Coal City High School is home to 22 Illinois State Scholars, the academic recognition announced by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission [ISAC].
For 67 years ISAC has recognized high school students for their academic achievement. Illinois State Scholars rank in approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from across the state. Honorees are selected based on a combination of exemplary scores on the SAT or ACT college entrance exam and class rank at the close of six semesters of study.
ISAC is recognizing these students for outstanding achievement in the classroom and among the honored students this year are Coalers—Maria Campagna, Jacob Cimino, Nathan Foster, Carter Gill, Kamryn Hansen, Austin Hardin, Aidan Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Julian Micetich, Layla Miller, Dane Noffsinger, Jordan Olson, Lance Perino, Camryn Planeta, Cade Poyner, Olivia Sage, Colin Schimandle, Liam Seeley, Sam Vota, Nicolas Votta, Olivia Weatherbee, and Evelyn Wills. These students are designated as, “the best and brightest” of Illinois high school seniors.
Each of the Coal City High School students recognized is also active in school programs and have plans to continue their education and training following graduation in spring 2026 As the ISAC notes, based on their exemplary college assessment exam scores and record of achievement in high school they have a high potential for success.
Maria Campagna, the daughter of Amy Campagna and Shawn Allen, will attend a four year university where she will study to become an American Sign Language teacher. As a Coaler, Maria has been involved in Educators Rising, Student Ambassadors, SADD, EmpowHer, Spanish Honor Society, Math Team, Speech, Volleyball, and is a CCT intervention assistant.
Jacob Cimino, the son of Rachael and Daniel Cimino, will continue his education studying computer science at a four year college or university. As a Coaler, Jacob is involved in the Marching and Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, Science Club, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Music Honor Society, Scholastic Bowl, Speech Team and Math Team.
Nathan Foster, the son of Jillian Foster and Mike Foster, has been an active member of Coal City High School’s Science Club, Music Honor Society, Symphonic, Jazz and Marching Bands and Percussion Ensemble. Nathan plans to continue his education at a four year college or university.
Carter Gill, the son of Amanda and Tony Gill, will begin his post high school studies at Joliet Junior College and then transfer to a four year college to pursue a degree in business finance. During his time at Coa City High School, Carter participated in Basketball, Football, and Coalers with Character.
Kamryn Hansen, the daughter of Jamie Hansen, will continue her studies at a four year university for pre-dentistry ahead of dental school. During her time as a Coaler, Kamryn has been involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Club, Math Team, Coaler Tennis, Coalers with Character, Yearbook and serves as a senior PE leader.
Austin Harding, the son of Philip and Gabriella Harding, will attend a four year university to pursue a degree in finance. As a Coaler, Austin has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Drama Club and Theatre.
Aidan Kenney, the son of Jeremy and Jennifer Kenney, will continue his education at a four year college to pursue a degree in the field of engineering. As a Coaler, Aidan has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Soccer and Wrestling.
Kenzie Lovell, the daughter of Michelle Linn and Kevin Lovell, will attend a four year college to study in the field of engineering. During her time as a Coaler, she has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Team, Science Club, Link Leaders, Coalers with Character, Tennis, Yearbook, and she serves as a senior PE leader.
Julian Micetich, the son of Jon and Juli Micetich, will continue his education at a four year university with the hope of continuing on to medical school to become an endocrinologist. During high school, Julian has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, POPS, Coalers with Character, Drama Club, Math Team, Soccer, Basketball, Track and Field, Student Council, Fall Play, Spring Musical, and LInk Leaders. He was also recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors.
Layla Miller, the daughter of Stephen Miller and Jaimie Ahlers, will continue her education after graduation at a four year university. During her high school years, Layla has been involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Link Leaders, Coalers with Character, Math Team, POPS, Football, Basketball and Competition Cheer, and serves as a senior PE leader.
Dane Noffsinger, the son of Brenna and Mike Noffsinger, is currently undecided on his post high school plans. As a Coaler, Dane has participated in Society Council, National Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Soccer and Basketball.
Jordan Olson plans to continue his education at a four year university where he will double major in musical theatre and theater education. During his time as a Coaler, Jordan has participated in Coalers with Character, Drama Club, Footnotes, Link Leaders, Madrigals, Math Team, National Honor Society, Spring Musical, Fall Play, Spanish Honor Society, Speech, Student Ambassadors and Student Council.
Lance Perino, the son of Darryl and Phebe Perino, will attend a four year university to become a pilot. As a Coaler, Lance has participated in Spanish Honor Society, Drama Club, Educators Rising, Spanish Club, and Speech Team where he serves as a captain.
Camryn Planeta, the daughter of Nikki and Brock Planeta, will attend a four year university studying to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. During high school, Camryn has participated in SADD, Coalers with Character, National Honor Society, Tennis, Soccer, Project EmpowHer, and Students Standing Strong.
Cade Poyner, the son of Clinton and Gretchen Poyner, will continue his studies at a four year university in the field of aerospace engineering. As a Coaler, Cade has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math Team, Student Council, Student Advisory Committee, Drama Club, POPS, Link Leaders, FBLA, Spring Musical, Fall Play, Coalers with Character, Football and Wrestling. He was also recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors.
Olivia Sage, the daughter of Jessica and Judd Sage, will continue her education at a four year university studying political science and film. Olivia is involved in Speech, Theatre, Choir, Band, Music Honor Society and Madrigals.
Colin Schimandle, the son of Jen and Nathan Bissey, will continue his education at a four year university where he will study nursing. During his time as a Coaler, Colin has participated in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Speech, Math Team, Student Council, Student Ambassadors, Student Advisory, Drama Club, POPS, Youth Philanthropy, Link Leaders, LLT, District Safety Committee, and was recognized as an AP Scholar with Honors.
Liam Seeley, the son of Amy Seeley and John Seeley, will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with the goal of earning a PhD in chemistry. As a student at Coal City High School, Liam has participated in Math Team, Science Club, Percussion Ensemble, and Marching, Symphonic and Jazz Band.
Sam Vota, the son of Leanne and Jonathan Vota, plans to attend a four year university to study in the field of forensic sciences. During high school, Sam has been involved in Madrigals, Marching, Symphonic, Jazz and Pep Band, Footnotes, Drama Club, National Honor Society, Music Honor Society, Speech, Spring Musical, Musical Pit, Math Team,
Nicolas Votta, the son of Michael Votta and Jennifer Scasny-Votta, plans to continue his education at a four year college or university and continue on to law school. As a Coaler, he is involved in the band program and Gamers Guild.
Olivia Weatherbee, the daughter of Robin Fincher and Brandon Weatherbee, will continue her education majoring in diagnostic medical sonography. During high school, Oliva has been involved in National Honor Society, Student Ambassadors, Math Team, Link Leaders, Project EmpowHer, Tennis and Track and Field.
Evelyn Wills, the daughter of Nate and Heather Wills, plans to major in secondary English education at a four year university, while also competing in collegiate track and field. As a Coaler, she has been a member of the Coaler Track and Field Team, Coaler Cheer, Student Ambassadors, Coal City Theatre Department, National Honor Society, Madrigals, Drama Club, and Advanced Teaching through the Grundy Area Vocational Center [GAVC].
The Illinois State Scholar designation is a non-monetary award. Each of the honored students receive a congratulatory letter and certificate of achievement from ISAC. Additionally, the school recognizes the honored student by displaying their photo in the administration hallway.