OGLESBY – In February, students from Mendota High School traveled to IVCC to compete against students from other local area schools in the Academic Challenge regional competition.

The Academic Challenge is a test-based competition hosted by The School of Extended Learning at Eastern Illinois University. The tests, which cover a variety of individual subject areas, are designed to challenge the top students from each high school in the state of Illinois. Schools compete in regional competitions, which are hosted by a number of community colleges and universities across the state. The teams and students who outperform their peers can progress to the sectional competition, followed by the state competition.

At the regional competition, Mendota finished in second place as a team in Division 700, which includes schools with enrollments between 300 and 700.

Additionally, several MHS students earned individual medals for placing in the top three of their testing area:

Hannah Kunz - 1st place Physics; Mason Rich - 2nd place Biology; Ada Krull - 2nd place English; Quin Holland - 2nd place Mathematics; Corbin Doll - 3rd place Biology; Owen Schroeder - 3rd place Chemistry; Gracie Botts - 3rd place English; Anthony Kelson - Tie-3rd place Mathematics; Kaley Siemer - Tie-3rd place Mathematics; Alex Beetz - Tie-3rd place Physics; Dane Doyle - Tie-3rd place Physics; Leah Stamberger - Tie-3rd place Physics.