New Lenox St. Laurence Student Named Illinois State Scholar

NEW LENOX, IL — New Lenox resident and St. Laurence student James Gurgone has been recognized as an Illinois State Scholar by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, according to a release from the school. Gurgone is one of 13 seniors to be named as a State Scholar at St. Laurence High School.

The school said it has one of the highest percentages of Illinois State Scholars among Catholic high schools in the southland Chicago area.

According to the school, Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top 10 percent of high school seniors from 726 high schools across the state. Students given this recognition possess strong academic potential and are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank.

St. Laurence, located in Burbank, said it has students from as far north as Riverside, far south as New Lenox, as far west as Lemont and as far east as the Mount Greenwood neighborhood of Chicago.

"We are so proud of these young men for their hard work that led to earning the title of Illinois State Scholar," St. Laurence Principal Kristy Kane said in a release. "They are representative of the incredible academic success we have experienced in recent years, and we look forward to continued growth in the future."

"These accolades are outstanding not only for our State Scholars, but for our entire school community," said St. Laurence President Joseph Martinez. "Our teachers have worked incredibly hard to bring this dynamic curriculum to life and provide our students an unparalleled learning experience."