East Aurora High School Celebrates 37 Illinois State Scholars

Thirty-seven East Aurora seniors have been named 2026 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission — a merit-based honor recognizing the state’s top graduating seniors.

When students got the news, the reaction wasn’t what you might expect. Several described feeling confused, even caught off guard. Angel Nunez called it “a nice reminder that my efforts are not going unnoticed.” Lilia Deltoro said it eased something she’d been carrying quietly: “There’s always that little bit of self doubt, but this award helps ease that feeling.”

What stands out across their responses isn’t the achievement itself — it’s who they give credit to. Angel Camacho and Lilia Deltoro both pointed immediately to their mothers. Angel Nunez credited his parents directly: “Their sacrifices have allowed me to get to this point.” Edgar Cantu Salas thanked his mom, his dad, his girlfriend, and his friends — the people who he said “kept me on the straight and narrow.”

Teachers were named just as personally. Dariana Valerio reflected on every educator she encountered at East Aurora: “Each of them not only had good character, which is rare to come across, but also showed me how to persevere and helped me become the person I am now.” One scholar gave particular recognition to the East Aurora band program and its directors — Liska, Damore, Kulick, and Naffier — crediting them with building “an amazing program and community of kids that have truly shaped who I am leaving this school.”

East Aurora congratulates all 37 scholars, and the families, teachers, and mentors who helped them get there.