All-State Scholars program recognizes five graduating seniors from county

The All-State Scholars honors banquet at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison brought together students from across the state for recognition of their academic achievements.

“Wisconsin was one of the first states in the nation to develop a program to honor graduating seniors for their academic accomplishments,” said State Superintendent Tony Evers. “Those who study hard and take advantage of the education offered in our state’s schools have surely earned this recognition.”

Students were chosen as All-State Scholars by a committee of school administrators, based on students’ overall grade-point average and scores for the ACT or SAT college admission tests. Schools with 400 or fewer students could nominate one graduating senior to the program. Schools with enrollments between 401 and 999 students could nominate two students, and schools with 1,000 or more students could nominate three graduating seniors.

Founded in 1986, the All-State Scholars program includes the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship, which supports students’ future academic studies. Pending full funding at the federal level, Byrd scholarships may provide $1,500 per year, for up to four years. Students may use the scholarship at any postsecondary educational institution in the United States.

The Association of Wisconsin School Administrators’ Foundation for Educational Administration, Wisconsin State Journal, Wisconsin Education Association Council, and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction sponsor the All-State Scholars program.

Harold Scheub, professor of African languages and literature at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, spoke to students during the program. Deputy State Superintendent Michael J. Thompson presented the welcome address, and Scott Milfred, editorial page editor for the Wisconsin State Journal, served as master of ceremonies. Jim Lynch, executive director of the Association of Wisconsin School Administrators, and Kim Haas, director of public relations for the Wisconsin Education Association Council, also participated in the awards program.

Students from Sheboygan County who received recognition were: Congressional District 6 Kohler – Holly L. Zehfus of Kohler High School Sheboygan –David Britton, Matthew Griffith and Alice Zhao, all of North High School Sheboygan Falls – Sara Fisher of Sheboygan Falls High School