Effingham County Illinois State Scholars Named

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has announced the names of the 2016-17 Illinois State Scholars.

This year’s honorees join the ranks of other outstanding Illinois high school students who have received the prestigious accolade since it was first introduced in 1958. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. State Scholars rank in approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors, representing 652 high schools across the state.

“It is always an honor to announce another extraordinary group of State Scholars,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC executive director. “At a time when post-secondary education could not be more important to future job and career success, these students have demonstrated the kind of effort and dedication that will help them advance not only their futures, but the future of the state as well. We wish each of them the best as they pursue their chosen educational path.”

Congratulatory letters from ISAC have been sent to honorees, and the agency has provided personalized Certificates of Achievement to each high school for distribution. A list of current Illinois State Scholarscan also be found on ISAC’s website. While this recognition does not include a monetary prize, Illinois State Scholars are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships.

“In addition to congratulating our State Scholars, we would also like to recognize their parents, teachers, coaches and mentors for helping these students to achieve their goals—both personal and educational,” said Zarnikow. “Your constant support, encouragement and wisdom remain vital in helping students transition from high school and make well-informed post-secondary educational choices.”

ISAC encourages students interested in attending college next fall to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1, 2016 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid. ISAC offers free financial aid and college access events to assist students and families with the college-going process. Students can also visit the ISAC website and in particular the new ISAC Student Portal for college planning, financial aid and financial literacy information and free tools, as well as information on how to contact the ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates who act as near-peer mentors, for one-on-one assistance and mentoring.

Here are the Illinois State Scholars from Effingham County, by school:

BEECHER CITY HIGH SCHOOL--Lance Arnold, Andrew Moeller and Connor Wachtel

DIETERICH HIGH SCHOOL--Wyatt Abbott, Faith Boerngen, Travis Niemerg, Troy Niemerg and Mikayla Winters

EFFINGHAM HIGH SCHOOL--Andrew Bingham, Landon Bissey, Aaron Conley, Taylor Crowell, Nathaniel Gengler, Ryan Hails, Alex Hardiek, Ashton Haythorne, Collin Hecht, Drake Hill, Andrea Hortenstine, Brady Jackson, Aidan Maloney, Joshua McCammon, Jared Minor, Claire Niebrugge, Reed Schafer, Shauna Sloan and Jenna Workman

ST. ANTHONY HIGH SCHOOL--Parker Anderson, Abby Brown, Blake Esker, Nicholas Grunloh, Ian Harris, Christopher Jones, James Kabbes, Chandler Martelli, Isabel Moore, Sara Ragland, Emma Richards and Allison Spraul\]

TEUTOPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL--Allison Apke, Anni Borries, Kyle Deters, Anna Hartke, Austin Johnson, Hannah Kingery, Lauren Mersman, Bryce Pruemer, Catherine Thoele, Matthew Weber and Kelsey Wermert