This fall, 13 of the district’s top high school graduates, including six valedictorians, are attending Illinois Valley Community College. Each year the college awards $1,500 Helen Taylor Scholarships to district high school valedictorians, salutatorians and those finishing in the top 2 percent of their classes. 2012 Taylor scholars include Nadia Churchill-Gilstrap (from left), Princeton High School valedictorian; Joe Dimmig, Mendota High School valedictorian; Joe Sydlowski of Peru, LaSalle-Peru High School salutatorian; Ashlee Heider of Oglesby, L-P top 2 percent; Marissa Washington, Streator High School valedictorian; and Hannah Kosciewicz of Spring Valley, Hall High School top 2 percent. Taylor scholars not pictured are Alexa Giacinto of Streator, Rhema Christian Academy salutatorian; Billie Goluba, Streator High School top 2 percent; Madison Harms of Streator, Woodland High School valedictorian; Joshua Highsmith, Mendota High School valedictorian; Nathan Klaassen, Ottawa High School salutatorian; Trey Pastirik of Streator, Rhema Christian Academy valedictorian; and Kendale Stanford, Earlville High School salutatorian.