Three Mount Pulaski High School students have been named Illinois
State Scholars for 2012-13. The honored students are Alexandra
Conley, daughter of John and Lisa Conley of Mount Pulaski,
Mark Foley, son of Robert and Sharon Foley of Mount Pulaski, and
Carly Powell, daughter of Deron Powell of Mount Pulaski and
Linda Smith of Elkhart.
Illinois State Scholars are named by the Illinois Student
Assistance Commission, the state's centralized provider of financial
assistance aimed at helping students and families access
postsecondary education or training. Each year, the commission
awards scholarship and grant aid to qualified students, and also
provides loans to qualifying students. The agency also offers a
broad array of outreach and informational services to ensure that
families have access to the information they need to pay for a
college education.
Illinois State Scholars rank in the top 10 percent of high school
seniors across Illinois. Selection is based on SAT, ACT and Prairie
State Achievement Exam scores, and class rank at the end of the
junior year. While the designation of Illinois State Scholar is not
a monetary award, students who are selected are among the top
students academically in each high school in Illinois.
Matthew Southerlan has been named December
Senior-of-the-Month at Mount Pulaski High School. Matthew is the son
of Tim and Mary Southerlan of Mount Pulaski.
During high school Matthew has been active in National Honor
Society, serving two years as vice-president and currently serving
as co-president. He has been a four-year member of FFA, serving as
vice-president. He also participated in Science Olympiad for two
years and was a member of the Scholastic Bowl team. He served on the
prom committee during his junior year.
Matthew is a four-year member of the soccer team, serving as
captain his senior year. He also is a four-year member of the track
and field team, and a four-year member of the Spirit Squad.
Matthew plans to attend the University of Missouri to major in
journalism, with an emphasis in public relations and marketing.
The Senior-of-the-Month program is co-sponsored by Mount Pulaski
Pharmacy and Johnson's Food Center of Mount Pulaski. Monthly winners
receive $100 savings bonds and are eligible to compete for the
$1,000 Senior-of-the-Year award.