Twenty Effingham High School students from the graduating class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) based on their exceptional academic achievement.
“ISAC proudly congratulates this year’s Illinois State Scholars for their commitment to excellence,” said ISAC Executive Director Eric Zarnikow. “Their dedication will continue to benefit them in college and beyond. We also extend our sincere appreciation to the families, educators and communities who support and guide these students every day.”
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), the state’s college access and financial aid agency, presents this annual recognition of academic achievement to exceptional Illinois high school students who rank in the top 10% of graduates from Illinois high schools. This year, nearly 19,200 honorees join the other outstanding students who have been honored since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
The Illinois State Scholar Program designates honorees based on the year they would begin any post-secondary education, not based on the year they graduate from high school.
The following EHS students were named 2026-27 Illinois State Scholars: Landon Beck, Hannah Buckman, Max Buzzard, Samuel Collins, Sydney Cunningham, Derek Doedtman, Abby Feldhake, Maximus Greenwood, Caleb Holmes, Maggie Jenkins, Isabella Jones, Keegan McCoy, Emma Newlin, Christina Nguyen, Berkley Pullen, Collin Rodewald, Hollann Thoele, Hayden Wendling, Reese Wendling, Averie Wolfe.