25 Morris Community High School students named Illinois State Scholars

25 members of the Morris Community High School Class of 2025 have been named Illinois State Scholars.

These seniors are members of the 2025-2026 Illinois State Scholars. The Illinois State Scholar Program announces honorees based on the year they would begin any postsecondary education, not based on the year they graduate from high school.

Illinois State Scholars are outstanding high school seniors who are recognized for their superior academic achievement. They rank in approximately the top 10% of graduates from Illinois high schools and are selected based on their ACT and SAT scores and sixth-semester class rank.

The Illinois State Scholars from Morris Community High School are Danica Martin, Makensi Martin, Nicole Gagnon, Ashlyn Punke, Grace Mennenga, Julia Knoblich, Leah Ortiz, Charles Martello, Elise Knudson, Julia Borgstrom, Reagan Oelschlager, Logan Matzen, Cameron Raymer, Jason Ajlan, Daniel Hess, Colin Pfeifer, Connor Ahearn, Jack Wilkinson, Donovan Smith, Jaqueline Aguilera, Joseph Frias, Brian Chen, and Paige Swanson, Taylor Cotter and Andrew Engelke.

In addition, Taylor Cotter was recognized as a National Merit Commended Student, one of about 34,000 students to receive this designation. Charles Martello was recognized as a National Merit Semifinalist, a designation for less than 1% of the nation’s high school graduating seniors. As such, he will have the opportunity to advance in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards.