Posted on Jan 04, 2010
Champaign, IL – STM Principal Tim Millage is pleased to announce that 19 Saint Thomas More students have been recognized as “2010 Illinois State Scholars”: Elizabeth Anderson, Alexandra Bechtel, Lisa Clarkson, Timothy Colombo, Abigail Coobs, Clinton Coulter, Catherine DeBrock, Erin Fallon, Tyler Faught, Brooke Happ, Regina Hinders, Christopher Holman, Jong Doo Lee, Johanna McCarthy, Catherine Schell, Justin Telthorst, Erin Wachtel, Corrine Walker and Andrew Wszalek. This prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) which is recognizing 19,345 high school students who hail from 752 schools in all 102 counties. Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of high school seniors. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year.
“Excellent high school grades are tremendously important for laying the groundwork for future college success,” said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the Illinois State Scholars program since 1958. “Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state’s high schools. We salute them, their families, and the teachers and staff at The High School of Saint Thomas More on this achievement.”
Though this recognition does not include a monetary award, Davis encourages winners to cite the award on applications for college admission and scholarships. “These STM students are shining examples that hard work pays off. They should be sure to include this prestigious honor on college applications and submit all test scores, letters of recommendation, and other application materials on time,” Davis concluded. “And because a major component of college success is finding the right fit, students are encouraged to visit KnowHow2GoIllinois.org, where they’ll find resources to help plan for the future and find money to pay for college.”