Suburban teens named Golden Apple Scholars

Dozens of area high school students have been named 2014 Golden Apple Scholars, the organization announced Tuesday.

The state program offers tuition assistance to students who plan to become teachers and study at any of 52 Illinois universities.

In exchange for the financial, academic and professional support the students receive, they must agree to teach in a needy Illinois school for five years after college graduation.

Cook County winners:

• Angela Bilancia, Prospect

• Alexis Cannistra, Conant

• Gina Carrillo, Wheeling

• Nandita Devulapally, Conant

• Eva Dockery, Barrington

• Paulin Dragnova, Wheeling

• Isabella Fioretto, Maine South

• Megan Frintner, Elk Grove

• Allison Holmes, Barrington

• Oscar Mercado, Palatine

• Ashley Mitchell, Barrington

• Cecilia Pacheco, Palatine

• Claudia Pulido-Ruiz, Hoffman Estates

• Felix Saji, Prospect

• Marvin Vargas, Palatine

• Ashley Villagomez, Barrington

• Sania Zaffar, Schaumburg

DuPage County winners:

• Jaclyn Anderson, Hinsdale South High School

• Sara Bobek, Lake Park High

• Anna Burton, Downers Grove North High

• Mary Doro, Downers Grove North High

• Lori Pluchrat, Downers Grove South High

• Bayza Senbetta, Wheaton Warrenville South High

• Elvira Toledo, Fenton High

• Morgan Trajkovich, Naperville Central High

• Rachel West, Waubonsie Valley High

• Christina Wilke, Wheaton North High

Fox Valley and Tri-Cities area winners:

• Richard Barajas, East Aurora High School

• Tanner Cassidy, East Aurora High

• Mireya Castillo, Larkin High

• Gina DeSimone, Batavia High

• Andrew Frey, Huntley High

• Lizzbeth Granda-Ocampo, Larkin High

• Rebecca Hernandez, South Elgin High

• Kelly Jimenez, Aurora West High

• Victoria Mayer, Hampshire High

• Amanda Oie, St. Charles North High

• Johanna Rundio, South Elgin High

• Alberto Vargas, Larkin High

Lake County winners:

• Ayana Bankston of Waukegan High School

• Daniel Stelsel of Warren Township High.