HOBY Participants 2025

Dane Ferrara, Tori Skelton, Alexander Gagnon,and Grace Smith, Seneca High School sophomores, have been selected to represent Seneca Township High School at the 2025 HOBY Leadership Seminar.

The Leadership Seminar is designed for high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them in becoming effective, ethical leaders in their home, schools, work-place and community.

The students will participate in hands-on leadership activities and meet state leaders in such areas as business, government, education, media and the non-profit sector.

Each September, every accredited public, private and charter high school in the country is invited to select and register outstanding sophomores as representatives to their local state seminar. Currently, nearly 9,000 sophomores, representing as many high schools nationwide, attend HOBY Leadership Seminars annually. Dane Ferrara is the son of Doug and Tifanie Ferrara of Mazon, and Tori Skelton is the daughter of Chad and Danielle Skelton of Verona. Alexander Gagnon is the son of Sarah and Jacob Dogson of Seneca and Grace Smith is the daughter of David Smith of Somonauk and Lurelda Maier-Lorntz of Seneca.

All Seneca High School sophomore students were invited to pick up applications and submit essays for the opportunity to attend this seminar. Congratulations to Dane Ferrara, Tori Skelton, Alexander Gagnon, and Grace Smith on their accomplishment.

Pictured left to right: Dane Ferrara, Alexander Gagnon, Grace Smith, and Tori Skelton

HOBY 2025 Representatives

American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State Completes it's 87th Session

American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State completes it’s 87th session.

The American Legion Illinois Premier Boys State program completed its 87th session in Charleston, Illinois which was held June 8 through June 14 at Eastern Illinois University. Benjamin Biros of Mazon was one of Seneca High School’s students who attended Illinois Premier Boys State and was elected State Treasurer. Ben will also be receiving a scholarship.

The American Legion Premier Boys State program has been teaching Americanism and citizenship processes to rising seniors since 1935. It gives these young men the opportunity to form their government leadership from the city, county, and state levels. In order to accomplish this, these citizens of Premier Boys State must campaign, give speeches, and articulate why they are the best candidate for their respective position. Premier Boys State gives out approximately $20,000 in scholarship awards every session through essays, interviews, orations, and application processes.

The Second FAFSA Completion Workshop - Wednesday, January15th @ 7:00 p.m.

Need Help with completing financial aid forms?

PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR FAFSA COMPLETION NIGHT!

The second FAFSA Completion Workshop will be held Wednesday, January 15th @ 7:00p.m.

Location:

Seneca High School - in the Commons

RSVP Here! FAFSA RSVP for January 15th

Date:

Wednesday, January 15th @ 7:00 p.m.

On January 15th Seneca High School will be hosting the second FAFSA Completion Workshop and will have Financial Aid Representatives from IVCC and JJC. They will be here to help you fill out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). This is a form you need to fill out to get any financial aid from the federal government to help pay for college. Each year, over 13 million students who file the FAFSA get more than $120 billion in grants, work-study, and low-interest loans from the U.S. Department of Education. Lots of states and colleges also use the FAFSA to determine which students get financial aid—and how much they’ll get. Many colleges use it for scholarship purposes as well.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend. We have a limited number of spots available.

Please bring your student and their computer.

Families must bring the following items:

q 2023 tax information (parents’ and students 1040A and/or 1040EZ Federal Tax Return and W-2 forms)

q Student’s and parents (and stepparents) drivers license and social security card

q Records of untaxed income (welfare, social security, TANF, veterans’ non educational benefits, etc.)

q Current bank statements

q Current mortgage information for any properties other than the family’s principal residence

q Records of business, farm (if not family’s principal place of residence) and assets (stocks, bonds, and other investments)

q A calculator

q Create your Federal Student Aid ID. Go to studentaid.ed.gov. Follow the direction online to create your account. It is very important that the parent AND student get the FSA ID.

2024 - 2025 DAR Good Citizen Award Student Honored

Clara Bruno was recently honored with the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Good Citizen Award for Seneca High School. She is the daughter of Tamara and Matthew Bruno of Marseilles, IL.

The Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award honors an outstanding senior who exhibits the qualities of dependability, leadership, service, and patriotism. The selection was voted on by the faculty and staff.

Clara is involved in many clubs, sports, and activities at Seneca High School. She is on the Track and Field team where she has won Rookie of the Year award and the Coaches Award; and the Basketball team where she won the Most Improved Award. She is involved in some of our clubs at school including Fellow Christian Athletes and Spanish Club. She was asked to take part in the Superintendent Advisory Committee for multiple years. While in high school, Clara has really immersed herself in our band program. She has been in jazz band, concert band, pit orchestra for musicals, and choir. On top of all of this, she also volunteers at her church and nursing homes.

Being the recipient of the DAR Good Citizen Award, Clara will complete an essay that will have the opportunity to advance through state and national levels of judging. The DAR Good Citizens program and scholarship contest is sponsored by the Illini Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

2025-2026 Seneca High School Illinois State Scholars Announced

SENECA HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCES ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS

Illinois State Scholars 2025-2026

Seneca High School is proud to announce 10 Illinois State Scholars for the 2025-2026 school year. This year’s recipients are:

Criteria for this prestigious award is as follows:

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) obtains academic data from the high school for students at the end of their sixth semester electronically.

The State Scholar formula calculation uses a combination of the test scores, unweighted GPA, rank, and class size. These students are selected based on SAT Test score and class rank.

The Board of Education, administration, and staff of Seneca High School are very proud of these students and congratulate them on receiving this award of distinction!