St. Laurence Announces 23 Illinois State Scholars

BURBANK, IL -- Twenty-three seniors from St. Laurence High School’s Class of 2018 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 765 high schools across the state. Students who achieve this milestone possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank. Recognized for their efforts in the classroom are.

• Veronica Belanski (St. Symphorosa, Chicago)
• Daniel Carroll (Century Junior High, Orland Park)
• Gabriel Chimera (St. Damian, Oak Forest)
• Humberto Elizondo (Our Lady of the Ridge, Chicago Ridge)
• Daniel Franko (St. Jane de Chantal, Chicago)
• Jacob Gerloski (St. Daniel the Prophet, Chicago)
• Nicholas Heiden (Liberty Junior High,Burbank)
• Brandon Hernandez (St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn)
• Elizabeth Hicks (St. Gerald, Oak Lawn)
• Joseph Hincks (Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School, Oak Lawn)
• Melissa Madrangca (St. Albert the Great, Burbank)
• Brigid Mundt (St. Mary, Mokena)
• Jose Munoz (Epiphany, Chicago)
• Kerstin Rafferty (Queen of Martyrs, Evergreen Park)
• Devon Rembis (Kolmar, Oak Lawn)
• Matt Smuda (Palos South, Palos Park)
• Joshua Sone, Maciej Staszel (Worth Junior High, Worth)
• George Stock (Incarnation, Crestwood)
• Emilia Vates (St. Mary Star of the Sea, Chicago)
• Mya Wrencher (St. Dorothy, Chicago)
• Jessica Zepeda (Wilkins Junior High, Justice),
• Adam Zurek (St. Louis de Montfort, Oak Lawn)

Since shifting to a STEM-based curriculum, St. Laurence has doubled its number of Illinois State Scholars over the past three years prior to the curriculum change. This year’s crop of Illinois State Scholars represent 13 percent of students in the Class of 2018.

“We are thrilled with our continued increase of Illinois State Scholars,” St. Laurence principal Jim Muting said in a news release. “Our commitment to providing a unique STEM curriculum in a project-based environment continues to pay dividends for St. Laurence students. Congratulations to the 23 students who earned this prestigious recognition.”