MENDOTA – Mendota High School Principal Denise Aughenbaugh has announced that 12 students from the MHS graduating class of 2022 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. State Scholars are selected annually based on standardized test scores combined with sixth semester class rank. These exceptional students rank in approximately the top 10 percent of graduates from Illinois high schools.

MHS seniors achieving the honor of Illinois State Scholar for 2022 are Faith Anderson, Elly Buettner, Ted Landgraf, Paige Manning, Maya Martin, Meredith McConville, Liam McGann, Olivia Ross, Elizabeth Schillinger, Andrew Stamberger, Allison Stewart and Jacob Swope.

Anderson is the daughter of Mike and Kara Anderson of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include Drama Club, IMEA all-state choir, madrigals, Children and Family Ministry volunteer, Illinois Leadership Seminar, Mad Hatter recipient, BNC all-conference choir, solo & ensemble contest, American Legion Auxiliary award and Illini Girls State.

Her future plans are to attend Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and major in education.

Buettner is the daughter of Doug and Allison Buettner of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include Spanish Club, Student Council, math team, volleyball, class officer, Yearbook Club, National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society.

Her future plans are to attend Marquette University in Milwaukee and major in accounting.

Landgraf is the son of Mitch and Tammy Landgraf of Mendota.

Among his activities and awards are Spanish Club, National Honor Society, Illini Boys’ State, Homecoming attendant, band, math team, football, basketball, baseball, Illinois State Scholar, MHS Honor Banquet, student helper, Pulley commendations, Interact, volunteer in numerous organizations and events.

His future plans are to attend the University of Illinois and major in computer science.

Manning is the daughter of Steve and Valerie Manning of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include volleyball, basketball, softball, Scholastic Bowl, academic team, math team, National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society.

Her future plans are to attend the University of Dubuque and major in biology with a goal of becoming a physician’s assistant in orthopedics. She will also be a member of the softball team.

Martin is the daughter of Jason and Lisa Martin of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, math team, volleyball, academic challenge, class president, Interact, Student Council, ILMEA all-state choir, madrigals, school musicals and plays, Lions Honor Banquet, Homecoming attendant, Drama Club, BNC all-conference choir, MHS Honor Banquet, Homecoming and Prom committees.

Her future plans are to attend Loyola University in Chicago and major in neuroscience and psychology and pursue a graduate degree in neuropsychology.

McConville is the daughter of Joe McConville and Emily McConville of Mendota.

Among her activities and awards are volleyball, Student Council, math team, Yearbook Club, Interact, Spanish Club and volunteering in the community.

Her future plans are to attend the University of Illinois-Chicago with an undecided major.

McGann is the son of Patrick and Kimberly McGann of Earlville.

His activities and awards include golf, band, choir, school plays and musicals, madrigals, National Honor Society and Illinois State Scholar.

His future plans are the attend IVCC and then transfer to a four-year school to become a high school/middle school history teacher.

Ross is the daughter of Kirk and Kathy Ross of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include Illinois State Scholar, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, John Becker Award, all-state choir, band, madrigals, Drama Club and bowling.

Her future plans are to attend a four-year university and major in psychology.

Schillinger is the daughter of Jeff and Cathy Schillinger of Earlville.

Her activities and awards include FFA, band, academic challenge, Interact, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Illinois FFA state degree, madrigals, tae kwon do and pumpkin stand owner.

Her future plans are to attend a four-year university and major in plant sciences.

Stamberger is the son of Jayson and Rebecca Stamberger of LaMoille.

Among his activities and awards are FFA, Drama Club, school plays, choir, band, madrigals, solo & ensemble, cross country, tennis, 4-H, technology team, math team, National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, SAR Award and Lions Honor Banquet.

His future plans are to attend college and major in mechanical engineering.

Stewart is the daughter of Jason and Cheryl Stewart of Mendota.

Her activities and awards include cheerleading, Spanish Club, math team, Spanish National Honor Society, National Honor Society and Illinois State Scholar.

Her future plans are to attend a four-year university and major in psychology and neuroscience to become a psychiatrist.

Swope is the son of Mark Swope of West Brooklyn and Rebecca Bond of Mendota.

His activities and awards include academic challenge and Illinois State Scholar.

His future plans are to attend IVCC.