57 McAuley Students Recognized As Illinois State Scholars

CHICAGO, IL -- Fifty-seven students from Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School’s Class of 2019 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. This year, more than 21,000 outstanding honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958. The students represent Oak Lawn, Evergreen Park, Orland Park and Chicago’s Mount Greenwood, Beverly, Morgan Park, Garfield Ridge, West Lawn and Washington Heights neighborhoods.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this prestigious recognition to top Illinois high school students.

“These young women comprise nearly 25 percent of our senior class,” said Nichole Carey, director of counseling at Mother McAuley. “They are a wonderful representation of the reward that comes from students’ determination and dedication to studies, ensuring they are well-prepared for college and beyond.”

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from 757 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars 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 2019-2020 scholars:

Kelly Altman (Midlothian), Gabrielle Blahusiak (Chicago Ridge), Hannah Brennan (Mt. Greenwood), Elizabeth Carroll (West Beverly), Maria Cipriani (Oak Lawn), Terese Clifford (Mt. Greenwood), Maureen Cranley (Beverly), Emma Cunnea (Oak Lawn), Katherine Desanti (Palos Heights), Bridget Dine (Evergreen Park), Caroline Docherty (Mt. Greenwood), Guadalupe Dominguez (Scottsdale), Bridget Doody (Beverly), Sarah Dunn (Beverly), Fiona Fleming (Beverly), Gillian Furlong (Evergreen Park), Melanie Garcia (Oak Lawn), Ashley Gasienica (Oak Lawn), and Fatima Gomez (Chicago Lawn).

Grace Gorman (Beverly), Clare Graney-Dolan (West Morgan Park), Mary Kate Gurka (Orland Park), Rachel Hardy (Beverly), Erica Hollander (Mt. Greenwood), Grace Hynes (Mt. Greenwood), Brenna Keaty (Evergreen Park), Megan Kilroe (Mt. Greenwood), Megan Labuda (Oak Lawn), Colette Manahan (Evergreen Park), Megan McGinley (Evergreen Park), Kiley Melean (Mt. Greenwood), Emma Mendez (Oak Lawn), Kathleen Monahan (Garfield Ridge), Jennifer Mulvey (Oak Lawn), Eleanor Murphy (Evergreen Park), and Lily Murphy (Beverly).

Madeline Murtaugh (Oak Lawn), Burke Niego (West Beverly), Emma O'Connor (Beverly), Maura O'Grady (Evergreen Park), Mary Kate O'Malley (Evergreen Park), Maya O'Neill (Beverly), Emily Odenbach (Oak Lawn), Jamilynn Ostrowski (Oak Forest), Emily Papez (Garfield Ridge), Kathryn Pasquinelli (Orland Park), Allison Riordan (Oak Lawn), Elizabeth Sheridan (West Beverly), Asia Sobek (Clearing), Bianca Stachnik (West Lawn), Moira Staudacher (Morgan Park), Kristen Sullivan (Oak Lawn), Elizabeth Ward (Oak Lawn), Mary Eileen Ward (Evergreen Park), Jamie Wickman (Chicago Ridge), Audrey Wilke (Mt. Greenwood), and Nia Williams (Washington Heights).

While the State Scholar recognition does not include a monetary prize, honorees received a congratulatory letter from ISAC and a personalized Certificate of Achievement. Honorees can also download a digital Illinois State Scholar badge that can be displayed on their online profiles and social media platforms, and shared with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others. A complete list of the 2019-20 Illinois State Scholars can be found on ISAC’s website.