MENDOTA - Mendota High School Principal, Denise Aughenbaugh, is pleased to announce that eight Mendota High School students from the class of 2019 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), confers this prestigious recognition to top Illinois high school students annually. Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 757 high schools across the state. Selection is based on SAT scores and cumulative grade point average at the end of the junior year. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT scores and sixth-semester class rank.

The following Mendota High School students have been named 2019-2020 Illinois State Scholars:

Mia Artman, daughter of Jason and Tori Artman of Mendota; Peyton Baird, daughter of John and Kristine Baird of Mendota; Katie Beetz, daughter of Zachary and Michelle Beetz of Mendota; Preston Lewis, son of Julie Lewis of Mendota; Abby Phalen, daughter of Timothy and Jan Phalen of Mendota; Gillian Sondgeroth, daughter of Eric and Tammy Sondgeroth of Troy Grove; Jacob Stohr, son of Jeffrey and Lillian Stohr of Mendota and the late Georgia Stohr; and Katherine Wohrley, daughter of Kevin and Jill Wohrley of Mendota.

While this prestigious designation does not include a monetary prize, Illinois State Scholars will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC and a personalized Certificates of Achievement. Honorees can also download a digital Illinois State Scholar badge that can be displayed on their online profiles and social media platforms and shared with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others. Current State Scholars are also listed on the ISAC website. (Note: honorees are based on the year they would begin any postsecondary education, not the year they graduate from high school.)

ISAC encourages students interested in attending college next fall to complete their 2019-20 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid. The FAFSA is used to determine a student’s eligibility for federal and most state and institutional financial aid available for any type of postsecondary education, including vocational education, certificates, and two- or four-year degree programs.

ISAC offers free financial aid and college access events assist students and families with the college-going process. Students can also visit the 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. Students can also get answers to their college-going and financial aid questions sent directly to their phones by signing up for ISAC College Q&A, ISAC’s free text messaging service.

Visit the ISAC Student Portal for more information at www.isac.org/studentportal. ISAC also offers assistance through the agency’s call center, 1-800-899-4722 (ISAC).