Lincoln Community High School acknowledges college-bound senior athletes
and students joining the armed forces
Send a link to a friend
[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.
[to top of second column] |
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]
|