Mendota High School students selected as Illinois State Scholars are, front row left to right, Madeline Hoelzer, Morgan Marquis, Ana Reyes and Jessie Dooley; back row, Gabbi Peasley, Samuel Becker, Benjamin Bokus and Natalie Landgraf. (Reporter photo by Bonnie Morris)

MENDOTA - Mendota High School Principal, Denise Aughenbaugh, is pleased to announce that eight Mendota High School students have been recognized as “2018-2019 Illinois State Scholars.” The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families.

Illinois State Scholar honorees rank in the top 10 percent of the state’s high school seniors. Selection is based on SAT scores and cumulative grade point average at the end of the junior year. The selected students come from 737 high schools across the state and rank approximately in the top 10 percent of Illinois seniors.

The following Mendota High School students have been named 2018-2019 Illinois State Scholars: Samuel Becker, son of John and Dr. Cynthia Becker of Mendota; Benjamin Bokus, son of Michael and Kaela Bokus of Mendota; Jessie Dooley, daughter of Dan and EmLee Dooley of West Brooklyn; Madeline Hoelzer, daughter of Hal and Marcel Hoelzer of Mendota; Natalie Landgraf, daughter of Mitch and Tammy Landgraf of Mendota; Morgan Marquis, daughter of Matt and Maurine Marquis of Mendota; Gabrielle Peasley, daughter of Mark and Gayle Peasley of Mendota; and Ana Reyes, daughter of Juana Reyes of Mendota.

While this distinguished recognition does not include a monetary prize, congratulatory letters from ISAC have been sent to honorees, and the agency has provided personalized Certificates of Achievement. Recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships.

This year, State Scholars can also receive a digital Illinois State Scholar badge, which can be displayed on their online profiles and social media accounts, and shared with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others. Current State Scholars are also listed on the ISAC website.

ISAC encourages students interested in attending college next fall to complete their 2018-19 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid. 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.