District 212 announces 2017-2018 Illinois State Scholars

District 212 announced its 2017-2018 Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois State Scholars from East Leyden are:

Michael Aiello, Artur Bak, Eula Marie Bayan, Joseph Cangialosi, Enrique Carvajal, Paulina Cylwik, Riya Desai, Damian Furgal, Gabriela Giza, Hunter Hankins, Kacie Judge, Damian Kosakowski, Martyna Kot, Alison Laton, Alberto Maciel, Mateusz Matysek, Autumn McGee, Era Meco, Krystian Misiewicz, Ian Montesinos, Hadassah Moser, Kinga Obrzut, Natalie Payne, Miriam Porras, Jason Reed, Angelica Socha, Ashley Soller, Roman Sydorchuk, Damian Szopa, Fabian Vega, Sylwia Zabiegly and Katarzyna Zyglowicz.

The Illinois State Scholars from West Leyden are:

Melissa Alaniz, Carolay Alvarado, Armando Amigon, Stephanie Carreno, Erik Gonzalez, Victor Jimenez, Nicole Johnson, Noelle Lowther, Mimi Nguyen, Ivan Nunez, Kiara Psalm Rana, Oscar Romero, Lessly Salas, Alexis Salgado, Xitlalli Solis, Jimmy Vazquez, Benjamin Velez and Grace Velez.

"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."

Illinois' top students elect to have test scores and high school class rank sent to ISAC for consideration in the popular program. Seniors who rank in the top ten percent of the state's high schools are designated as Illinois State Scholars and receive a Certificate of Achievement for their outstanding academic performance. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam test scores, and/or class rank at the end of junior year.