DANVILLE — The Illinois Student Assistance Commission has announced its recognition of nearly 19,000 Illinois high school students as Illinois State Scholars 2013.

The winners rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 749 high schools across the state. 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 ISAC to determine the winners.

The winners from Vermilion County are:

Armstrong High School

Zachary Bensyl

Emerson Grey

Bismarck-Henning

High School

Taylor Ellis

Fawna Goldi-Wasson

Jolyn Silver

Mason Wagner

Brock West

Catlin High School

Spencer Berenz

Caleb Cord

James Dutton

Garron Fathauer

Megan McGee

Danville High School

Hajira Ahmed

Parker Arnholt

Kayla Cassem

Brandy Cheuvront

Jonathon Delzell

Tyler Ellis

Sherene Hall

Steven Huff

Alexus Jimson-Miller

Jordan Ogle

Vaughan Orleawright

Dallas Robinson

Luke Robinson

Megan Seyfert

Kaleb Shutes

Chase Thurston

Latina White

Georgetown-Ridge Farm

High School

Catherine Brandt

Shaylee Swalls

Alexis Watson

Hoopeston Area

High School

Hannah Meece

William Samet

Terra Scharlach

Michelle Seat

Olivia Smith

Jamaica Consolidated

High School

Joshua Dalton

Ashley Kirby

Oakwood High School

Amie Baumeister

Rachel Gonzalez

Cody McClintock

Taylor McGlaughlin

Jessica Schell

Stephanie Venis

Brandon Wittig

Schlarman High School

Megan Chamberlain

Heidi Hoess

Holly Huckstadt

Frank Rademacher

Molly Sermersheim

Westville Township

High School

Coleen Cruppenink

Emily Pinter

Top students

“We’re pleased to honor this year’s Illinois State Scholars,” Eric Zarnikow, ISAC executive director, said in a news release. “Not only do they represent the best in educational excellence in Illinois, they also are key to the state’s future economic well-being. The commission applauds their success and salutes their families and teachers.”

The prestigious award, given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, recognized 18,863 high school students from across the state as this year’s State Scholars. Since 1979, more than 582,000 Illinois students have been honored as State Scholars.

While the recognition does not include a monetary award, recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships in addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid after Jan. 1 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, including Illinois’ $371 million need-based Monetary Award Program.

“With competition for college admission and financial aid getting tougher, these Illinois State Scholars have shown that they take their education seriously and can succeed,” Zarnikow said.

Originally formed as the Illinois State Scholarship Commission in 1957, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission provides students of all ages and backgrounds with the resources and support to help obtain financial aid for higher education.

FYI

A complete list of Illinois State Scholars, sortable by county and high school, is located at the ISAC website, http://www.isac.org/students/before-college/state-scholar/.