PCHS's Kenzie Rushing named an All-State Academic Team honorable mention

Pinckneyville Community High School senior Kenzie Rushing has been named an Honorable Mention to the IHSA All-State Academic Team for 2021.

Kenzie is one of 50 students statewide who have earned the honor, as each IHSA member school was asked to nominate one female and one male student with a 3.5 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale after their seventh semester.

The nominated students also must have participated in various IHSA-sponsored activities and have demonstrated outstanding citizenship.

Nominations are evaluated by a committee of IHSA principals, athletic directors and activities directors, culminating in 26 All-State team members and 50 honorable mentions drawn from more than 1,000 nominees.

IHSA Assistant Executive Director Stacey Lambert said the 2021 team has special meaning, "given the challenges these young people have faced over the past year."

The All-State Academic Team embodies the IHSA's mission of excelling in the classroom in addition to the multiple sports and activities that they participate in, she added.