Kennon was 3-year member of Chester High School Lady Jacket Dance Team
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Amanda Kennon, a Class of 2024 Chester High School Dance Team member, has signed a letter of intent to become a member of the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team. Kennon was a May 2024 graduate of Chester High School and will begin her collegiate career at McKendree University in Lebanon, Illinois this fall.
Tiffany Kennon (left) and Jeremy Kennon (right) watch their daughter Amanda Kennon (center) sign a letter of intent to join the McKendree University Dance Team. Amanda will begin her collegiate career next fall of 2024 and has been recruited to continue her dancing career at McKendree after being a member of the Chester High School Lady YellowJacket Dance team for the past three years at CHS. Jim Beers Photo
At CHS Amanda concentrated solely on dance her senior year, but was involved in Cheerleading and Track and Field in her early years as a Lady YellowJacket. In addition to sports, Kennon was also involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Organization (FCA), the Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS), Spanish Club, and the CHS Theatre productions.
Amanda Kennon of Chester High School (center) poses for a photo with McKendree University Dance Coaches Amber Hoene, Assistant Coach (left) and Sara Miller, Head Coach (right) after signing her letter of intent to join the Bearcat Dance Team. Jim Beers Photo
Amanda’s Dance Team participation began when she was a sophomore, and she had a great career for the three years she spent as a Lady Jacket Dance Team member. Her senior year Amanda was one of four seniors.
Her 2023-24 school year began in June of 2023 with preparation for the 4th of July Parade and for CHS YellowJacket Football game halftime shows. Those shows were performed with the Marching YellowJackets.
Amanda Kennon (center) poses for a photo with her Maternal Grandparents (sitting at table) and Parents (standing) immediately following her signing of a letter of intent to join the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team. Sitting with Amanda is Dave Beggs, Maternal Grandfather and Claudia Beggs, Maternal Grandmother. Standing are Tiffany Kennon (Mother) and Jeremy Kennon (Father). Amanda will join the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team next fall when she begins her collegiate career. Jim Beers Photo
In August, Amanda had the opportunity to perform with her team at a St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game at Busch Stadium. The entire squad also attended a summer Dance Camp where the Lady Jackets shined!
In November the team began their YellowJacket Basketball performances at halftime of home games at Colbert Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court. In February of 2024, the CHS dance Team got to perform in front of thousands of Saluki fans at halftime of a Southern Illinois Basketball game. The SIU Saluki Shakers were very impressed with the CHS squad.
Amanda Kennon (center) poses for a photo with Chester High School Administrators Robin Barton, Assistant Principal (left) and Jeremy Blechle, Principal (right) after she signed her letter of intent to join the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team next fall when she begins her collegiate career. Jim Beers Photo
The 2023-24 Competition Season started in November with the team competing in the Open Pom Category. This year, Amanda’s squad earned three 1st Place finishes and two 2nd Place finishes in IDTA Competitions. They further earned one 1st Place award at an IHSA Competition.
March 20, 2024 Dance Coach Adrianne Kern hosted the 2024 Dance Team Awards Ceremony at CHS. Amanda received a 3-Year Service Award for her years of service to the team. She also won the award for having the “Best Turns” on the squad.
When Amanda Kennon signed a letter of intent to join the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team next fall of 2024, she had a room full of people on hand to support her decision. Some of those key supporters included her parents, and both her CHS Dance Team Coaches and her future McKendree University Dance Team Coaches. With Amanda at the signing table were Tiffany Kennon, Mother (left) and Jeremy Kennon, Father (right). Standing behind Amanda (left to right) were Chester High School Coaches Emily Eggemeyer and Bailey Misuraca, Assistant Coaches, Adrianne Kern, Head Coach, and Amber Hoene, McKendree University Assistant Dance Coach, and Sara Miller, McKendree University Head Dance Coach. Jim Beers Photo
Kennon further earned an IDTA Scholar Athlete Award for maintaining an overall cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.50 or better. Finally Kennon earned an IDTA State Finals patch and a 5th Place patch for the Lady Jackets 5th Place finish at the State Competition.
On Monday May 6 Amanda Kennon signed her Letter of Intent to join the Dance Team at McKendree University. A signing event was held at Chester High School’s James F. Sharp Cafeteria. Friends, parents, Sun Times News media, teachers, fellow CHS Dance Team Members and Coaches, as well as McKendree Dance Coaches, were in attendance for the occasion.
When Amanda Kennon signed a letter of intent to join the McKendree University Bearcat Dance Team, her Chester High School Dance Team coaches and some of her fellow dance team members were on hand to provide her with support and offer congratulations. Amanda was a member of the CHS Dance Team her sophomore through senior years at CHS. She will continue her dance career next fall of 2024 when she arrives at McKendree University. Pictured with Amanda at signing table are Whitney Sulser (left) and Mirra Krieg (right). Standing left to right) are Adrianne Kern, Head Coach, Katie Werner, Hayden Cartwright, Southern LaChance, Annah Helvey Ahring, Peyton Parker, Bailey Misuraca, Assistant Coach, and Emily Eggemeyer, Assistant Coach. (Jim Beers Photo
Head Coach, Sara Miller, said, “We are super excited to have Amanda join our squad at McKendree. She attended one of our dance clinics and we recruited her on the spot. She is quick to learn and follow directions and she has a good skill set.”
Assistant Coach, Amber Hoene, was also there to welcome Amanda to the Bearcat Dance Team. McKendree is a private University located in Lebanon, Illinois. It has a campus of 235 acres and has an enrollment of 1,960 students that represent 25 countries 29 states.
The Bearcats compete in the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). Prior to 2013, McKendree was a member of National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA). The Bearcats compete in 30 intercollegiate sports.
Miss Kennon will begin her collegiate career in the fall of 2024. Currently she is undecided about her academic career choice, but she is excited to be attending McKendree University, and to be able to continue her dancing activities at the collegiate level.