Twenty-eight students from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School in Springfield have been named 2012-2013 Illinois State Scholars. They are:

John Belz; Paige Brinker; Connor Creasey; Luke Criscione; Timothy Forman; Olivia Gobble; Justin Halford; Matthew Hazelrigg; Abigail House; Joseph Hoyle; Jarek Kink; Matthew Mannion; Hannah Mayfield; Glen McClain; Meredith McClain; Joseph Mocharnuk; Diana Montgomery; McKenzie Moredock; Maria Mosley; Samuel Mounce; Anthony Nestler; Kimberly Orlando; Anna Rushing; Luke Schulz; Curt Sexton; Connor Sommer; Adam White; and Hannah Winders.

The award, given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), recognized 18,863 high school students from across the state as this year's state scholars. Since 1979, more than 582,000 Illinois students have been honored as State Scholars.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 749 different high schools across the state. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and/or Prairie State Achievement Exam scores, and/or class rank at the end of the junior year. High school guidance counselors work in conjunction with ISAC to determine the winners.

While the recognition does not include a monetary award, recipients are encouraged to cite the honor on applications for college admission and scholarships in addition to completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after Jan. 1 to determine eligibility for federal and state aid, including Illinois' $387 million need-based Monetary Award Program (MAP).