34 McAuley Students Recognized As Illinois State Scholars

CHICAGO, IL -- Thirty-four members of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School’s Class of 2018 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. The students hail from Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Orland Park, Alsip, Bridgeview, Worth and Burbank. The scholars also represent Chicago’s Beverly, Mount Greenwood, Chatham and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state agency committed to helping make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this prestigious recognition to top Illinois high school students. This year, more than 20,000 outstanding honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.

“These young women are wonderful representatives of Mother McAuley,” said McAuley principal Eileen O’Reilly. “This distinction as Illinois State Scholars is a reflection of their commitment to their studies and application of their skills and resources to produce top results. I know they will continue to seek success as they move onto college and ultimately, into careers.”

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 738 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank.

The following Mother McAuley students were named 2018-19 Illinois State Scholars:

• Evergreen Park: Catherine Alberts, Abigail Amado, Cecilia Crane, Joelle Gillespie, Hayley Gutrich, Bridget Halleran, Eleanor Hayes, Katelyn Howley, Sarah Johanet, Stacey Manahan, Kaleigh O’Hara
• Mount Greenwood: Emily Baniewicz, Olivia Wagner
• Beverly: Faith Carey, Grace Conjar, Maura Gribble, Grace Harkins, Allison Keller, Casey Macander, Margaret Millerick, Charley Niego, Catherine Rogers
• Chatham: Payton Charlemagne-Nickols
• Worth: Kali Foyle
• Oak Lawn: Marygrace Golon, Rachel Greene, Michaela Mariotti, Ailish Raftery
• Garfield Ridge: Cassandra Grosskopf
• Orland Park: Kathleen Larkin, Grace Trippiedi
• Bridgeview: Vanessa Lunar
• Alsip: Kristen Scheffler
• Burbank: Mayra Vazquez

Founded in 1956 by the Sisters of Mercy, Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School currently educates more than 900 young women in grades 9 through 12. McAuley promotes a liberal arts education platform that encourages young women to grow in faith, envision their future and discover their talents through a challenging and motivating academic and co-curricular program. Mother McAuley’s tradition of excellence has made it a top choice for all-girls private education in the Chicago area for more than 160 years. The school boasts more than 26,500 alumnae.