Southland Seniors Academic Achievement Recognized

More than 70 southland College Prep Charter High School seniors—more than half of the senior class—were invited to last week’s “Salute to Academic Achievement,” an annual University of Illinois system-wide event which recognizes high-achieving African American, Latino, and Native American high school students, and those from underrepresented Illinois counties.

It was the 40th year of the University of Illinois Salute to Academic Achievement and the eighth year that seniors from Southland, which was founded in 2010, were invited. About 800 people attended the event, including over 400 students, as well as their family members, high school counselors and university leaders.

Colleges across the University of Illinois system were in attendance to promote their programs to the prospective students.

Southland, located in Richton Park, had a record number of 72 students eligible for an invitation this year, according to Robert Lane, Southland’s director of college admissions.

"We were, by far, the strongest representative school in the state in attendance," Lane said.

University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen noticed the large group from Southland and asked to take a photo along with State Representative William Davis.

Every student received a certificate of achievement from the state, application fee waivers to all three University of Illinois campuses and an opportunity to meet leadership representing every college for each university.