31 OLCHS Seniors Designated Illinois State Scholars

OAK LAWN, IL — Principal Dr. Jeana Lietz is pleased to announce that 31 students from the Oak Lawn Community High School graduating class of 2023 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this prestigious recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 16,700 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.

“I am extremely proud of these students who earned this distinction,” Dr. Jeana Lietz said in a news release. “The challenges that they have faced over the course of their high school careers were unique and difficult, but this group was able to persevere and succeed in their academics. I look forward to presenting these students with their awards on our Senior Honors Night in the spring.”

The following Oak Lawn Community High School students were named 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars: Shatha Abdeljaber, Lindsay Acermo, Aya Ahmad, Abdulmonem Akili, Julian Amador, Ashley Argueta, Omar Barakat, Adrian Bednarczyk, Natalia Cetera, Dalia Cruz-Dominguez, Justyna Dzielska, Brendan Gallian, Abdelaziz Hasan, Scott Hyland, Paulina Komperda, Janna Mahmoud, Patryk Malek, Sajida Mulhelm, Adrian Nowobilski, Dominique Orbea Herrera, John Parquette, Matthew Perry, Diana Peschel, Victoria Prause, Mila Revell, Osiel Rosales, Haven Rupsch, Adam Trojak, Delilah Trujillo, and Aidan Yerkes.

The ISAC congratulates all the outstanding students selected as 2023-24 Illinois State Scholars,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “Students and families faced numerous challenges over the last two years with remote learning, among other financial and personal difficulties. As we continue to recover from the pandemic, these academic achievements are a credit to the hard work and dedication of the student scholars and their families, and to the support provided by teachers, mentors, counselors, and communities in helping students meet their goals and find success as they advance on their education and career paths.”

~ Contributed by Jennifer Jepsen, OLCHS Staff Writer