INA, Ill. (May 26, 2026) — Students from Rend Lake College's STARS (Student Transfer and Retention Support) program were honored and some received awards at the 2026 STARS Academic Celebration.
During the event, students were honored for their academic success while in the program. Awards and certificates recognized accomplishments including grade point average, perseverance, and completion of degrees. Certificates were presented by Dara Whaley, Director of TRiO Programs, along with STARS Advisors Amy Cook and Dean Mandrell.
To begin the celebration, the 2026 graduating STARS students were given a certificate of achievement to celebrate their milestone of earning their degrees. These students include Haylee Borgmann, David Gove, Nikia Leonard, Madeleine Miles, Briana Roberts, Mallory Settles and Carolyn Vines.
2026 graduating STARS students, pictured (L-R): Haylee Borgmann (Dahlgren), David Gove (Mt. Vernon), Nikia Leonard (Mt. Vernon), Briana Roberts (Tamaroa), Madeleine Miles (Benton), Mallory Settles (Elizabethtown) Carolyn Vines (Benton)
The Perseverance Award is given to students who demonstrate determination in successfully completing their classes, often while overcoming difficult circumstances. One of the students who received this award was Dusty Kamalii (Mt. Vernon).
Dusty Kamalii receives the STARS Perseverance Award
Awards were also given to students for their outstanding grades and GPAs.
3.00 – 3.49 GPA Award recipients: Robert Bowman, David Gove, Nikia Leonard, Madeleine Miles, Briana Roberts, Makai Teriet
3.50 – 3.99 GPA Award recipients: Haylee Borgmann, Brooklyn Cairns, Jayla Dees, Mallory Settles, Autumn Travelstead, Carolyn Vines
4.00 GPA Award recipient: Anaise Camarillo, Stephen Galvan, Alexander Gomez, Audrey Whaley
3.00–3.49 GPA awardees, pictured (L-R): David Gove (Mt. Vernon), Robert Bowman (Woodlawn), Nikia Leonard (Mt. Vernon), Briana Roberts (Tamaroa), Madeleine Miles (Benton), Makai Teriet (Woodlawn)
3.50–3.99 GPA awardees, pictured (L-R): Haylee Borgmann (Dahlgren), Brooklyn Cairns (Valier), Jayla Dees (Waltonville), Mallory Settles (Elizabethtown), Autumn Travelstead (Whittington), Carolyn Vines (Benton)
4.0 GPA awardees, pictured (L-R): Stephen Galvan (Bluford), Anaise Camarillo (Sesser), Audrey Whaley (Benton), Alexander Gomez (McLeansboro)
The George Cybulski Scholarship Award is named in honor of the late George Cybulski, an 81-year-old RLC student who had a dream to go back to school and earn a degree. The award is given annually to a dedicated student. This year, Brooklyn Cairns (Valier) was honored as the George Cybulski Scholarship Award recipient.
Pictured (L-R): RLC Foundation Assistant Director Jessica Jackanicz, Brooklyn Cairns
To round off the STARS Academic Celebration, Mallory Settles (Elizabethtown) received the STAR of the Year Award. This award is voted on by the STARS staff every year and is given to one or two students who exemplify dedication to the program, hard work in the classroom and great communication skills.
Pictured (L-R): STARS Advisor Amy Cook, Mallory Settles, Director of TRiO Programs Dara Whaley
The STARS program is a federally funded program designed to provide participants with the support services they need to successfully complete an associate degree and transfer to a four-year college or university. Eligibility requirements include meeting low-income guidelines, being a first-generation college student (meaning neither parent graduated from a four-year university) or having a documented disability. The program serves 160 students each year. The goal of STARS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants and help students make the transition from one level of higher education to the next.
For more information, visit rlc.edu/stars or email Dara Whaley at whaleyd@rlc.edu.