STILLMAN VALLEY – The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) has announced the 26 students who have been selected to the 2017-18 All-State Academic Team.
The 13 male and 13 female honorees of the IHSA’s top academic honor were chosen from a group that included over 400 students throughout the state. Included in the group is Stillman Valley High School student Samuel Winter.
“This is a tremendous honor and I hope every student who was nominated takes a great deal of pride in all that they have accomplished,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “These students are the embodiment of what it means to take advantage of the entire high school experience. I am thankful to Caterpillar for providing the All-State Academic Team platform to honor and congratulate them.”
Every IHSA member school was invited to nominate one female student and one male student by the February deadline. Nominees needed to possess a minimum 3.50 grade point average on 4.0 scale after their 7th semester, have participated in at least two IHSA sponsored sports or activities during each of the last two years and demonstrated outstanding citizenship. The nominations were evaluated by a committee made up of IHSA principals, representatives of the Illinois Activities Directors Association and representatives of the Illinois Athletic Directors Association. One male winner and one female winner from each of the seven IHSA Board of Directors Divisions were selected initially, while the final 12 spots on the team were then rounded out with at-large candidates from anywhere in the state.
“Samuel is an incredible representation of what it means to be a Stillman Valley Cardinal,” said Superintendent Dr. PJ Caposey. “His resume speaks for itself, but Samuel is also just an outstanding young man from an amazing family. Samuel and his family have given as much to Stillman Valley High School and Meridian 223 as we have provided for him. We are extremely proud of his efforts,”
Winter was selected because he is an integral part of athletics, activities and academics at Stillman Valley High School. He was a member of the varsity soccer team this past year. He was on the SVHS Scholastic Bowl Team, as well as being selected as a regional and sectional All-team Member for IHSA Scholastic Bowl He also participated in the ILMEA Music festival at the state level, playing the french horn. Samuel has a GPA of 4.0 and #1 in his class and qualified as National Merit Scholarship Candidate.
Winter has earned the rank of an Eagle Scout through Boy Scouts of America, as well as qualifying for many nationally recognized scholarships. Next year he will be studying Aerospace Engineering.
“I am honored to receive this great award. I am thankful to the IHSA for this opportunity,” Winter said.
The All-State Academic Team members will be honored at a banquet at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington on April 16.
