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Reaching higher: Chester High School hosts Senior Signing Day

Chester High School hosted an all-school assembly Monday, May 9, to recognize and honor every senior graduating May 22.

As part of Senior Signing Day, each senior was introduced, came forward and signed a document committing to a plan of action for their next phase of life.

Principal Missy Meyer organized the event and served as master of ceremonies with Assistant Principal Robin Barton.

"This event is focused on celebrating all of our seniors and their commitment to the next phase in their future," Meyer said. "We want every CHS student to receive just as much attention and have that same feeling of importance so they too can feel special about the biggest decision they will ever make. "

The event celebrated 75 members of the CHS Class of 2022 who are committed to the enlisting in the armed services, attending a trade school, a college, enrolling in an apprenticeship program, or going straight into the workforce.

"Today these seniors will commit and physically sign a statement of intent to reach higher and pursue training, education, or join the workforce beyond Chester High School," Meyer said.

"This year has been quite eventful! However, whether we want to discuss academics, music, sports, or theater, Chester High School has always found a way to shine. These students have worked hard over the past four year to achieve whatever they have for themselves," Meyer said.

Meyer ended with one of her favorite graduation sayings:

"Behind you are all of your memories. Before you are all of your dreams. Around you are all who love you. And within you is all you need! So Seniors ... KEEP DOING YOU!"

Workforce

The following students plan on entering the workforce: Aaron Fitzwilliam; Jacob Copple; Avery Carpenter; Nathan Snider, Construction Supply; Tonya Endicott; William Smith; Juan Welge; Kacy Tindall; Isaac Jany; Jordan Merideth, St. Louis Fire Department; Ryan Springston, Ultra Site Welding; Blake Huffman, Ultra Site Welding; Max Allwardt; Damien Fernandez; Luis Jimenez; Alex Embrich, Conagra; and Heidy Lorenzo Mendez.

Trade schools

The following students plan to enroll in trade or technical schools: Brendan Baughman, Ranken for electronics; Jonathon Wahl, John A. Logan College; Cayla Sibley, Beck for Practical School of Nursing; Reed Welborn, Missouri Welding Institute; Jordan Bybee, Ranken for welding; Marcus Murphy, Ranken for welding; Dominic Govero, Ranken for general auto; Kayden Freytag, Southeast Lineman Training Center; Dylan Kelkhoff, Missouri Welding Institute; Jerald Copple, plumbing (Honor: Elks Student of the Year); and Hayden Roth, Southeast Lineman Training Center.

Military

The following students plan to join the United States military: Kailyn Absher, Illinois Army National Guard; Larissa Wright, Illinois Army National Guard; Jacob Cowell, United States Marines; Fernando Perez, United States Navy; Jared Landeros, United States Air Force; Kylie Heins, Undecided; and Gavin Cushman, United States Marines.

Colleges

The following students are planning to pursue postsecondary education at colleges or universities:

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale: Lilith Lochhead, computer engineering; Jordanna Frazer, psychology (Scholarship: Marion Eye Center); Kaleb Rehmer, liberal arts music program (Scholarship: Chester VFW); and Madison Dillman, liberal arts music program.

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville: Gracey Roth, dentistry; Maria Nickle, undecided; and Ethan Korando, structural engineering.

Southeast Missouri State University: Cooper Eggemeyer, engineering (Scholarship: Chester Eagles); Kylie Fortner, construction engineering; Anna Childs, nursing and certified midwife (Scholarships: Buena Vista National Bank, Chester VFW, Manor at Craig Farms, Jake Sharpe, and Schaffner Masonic Scholarship Foundation); Brayden Ridings, business management; Aiden Jany, physical therapy; Madison Kribs, nursing (Award: English Award in Rhet and Comp; Scholarships: American Legion, Chester High School Alumni, Chester Masonic Lodge, Chester VFW, Chester Women's Club, Alice and Elmer Eggemeyer, Knights of Columbus, Marion Eye Center, Pat Mulholland, Schaffner Masonic Scholarship Foundation, Koeneman Family Scholarship, American Red Cross, Mary Katherine Mueller, and Charles and Mary C. Lindwedel); Aidan Kennon, criminal justice; and Luke Miller, computer network administration.

Southwestern Illinois College: Kaitlyn Pfeiffer, radiology/ultrasound; Kylee Tucker, basic studies; Emily Mehrer, basic studies (Scholarships: Chester Chamber of Commerce and Chester Masonic Lodge); Addy Mitchell, basic studies; Camille Schroeder, psychology; Alyssa Seymour, psychology (Scholarship: Chester Women's Club); Alex Hennrich, veterinary medicine; Cristen Tucker, basic studies; Connor Wolff, basic studies; and Isaac Maue, welding.

Murray State University: Jake Heck, business; Hannah Blechle, accounting and business; and Hannah Colvis, oncology nursing.

Texas A&M at Corpus Christi: Amaya Hannigan, Marine Biology

University of Maine at Farmington: Emma Bryant, undecided (Scholarships: Chester VFW, Thomas and Pauline Evans, Cohen Girl Scout Scholarship, American Red Cross, and Schaffner Masonic Foundation).

Iowa Wesleyan University: Oddessy Flores, music therapy (Scholarships: Camille Fieschi Chappius, and Rotary Club).

Jefferson College: Ashley Roberts, vet technician

Illinois College: Freddie Alvarez, Cyber Security

Kentucky Wesleyan College: Ethan Stumpe, legal studies (Scholarships: Chester Eagles, Chester Education Association, United Methodist Men Chester, and Gary A. Schwent Memorial).

Lindenwood University: Abby Bollmann, digital marketing and Spanish language (Award: Elks Student of the Year; Scholarship: American Red Cross).

Rend Lake College: Brock Vasquez, agriculture

LPN School in California: Haley Haslett, LPN

McKendree University: Megan Miller, pre-veterinary medicine (Scholarships: Rebecca Young Memorial, Schaffner Masonic Scholarship Foundation, and Randolph County Democrats).

Kaskaskia College: Ashlyn Colvis, general studies

Hannah Colvis, Hannah Blechle and Jake Heck will be attending Murray State University next fall. Jim Beers Photo
Seven Chester High School students will be joining various branches of the United States Military upon graduation. Left to right: Gavin Cushman, United States Marines; Kylie Heins, undecided; Jared Landeros, United States Air Force; Fernando Perez, United States Navy; Jacob Cowell, United States Marines; Larissa Wright, Illinois Army National Guard; and Kailyn Absher, Illinois Army National Guard. Jim Beers Photo