By Jim Beers
CHESTER – At Chester High School’s 2026 Awards Night there were approximately 40 different organizations and individuals that sponsored monetary scholarships to graduating seniors. These seniors had the opportunity to commit to attending collegiate institutions next fall.
In numerous situations, more than one scholarship was presented by the same entity, therefore, more than 60 scholarships were earned by Chester High School seniors. In this article, 22 of those scholarships will be announced as presented to 17 different students. Individual presenters are also listed.
Scholarship Sponsor, CHS Senior Recipient (s), Presenter
Randolph County Republican, Erin Liefer, Mark Wilson
Chester Rotary Club, Jason Sibley, Kimberly Briggs
Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Masonic, Hayden Cartwright, Richard Heuman
Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Masonic, Lillian Diskey, Richard Heuman
Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Masonic, Addison Gottschammer, Richard Heuman
Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Masonic, Southern LaChance, Richard Heuman
Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Masonic, Ethan Colvis, Richard Heuman
Gary A. Schwent Memorial, Jessie Stumpe, Jill Miesner, CHS Counselor
Carolyn Schwent Scholarship, Ethan Colvis , Jill Miesner, CHS Counselor
Edna Sharp Scholarship, Annah Helvey-Ahring, Jeremy Blechle, Principal
Jake Sharp Scholarship, Ethan Colvis. Jeremy Blechle, Principal
Roseanna Sharp-Myers Scholarship, Callie Davis, Jeremy Blechle, Principal
Rebecca Young Memorial, Lillian Diskey, Robin Barton, Asst. Principal
Dr. Milton Zemlyn Memorial , Morgan Absher, Dr. James Kirkpatrick
Leah Search Memorial, David August, Jill Miesner, CHS Counselor
Red Cross Blood Drive, Maggie Caby, Evelyn Hankins
1st Lt. Bruce R. Welge Memorial, Elizabeth Wilson , Robin Barton, Asst. Principal
Illinois Masonic Grand Lodge, Morgan Absher, Richard Heuman
Diane Gonzales Memorial, Kylee Kempfer, Jill Miesner, CHS Counselor
Chester Methodist Men Scholarship, Jason Sibley, Dr. Jim Beers, President
Chester Methodist Men Scholarship, Jessica Stumpe, Dr. Jim Beers, President
Chester Methodist Men Scholarship, Gabe Coffman, Dr. Jim Beers, President
Non-Monetary awards were also presented at the 2026 Chester High School Awards Night Wednesday May 13.
The event was held at the Chester Grade School Gymnasium due to the fact that the Chester High School Gym was being arranged to host the Chester Grade School 8th Grade Graduation the next night, May 14, 2026.
Randolph County Republican Scholarship: Erin Liefer. Presenter, Mark Wilson, Chairman. Jim Beers Photo
Chester Rotary Club: Jason Sibley. Presenter, Kimberly Briggs, Superintendent. Jim Beers Photo
Masonic Scholarships: Kaskaskia Lodge # 86 Schaffner Masonic Scholarships: Ethen Colvis, Southern LaChance, Addison Gottschammer, Lillian Diskey, and Hayden Cartwright. Illinois Grand Lodge Scholarship: Morgan Absher. Presenter, Richard Hueman. Jim Beers Photo
Gary A. Schwent Memorial Scholarship: Jessica Stumpe. Jim Beers Photo
Carolyn Schwent Scholarship: Ethan Colvis. Jim Beers Photo
Edna Sharp Scholarship: Annah Helvey Ahring. Presenter, Jeremy Blechle, Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Jake Sharp Scholarship: Ethan Colvis. Jeremy Blechle, Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Roseanna Sharp-Myers Scholarship: Callie Davis. Presenter, Jeremy Blechle, Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Rebecca Young Memorial Scholarship: Lillian Diskey. Presenter, Robin Barton, Assistant Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Dr. Milton Zemlyn Memorial Scholarship: Morgan Absher. Presenter, Dr. James Kirkpatrick. Jim Beers Photo
Leah Search Memorial Scholarship: David August. Presenter, Jill Miesner, CHS Counselor. Jim Beers Photo
Red Cross Blood Drive Scholarship: Maggie Caby. Presenter, Evelyn Hankins, NHS Sponsor. Jim Beers Photo
1st Lt. Bruce R. Welge Memorial Scholarship: Elizabeth Wilson. Presenter, Robin Barton, Assistant Principal. Jim Beers Photo
Chester United Methodist Men’s Scholarships, Jerry Lamkin & McNelly-Hoppe Memorial Scholarships: Jessica Stumpe, Jason Sibley, and Gabriel Coffman. Presenter, Dr. Jim Beers, Methodist Men President and Scholarship Chairman. Photo by Jeremy Blechle