December 23, 2024
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Plano High School announces Illinois State Scholars

By PLANO RECORD

Plano High School's Illinois State Scholars are (front row, from left) Brandon Sheehy, Lexi Nelson, Bradi Gann, Brittany Strause, (middle row) Sarah Roberts, Matthew Davis, Ashley Martinez, Jamie Heller, (back row) William Benson, Elizabeth Metcalf, Elizabeth Torres and Yadira Rosales. Not pictured is Marily Arboleda. (Photo provided)

Principal Eric Benson recently announced that 13 Plano High School students from the graduating class of 2017 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. The following Plano High School students have been recognized: Marily Arboleda, William Benson, Matthew Davis, Bradi Gann, Jamie Heller, Ashley Martinez, Elizabeth Metcalf, Lexi Nelson, Sarah Roberts, Yadira Rosales, Brandon Sheehy, Brittany Strause and Elizabeth Torres.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state agency committed to helping make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this prestigious recognition annually to top Illinois high school students. This year, approximately 19,300 exceptional honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 765 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank.

“We are very proud of these excellent students and congratulate them on this significant accomplishment,” said Benson. “Many of these students not only excel in the classroom, but also extra-curricular activities; they are all well-rounded students.”

“I applaud all of the 2017-18 state scholars for their hard work and outstanding academic performance,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC executive director. “Students have a lot to contend with as they move through high school – from increased testing to extracurricular activities to highly competitive college admissions. Kudos to these students and also to the teachers, parents, coaches and other mentors who contributed to their success and helped them navigate a path towards college and career success.”

While State Scholar recognition does not include a monetary prize, students receive congratulatory letters from ISAC as well as personalized Certificates of Achievement sent to each high school for distribution.

Students are urged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as possible, if they haven’t already. The 2017-18 FAFSA, which became available on Oct. 1, determines eligibility for federal and state aid. ISAC offers free financial aid and college access events to 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 isac.org/studentportal.