(KFVS) -  The Illinois Sheriff's Association announced it will be awarding $53,000 in college scholarships throughout the state of Illinois to students wishing to pursue higher education during the 2013-2014 academic year.

According to the association, the scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and fees only. The student must be enrolled full-time at a certified institution of higher learning within the state of Illinois.

There will be no restriction on any applicant by reason of race, age, creed, color, sex or national origin. The only limitations are as follows:

(KFVS) - The Illinois State Board of Education says the number of Illinois graduates who take AP exams during high school has more than doubled in the last decade, with low-income and minority students continuing to make record gains toward closing the achievement gap on these rigorous tests.

In 2012, more than 26,400 graduates scored a 3 or higher on an AP exam, with 17.6 percent of these students coming from low-income backgrounds, according to the 9th Annual AP Report to the Nation.

“The AP program complements our state’s focus on college and career readiness by giving students the opportunity to earn college credits while still in high school and acquire the knowledge and problem-solving skills necessary to succeed in challenging postsecondary course work,” said State Superintendent Christopher A. Koch. “Increased participation and significant achievement gains by students of all backgrounds show that our efforts are paying off.”

INA, IL (KFVS) - Rend Lake College officials are pleased to announce the candidates for this year’s Homecoming King and Queen.

Coronation of the 2013 RLC Homecoming King and Queen will take place Feb. 20, during halftime of the men’s basketball game that starts at 7:30 p.m. in Waugh Gymnasium.

RLC students will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite candidates from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, Feb. 14 and 15; and from 9 a.m. to noon on Homecoming, Feb. 20. All voting will take place in the RLC Student Center.

Queen candidates are Melissa Pearson of DuQuoin, Juanita Jones of Mt. Vernon, Alexa Heumann of Benton, Justine Lamke of Scheller and Kylee Henager of Mt. Carmel. King candidates are Jason O’Brien of Emden, Alex Heathcoat of Benton, Steven Crawford of Benton, and Steven Campbell of Pinckneyville.