CGS promotes 69 students to high school
By Jim Beers
CHESTER – Chester Grade School held its graduation Thursday May 14, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. The event was held at Chester High School to offer attendees more seating and comfort. Parking was also much more available at CHS.
Thankfully the weather cooperated the weeks prior to graduation with temperatures in the upper 40’s in the early mornings and low 70’s throughout the warmest portion of the afternoons. Colbert Memorial Gymnasium was fairly comfortable for the graduation exercises.
8th graders reported to Juergens Gymnasium at 5:30 p.m. to take a Class of 2026 photo. Following the photo session, the students were escorted to the CHS Professor James F. Sharp Cafeteria to position for the processional into Colbert Gym, down the stairs, and onto Rocky Bridges Court where seating was waiting.
Marshalls led the 8th Grade Graduate Candidates to the floor and into their seats. This year’s Marshals were selected from the 7th Grade Class of 2027 and included the top 4 students academically. Marshals were Josiah Bert, Carter Davitz, Madeline Fuentes, and Alexandra Todd.
Upon entering the building, attendees were greeted by the 2026 Graduation Ushers. Ushers were selected from the next three highest academic students from the 7th Grade Class of 2027. Ushers included Alexus Shrout, Maggie Stueve, and Emma Voudrie.
The Chester Grade School Band, supplemented by various CHS Band Members and a few other musicians from the community, was directed by Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director. Mrs. Colonel was directing the final CGS Band engagement of her career as she was retiring at the end of the 2025-2026 school year after teaching for the past 29 years.
At precisely 6:00 p.m., the CGS Band performed, “Pomp and Circumstance” for the processional as the students slowly entered the gym, and walked down the stairs, and onto Rocky Bridges Court. They were seated center court in good view of all guests.
At most graduations, there are two speakers from the graduating class, the Valedictorian and the Salutatorian. The Valedictorian is the top student academically in the class and the Salutatorian is the second-highest student academically in the class. The Salutatorian is the first speaker at graduation and gives the Welcome Address. The Valedictorian speaks after everyone has received his or her diploma and gives the Farewell Address.
This year, the Class of 2026 had six students with identical, top grade point averages. The administration therefore agreed that all six would speak at graduation. The first three addresses would be the Welcome Addresses while the later addresses would be the Farewell Addresses. There would be no Salutatorian per se.
Once all students had settled in their seats. The first three Valedictorians came to the stage to present their “Welcome Addresses”. These addresses were presented by Ella Bert, Miles Bert, and Kinsley. All three speeches were given in an excellent manner and served well in welcoming everyone to the occasion.
Following the “Welcome Addresses”, Dr. Kristin Petrowske, CGS Assistant Principal, came to the podium and presented 8th Grade Student Awards. Mrs. Petrowske presented High Honor Roll Awards (Those students who achieved “High” Honor Roll status all 4 quarters of the 2025-26 school year), Honor Roll Awards (Those students who achieved “Honor” Roll all 4 quarters of the 2025-26 school year), and Beta Club Members.
High Honor Roll Award Students: Jaylee Belton, Ella Rose, Miles Bert, Jordyn Cowell, Mabrie Cushman, Jayme Dickerson, Aubree Kumke, Arieanna Lee; Kolin Martinez, and Kinsley Middendorf.
Honor Roll Award Students: Brayden Brown, Hunter Brunkhorst, Destiny Buckmaster, Annabell Cross, Jake Dunn, Xander Green, Jaxon Hanna, Carter Kennedy, Ian Yandiel Laz’u C’olon, Edwin Marquez, Camryn Petrowske, Lily Rinderer, Jason Stumpe, and Lance Thompson.
Beta Club Members: Ella Bert, Brayden Brown, Mabrie Cushman, Aubree Kumke, Arienna Lee, Edwin Marquez, Kinsley Middendorf, Camryn Petrowske, and Kinzie Wallace.
After completion of the 8th Grade Awards, CGS Principal, Tim Blair, presented the CGS 8th Grade Class of 2026. Mr. Blair gave a nice summary of the year and complimented the students for their accomplishments.
Blair also recognized the Junior High Teachers including Erin Belton, Physical Education, Della Carroll, Science, Karla Childs, English Composition, Sue Colonel, Band, Logan Doll, Physical Education, Sheryl Hagan, Inclusion, Katie Kelley, Social Studies, Robyn Korando, English Language Arts, Gail Kordys, Math, Dwight Lochhead, Algebra 1, Luke Lochhead, Real World Communications, Tonia Sellers, Human Resources Management. and Meg Smith, Art.
After certifying that all 69 students had completed all course work and were cleared to be presented with their graduation certificates, Chester Consolidated Unit School District # 139 Board of Education Members, Mrs. Barb Coffey and Mr. Matthew Davitz, presented all 69 graduates with their Certificates as students crossed the stage.
Chester Grade School 8th Grade Graduates, Class of 2026
Emily Addison, Ryan Are’valo, Jaylee Belton, Miles Belton, Ella Bert, Miles Bert, Kayden Britton, Lorenzo Brooks, Brayden Brown, Hunter Brunkhorst, Destiny Buckmaster, Nashley Bahan, Roxie Carroll, Jostyn Cerrano, Peyton Choate, Santos Manuel Pastor and Clover, Jordyn Cowell.
Annabell Cross, Mabrie Cushman, Wyatt Cushman, Elannah Denbow, Jaymie Dickerson, Roman Ditch, Jake Dunn, Alexa Duvall, Nevaeh Frazer, Coltyn Fullington, Jaretzy Garcia, Zury Gomez, Jaelyn Gonzalez, Alyvia Grau, Xander Greene, Jaxon Hanna, Kinsley Hecht, and Mira Helmers.
Daimer Jimenez, Alexis House, Kenley Hunter, Bobby Ireland, Hayden Jackson, Carter Kennedy, Garrett Krantz, Aubree Kumke, Dylan Colon, Ian Colon, Arieanna Lee, Edwin Marquez, Kolin Martinez, Ealijah McGuire, Aaden Mehrer, Kinsley Middendorf, and Kaylie Mikel.
Jamirrah Monroe, Giovanni Munoz, Lela Patterson, Camryn Petrowske, Kohlbyn Reeves, Lily Rinderer, Ignacio Rosales, Miguel Sica, McKenzie Schatte, Jason Stumpe, Lance Thompson, Neymar Torres, Rigoberto Velasquez, Isabella Vogt, Kenzie Wallace, Ethan Werner, and Andrew Wilber. * In loving Memory of Jakob Wyatt Joiner (2011-2025).
At the conclusion of the certificate presentations, there was a loud-and-proud round of applause for all 69 students.
The final three Student-Valedictorians then came to the stage to present their Farewell Addresses. The Valedictorians included Mabrie Cushman, Aubrie Kumke, and Kolin Martinez. These three Valedictorians did a great job of closing out this chapter of their academic journeys through elementary school at CGS, and closed the door on the Chester Grade School 8th Grade Graduation for the Class of 2026.
Chester Grade School Assistant Principal, Dr. Kristin Petrowske and Principal, Tim Blair, pose for a photo prior to the 2026 CGS Graduation Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester Grade School Band, supplemented with several high school and community musicians, prepares to begin playing the Processional, “Pomp and Circumstance” at the 2026 CGS Graduation Exercises. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester Grade School Class of 2026 takes one last photo as an 8th Grade Class, Thursday May 14 prior to the Graduation Ceremony. Jim Beers Photo
The 2026 Chester Grade School Marshals included Josiah Bert, Carter Davits, Madeline Fuentes, and Alexandra Todd. Jim Beers Photo
The 2026 Chester Grade School Ushers were Alexis Shrout, Maggie Stueve, and Emma Voudrie. Jim Beers Photo
Sue Colonel, CGS Band Director, prepares to direct her final musical event Thursday May 14 when she directed the Chester Grade School Band at Graduation 2026. Mrs. Colonel retired at the end of the 2025-26 school year after 29 years of teaching. Jim Beers Photo
Dignitaries on stage at the 2026 Chester Grade School Graduation Ceremony await the arrival of the 8th Grade class May 14th. Pictured, left to right, are Tim Blair, Principal, Dr. Kristin Petrowske, Assisiant Principal, Kimberly Briggs, Superintendent of District # 139, Mrs. Barb Coffey and Mr. Matthew Davitz, Members of the Board of Education. Jim Beers Photo
The Chester Grade School Class of 2026 had six students that had the same highest grade point averages. All six were chosen as Valedictorians. Three gave the Welcome Address and the other three gave the Farewell Address. The three shown here gave the Farewell Address including Mabrie Chshman, Aubree Kumke, and Kolin Martinez. Jim Beers Photo
The CGS Class of 2026 had six students that had the same “highest” grade point averages i the class. All six were chosen to be Valedictorians. Three gave the Farewell Address and three gave the Welcome Address. Shown here, Ella Bert, Miles Bert, and Kinsley Middendorf gave the 2026 Graduation Welcome Address. Jim Beers Photo
Jason Stumpe proudly leaves the stage with his 8th Grade Graduation Certificate in hand. Jim Beers Photo
Kinsley Middendorf, an 8th Grade Graduate of Chester Grade School, walks out of graduation in the Recessional Thursday May 14. Jim Beers Photo
These Chester Grade Schol Junior High Teachers and Staff sat to the left of the stage Thursday May 14 in support of the graduates from the Class of 2026. Jim Beers Photo
These CGS Teachers and Staff sat to the right of the stage Thursday May 14 in support of the Graduates of the Class of 2026. Jim Beers Photo
Edwin Marquez, a Chester Grade School Graduate, leaves the 2026 Graduation Exercises Thursday May 14 in the Recessional performed by the CGS Band. Marquez appears to be very proud of his accomplishment. Jim Beers Photo
Sue Colonel, Chester Grade School Band Director, poses for a photo prior to the start of the 2026 Chester Grade School Graduation Thursday May 14. Mrs. Colonel was quite emotional that evening as it was her final CGS performance directing the band. She was going to retire at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. She had 29 years as a band director, 27 of which were at Chester Grade School. Jim Beers Photo