Rock Island High School Principal Jeff Whitaker introduced the 12 seniors who were named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.
The State Scholars are honored annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for exceptional academic achievement. The students represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from 737 high schools across the State of Illinois. Honorees are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth-semester class rank.
“Congratulations, this is a true testament to your hard work. You’re in the top 10 percent of all students in the state of Illinois, this is quite an achievement," said Mr. Whitaker at the board meeting.
The following ISAC Scholars are:
- Julian Anderson
- Daxon Ashpaugh
- Jake Brandt
- Ella Hansen
- Riley Hawotte
- Aidan Henderson
- Nathan Hendrickx
- Madelyn Maidak
- Keller Mathews
- Natalie Pothoven
- Lucas Rettig
- Kayla Rice
The board then recognized the district's All-State Musicians. Nine Rock Island Students and 15 Frances Willard Elementary School students were named as All-State Musicians by the Illinois Music Educators Association.
Students were selected through individual statewide auditions held in October where more than 285 Illinois schools participated. The students will perform in Peoria, January 25-28, with other top student musicians in Illinois at the IMEA All-State Music Festival.
Students were selected through individual statewide auditions held in October where more than 285 Illinois schools participated. The students will perform in Peoria, January 25-28, with other top student musicians in Illinois at the IMEA All-State Music Festival.
RIHS Choir Director Scott Voigt talked about how his students are part of an elite group, "You have to be number one in your voice part in the district for the district jazz and it’s kind of honor to have 1 student make jazz but we have two students to make jazz and there are only 36 singers from the entire state that’s chosen for jazz.”
Kimberly Gardner, a music teacher at Frances Willard spoke about her student's dedication,“Ba Ba gives up her recess every day to come in and practice her All-State music because she wants to be a part of it and the fourth and fifth graders come at their extra recess time during the week and will stay with me one or two days a week after school so these are students that are super dedicated to their craft and making sure they're ready to represent the Rock Island-Milan schools. I’m very proud of all of them.”
The following All-State musicians are:
Rock Island High School:
All-State Vocal Jazz
Julian Anderson - Tenor
Brennan Hampton - Bass
All-State Vocal Jazz
Julian Anderson - Tenor
Brennan Hampton - Bass
Honors Chorus
Kal Boswell - Bass I
Evan Lyon - Tenor II
All-State Chorus
Aidan Fiers - Bass II
Noemi Figueroa-Salinas - Alto II
Lucas Rettig - Tenor II
All-State Jazz Band
Harrison Braddy – Guitar
All-State Band
Natalie Pothoven - Percussion
Frances Willard Elementary School:
6th-Grade All-State Elementary Choir - Ba Ba
4th/5th Grade All-State Elementary Choir - Alonzo Beserra, Bah Blut Doh, Juan Guzman, Mikari Holliday, Carolina Htoo, Atlas Morgan, Serenity Nelson, Amoni Nelson, Jade Overton, Rosanna Poe, Law Eh Say, Heh Say, Phu Zin Win, Leilionna Woods
All-State Choir students with RIHS Principal Jeff Whitaker, Superintendent Dr. Lawrence, RIHS Band Director Pete Carlin, and RIHS Choir Scott Voigt.
ISAC Scholars with Superintendent Dr. Lawrence and RIHS Choir Director Scott Voigt
RIHS Band Director Pete Carlin, Frances Willard Music Teacher Kimberly Gardner, RIHS Choir Director Scott Voigt and Superintendent Dr. Lawrence