Amelia Hinkle of Springfield has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall semester of 2025 and awarded a $24,000 Star Scholar Award for tuition over four years. At UIS, she will major in environmental studies.

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

Leah Robinson of Springfield has been admitted to the University of Illinois Springfield for the fall semester of 2025 and awarded a $24,000 Star Scholar Award for tuition over four years. At UIS, she will major in biology.

In high school, Robinson was involved in multiple organizations, including Key Club, Mayor Youth Council, AVID, Black History Club, NHSS, Book Club and ASL Club.

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

Current Location: Joliet, ILHometown: Tinley Park, IL

I attended UIS to earn my MPA. I was a part time student who was working on political campaigns like Governor Bruce Rauner's successful election in 2014. While at UIS I volunteered as a coach for the undergraduate mock trial team. I was also a paid English tutor working at the CLT.