14 JCHS seniors named Illinois State Scholars
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The following 14 JCHS students were named 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars for the class of 2023. Pictured from left to right, front row: Josie Hudson, Jerra LaPlant, Bria Tuttle, Cate Breden, MacKenzie Jones. Second row: Amber Samples, Lucy Fritz, Ryan Crawford, Alexander Steinacher. Third row: Katelyn King, Drake Goetten, Isaac Loges.
Top row: Bernard Dohrn and Jack Dohrn.
Jersey Community High School (JCHS) Principal Dr. Jason Brunaugh recently announced that 14 JCHS students from the graduating class of 2023 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this prestigious recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester unweighted class rank.
The following JCHS students were named 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars for the class of 2023:
Cate Breden, daughter of Cory and Susie Breden; Ryan Crawford, son of Paul and Rachel Crawford; Bernard and Jack Dohrn, sons of Christopher and Heather Dohrn; Lucy Fritz, daughter or David and Kari Fritz; Drake Goetten, son of Aaron and Kelly Goetten; Josie Hudson, daughter of Craig and Sara Hudson; MacKenzie Jones, daughter of Ray Jr. and Jennifer Jones; Katelyn King, daughter of Sean and Beth King; Jerra LaPlant, daughter of Jeremy and Julie LaPlant; Isaac Loges, son of Brian and Debbie Loges; Amber Samples, daughter of Timothy and Amy Samples; Alexander Steinacher, son of Keith and Natalie Steinacher, and Bria Tuttle, daughter of Brad and Kris Tuttle.
The students listed above will receive a scholarship from the Frank and Edith Catt Trust Fund. The Trust is overseen by Trustees Mr. Brad Tuttle, Jersey 100 Superintendent; Dr. Jason Brunaugh, Jersey Community High School Principal; and Mr. Mark Schaefer, Jersey State Bank President. Jersey State Bank administers this fund and in addition to providing scholarships to Jersey’s Illinois State Scholars, oversees interest free loans for local post-secondary students.
These honorees will also receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC and a personalized Certificate of Achievement. Honorees can also download a digital Illinois State Scholar badge that can be displayed on their online profiles and social media platforms, and shared with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others
“On behalf of ISAC, congratulations to all of the outstanding students selected as 2023-24* Illinois State Scholars,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “Students and families faced numerous challenges over the last two years with remote learning, among other financial and personal difficulties. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, these academic achievements are a credit to the hard work and dedication of the student scholars and their families, and to the support provided by teachers, mentors, counselors, and communities in helping students meet their goals and find success as they advance on their education and career paths.”
ISAC encourages all high school students to complete the 2023-24 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is the application used by students and families to apply for federal and most state and institutional financial aid for most postsecondary education, including career and technical education, certificates, and two- or four-year degree programs. Students and families can get assistance with the higher education planning and financial aid process by attending a free college application, financial aid, financial aid application completion, or related workshop held by ISAC and/or our partners, or by connecting with an ISACorps member in their area. The ISACorps are recent college graduates who are trained to serve as near peer mentors to middle and high school students and families in Illinois, helping them navigate the postsecondary planning and financial aid process. A new program, called the First Generation Scholars Network, offers support and assistance to students transitioning to or in their first year of college who will be the first in their family to earn a degree. For more information or to find your local ISACorps member, visit studentportal.isac.org/isacorps.
Students can also utilize the ISAC Student Portal for free tools and resources to search for colleges and scholarships, explore careers, find internships and summer jobs, apply for ISAC financial aid programs, get quick tips about college planning and financial aid from ISAC College MinuteTM videos, connect with First Generation Scholars Network mentors, and more. The ISAC College Q&A free text messaging service allows students and families to get answers to their college and financial aid questions sent directly via text from ISAC experts. ISAC also offers free assistance through the agency’s call center, 800-899-4722 (ISAC), and its Online Chat service.
