Forty students from Sacred Heart-Griffin High School have been recognized as 2008 Illinois State Scholars, according to SHG principal Sister Margaret Joanne Grueter, OP. The prestigious award is given annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), which is recognizing 18,178 high school students from across the state as this year's state scholars.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in the top 10 percent of the state's high school seniors from 711 high schools in all 102 counties. 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. At least a half million Illinois State Scholars have been recognized in the past 49 years.

"We congratulate our students who were named as Illinois State Scholars," said Sister Margaret Joanne. "We are most proud of these students for daily using their talents, working diligently, and excelling in academics."

The following SHG students have been recognized: Courtney Aidich, Christine Albers, Gina Braham, Sierra Campbell, Megan Canny, Philip Christofanelli, Harrison Davis, Ashley Eck, Patrick Farrow, Michael Feller, Emily Fletcher, Nickolas Garcia, Melissa Gay, Olivia Gay, Zachary Gietl, Edith Graham, Cassandra Hansen, Aaron Holmes, Lindsey House, Catherine Leatherwood, Thomas Lord, Nicklas McManus, Molly Meinhardt, Allison Midden, Alexander Nester, Jeffrey Painter, Emily Rogers, Patrick Ryan, Kurtis Saladino, Nicole Scheidler, Philip Sherman, Christina Simpson, William Triveni Singh, Robert Smith, Patricia Strutz, Madison Sullivan, Sara Thieben, Jennifer Vorst, David Wasser and Matthew Wolfson

"These students personify excellence," said ISAC Executive Director Andrew Davis, whose agency has overseen the Illinois State Scholars program since 1958. "Illinois State Scholars are among the best and the brightest in our state's high schools. We salute them, along with their partners in reaching for the stars: their families, and the teachers and staff at SHG for this stellar achievement."

While the recognition does not provide a monetary award, winners are encouraged to cite the award on applications for college admission and scholarships.