Posted on Jan 23, 2012

ISAC Salutes 15 Seniors as “The Best and the Brightest.”

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission recognized 15 STM seniors as 2012 Illinois State Scholars: Caitlin Caruso, Michael Crawford, Joseph DeBrock, Katherine Ely, Travis Johnson, Christina Kohlmann, Joshua Kulas, Seungjun Lee, Su Jin Lim, Sean Monahan, Brooke Schmidt, Rachel Semple, Shannon Siuts, Matthew Tate, and Michael Wagner. This prestigious award, given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) recognized 17,515 high school students from across the state as this year’s State Scholars. Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top ten percent of high school seniors from 773 different high schools across the state. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. “Illinois State scholars represent the best in educational excellence in Illinois,” said John Sinsheimer, ISAC Interim Executive Director. “The Commission applauds their success and salutes their families and the teachers at The High School of Saint Thomas More on this achievement. Each of the 15 students at The High School of Saint Thomas More should take pride in their accomplishment and what it says about their commitment to academic attainment,” Sinsheimer concluded.

While the prestigious recognition does not include a monetary award, recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships in addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, including Illinois’ $420 million need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP).