Lincoln Community High School acknowledges college-bound senior athletes and students joining the armed forces

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[April 25, 2023] 

Monday afternoon 14 seniors of Lincoln Community High School confirmed their future educational and career choices at a signing ceremony in the auditorium at the high school.

This year, there were three students who were honored for their decision to enter into the armed forces after high school, and 11 students who signed their letters of intent for their collegiate and athletic futures.

The event was emceed by Cameron Kurtz who began by thanking all the family members and fellow students who were filling the seats of the auditorium for their support of the young men and women to be honored.

Then as there were many to introduce, Kurtz began right away with the first introduction, Peyton Bennett.

The first ten introduced were those signing to play sports during their college careers, Kurtz read their biography sheets which included the name of the student, parents or guardians, sport, college choice, major, and more.

Name: Peyton Bennett

Parents: Lesleigh and Christopher Bennett

Sport: Cheerleading Stunt

College: Missouri Baptist University

Anticipated Major: Health Sciences

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

This college has the perfect sports program, and it was the best academic choice for me.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: four

Other activities: Baseball Team Manager

Name: Grace Curry



Parents: Ryan and Ashley Curry, Kimberly Gilmore

Sport: Soccer

College: Western Illinois University

Anticipated Major: Biology

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

When I visited WIU, I instantly felt like I was at home. It was the perfect distance from my hometown to make me feel independent but also close to my family. I also loved the coaching staff and girls. They all seemed like awesome people to be around and I’m so excited to grow with them as a player and a person.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: four

Awards: Academic High Honors, Sophomore Hustle Award, & Junior Hustle Award

Other activities: Student Class President, National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Library Club, Leaf Club, and Midstate Soccer Club

Name: Cara Farnam



Parents: Craig and Denise Farnam

Sport: Softball

College: Lake Land College

Anticipated Major: Undecided

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

I loved the coaches and the team on my visit. It is close to home. I wanted a two-year college because I don't know what I want to major in.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: four

Awards: First Team All-Conference (two years) Academic honors (two years), MVP (two years), Best Batting Average, and Railer Award

Other activities: Volleyball, NHS President, FBLA President, and Math Club

Name: Brenden Heitzig



Parents: Tim and Kim Heitzig

Sport: Track and Field and Cross Country

College: University of Missouri

Anticipated Major: Biology

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

Even though Mizzou is part of the SEC, it still felt like a small, fun school with small town athletes and coaches.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: four

Awards: Sixth and first at IHSA 2A State 4x800, Third at IHSA 2A State Mile, Stirs and sixth finish at IHSA 2A State Championships, First Team All-Conference four years for Cross Country and one year for Track. Conference Champion in the two-mile and three-mile runs.

Other activities: National Honor Society and Lincoln Christian Church Youth Ministry Volunteer

Name: Peyton Merreighn



Parents: Josh and Allie Merreighn

Sport: Soccer

College: Illinois College

Anticipated Major: Accounting with a minor in Spanish

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

It allows me to continue to play the sport I love while still making education my top priority.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: Four
Awards: All-Apollo Conference Academic and Captains Award

Other activities: FBLA, Math Club, Library Club, National Honor Society, Student Government, Leaf Club, and Chess Club

Name: Hattie Mourning



Parents: Todd and Linda Mourning

Sport: Soccer

College: Western Illinois University

Anticipated Major: Exercise Science

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

Western was always my dream college when I was younger, so when the opportunity to play soccer came about. I knew that was where I wanted to go.
Years you played this sport at LCHS: Four

Awards: Second Team All-Conference, Academic All-Conference, Team MVP, Midfield Award, and Offense Award

Other activities: National Honor Society, Library Club, FBLA, and Student Government. I am the Student Body President. I volunteer at Lincoln Christian Church.

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Front row from the left:  Adison Rumler, Peyton Merreighn, Peyton Bennett, Cara Farnam, Gracy Curry, Hattie Mourning and Gwendolyn Gill.

Back row from the left:  Gabriel Gilman,Noah Rachall, Ryan O'Donoghue, Wyatt Schumm, Brenden Heitzig, Ashton Bottles and Christopher Slack.

Name: Ryan O‘Donoghue



Parents: Sam and Corinne White

Sport: Football

College: Illinois College

Anticipated Major: Sport Psychology

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

I really connected with the coaches and players while visiting IC. They have nice, updated facilities, and it is close to home.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: Four

Awards: W. C. Handlin Award and Outstanding Senior Lineman

Other activities: Track & Field, Basketball Student Section, and Assisting with Lincoln Youth Football as an Assistant Coach

Name: Noah Rachall



Parents: Nikki Denise and Brett

College: McKendree University

Anticipated Major: Business Management

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

The connection I felt walking on campus, the coaches were great from day one . and of course, the success from their program.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: Three

Other activities: Wrestling and Baseball

Name: Adison Rumler



Parents: Alison Rumler-Gomez

Sport: Softball

College: University of Illinois - Springfield

Anticipated Major: Political Science

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

Close to home and great coach and teammates.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: one year at LCHS and three years at U-High

Awards: None at LCHS yet, but second All-Conference, two-time Academic All-conference, and All-state at U-High

Other activities: Leaf Club

Name: Wyatt Schumm



Parents: Les and Tessa Schumm

Sport: Cross Country and Track & Field

College: Greenville University

Anticipated Major: Secondary Education

Years you played this sport at LCHS: Two years Cross Country, four years Track & Field

Awards: Most Improved-Cross Country

Name: Christopher Slack



Parents: Corey Slack and Diane Van Dorn

Sport: Soccer

College: Illinois Central College

Anticipated Major: Pre-Med

Why do you feel this college is the right choice for you?

It is close to home, and its Soccer program is high quality. It has my intended major, and smaller class sizes all aid in making ICC the right choice.

Years you played this sport at LCHS: Four

Awards: LCHS School Records for most assists in a season and career. MVR 2021, All- Sectional 2022, All-Sectional honorable mention, 2022 All-Sectional Sportsmanship Team, All-Apollo first Team two years.

Other activities: National Honor Society and Club Soccer in Bloomington

LCHS Seniors entering the Armed Forces

When the athletes were finished, Kurtz offered a few words prior to the introduction of those going into the military. He noted that LCHS is proud of all their students, and proud to know that the young people who will be introduced next have chosen to take a stand on behalf of our country and our freedom.

He applauded each one for their decisions then began the first introduction.

Name: Ashton Bottles



Guardian: Ann Schutz

Branch of the Military: Army Airborne

Name: Gwendolyn Gill



Guardian: April Gill

Branch of the Military: Army

Name: Gabriel Gilman



Guardian: Tawna Gilman

Branch of the Military: Airforce

[Nila Smith]

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