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April 29, 2025, was a day of celebration and
rejoicing for student athletes and member schools of the Illinois
Elementary School Association (IESA). Student athletes, coaches,
athletic directors, principals, parents and family members gathered
together at the Conference Center at the DoubleTree Inn in
Bloomington, IL for the Second Annual Celebration of Excellence
ceremony. During this ceremony, many students, schools, coaches,
officials and friends of the IESA were recognized for their
accomplishments and achievements in the 2024-2025 school year. Dick
Luedke, retired announcer for Illinois State University, was our
emcee for the afternoon and proudly announced all Scholar Attitude
Award Winners, 20 year State Official Awards, Fine Arts Awards,
Excellence and Friends of the IESA Awards, Division Sportsmanship
winners, and the Show Your Spirit Award.
One of our very own students at Carroll Catholic School and lifelong
generational resident of Lincoln, Carson Graue, was one of such
recipients to receive the prestigious Scholar Attitude Award. In
fact, each year, only one student athlete from each Division (A-O)
and one at large selection is made throughout the whole state. In
other words, Carson was one of 16 students in the state of Illinois
to receive this award. This award honors those students who have
maintained a high academic standard while participating in their
school community through IESA activities. Carson and his family put
a lot of work into making sure all of the requirements were met. In
addition, Carroll Catholic School’s Athletic Director, Michelle
Fuiten, and other coaches were asked to write letters of
recommendation and submit proof that Carson is the perfect candidate
for this award. It is very obvious to everyone at Carroll Catholic
School and anyone who has met Carson, that he, without a doubt, is
the perfect recipient. Carson works hard in the classroom and on the
baseball field and basketball court. He is always willing to help
out however is needed throughout the school day. He is a perfect
teammate and an extremely hard worker and coachable player, and he
exhibits positive sportsmanship. Those are just the things he does
for our school. Outside of school, Carson volunteers in various ways
and helps to make sure all are treated equally and with respect. All
of those reasons and more are the reason why Carson was chosen for
this award.
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Carson is the son of Eric and Traci Graue. Eric and
Traci and their families are longtime residents of Lincoln and Logan
County and have raised four children, all of which attended Carroll
Catholic School. Carson is the youngest of the four. Carson is an
eighth grader at Carroll Catholic School and will be graduating in a
few short weeks. The only other person from Carroll to receive this
award was Audra Krusz in 2007 since its inception in 1999. In
addition to recognition at the ceremony, Carson received a medal and
a plaque and countless positive memories.
[Jennifer Craig] |
