Senior Night: CHS honors basketball, cheer, band, dance and state scholars
A huge crowd was on hand at Chester High School Feb. 18, to see the final boys basketball home game of the season and to recognize a variety of CHS seniors.
Prior to the start of the CHS vs Goreville game senior basketball players and cheerleaders were recognized. They are basketball players Chett Andrews, DeOndre Martin and Ian Reith and cheerleaders Amira Al-Jassim, Jessica Handel and Ashtyn Jany. With Andrews were his parents Dean and Denise Andrews; with Martin was his brother DeMontae Martin and his nephews Zayne and Zander Martin. With Reith were his parents John and Jill. With Al-Jassim were her parents, Samir Al-Jassim and Michele Prange. Accompanying Handel were her parents Carl and Trish Handel. With Jany were her parents, Jeremy and Kelly Jany.
At halftime, 25 Pep Band and Dance Team members were introduced and honored. As their names were announced by CHS Athletic Director Jeremy Blechle, the seniors walked to center court where they were joined by parents, guardians or other family members and presented with flowers, balloons and in some cases, special gifts.
The CHS Pep Band seniors are Gabe Asbury, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dustin and Christina Houk; Andy Bryant, son of Eric and Tiffany Bryant and Dan and Alisha Guethle; Wes Carpenter, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jerry and Kelly Carpenter; Meaghan Fuller, daughter of Mr. Matt Carpenter and Mrs. Ashlie Cushman; Kierra Gross, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Kim Gross; Jessica Handel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Trish Handel; Lydia Heck, Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Kyra Heck; Taylor Hennrich, daughter of Mr. Darrel Hennrich and Mrs. Barb Diebolt-Hennrich; Shawnell Madison, daughter of Ms. Carolyn Gray; and Kira McGhee, daughter of Cletus and Heather Kulick and the stepdaughter of Brian Kulick.
More senior band members included Chloe Page-Keim, granddaughter of Ms. Teresa Page and Mr. Raymond Bockhorn; Alyssa Place, daughter of James Place and Tim and Jessica Luckaupt; Nathaniel Rains, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jim and Karen Rains; Chris Schwier, son of Mr. Don Schwier and Ms. Lois Schwier; Grace Stec, daughter of Mr. Greg Stec and Mrs. Nicole Lewis; Cordelia Stirnaman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Scott and Sonya Stirnaman; Brianna Surman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark and Tammy Surman; Bailey Wahl, daughter of Mr. Earl Wahl, Jr.; Destiny Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Amy Williams; and Cortnie Winkler, granddaughter of Claude and Dorothy Knapp.
Girls that are in both dance and pep band are Maddie Hasemeyer, daughter of Mr. Mike and Mrs. Tracey Hasemeyer; Avery Runge, daughter of Mr. Aaron Runge and Mrs. Farrah Runge; and Mallary Vasquez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Trevar and Susan Vasquez.
Jocelyn Landeros, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horacio and Patricia Landeros; and Lauryn Vasquez, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Trent and Angie Vasquez, were in dance only.
Steve Colonel, CHS Band Director, said, "We thank these young men and women for their constant support of CHS Athletics. Good luck in all of your future endeavors."
During halftime of the varsity game, the nine CHS Illinois State Scholars were recognized and presented with a plaque, balloons and a certificate. They are Amira Al-Jassim, Adeline Blechle, Jessica Handel, Zach Houghlan, Ashtyn Jany, Alyssa Place, Jaci South, Lauryn Vasquez, and Destiny Williams.
Amira is the daughter of Michaele Prange and Samir Al-Jassim; Addie is the daughter of Valerie and Chris Blechle; Jessica is the daughter of Carl and Trish Handel; Zach is the son of Jack and Cheryl Houghlan; Ashtyn is the daughter of Jeremy and Kelly Jany; Alyssa is the daughter of James Place and Jessica Luckhaupt; Jaci is the daughter of Jana and Jerry South; Lauryn is the daughter of Trent and Angie Vasquez; and Destiny is the daughter of Ron and Amy Williams.