ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS–This year, ten seniors at Red Bud High School were recognized as 2025 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission. They are: in front: Claire Rhodes, Eva Kinney, Ella Umbdenstock, Annabeth Ohlau and Presley Billingsley; in back: Trent Sternberg, Sam Roscow, Blake Henry, Derek Whelan and Aaron Frederick.
This year, more than 16,500 students from 684 high schools were designated by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) as the 2025-26 Illinois State Scholars.
Red Bud High School has 10 students receiving this honor. They are: Presley Billingsley, Aaron Frederick, Blake Henry, Eva Kinney, Annabeth Ohlau, Claire Rhodes, Sam Roscow, Trent Sternberg, Ella Umbdenstock and Derek Whelan.
State scholars are chosen each year by ISAC, which is the state’s college access and financial aid agency. The selection is based on students’ ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank and are honored for their remarkable academic achievements. These talented students rank in approximately the top ten percent of graduates from Illinois high schools.
For more on the state scholars, please see this week’s print edition.