(Minooka, IL) – Minooka Community High School (MCHS) Principal Jamie Soliman is pleased to announce that 61 students from the graduating class of 2024 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT/SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank and are recognized for their exceptional academic achievement.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this important recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, nearly 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
“Being named an Illinois State Scholar is one of the top academic honors a student can earn,” Soliman said. “These students have clearly demonstrated a dedication to academic excellence. MCHS is proud of them and is fully confident they will continue their dedication to that excellence as they begin their college careers in the fall.”
The following Minooka Community High School students were named 2024-2025 Illinois State Scholars: Kendall Adelmann, Kate Bailey, Brayden Barrowman, Eva Beck, Sophia Benedick, Rylee Boyd, Spencer Bruinsma, Layne Bumgarner, Viviana Campuzano, Tyler Cantu, Cameron Choate, Dane Chung, Paige Clements, Matthew Collofello, Nathan Cook, Rylan Deichen, Lucas Dela Cruz, Tyler Deluca, Allison Dolezal, David Eaheart, Kailyn Erickson, Gaetana Galati, Alessandro Gonzalez, Penelope Grant, Lindsey Gutierrez, John Halloran, Molly Jacobson, Carson Johnson, Caleb King, Noelle Klima, Peyton Kueltzo, Spencer Lorenz, Weston Lorenz, Aubrey Lynch, Melissa Marquez, Morgan Maser, Bailey McIntyre, Brice McManus, Lauren McPhillips Newcomb, Christian Medlin, Kylan Monk, Claire Olsen, Cole Pearson, Aiden Peppmuller, Serena Peterson, Henry Pragit, Samantha Reiter, John Renzi, Hannah Sachtleben, Rafael San Pedro, Autumn Sanchez, Isabela Sancez, Eric Simmons, Kennedi Thomas, Javier Trevino, Joel Vargas, Ryan Veleker, Abigail Villarreal, Alexander Von Holten, Riley Warren, and Briana Whalen.
While this distinguished recognition is a non-monetary award, recipients will receive a congratulatory letter and a Certificate of Achievement from ISAC. Additionally, awardees can download an official Illinois State Scholar Program badge to display on their online profiles, social media platforms, and share with their high school counselors, on college applications and scholarships, employers, family members and others. In addition, students are urged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or for eligible undocumented students, the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid (Alternative Application) as soon as possible after January 1, 2024.
Students and families can visit the ISAC website, and in particular the ISAC Student Portal, for free tools and resources to search for colleges and scholarships, explore careers, find internships and summer jobs, as well as information on how to contact the ISACorps, a group of recent college graduates who are trained to serve as near peer mentors. The First Generation Scholars Network offers support and assistance to students transitioning to and in their first year of college who will be the first in their family to earn a degree. Learn more at https://www.isac.org/.