Being selected as a state scholar is an amazing honor given to students throughout the state. The top 10% of the graduating class is normally chosen, however, 14% of the class of 2023 was selected for this honor. The recipients of this award included; Kristen Altolff, Kylie Buehler, Joseph Jansen, Megan Rennegarbe, Briley Rhodes, and Grant Schleifer. The criteria in order to obtain eligibility were not easy. Students were selected based on their SAT/ACT scores along with their current class rank. Those two numbers were then converted to an Illinois Standard Rank Score. If the student’s score met the number criteria, they were named a State Scholar. 

All six Okawville winners were awarded a letter in the mail regarding the honor. They also all have ideas of where they wish to further their education next fall. Kristen Althoff wishes to major in Environmental Science/Forestry at Southern Illinois University or Kaskaskia College. Kylie Buehler plans to major in Secondary Education-English/Creative Writing at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville. Joseph Jansen wants to study Chemical Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or Missouri University of Science and Technology. Megan Rennegarbe wishes to major in Marketing/Advertising/Journalism at the University of Missouri or Auburn University. Briley Rhodes plans to major in Physical Therapy at Maryville University or Murray State University. Grant Schleifer wishes to major in Accounting/Actuarial Science at the University of Mississippi or the University of Missouri.

Being named a State Scholar is an incredible honor that should be celebrated. Meeting the difficult criteria is not an easy thing to do. OHS is very proud of its accomplished students and can’t wait to see the great things they do in the future. Congratulations, State Scholars!