HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Six incoming freshmen are the newest members of the Society of Yeager Scholars at Marshall University.

Dr. Nicki LoCascio, director of the Society of Yeager Scholars, said she looks forward to working with the incoming class.

“The Yeager Scholarship draws applications from all over the United States from students who are highly recruited by other institutions,” LoCascio said. “Marshall University is fortunate to attract such talented students.”

Of the six students, three are from West Virginia, two from Ohio and one is from Michigan.

The Class of 2014 will have an enhanced curriculum throughout their college careers. Some of the requirements include: maintaining a cumulative 3.5 grade point average, completing four interdisciplinary seminars, and involvement in campus and community activities. They will also have the opportunity to study literature, political science or history abroad at Oxford University in England as well as study in a country of the scholar’s chosen foreign language.

Dr. Mary Todd, dean of the Marshall University Honors College, home of the Society of Yeager Scholars program, said the Honors College is delighted to welcome the latest class of Yeager Scholars.

“Their diverse interests and experience and their records of academic excellence all serve as evidence that they are the leader-scholars the Yeager program has always sought,” Todd said.

The students had to submit an application followed by two interviews – one by telephone and one by a panel of interviewers on the Marshall University Huntington campus. The final selection was made by university faculty and staff, university alumni, Society of Yeager Scholars board members and community members.

The Society of Yeager Scholars is named for West Virginia native Ret. Brigadier General Charles E. “Chuck” Yeager, who piloted the first plane to break the sound barrier.

The following students were chosen as the Yeager Scholars Class of 2014:

Sarah Jo Abbott of Charleston, W.Va. Abbott is a graduate of South Charleston High School and plans to major in English and international business. Abbott attended the West Virginia Governor’s Honors Academy, has been selected as a teen scholar and has received numerous journalism awards. She also was a member of her high school’s show choir.

Kayla Danielle Boggs of Big Bend, W.Va. Boggs is a graduate of Calhoun County High School. She plans to major in cellular or molecular biology. Boggs was the student council president and the captain of her high school’s academic team. She also is a member of Mu Alpha Theta, a national high school and two-year college mathematics honor society.

Leigh Elizabeth Hinkle of Canal Winchester, Ohio. Hinkle is a graduate of Canal Winchester High School and plans to major in theatre and political science. She is a member of the National Honor Society and was elected twice as class president. Hinkle also was a member of her high school’s band and theatre programs.

Savannah Lee Keller of Seville, Ohio. Keller is a graduate of Cloverleaf High School and is considering a career in environmental engineering. Keller was elected as vice president of her high school’s National Honor Society and student council treasurer, and earned a varsity letter in cross-country.

Danielle Ranee McCallister of Barboursville, W.Va. McCallister is a graduate of Cabell Midland High School. She plans to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. McCallister is a member of the National Honor Society and has been awarded “Student of the Month” from a local Rotary Club. She also participated in Marshall University’s Scholastic Journalism Program.

Stephen Andrew Sheler of Manchester, Mich. Sheler is a graduate of Manchester High School. He plans to major in physics.