CHS had a total of 43 senior students in sports, band and dance
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – With fall sports coming to an end, Chester High School held 2024 “Senior Night” ceremonies the past week to honor and recognize those seniors who have dedicated the past four years to CHS in sports and related activities.
The biggest ceremony took place Friday October 18 at the Chester vs Red Bud football game. During a pre-game ceremony Football, Cheer, Cross Country and Golf were honored. At halftime of the game Marching YellowJackets and Dance Team members were honored.
On Tuesday October 22 the Chester High School Volleyball Team honored three senior Volleyball seniors just prior to the CHS vs Marissa match at Chester High School’s Colbert Gymnasium on Rocky Bridges Court.
CHS Coaches, Administration and Staff made the following announcement as players and parents were organizing in the north end zone. “We would like to take this opportunity to recognize our 2024 senior athletes. The following group of students have dedicated themselves to academics and athletics throughout their high school careers. The Chester School District would like to thank and honor them for their loyalty and dedication to our athletic program over the past four years.”
FOOTBALL
The 2024 Football YellowJackets featured 13 senior players. During the pre-game ceremony players and parents were featured on W.O. Smith Field in front of a packed stadium. The following players and parents honored:
Zain Al-Jassim, son of Michele Prange and Samir Al-Jassim; Gene Bicket, son of Steve and Trish Bicket; Cayden Brunkhorst, son of Soleil and Brian Brunkhorst; Lannin Caron, son of Chase and Sarah Caron; Justin Hayman, son of Kevin Hayman and Jennifer Ward; Jack Heffernan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael and Joanie Heffernan; and Kolton Jany, son of Pete and Trisha Jany.
Other senior football players included Nate Maes, son of Lea Fraembs, James Maes and Brandy Maes; Brenden Malley, son of Ty and Nikki Malley; Devante Palacio, son of Megan Fricke and Bobby Palacio; Florentino Rafael, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rafael; Lincon Schroeder, son of Jenni and Cole Schroeder; and Alex Williamson, son of Jeremy and Heather Williamson.
CHEERLEADING
The 2024 Cheerleading squad enjoyed three senior cheerleaders, including Peyton Cole, daughter of Dennis Cole, Christina Maue, and Alan Rannow; Kourtney House, daughter of Amanda and Ryan House; and Elaina Lutman, daughter of Dave and Carrie Lutman.
CROSS COUNTRY
The 2024 YellowJacket Cross Country Team had two senior runners, Ivanovich Duran, son of Mrs. Medrano; and Will Welge, son of Tom and Tracy Welge.
GOLF
The Chester Golf Team boasted four seniors this season, one member of the Lady Jacket’s Team and three members of the YellowJacket Boys’ Team. The sole Lady Jacket was Rylie Conley, daughter of Erin Conley and Erica Eggemeyer.
YellowJacket boys included Max Blechle, son of Chris and Valerie Blechle; Evan Dunning, son of Jim and Rhonda Dunning; and Noah Homan, son of Tori Cochran and Jeremy and Ashley Homan.
The above 22 mentioned senior athletes were honored during the pre-game ceremony. Each athlete and his or her parents met on the field and were recognized as Jacket Country applauded their efforts and dedication. Each athlete received orange and black balloons as well as a flower and other gifts as presented by members of their teams.
At halftime of the CHS vs Red Bud game, the Class of 2025 senior Band Members and members of the 2024-25 CHS Dance Team were honored prior to the Marching YellowJacket halftime show.
The band had 15 members recognized, and the Dance Team had five members recognized. Three band members also played in the band, and two YellowJacket football players were members of the band. Two dance team members only danced on the dance team.
BAND
Senior and members included Max Blechle, son of Chris and Valerie Blechle; Nick Coffey, son of Ryan and Barb Coffey, and Melissa Knowles; Josh Copple, son of Elizabeth Copple; Nico DeGuzman, child of Marlen and Robert Todd; Toby Geris, child of Ms. Kathryn and grandparents Doris and Gary Sauerhage; Mira Krieg, daughter of Jeff and Krista Krieg; Jaden Lopez, son of Mario and Alicia Perez; and Tia Martinez, sister of Sonya Torres and Selena Martinez.
Other senior band members included Emma Murphy, daughter of Amanda Butler; Ary Shipley, child of Melissa and Michelle Crawford and Kenny and Carla Shipley; Whitney Sulser, daughter of Shane and Lori Sulser; Summer Valleroy, daughter of Danny and Dani Valleroy; Florentino Rafael, son of Mr. and Mrs. Rafael; Lincon Schroeder, son of Jenni and Cole Schroeder; and Will Welge, son of Tom and Tracy Welge.
DANCE TEAM
The CHS Dance Team featured five seniors, including Mira Krieg, daughter of Jeff and Krista Krieg; Tia Martinez, sister of Sonya Torres and Selena Martinez; Emma Murphy, daughter of Amanda Butler; Whitney Sulser, daughter of Shane and Lori Sulser; and Summer Valleroy, daughter of Danny and Dani Valleroy.
Each band and dance team member received orange and black balloons, a flower, and other special gifts presented by their fellow members.
VOLLEYBALL
CHS featured three senior volleyball players prior to the CHS vs Marissa volleyball match Tuesday October 22. Senior players recognized and honored included Gianna Eggemeyer, daughter of Brian and Carrie Eggemeyer; Olivia Earl, daughter of Craig Earl and Jill Earl; and Elaina Lutman, daughter of Dave and Carrie Lutman.
The girls received orange and black balloons, flowers, and gifts from their teammates. To top off the evening, the Varsity Lady Jackets defeated the Marissa Lady Meteors on “Senior Night”.
Senior Football players are honored at 2024 “Senior Night” activities Friday October 18. Seniors include Zain Al-Jassim; Gene Bicket, Cayden Brunkhorst, Lannin Caron, Justin Hayman, Jack Heffernan, Kolton Jany, Nate Maes, Brenden Malley, Devante Palacio, Florentine Rafael, Lincon Schroeder, and Alex Williamson. Jim Beers Photo
CHS senior cheerleaders and parents were recognized at “Senior Night” 2024 Friday October 18. Pictured are Peyton Cole, Kourtney House, and Elaina Lutman. Jim Beers Photo
Cross Country senior runners were recognized and honored Friday October 18 during fall sport “Senior Night” ceremonies. Pictured with parents are Ivanovich and Will Welge. Jim Beers Photo
Senior members of the 2024 CHS Golf Team were recognized and honored at the 2024 Fall Sports Night at CHS. Senior golfers included Rylie Conley, Max Blechle, Evan Dunning, and Noah Homan. Jim Beers Photo
Band and Dance Team members were honored and recognized at halftime of the CHS vs Red Bud football game at W.O. Smith Field at CHS. Band Members included Max Blechle, Nick Coffey, Josh Coffey, Nico DeGuzman, Toby Geris, Mira Krieg, Jaden Lopez, Tia Martinez, Emma Murphy, Ary Shipley, Whitney Sulser, Sumer Valleroy, Will Welge, Florentino Rafael, and Lincon Schroeder. Dance Team members included Mira Krieg, Tia Martinez, Emma Murphy, Whitney Sulser, and Summer Valleroy. Jim Beers Photo
CHS senior Volleyball players were honored prior to the CHS vs Marissa volleyball match Tuesday October 22. Pictured are Gianna Eggemeyer (11), Olivia Earl (9), Had Coach Colleen Runge, and Elaina Lutman (2). Carrie Eggemeyer Photo