Anaya, Buskohl, Diskey, Hopkins, Thompson, and Wingerter represented Chester at the SIU Ballroom event
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Wednesday May 1st, 2024 was the 52nd Annual Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet (SISHSA). The event was held at the Southern Illinois University Ballrooms with 30 local schools being represented.
For 52 years this event has taken place to honor the top students in the Southern Illinois area. The top-6 students from each participating school were invited to this event to honor and praise the efforts being exhibited at the respective schools.
Student characteristics demonstrated by the honored students include Excellence in Academics; Leadership; Community Service; and Music. All schools recognized Excellence in Academics, with various schools listing different combinations of the other three characteristics. Most schools added Leadership and Community Service, while only a few added Music.
Chester High School nominated six senior students for this honor including Josalynn Marie Anaya, Jordan Brooke Buskohl, Emma Sue Diskey, Garret Michael Hopkins, Lucas Daniel Thompson, and Mabry Ann Wingerter. All six were recommended for exhibiting Excellence in Academics, Leadership, and Community Service.
Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle and Assistant Principal Robin Barton accompanied the students to the event.
The 30 schools sending students to this prestigious event included Anna-Jonesboro, Benton, Carbondale, Carrier Mills, Carterville, Century, CHESTER, Christopher, *Cobden, Crab Orchard, Dongola, DuQuoin, Egyptian, Frankfort, Galatia, Goreville, Harrisburg, Herrin, Johnston City, Marion, Meridian, Murphysboro, Pinckneyville, Sesser-Valier, Shawnee, Steeleville, Thompsonville, Trico, Vienna, and Zeigler-Royalton.
* Of interest to Chester readers is the fact that the Cobden High School Counselor is April Reiman. April grew up in Chester, Illinois and attended and graduated from Chester High School. She is the former April Pierceall and received her Primary and Junior High education at St. John Lutheran High School in Chester.
All together there were a total of 173 senior students from 30 schools recognized at the event. The most students that any school could nominate were six students. The majority of schools (26) did nominate and bring six students each to be honored. Other schools brought 5 (2), 4 (1), and 3 (1) students for a total of 173 students.
The event began at 6:00 p.m. This year’s banquet and awards event was organized and hosted by Harrisburg High School (Glenn McKinstry, College and Career Counselor).
Prior to the start of the dinner and program, the Harrisburg High School Jazz Band performed for approximately 30-minutes as guests arrived. The Jazz Band was approximately 25 members strong and played a wide variety of tunes ranging from the roaring 20’s to current pop tunes.
At 6:00 p.m., guests were welcomed and the Harrisburg Jazz Band, under the direction of Hannah Drake, was given a huge round of applause. Prior to the start of the dinner, Johnston City senior, Gavin Abernathy, gave a blessing of the food.
The very delicious meal of Smoked Chicken, Pulled Pork, Loaded Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, Garden Salad, Strawberry Salad, Hot Dinner Rolls, Sweet Tea, Unsweet Tea, Chocolate Cake and White Cake was thoroughly enjoyed by the more than 200 people in attendance.
The Dinner was provided by Sherry Chrisman of “Pleasant Valley Catering” of Harrisburg, Illinois. Glenn McKinstry, College and Career Counselor of Harrisburg High School, arranged for the catered meal.
While the buffet meal was being served and enjoyed by everyone, the Harrisburg High School “Jazz Band” and “6-man Jazz Combo” performed dinner music. The music added a nice, classy touch to the evening.
The Guest Speakers for the evening were three natives of DuQuoin, Illinois. James Campanella, Jordan Campanella, and Calen Campanella, are now very successful attorneys. James Campanella has been a Perry County Circuit Judge since 1995. Jordan and Calen Campanella have striving law practices in both DuQuoin and Carbondale.
All were born in DuQuoin and attended DuQuoin High School. Jordan and Calen specialize in both state and federal criminal law, family law, corporate and personal injury law, as well as other areas of law when required. All three Campanella still live in DuQuoin just blocks from each other and maintain a huge passion for the law.
The Campanellas each spoke to the seniors about their journeys to becoming attorneys and how important it is to work hard, stay focused, be prepared, and get a good education.
Judge Campanella said, “Don’t lie. Always tell the truth. What you say and do can always come back to haunt you.”
Calen Campanella said, “Being an attorney is stressful! Try to help people when they are experiencing their worst moments. It makes you feel good. It allows you to go to bed at night and sleep well.”
Jordan Campanella said, “Always do more! Be prepared! Go above and beyond for your clients!
Each noted that discipline, zest and compassion are essential in being a good, successful attorney.
Judge Campanella said, “You all are the BEST seniors in Southern Illinois! You have the opportunity to do even better than I have done because you have so many more opportunities now days than we did as kids. Just work at it! Take advantage of what is offered to you. YOU ARE BRIGHT!”
In closing, the Campanellas said, “Adults want you to do well! Go for it! If you do great things, the adults in your lives have done well. Use your youth with power! Make the world GREAT!”
Following the inspirational messages from Judge Campanella, Calen Campanella, and Jordan Campanella, it was time to recognize the best and brightest students in Southern Illinois.
During the recognition portion of the event, each school came to the stage and school officials introduced each senor individually. Certificates were presented to each student and the entire assembly had the opportunity to recognize and praise the efforts of the students from each of the 30 schools.
By 8:00 p.m. the 2024 Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet was over. The 52nd event was complete and hopefully 173 local high school seniors enjoyed their special recognition event and left the SIU-C Ballrooms a bit more prepared to face the future!
Special thanks were extended to the following individuals and organizations.
- Jamie Chiaventone of Thompsonville High School for assisting at the registration table.
- Heather Cox of Harrisburg for designing and printing the certificates and programs and serving as technology specialist.
- Brenda Winter of Harrisburg High School for printing the programs.
- Jamie Questelle of Harrisburg for assisting with decorations.
- Glenn McKinstry of Harrisburg High School for arranging catering and securing the guest speakers.
- Hannah Drake and her Harrisburg High School Jazz Band.
- Emily Wallace and the Harrisburg High School Art Club for painting the banner.
Chester High School seniors and staff pose for a photo following the presentation of awards to SISHSA honorees. Pictured (left to right) are Robin Barton, Assistant Principal, Garret Hopkins, Emma Diskey, Jordan Buskohl, Mabry Wingerter, Josalynn Anaya, Lucas Thompson, and Jeremy Blechle, Principal, The event was the 52 Annual Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet. Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Chester High School seniors and Administration enjoy the banquet Wednesday May 1 at the 2024 Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet. The 52nd event was held at the Southern Illinois University Ballrooms. The top-6 senior students from 30 Southern Illinois schools were honored at the event with a delicious banquet and awards ceremony. Pictured (left to right are Lucas Thompson, Garret Hopkins, Robin Barton, Assistant Principal, Jordan Buskohl, Mabry Wingerter, Emma Diskey, Josalynn Anaya, and Jeremy Blechle, Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Jordan Buskohl (left) and Mabry Wingerter (right) enjoy the 2024 SISHSA Banquet Wednesday May 1 at the SIU-C Ballrooms at the Student Center. The two Chester High School seniors were two of six CHS seniors being honored at the event. Jim Beers Photo
Lucas Thompson (left) and Garret Hopkins (right) are two of the six Chester High School seniors being honored at the 52nd Annual SISHSA Banquet Wednesday May 1. The annual event honors local seniors for demonstrating Excellent Academics, Leadership and Community Service. They were among 173 seniors being honored from 30 local Southern Illinois High Schools. Jim Beers Photo
Emma Diskey (left) and Josalynn Anaya (right) enjoy the atmosphere at the 52nd Annual Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet. The event honors students from 30 local Southern Illinois Schools. The two Chester High School seniors joined 171 other seniors at the gala event. Jim Beers Photo
The six honorees from Chester High School proudly pose on stage for a photo immediately after being recognized and receiving their certificates for being honored as Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement (SISHSA) recipients. The event was the 52nd Annual SISHSA Banquet held at the SIU-C Student Center Ballrooms. Honorees were chosen based on their Excellence in Academics, Leadership, and Community Service. Picture (left to right) are Mabry Wingerter, Lucas Thompson, Garret Hopkins, Emma Diskey, Jordan Buskohl, and Josalynn Anaya. Jim Beers Photo