Aden Smith of Quincy, Illinois, has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall semester of 2025 and awarded a $16,000 Star Scholar Award for tuition over four years. At UIS, he will major in computer science.

The scholarship is awarded based on high school GPA and can be renewed if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

In high school, he played varsity tennis for four years.  

Mariah Kenter of Indianapolis has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall semester of 2025 and awarded a $10,000 Star Scholar Award for tuition over two years. At UIS, she will major in pre-nursing.

The scholarship is awarded based on high school GPA and can be renewed if the student maintains college GPA requirements.

In high school, she was involved in track and field, basketball and volleyball.

“Even though UIS is in a different state, it’s still close to home,” Kenter said.

Hometown: Springfield, IL

Current Location: Springfield, IL

My mother was a nurse and I admired her desire to help others. I, too, have that same desire and I am fortunate to live in a healthcare community that has a variety of different focuses and specialties that allows professional growth opportunities.