Absher, Blechle, Collins, Colvis, and Howie receive recognition
BY JIM BEERS, Contributing Writer
CHESTER – The 51st Annual Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement (SISHSA) Banquet was held Tuesday May 2, 2023 at the Southern Illinois University Ballrooms.
For 50 years the SISHSA Banquet has been coordinated by a local high school counselor to recognize the high level of achievement of top high school seniors across Southern Illinois. The event has historically been coordinated by a single high school counselor on a rotating basis in alphabetical order among participating schools.
Pictured are the Chester High School students and staff members that attended the 51st Annual SISHSA Banquet and Awards Tuesday May 2nd 2023. (Left to right): Christa Howie, CHS Student Services, Camrynn Howie, Hanna Colvis, Sydney Collins, Aidan Blechle, Maleia Absher, and Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal. Each student was recognized and received a certificate for their achievements. Jim Beers Photo
Unfortunately the event had to be cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, in 2022, the banquet was able to resume to celebrate 50 years of honoring local seniors for both academic and extra-curricular accomplishments.
This year, 2023, the event format was changed to a coordinated effort of a seven-person SISHSA Committee of dedicated school counselors including Jamie Chiaventone, Casey Hawkins, Kerri Henry, Kelsi Love, Alexis Ragsdale, Franciene Sabens, and Cathy Shelton.
This committee now aims to create consistency with the banquet while alleviating stress on schools and school counselors with less resources as plans take place from year-to-year. The committee plans to continue to celebrate local seniors for many years to come. This group also welcomes the participation of additional school counselors who may be willing to join the committee for future events.
Students attending the 51st Annual Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet and Awards event enjoy the festivities at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms. All together 32 schools and 181 students were in attendance for the 2023 event. Jim Beers Photo
This year there were 32 schools honoring a total of 181 students that attended the 2023 SISHSA Banquet.
The schools and the number of students they honored included Anna Jonesboro (6); Benton (6); Carbondale (6); Carrier Mills-Stonefort (6); Carterville (4); Century (6); Chester (5); Christopher (6); Cobden (6); Crab Orchard (6); Dongola (6); DuQuoin (6); Egyptian (2); Elverado (6); Frankfort (6); and Galatia.
More schools included Goreville (6); Hardin County (6); Harrisburg (6); Herrin (6); Johnston City (6); Marion (6); Meridian (6); Murphysboro (6); Pinckneyville (6); Sesser-Valier (6); Shawnee (2); Steeleville (6); Thompsonville (6); Trico (6); Vienna (6); and Zeigler-Valier (6).
Students, counselors, administrators and other attendees began arriving at the SIU Student Center Ballrooms at approximately 6:00 p.m. As they entered the Ballroom Lobby, many stopped to take group photos prior to registering outside the Ballrooms.
Chester High School Principal, Jeremy, introduces the five CHS seniors who were recognized and honored at the 2023 Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet and Awards Tuesday May 2 at SIU Student Center Ballrooms.
Upon entering the Ballrooms, students were greeted by SISHSA Committee Members and were directed to their assigned tables. Tables were beautifully decorated with linen table cloths and balloons. Each table also had a sign indicating the school.
Program booklets were awaiting each guest at his or her seat along with a nice bag of assorted candies. Ice cold beverages were also available at the beverage table.
The 2023 banquet began at 6:30 p.m. with an introduction and welcome from Franciene Sabens, School Counselor from Elverado High School. Following Sabens’ welcome, Mrs. Becky Thompson of Elverado High School gave Grace prior to the start of the Banquet.
The delicious buffet meal was provided by Crystal’s Catering & More, LLC, from Herrin, Illinois. The menu consisted of Parmesan Chicken, Mashed Potatoes, Traditional Green Beans, Crystal’s Salad, Yeast Rolls & Butter, Iced Tea & Lemonade, and for Dessert, Salted Caramel and Chocolate Cup Cakes. Students, teachers, counselors and other attendees greatly enjoyed the meal and prepared for the introduction of the guest speaker for the evening.
Dr. Kelly Stewart, former Herrin High School Educator and current McKendree University Professor, was the keynote guest speaker for the 2023 SISHSA Banquet and awards event. Jim Beers Photo
Kerry Henry, Sesser-Valier High School Counselor, introduced Dr. Kelly Stewart, the Guest Speaker for the evening. Stewart has taught and worked in the field of public education for more than 30 years. She retired from Benton High School in 2015 and currently serves as a professor at McKendree University.
At McKendree Dr. Stewart provides professional development training for educators and she does speaking engagements throughout the region. Her message for students and educators throughout the area is that “public education is the great equalizer.”
In her talk to the students and others, Dr. Stewart noted that all of the students were being recognized at the event because they had been deemed to be “successful” at their respective schools. She followed that statement by telling everyone that at some point in their lives, they would be “unsuccessful!”
“We all fail at times”, said Stewart. “It is how we react and respond to that failure that determines our future success!”
The Chester High School group enjoys socializing prior to the start of the 2023 Southern Illinois Society for High School Achievement Banquet and Awards Night held at the Southern Illinois University Student Center Ballrooms. The event was Tuesday May 2. Pictured are Jremy Blechle, Principal, Aidan Blechle, Hanna Colvis, Maleia Absher, Camrynn Howie, Sydney Collins, and Christa Howie, Student Services Staff Member. Jim Beers Photo
Dr. Stewart gave the students six tips for being able to succeed later in life. 1) Maintain a “GROWTH” mid-set. Always have a goal to grow and expands your horizons! 2) Don’t run from problems. Go to toward the problem and “deal with it!” 3) Keep your visions alive. Keep your eyes on the prize. If it gets tough, FINISH it!” 4) Surround yourself with a “supportive team!” Spend most of your time with “positive people”. 5) Keep your “intrinsic” motivations alive. What is inside you that drives you? Have a purpose. Go with your “passion!” Finally, Utilize your “GRIT”! If you fall down…GET BACK UP! Dust yourself off and go for your goals. Own your situation and “Get on with It!” Keep in mind…the Best is yet to come!”
Dr. Stewart received a huge round of applause and seemed to be well liked. She finished her talk by having the entire audience follow her in a cheer in which she led. She finished on a high note and with a loud thunder of applause.
Upon arriving at the SIU-C Student Center Ballrooms, the Chester High School contingent took time out for a brief photo prior to entering the banquet ballrooms. Pictured (left to right) are Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal, Sydney Collins, Hanna Colvis, Aidan Blechle, Camrynn Howie, and Maleia Absher. Blechle introduced his five students during the awards portion of the evening and praised their efforts in Academics, Community Service and Leadership. Christa Howie, CHS Student Services Staff Member, presented each student with a 2023 SISHSA Certificate of Excellence during the center-stage ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
Following Dr. Stewart’s key note presentation, the real reason for the evening began. Each of the 32 schools took the main stage one school at a time, and the students from that school were introduced and presented with a certificate.
After the last student from each school was honored, the entire group from that school posed for a brief photo session. In the final analysis, 181 students were honored and presented with certificates.
Chester had five students recognized. During Chester’s presentation, CHS Principal Jeremy Blechle greeted each of Chester’s students and expressed why they had been nominated for the honor. CHS Student Services staff member, Christa Howie, was on stage with Blechle and presented the certificates to the Chester students.
Chester’s honorees included Maleia Absher who was recognized for Excellence in Leadership and Service; Aidan Blechle, recognized for Excellence in Leadership and Service; Sydney Collins, recognized for Excellence in Leadership; Hanna Colvis, recognized for Excellence in Academics, Leadership, and Service; and Camrynn Howie, recognized for Excellence in Academics and Leadership.
Other local schools included Steeleville, Trico, and Pinckneyville.
Steeleville recognized six students including Grace Cronin (Academics); Clayton Donagher (Community Service); Nathan McSmith (Academics); Ashlyn Roberts (Academics); Gillian Valleroy (Academics); and Carter Wasson (Academics).
Trico recognized six students including Sydney Allen, Lex Deming, Brayden Guy, Avery Pierce, Madilynn Rathert, and Gavin Wilks. All were recognized for Academic Excellence, Community Service, and Leadership.
Pinckneyville recognized six students including Carly Heisner, Layne Jones, Kyle Kellerman, Sarah Restoff, Karli Shockley, and Andrew Wagner. All were recognized for Excellence in Academics and Leadership.
Following the conclusion of the student recognitions, Cathy Shelton, School Counselor from Herrin, closed the 2023 SISHSA Banquet and Program with remarks and dismissed everyone with blessings and a message of safe travels.