Congratulations to the 33 students who were honored as Charles O. Austin Jr. Scholars. at the August 13, 2019 Board of Education Meeting.

The students were presented with certificates of recognition for completing six semesters of study at Rock Island High School and earning a 3.5 GPA or higher. Along with the certificates of recognition, the student's picture will be displayed in the front lobby at the high school.

Students presented with the designation: Aaliyah Houston-Lyle, Aaliyah Smith, Ashley Johnson, Bianca Brown, Ceu Lian, Ellie Maranda, Emma Bierlein, Emma Wahlmann, Gwendolyn Waggoner, Hae Ni Sher, Heather Motley, Henry Thompson, Jacob Wyers, Jaime Hill, Jeremiah Willwhite, Josie Pennington, Julia Nash, Katherine Shewell, Larissa Pothoven, Logan Conner, Logan Pearce, Margaret Honeycutt, Miranda Banks, Myles Turner, Natalia Rosales, Nils Empen, Nishemezwe Diane, Olivia Panegos, Rafael Ramirez, Spencer Mar, Valeur Nkurikiyinka, Weiwei-Weihei-Leo Zheng, and Zoe Veasey.

The designation was established back in 1998 by the RIMSD #41 Board of Education in honor of Charles O. Austin, Jr., who served District #41 for 14 years as Rock Island High School Principal and for 7 years as Superintendent of Schools. Austin demanded excellence, was a role model for achievement, and directly impacted the lives of thousands of our communities' youth.

Julie Hansen, daughter of the late Chuck Austin III and granddaughter of Charles O. Austin Jr., attended to present the certificates and congratulate the students. Mrs. Hansen is a teacher at the Rock Island Center for Math & Science.