Honorees include David August, Addison Gottschammer, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, and Camryn Wolff
By Jim Beers, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – Chester High School Principal Jeremy Blechle and School Counselor, , are pleased to announce that six students from the Chester High School graduating Class of 2026 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.
Chester High School has six Illinois State Scholars for the Class of 2026. Five of those six students include (Front Row, Sitting, Left to right) Trevor Keeton and Addison Gottschammer. (Back Row, Standing Left to right) Rylie Myers, Erin Liefer, and Camryn Wolff. Not Pictured: David August. Jim Beers Photo
David August is one of six Chester High School seniors from the Class of 2026 to earn the title of Illinois State Scholar. He joins five other classmates with this honor including Addison Gottschammer, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, and Camryn Wolff. Jim Beers Photo
Those students include David August, Addison Gottschammer, Trevor Keeton, Erin Liefer, Rylie Myers, and Camryn Wolff.
The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) is the State of Illinois’ college access and financial aid agency. It is pleased to announce this year’s State Scholars. These exceptional individuals are selected based upon standardized test scores combined with sixth semester, or junior class rank. These students represent approximately the top ten percent of graduates from all Illinois High Schools.
The achievements of these students are a credit to their resilience, and to the support and encouragement of their families, principals, teachers, mentors, counselors, and others invested in their growth and success.
The Illinois State Scholar designation is a non-monetary award. Recipients receive a congratulatory letter and Certificate of Achievement from ISAC. They can also download an official Illinois State Scholar Badge to display on their online profiles and social media platforms. Such badges can further be shared with their high school counselors, employers, family members and others.
The designation as an Illinois State Scholar begins not on the year that they graduate from high school, but it is based on the year they would begin any post-secondary education.
The ISAC strongly recommends that all high school students complete the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, (better known as FAFSA) so that they can make the most informed decisions and choices possible about their education after graduating from high school.
FAFSA results are used to determine a prospective student’s eligibility for any available federal and most state and institutional financial aid. Such financial aid is available for any type of post-secondary education including certificates, two-or-four year degree programs, and some vocational programs.
There is also an Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid that may determine that a student could be eligible for some state financial aid even if they are not eligible for federal student aid.
ISAC further supports high schools and students statewide by offering free assistance with college and career exploration. They also help students complete financial aid forms and college applications. Recent college graduates are trained to serve as near-peer mentors to assist students and families in navigating education after high school.
State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of a high school senior class from about 765 high schools across the State of Illinois. These students possess strong academic potential.
Potential recipients must be United States citizens and be residents of the State of Illinois. They must also be attending approved high schools. Finally, they must perform in the top one-half of their class at the end of their third semester prior to graduation.
Congratulations to Chester’s Class of 2026 Illinois State Scholars and best of luck in all future endeavors! These honorees include the following senior students from the Chester High School Class of 2026.
David August
David is the son of Angela and Jon August. Throughout his grade school and high school careers Mr. August has maintained a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). He attended Chester Grade School for his elementary education, graduating in 2022. At CGS he joined the art club and was very active in the band and choir programs.
At Chester High School, where he has received his secondary education, Mr. August has continued his musical pursuits in the YellowJacket Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band and Concert Bands. He is also a key member of the CHS Swing Choir, “Sound Affect”, and the CHS Concert Choir. He has earned many awards at the IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contests for both band and choir.
David is a member of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. His future educational plans include taking on-line music classes in Composition and Music Production as well as Audio Production at Full Sail University.
Addison Gottschammer
Addison is the daughter of Chrissy and Jeremy Gottschammer. Ms Gottschammer attended Chester Grade School for her elementary education. At CGS she worked hard to maintain good grades. She was a member of the Beta Club where she learned the importance of community service.
Addison played volleyball, basketball, softball and track. She tributes much her success in grade school to her parents who always supported her and demonstrated their pride in all of her accomplishments.
In high school at CHS Addison found a love for the game of golf and has played for the Lady Jacket Golf Team all four years. She is also the President of the Student Council and the Spanish Club as well as Pre4sident of the Interact Club. Finally she is Vice President of the Students Against Destructive Decisions organization.
Ms. Gottschammer always puts her best foot forward and tries to go above and beyond with everything she does. During her sophomore year she earned the Distinguished YellowJacket Award from her Spanish Teacher Ms. Zeiger. During her junior year she studied for her state testing exams and tried her hardest to do well on her ACT and SAT exams.
Her junior year Addison was chosen by CHS Band Director to be one of the Drum Majors for the Marching YellowJackets. This year as a senior, she was selected to be a member of State Senator Terri Bryant’s Youth Advisory Council. This honor has expanded her knowledge of government.
Gottschammer has worked hard to maintain a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) all four years at CHS and had dreams of attending college to study Health Sciences. Her ultimate goal is to one day become a Pediatrician.
Trevor Keeton
Trevor Keeton is the son of Tiffany Keeton and Luke Domingo. Throughout his grade school career Trevor maintained a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). He enjoyed playing football and basketball at the junior high level.
At Chester High School Trevor is also a top student maintaining a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average. He works hard to earn “straight A’s” and excel academically. He is also an important player of the CHS YellowJacket Football Team that won back-to-back Cahokia Conference, Illinois Division Championships.
Extra-curricular activities include playing in the CHS Band Program. He is a member of the Spanish Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). His favorite classes include Construction Mechanics. He also enjoys Chemistry class and spending time with friends. After graduating from CHS in May of 2026, Trevor plans to go to college to pursue a degree in Engineering.
Erin Liefer
Erin Liefer is the daughter of Mike and Tammy Liefer. Erin attended Chester Grade School for her elementary education and Chester High School for her secondary education.
During her time at CHS she has participated in volleyball and track and field on a regular basis. She is a talented musician and enjoys alto saxophone in the CHS Marching YellowJackets as well as the CHS Pep Band and Concert Band. She has also taken part in various other clubs throughout her high school career.
Ms. Liefer will graduate from CHS in May of 2026 after which she plans to attend college. She is undecided regarding her college choice or her definite career pursuit. Erin is a great student and a positive aspect of the Chester High School environment.
Rylie Myers
Rylie is the daughter of Michele Myers and the Granddaughter of Michael Lanterman and Diane Lanterman. Ms. Myers had attended Chester School District her entire life, both at Chester Grade School for her elementary education and Chester High School for her secondary education.
Throughout high school Rylie had been a member of the Lady Jacket Golf Team. She has also been active in numerous clubs including the Interact Club, Spanish Club, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) organization.
Rylie is an honored member of the Chester High School Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society. She has consistently maintained a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA) throughout her four years at CHS. Last year she earned a Distinguished YellowJacket Award for her outstanding contributions to a particular academic class. That award is presented by an instructor who values Rylie’s character and participation in class.
After graduation in May of 2026, Ms. Myers plans to continue her educational career at a post-secondary institution of learning, but is undecided at this time which university she will attend. She is still exploring her options.
Rylie credits much of her success to her mother, Michele Myers, for her endless support and encouragement. Both have helper her greatly in guiding her throughout her time at Chester High School.
Camryn Wolff
Camryn Wolff is the daughter of Shannon and Nicole Wolff. She attended St. Mary’s Catholic School from pre-school to the 5th Grade, after which she attended St. John Lutheran School for 6th, 7th, and 8th Grades. While in elementary school she participated in softball, basketball, and track. She earned the title of Class Salutatorian her 8th Grade year for graduation in 2022.
Camryn went to Chester High School for her secondary education. During her time at CHS she was a member of the volleyball team, and softball team all four years. For two years Camryn has been on the Cheerleading Squad and for one year she played basketball.
Ms. Wolff is the President of the Summit Chapter of the CHS National Honor Society and Secretary of her senior Class of 2026. In addition, she is a member of the Student Council, Fellowship and Christian Athletes (FCA), the Interact Club, The Hive Pep Club, and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Upon graduation from CHS in May of 2026, Camryn plans to go to college to become an Anesthetist.
Once again, Congratulations to the 2025-26 Illinois State Scholars from Chester High School Class of 2026, and best of luck in all future endeavors.