. On any day, I'd walk into class and be ready to explore and question unique topics in chemistry, ones that I'd probably never wrap my mind around without her guidance. Her passion and humor created a fun, exciting experience, lighting a path of scientific curiosity I'd never experienced before. Mrs. Honzel has, in large part, shown me that certain attitudes and passions are necessary to be a catalyst for change in my field.
CNF: What personal and professional goals do you aim to achieve after you reach your next academic milestone?
RA: I am interested in building a career as a software engineer. I plan to start working at an established software company and contribute to larger open-source projects to gain experience as a teammate and a leader. Ultimately, I plan to have my software development practice developing software I am passionate about.
CNF: What is your best memory of your time at Lisle High School?
RA: My best memory of my time at Lisle High School has to be the Science Olympiad state competition at UIUC this past spring. This competition was the culmination of much practice, study, and collaboration. The team went in confidently; despite mishaps, we stayed positive and had fun, and overall had the most ideal results for the competition. It's an experience that excites me, as I work with many kinds of people to study and develop our skills for a purpose that is much larger than oneself.
CNF: Finally, please express to the alumni what winning the award means to you and how it will assist you in accomplishing your goals. Alumni have contributed over $300,000 to the CNF scholarship program in the last 20 years. We want to relay your gratitude for their support.
RA: Thank you, alumni. I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to jumpstart my academic journey and, even more, my career. Additionally, the award helps take off a lot of stress regarding school. Furthermore, I am grateful for the support and confidence of the alums, for it's the confidence that helps me know I'm headed on a good path and have people behind me that can support me all the way through. So, thank you.
Dr John Mulcare Science Scholarship is one of ten scholarships the Foundation awarded this year, made possible through the generosity of our donors and partners, many of whom are proud Lisle High School alumni. Their commitment to giving back helps ensure that outstanding students like Sydney have the support they need to pursue higher education and their professional dreams.
Over the past twenty years, the Carlin Nalley Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to deserving Lisle High School graduates. This lasting impact reflects a shared belief in the value of education, community, and opportunity.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes these scholarships possible—and we invite you to join us in continuing this mission. Please consider supporting the Carlin Nalley Foundation, so we can sustain and grow these life-changing opportunities for the next generation of Lisle graduates.
Thank you,
The Carlin Nalley Foundation board of directors
This prestigious scholarship recognizes Richard’s achievements, leadership potential, and passion for pursuing a future in science. We are confident he will continue to represent the Lisle community with distinction in his next chapter.
We asked Richard for his thoughtful responses to the following questions:
CNF: Following graduation, what are your educational plans—where do you intend to enroll, and what will be your major field of study?
RA: I intend to enroll at the University of Illinois-Chicago and major in Computer Science with a concentration in Software Engineering and a minor in Chemistry.
CNF: Which teachers or staff members at Lisle High School had the most significant impact on you, and what made them so influential?
RA: Three teachers had the most significant impact on me: Mr. Bamboat, Mrs. Novak, and Mrs. Honzel.
First, Mr. Bamboat taught me many skills like programming, which will carry into my professional plans; however, he also taught me two major lessons. First, engineering is a discipline that requires a healthy mindset revolving around working towards improving everyone's livelihoods. Secondly, problem-solving requires the courage to question any possible change to achieve a desirable outcome. These lessons have reshaped the perspective that I will take into my career, and from this, I am even more excited about what comes next.
Next, Mrs. Novak took my class's French lessons, making them more relatable. She made French a unique experience where we could merge our creativity with our enjoyment of French into a creative outlet where we learned how to express ourselves and be confident going to a francophone region. In addition, she made a unique bond in my French class, being a friend to all, which allowed us, in turn, to form great friendships and many great memories. Mrs. Novak has ultimately boosted my curiosity to learn about other cultures and the power of having good relationships with those around me.
Finally, Mrs. Honzel, whose fiery passion for chemistry (especially in AP Chem) lit my passion for chemistry. On any day, I'd walk into class and be ready to explore and question unique topics in chemistry, ones that I'd probably never wrap my mind around without her guidance. Her passion and humor created a fun, exciting experience, lighting a path of scientific curiosity I'd never experienced before. Mrs. Honzel has, in large part, shown me that certain attitudes and passions are necessary to be a catalyst for change in my field.
CNF: What personal and professional goals do you aim to achieve after you reach your next academic milestone?
RA: I am interested in building a career as a software engineer. I plan to start working at an established software company and contribute to larger open-source projects to gain experience as a teammate and a leader. Ultimately, I plan to have my software development practice developing software I am passionate about.
CNF: What is your best memory of your time at Lisle High School?
RA: My best memory of my time at Lisle High School has to be the Science Olympiad state competition at UIUC this past spring. This competition was the culmination of much practice, study, and collaboration. The team went in confidently; despite mishaps, we stayed positive and had fun, and overall had the most ideal results for the competition. It's an experience that excites me, as I work with many kinds of people to study and develop our skills for a purpose that is much larger than oneself.
CNF: Finally, please express to the alumni what winning the award means to you and how it will assist you in accomplishing your goals. Alumni have contributed over $300,000 to the CNF scholarship program in the last 20 years. We want to relay your gratitude for their support.
RA: Thank you, alumni. I am extremely grateful to have this opportunity to jumpstart my academic journey and, even more, my career. Additionally, the award helps take off a lot of stress regarding school. Furthermore, I am grateful for the support and confidence of the alums, for it's the confidence that helps me know I'm headed on a good path and have people behind me that can support me all the way through. So, thank you.
Dr John Mulcare Science Scholarship is one of ten scholarships the Foundation awarded this year, made possible through the generosity of our donors and partners, many of whom are proud Lisle High School alumni. Their commitment to giving back helps ensure that outstanding students like Sydney have the support they need to pursue higher education and their professional dreams.
Over the past twenty years, the Carlin Nalley Foundation has awarded over $300,000 in scholarships to deserving Lisle High School graduates. This lasting impact reflects a shared belief in the value of education, community, and opportunity.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who makes these scholarships possible—and we invite you to join us in continuing this mission. Please consider supporting the Carlin Nalley Foundation, so we can sustain and grow these life-changing opportunities for the next generation of Lisle graduates.
Thank you,
The Carlin Nalley Foundation board of directors
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