3 Orland Park Residents Among Mother McAuley's Illinois State Scholars

Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School Principal Ms. Eileen Boyce ‘03 is pleased to announce that 34 students from the graduating class of 2015 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars. Orland Park residents Julianna Magnan, Mallory Miller and Jessica Pedroza received the honor.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state agency committed to helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, bestows this prestigious recognition to top Illinois high school students annually. This year, over 18,800 elite honorees join the other top state students honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.

Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors, hailing from 671 different high schools across the state. Selection is based on SAT, ACT or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school guidance counselors work with ISAC to determine the winners.

The following Mother McAuley students were named 2015-16 Illinois State Scholars: Meghan Baker (Oak Lawn), Maureen Berglind (Palos Heights), Aileen Blough (Beverly), Allison Broad (Beverly), Catherine Burns (Beverly), Erin Coghlan (Morgan Park), Ashley Cuddy (Mount Greenwood), Erin Cunnea (Crestwood), Ryann DeJarld (Beverly), Tara Duffy (Palos Heights), Sara Dust (Mount Greenwood), Suzanne Dwyer (Tinley Park), Sarah Dynia (West Elsdon), Kristin Galvin (Palos Heights), Mary Graeber (Beverly), Ashley Gutierrez (Mount Greenwood), Nora Hartnett (Beverly), Sara Hoglund (Beverly), Julianna Magnan (Orland Park), Aileen Mallon (Oak Lawn), Mallory Miller (Orland Park), Hannah Murphy (Evergreen Park), Maura Nolan (Oak Lawn), Kelly O’Donnell (Evergreen Park), Margaret O’Grady (Evergreen Park), Carolyn O’Neill (Oak Lawn), Jessica Pedroza (Orland Park), Molly Rademacher (Garfield Ridge), Colleen Romano (Palos Park), Brenna Roti (Worth), Elizabeth Rowe (Mount Greenwood), Margaret Scanlon (Evergreen Park), Marlena Sweiss (Oak Lawn) and Emily Zawaski (Oak Lawn).

“It is with great pride that we announce this year’s group of Illinois State Scholars,” said Eric Zarnikow, ISAC Executive Director. “In addition to congratulating our State Scholars for their commitment and hard work, we also want to commend their parents, teachers, coaches and mentors for helping these students achieve their goals. It really does take a village.”

“ISAC wishes all of the scholars at Mother McAuley the best as they pursue their future education and careers.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Front row, left to right: Margaret O’Grady, Kelly O’Donnell, Jessica Pedroza, Brenna Roti, Marlena Sweiss, Aileen Blough, Erin Coghlan, Allison Broad and Ashley Cuddy

Middle row, left to right: Carolyn O’Neill, Sara Hoglund, Elizabeth Rowe, Meghan Baker, Kristin Galvin, Sarah Dynia, Maura Nolan, Ryann DeJarld, Mallory Miller, Tara Duffy, Emily Zawaski, Ashley Gutierrez and Julianna Magnan

Back row, left to right: Hannah Murphy, Margaret Scanlon, Erin Cunnea, Sara Dust, Mary Graeber, Suzanne Dwyer, Maureen Berglind and Nora Hartnett

Absent: Catherine Burns, Aileen Mallon, Molly Rademacher and Colleen Romano