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11 seniors named State Scholars
Eleven Auburn High School seniors have been named State Scholars. They are among the 19,331 high school students
selected around the state.
They include: Emily Anderson, daughter of Terry and Cathy Anderson, who plans to attend SIU-C to study microbiology; Chase
Brackmeyer, son of Brian and Cathy Brackmeyer who will pursue a degree in music education at ISU; Jessica Dixon, daughter of
Don and Lisa Dixon, who plans to be a political science major at the University of Illinois, C-U; Elissa Dolbeare, daughter of Greg
and Edna Dol-beare, who will study photo-journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia; Katie Fox, daughter of Tracy
Schlueter and Roger Fox, who plans to study pre-vet at LLCC; Bethani Hogan, daughter of Kenneth and Daphne Hogan, who will
attend LLCC for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Lauren Lay, daughter of Elvin and Shannon Lay, who will be a pre-med student at Southeast Missouri State University in the
fall; Amber Lee, daughter of Robert and Brenda Lee, who will attend UIS with an undecided major; Natalie Mortimer, daughter of
Steve and Jill Mortimer, who will attend SIU-Edwardsville, undecided on a major; Alison Rhoades, daughter of Joe and Audrey
Rhoades, who will study dance at the University of Illinois CU and Josh Sergent, son of Jim and Patti Sergent who will major in
education at the University of Illinois CU.
Illinois State Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors across the state's 798 state high schools. Selection is
based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school
guidance counselors work in conjunction with the Illinois State Assistance Commission (ISAC) to determine the winners. At least
a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 50 years.
ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the program since 1958, said "these students personify
excellence. They are among the best and brightest in our state's high schools."
While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, this year, for the first time, Scholars were gifted with a paid
subscription to the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica. Additionally, winners are encouraged to cite the award on
applications for college admissions and scholarships.
High school students and their parents are urged to visit collegezone.com for more information about the many college
financial assistance programs available.
Created in 1957, ISAC is the state's central provider of college aid. The agency oversees the Monetary Award Program (MAP),
Illinois Veteran Grant, and service-related programs to encourage students to pursue careers in teaching and nursing.
Last year ISAC issued 187,000 grants totaling $430 million and guaranteed $1.2 billion in loans. It's 529 prepaid tuition
program-College Illinois! has allowed more than 430,000 Illinois families to prepay more than $1 billion in tuition and fees.
Eleven Auburn High School seniors have been named State Scholars. They are among the 19,331 high school students
selected around the state.
They include: Emily Anderson, daughter of Terry and Cathy Anderson, who plans to attend SIU-C to study microbiology; Chase
Brackmeyer, son of Brian and Cathy Brackmeyer who will pursue a degree in music education at ISU; Jessica Dixon, daughter of
Don and Lisa Dixon, who plans to be a political science major at the University of Illinois, C-U; Elissa Dolbeare, daughter of Greg
and Edna Dol-beare, who will study photo-journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia; Katie Fox, daughter of Tracy
Schlueter and Roger Fox, who plans to study pre-vet at LLCC; Bethani Hogan, daughter of Kenneth and Daphne Hogan, who will
attend LLCC for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
Lauren Lay, daughter of Elvin and Shannon Lay, who will be a pre-med student at Southeast Missouri State University in the
fall; Amber Lee, daughter of Robert and Brenda Lee, who will attend UIS with an undecided major; Natalie Mortimer, daughter of
Steve and Jill Mortimer, who will attend SIU-Edwardsville, undecided on a major; Alison Rhoades, daughter of Joe and Audrey
Rhoades, who will study dance at the University of Illinois CU and Josh Sergent, son of Jim and Patti Sergent who will major in
education at the University of Illinois CU.
Illinois State Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors across the state's 798 state high schools. Selection is
based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school
guidance counselors work in conjunction with the Illinois State Assistance Commission (ISAC) to determine the winners. At least
a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 50 years.
ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the program since 1958, said "these students personify
excellence. They are among the best and brightest in our state's high schools."
While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, this year, for the first time, Scholars were gifted with a paid
subscription to the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica. Additionally, winners are encouraged to cite the award on
applications for college admissions and scholarships.
High school students and their parents are urged to visit collegezone.com for more information about the many college
financial assistance programs available.
Created in 1957, ISAC is the state's central provider of college aid. The agency oversees the Monetary Award Program (MAP),
Illinois Veteran Grant, and service-related programs to encourage students to pursue careers in teaching and nursing.
Last year ISAC issued 187,000 grants totaling $430 million and guaranteed $1.2 billion in loans. It's 529 prepaid tuition
program-College Illinois! has allowed more than 430,000 Illinois families to prepay more than $1 billion in tuition and fees.
Issue Date: Dec. 25, 2008
