State Representative Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford/Belvidere) is honored to recognize 126 students from the 69th District that were recently named Illinois State Scholars for the class of 2012 by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

“It is no surprise to me that over 100 students from my district would be named State Scholars,” Rep. Sosnowski said. “Quality education has always been a priority in this district for not only adults, but students, as well.”

The 126 students are top-ranking seniors from various high schools in the districts. 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 with ISAC to identify these top academic performers.

“I am honored and proud to recognize these students for this prestigious achievement,” Sosnowski said. “This program gives these students an advantage in attending the college of their choice and being able to afford it, as well.”

State Scholars include: Gregory Adkins, Paul Anderson, Cerra Antonacci, Cassandra Arana, Michael Atteberry, Pedro Avalos, Tyler Bailey, Emily Baldwin, Delaney Barr, Ellen Bauch, Katie Beckmann, Cain Benink, Ceyda Billesbach, Benjamin Bjork, Haley Boyer, Joseph Bradel, Elizabeth Bravo, Essence Brown, Jessica Brown, David Cardenas, Katie Chandler, Nathan Clanin, Genevieve Clemens, Brenna Conley, Kaley Contarino, Sean Coyle, Logan Damiani, Anna Day, Jason De Jesus, Alison Deguide, Daniel Delaughter, Mark Delaughter, Natasha Diehl, Robert Durham, Allison Dzik, Matthew Eighmy, Aubrey Engel, Patrik Engle, Elena Ewaldz, Kanhai Farrakhan, Elizabeth Fluegel, Emily Geddes, Jacob Gentile, Samantha George, Katie Gonder, Krisin Gooden, Hannah Griffin, Kelsey Grimes, Alyssa Gyorkos, Kenneth Hackbarth, Brooke Harp, Laurel Hemmer, Samantha Hoffman, Rachel Huerta, Lindsey Johnson, Quinn Kahle, Chantal Kahsay, Adam Kellen, Austen Kennedy, Stephanie Klemm, Rachel Krause, Melanie Kraw Czyk, Amy Kuhlen, Taylor Lambdin, Andrew Lantz, Matthew Lee, Cody Leitner, Elizabeth Lempp, Miranda Lindvall, Sarah Lisk, Ashley Lomonaco, Julianna Lownsdale, Kirsten Mainguy, Darby Marinello, Kendra Marquez, Angela Martinez, Sara Maxey, Peter Meingast, Tyler Menge, Tyler Meseck, Emily Micek, Paul Milius, Jackson Murphy, Melissa Nellis, Ryan Nied, Andrew Palcan, Kayla Peet, Summer Peila, Robert Pohlman, Nicholas Poshka, Tiffany Propp, Brittani Provost, Shannon Riley, Phethsarat Sanameesai, Megan Schneider, Luke Schumacher, Hannah Schwarzbach, Rachel Shore, Kathryn Silva, Courtney Simross, Noah Slocum, Samuel Smith, Kara Sotakoun, Jonathan Stechschulte, Paul Steffan, Hayden Stewart, Kristen Stoicescu, Bethany Sullivan, Kirsten Sutton, Lloyd-Kevin Sy, Satoshi Takekuma, Riley Teuscher, Allyson Troia, Ashley Ulferts, Samantha Walberg, Daniel Walls, Jessie Walter, Emily Way, Rebecca Weil, Whitney White, Amy Wieting, Johan Yapo, Gloria Young, Lauren Zeitz and Michelle Zheng.