MENDOTA – Mendota High School Principal, Joe Masini, is pleased to announce 11 students from the MHS graduating class of 2024 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, 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 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and the sixth-semester grade point average.

The following Mendota High School students have been named 2023-2024 Illinois State Scholars:

Madelyn Becker, daughter of Pat and Kelly Becker of Mendota; Logan Dewey, son of Heather Dewey of Mendota and the late Corey Dewey; Bria Frey, daughter of Kent Frey of Ottawa and the late Tammy Sterling; Ava Jones, daughter of Tony and Michelle Jones of Mendota; Lilly Leifheit, daughter of Jason and Juli Leifheit of Mendota; Bridget McGann, daughter of Patrick and Kimberly McGann of Earlville; Emma Pierce, daughter of Darrell and Sheila Pierce of Mendota; Natalia Salinas, daughter of Santos and Mayoli Salinas of Mendota; Jay Sims, child of Emmet and Hazel Sims of Compton; Ryleigh Sondgeroth, daughter of Matt and Amber Sondgeroth of Mendota; and Grace Wasmer, daughter of Alison Wasmer and Steve Wasmer of Mendota.

“On behalf of ISAC, congratulations to all our Illinois State Scholars for their extraordinary academic achievements,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “These high school seniors managed through the personal and learning challenges of the pandemic for several years of high school, and their accomplishments reflect their passion and dedication to academic pursuits. We also want to acknowledge and thank families, counselors, educators, mentors, and communities for their encouragement and often invaluable support in helping students along each step of their educational path.”

The Illinois State Scholar designation is a non-monetary award. Each State Scholar will receive a congratulatory letter and a Certificate of Achievement from ISAC.