70 8th Graders move on to 9th Grade
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Chester Grade School held its 2023 8th Grade Graduation Thursday May 18. The event was held at Chester High School in Colbert Gymnasium to accommodate the large crowd of family, friends and guests that gathered to celebrate this annual rite of passage from Junior High to High School.
Hosting the event were District No. 139 Superintendent Kimberly Briggs, Chester Grade School Principal Bill Grafton and CGS Assistant Principal, Tim Blair. The official ceremony began at 6:00 p.m. sharp and concluded at precisely 6:30 p.m.
The 8th Grade Class of 2023 met at 5:00 p.m. in CHS Juergens Gym for an official class photo before moving to Colbert Gym for the ceremony.
Sue Colonel and her Junior High Concert Band began the processional of 8th Graders by performing the traditional familiar tune, “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduation candidates entered the gym and proceeded down the stairs and onto Rocky Bridges Court.
Once there, the students were seated and 2023 Salutatorian, Kross Jany, welcomed everyone to the graduation ceremony and gave his official “Welcome Address.”
Assistant Principal Tim Blair presented various awards and introduced the Class of 2024 7th Grade Marshalls and Ushers.
Awards included Honor Roll students that qualified all four quarters during their 8th Grade year. The highest Honor Students were also introduced for all four quarters. Finally, Beta Club Members were announced. These awards are denoted on the list of graduates included in this article.
Marshalls included the Top-5 class members of the 7th Grade based upon their cumulative grade point averages. Marshalls included Abigail Carter, Reed Fricke, Isabella Rafael, Alden Davitz, and Eagan McClelland.
Ushers were selected based on the next Top-4 students from the 7th Grade Class and included Ashlynn Addison, Logan Springston, Kaylee Cowell, and Trenton Westbrook.
Immediately following the presentation of awards, Principal Grafton presented the Class of 2023 and certified that they had fulfilled the requirements to graduate and proceed to the 9th grade.
District No. 139 Board of Education members Matt Davitz and Chuck Fricke presented the Graduation Certificates to the students as Principal Grafton announced the names during the official graduation ceremony.
Graduates are listed below.
Denotes Honor Roll Students all four quarters.
** Denotes Highest Honor Roll Students for all four quarters.
+ Denotes Beta Club Members.
Cameron Scott Albaugh
Monica Sue Anaya *
Nevaeh Faith Armbruster
Anthony Alexander Armenta
Truxton Nichollas Asbury
Ava Lynn Bert
Jackie Thomas Anthony Bess
Alex Joseph Blechle
Logan Charles Brace + * *
Cheyenne Bradley
Angelynna Brianna
Joy Carmona
Abigail Hope Chartrand
Landen Jeffrey Conder
Lauren Randi Cowell + * *
Aiden Wayne Davis + * *
Elizabeth Viola Dickneite
Kamdyn Michael Draves
Zane Aaron Eggemeyer + *
Josiah Nathanial Wayne Frazer
Victor Junior Fuentes + *
Hayden Marion Gibbs
Ashley Marie Govero
Alex Dale Gunning
Braxton Zakery Hahs
Samuel Lee Hall
Elijah Bristol Kelsey Hickman-Lanier
Lennon Troy Hobbs
Ryker Alexander Hoffman
Isabella Elaine Holland + *
Hannah Renea Hoskin
Brooke Kandall Howie + *
Kross Mannon Jany + * *
Jack Richard Kennedy *
Drake Teagen Koch
Cooper Brian Kochanski
Karim Alexander Landeros *
Elijah Scott Leffler
Manuela Trinidad Lopez
Chelse Paola Mathis *
Kiara Mathis *
Brodie Michael Mattingly *
Aidan Wesley McKinney
Brookelynn Nicole McLain
Aiden Scott Menefee
Anna Jo Menefee *
Kendall Ann Nanney *
Alex James Oakley
Lilyana Rose O’Connell
Iraisa Catalina Ordonez
TaShawn Mikal Palacio *
Adrian Alexander Paredes
Peyton Elaine Parker *
Aubrey Marie Petrowske
Briana Lynn Prater
Camdyn Carole-Marie Quillman + * *
Nevaeh Cheyenne Rommel
Olivia Carol-Ann Sellers *
Rylee Jean Shemonic *
Vacey Marie Shields +
Mackenzie Lynn Studt *
Hannah Roxanne Stueve
Amelia Raye Terry
Taylor Dawn Throop *
Zoey Renea Tucker + *
Macy Rai Vanzandt + *
Breanna Lynn Wallace
Mason Jacob Ward
Timothy Ray Ward
Katie Elizabeth Werner +
Tasia Elaine Jamae Wilson
Following the presentation of all 70 8th Grade Graduates, the 2023 Chester Grade School 8th Grade Valedictorian, Logan Brace, gave the traditional farewell speech on behalf of the Chester Grade School 8th Grade Class of 2023.
Sue Colonel and the Chester Grade School Junior High Band performed the music for the Recessional as the graduates left Rocky Bridges Court and exited Colbert Gymnasium where they met parents and friends and began post-graduation celebrations. The entire event was concluded by 6:30 p.m.
The Chester Grade School 8th Grade Graduation Class of 2023. The ceremony took place Thursday May 18 at Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium. Jim Beers Photo
Cross Jany, Chester Grade School Class of 2023 Salutatorian, presents his “Welcome Address” at the CGS Graduation Thursday May 18. Jim Beers Photo
Logan Brace 2023 Chester Grade School 8th Grade Valedictorian proudly exits the stage after giving his “Farewell Address” at 2023 Graduation Exercises May 18. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School Assistant Principal Tim Blair presents various award-winners at the 2023 Graduation Ceremony May 18. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Grade School teachers and staff sit beside the stage at the 2023 CGS Graduation Exercises Thursday May 18. They were there to show support for the accomplishments of the 70 8th graders who ewre graduating that evening. Jim Beers Photo
Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director, directs the Junior High Band at the 2023 CGS Graduation Ceremony Thursday May 18. The band played for both the Processional to begin the evening, and the Recessional to close the evening ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
This is a photo of the new “set-up” at the 2023 Chester Grade School Graduation. Notice the band at the back of the gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court; the stage centered under the north basket; the two teacher sections at both the left and right of the stage; and the graduates seating center court. Jim Beers Photo
The 2023 Graduation Marshalls (left to right) include Isabella Rafael, Abigail Carter, Alden Davitz, Reed Fricke, and Eagan McClelland. The Marshalls are selected from the Top students in the 7rth Grade Class of 2024. These were the top-5 students. Jim Beers Photo
CGS 8th Grader, Zane Eggemeyer, receives his diploma from Chester School District # 139 Board of Education Member, Charles “Chuck” Fricke, Thursday May 18. Looking on is CGS 7th Grade Marshall Reed Fricke (right) and fellow Board Member Matt Davitz (left). Jim Beers Photo