Community News
April Student of the Month - Emily Chesser
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that Emily Chesser has been selected as the April Student of the Month. Emily was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. Emily will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Emily is 3rd in her class with a GPA of 4.67. She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll and is a member and Vice President of the National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar, and a Susan Cook House Student of the Month. She is a 2011 PSAE Exceeds award recipient and joined the National Society of High School Scholars. She currently serves on the Illinois State Board of Education’s Student Advisory Council.
Emily previously participated in two years of Lady Bullet Basketball and ran Cross Country during her Senior year. She is a member of Youth and Government and the set crew for WHS drama productions. Emily plays the french horn in the WHS Concert, Marching, and Pep Bands and has competed in IHSA Solo and Ensemble contests. Outside of WHS, Emily played in the 2011 Wizard of Oz production at the Springfield Muni and was a member of the Sangamon Valley Youth Symphony. She is also an active member of the Springfield Triathlon Team, and is certified in Advanced Open Water Scuba Diving.
Emily has volunteered with the STAND peer tutoring program, the Williamsville Community Food Drive, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, the Illinois State Museum, the Springfield Old Capitol Art Fair, and as a race assistant for the Athleticare and Abraham Lincoln Series Triathlons. Emily has recently ventured to Australia to work on a conservation project in the Daintree Rainforest. In the summer of 2009, she also participated in a Galapagos Islands preservation project and an Amazon Rainforest school restoration project.
Emily plans to attend Indiana University, while majoring in Biology.
Congratulations to Emily and her parents, Tom and Bette Chesser of Sherman!
March Student of the Month - Taylor Kovacevich
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Taylor Kovacevich has been selected as the March Student of the Month. Taylor was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. She will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Taylor is ranked 17th in her class with a GPA of 4.09. She is a member of National Honor Society, FCA, Yearbook committee, and Student Council. She is also a member of Youth and Government, currently serving as Treasurer.
Taylor was a Bullet cheerleader for four years, acting as co-captain her Junior and Senior years. She played three years of Lady Bullet Softball while finishing her high school career on the WHS Track Team. She has worked with the WHS drama program working in the crew and selling concessions. She has also been a cast member in the Fall musical “Back to the 80’s”.
Some of Taylor’s community service activities include the WHS Community Food Drive for Contact Ministries, Girl Scouts of Illinois, Mini O’Bierne Crisis Nursery, United Cerebral Palsy, Ronald McDonald House, Relay for Life, and the Sherman PTO Fall Festival.
Taylor plans to attend the University of Missouri, majoring in Textile and Apparel Management with a minor in Business/Marketing.
Congratulations to Taylor and her parents, Vel and Pam Kovacevich of Sherman!
February Student of the Month - Melissa McCormick
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Melissa McCormick has been selected as the February Student of the Month. Melissa was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. Melissa will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Melissa is 2nd in her class with a GPA of 4.67. She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll and is a member of the WHS National Honor Society, currently serving as Vice President. She has been recognized as an Illinois State Scholar, PSAE Exceeds Team member, and as a Susan Cook House Student of the Month.
Melissa is currently involved in extra-curricular activities at Williamsville High School which include the yearbook committee and Scholastic Bowl. Outside of WHS, Melissa is involved in the Kingdom Authority Ministries International Leadership Team.
In order to help others in the community, Melissa has volunteered through Kingdom Authority Ministries International by ushering at conferences, working at yard sales, a variety of hospitality duties and food service, building maintenance and landscaping, as well as community outreach at Feitshans Grade School. She has also sold concessions at athletic events, babysat for an organized Parents Night Out event, and given tours of the high school during Freshman Orientation.
After graduation, Melissa plans to attend the University of Kentucky, majoring in Chemistry.
Congratulations to Melissa and her parents, Tim and Ana McCormick of Sherman!
January Student of the Month - Abby Clark
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that Abby Clark has been selected as the January Student of the Month. Abby was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. Abby will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Abby is 5th in her class with a GPA of 4.64. She is consistently listed on the High Honor Roll and is a member of the National Honor Society. She is a PSAE Exceeds award recipient and an Illinois State Scholar. When working on the Spring 2011 AP History WWII project, Abby’s group received one of nine statewide awards of excellence and the project is now registered in the Library of Congress.
Abby has played all four years for the Lady Bullets volleyball and soccer teams. During volleyball her senior year, Abby served as co-captain of the team that won the Mahomet Invitational, Sangamon County and Regional championships. Her leadership skills are strong as she has held office in several additional organizations as well. She currently holds the position of Secretary in the Class of 2012 and is a Student Council representative, previously serving as Treasurer for both groups. She is Vice President of Madrigals and previously served as Secretary in Chorus. Other activities include Prom and Yearbook committees.
She has competed in IHSA Solo and Ensemble contests and received first place awards for multiple vocal ensembles and a Best of Day award for Madrigals. She has also performed the National Anthem at several volleyball and football games. She was a member of the cast and crew for the 2011 drama production of “The Outsiders.”
Abby has volunteered her time with the annual WHS Community Food and Teen Gift Drive, the American Cancer Society, youth soccer camps, Sports Boosters concessions and 50/50 sales, Class of 2012 concessions, Operation Teen Safe Driving Committee, WHS Guidance Assistant, Freshman Orientation Leadership Tours, Christmas Caroling for Contact Ministries, Village of Williamsville Tornado Clean-up, UNICEF, Lincoln Memorial Gardens, Vacation Bible School, and the Central Illinois Foodbank.
Abby plans to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, while majoring in Chemistry and Pre-Pharmacy studies.
Congratulations to Abby and her parents, Joe and Jennifer Clark of Sherman!
December Student of the Month - Sam Pensabene
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Sam Pensabene has been selected as the December Student of the Month. Sam was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. He will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Sam is ranked 4th in his class with a GPA of 4.59. He is consistently listed on the high honor roll and is a member of the National Honor Society, currently serving as Member at Large. Sam is the recipient of the following academic honors: the SAR Good Citizenship Award, PSAE Exceeds Team, and Illinois State Scholar recognition.
While at WHS, Sam has participated in four years of Bullet football, basketball and track. Sam served as co-captain of the 2011 undefeated Bullet football team. In football, he was also named to the Illinois All Academic Team and to the 2011 Sangamo Conference First Team on Defense. He is also a member of Youth and Government, running as a candidate for Governor in the state assembly. Sam has also participated in three WHS drama productions, served on Student Council, and was a Sophomore class officer.
During the summer of 2011, Sam had the interesting experience of working for the American Cancer Society Internship Program while completing an 8 week cancer research project at the SIU School of Medicine.
Some of Sam’s volunteer experience includes donating his time to the WHS Community Food and Gift Drive, selling concessions, working at the Community Bike Rodeo, and at the Timothy Retreat for St. John Vianney Catholic Church.
Sam is undecided about his college choice at this time but plans to major in Bioengineering.
Congratulations to Sam and his parents, John and Cinda Pensabene of Sherman!
November Student of the Month - Robert Konzelmann
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Robert Konzelmann has been selected as the November Student of the Month. Robert was selected by senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. He will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Robert is 9th in his class with a weighted GPA of 4.42. He is a High Honor Roll student and a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Homecoming Court. He has proven leadership skills by serving as the class president for three years and vice president for one year. He has also played soccer for the Williamsville Bullet soccer team for four years.
Robert is an accomplished artist, receiving several awards for his artwork. He recently won Best of Show at the 2011 UIS High School Art Exhibition. He is frequently involved with art projects such as painting the WHS mascot on the football scoreboard and designing a patch worn by the Williamsville Fire Department. He has participated in several drama productions in the stage crew, most recently serving as Student Director and Stage Manager.
Robert has volunteered time to his community by designing and constructing the Vacation Bible School stage for the Williamsville Methodist Church, selling concessions, assisting with the United Cerebral Palsy Telethon, and working in the Children’s Holiday Store as well as the Sherman Elementary Book Fair.
October Student of the Month - Nick Roscetti
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Nick Roscetti has been selected as the October Student of the Month. Nick was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. He will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Nick is ranked 25h in his class with a GPA of 4.01. Nick is a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor Society, FCA, and the WHS High Honor Roll. Nick recently received the National Scholars Award and a baseball scholarship from the University of Iowa.
Nick has participated in four years of Bullet football, basketball and baseball. Nick served as a co-captain of the undefeated 2011 Williamsville Bullet football team. While this year’s awards are yet to be announced, Nick has received many athletic awards from previous seasons including Sangamo All Conference, All Area, Players Choice Award, and Team MVP for baseball. In basketball, he was named a Sangamo All Conference and All Tournament Team player (New Berlin Thanksgiving and the Sangamon County Tournaments). In football, Nick received the Sangamo All Conference and All Area player honors.
Some of Nick’s volunteer experience includes donating his time to sell taffy at the Illinois State Fair to benefit the WHS football team, as well as volunteering at St. John’s Lutheran Pre-School, Ronald McDonald House, and the Sherman Elementary Scholastic Book Fair. He has also shared his athletic abilities as a group leader at WHS baseball, basketball, and football camps since his Freshman year.
Nick is undecided on a major but plans to play collegiate baseball while attending the University of Iowa.
Congratulations to Nick and his parents, Rick and Teri Roscetti of Sherman!
September Student of the Month - Drew Kluemke
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Drew Kluemke has been selected as the September Student of the Month. Drew was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. He will receive a $100 cash award from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Drew is ranked 1st in his class with a GPA of 4.69 and is consistently listed on the high honor roll. He is currently serving as President of the WHS chapters of the National Honor Society, Student Council, and Youth and Government. Drew recently received the honor of being recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Commended Scholar, as well as being listed on the PSAE All Exceeds Team. Drew is also a four year member of the Scholastic Bowl team.
The Fine Arts department at WHS has been fortunate that Drew volunteers often for drama and vocal music performances as an audio technician and a lights technician. Student Technical Director is his current role in the Drama department on productions of The Outsiders and Back to the 80’s. Other examples of Drew’s volunteer experience include the Williamsville Community Food and Teen Gift Drive, College for Kids at LLCC, Sherman Elementary Book Fair, Sherman Elementary Enrichment Classes, and Hope Church. At Hope Church, Drew donates his time and leadership skills by working on the HSM Student Staff and also an Audio Technician and Coordinator.
Drew is undecided on his college choice at this time, but plans to major in Computer Engineering.
Congratulations to Drew and his parents, Mark and Amy Kluemke, of Sherman!
Student of the Year 2010-2011
Congratulations to Jessica Miller!
Williamsville High School is pleased to announce that senior Jessica Miller has been selected as the January Student of the Month. Jessica was selected by the senior class sponsors on the basis of academic performance, extra-curricular participation, and personal traits. Jessica will receive a $100 savings bond from the Williamsville State Bank and will also be eligible for Student of the Year.
Jessica is 16th in her class with a GPA of 4.20. During her Senior year, Jessica has also received the following academic honors: 2010 PSAE All Exceeds Team, the Susan Cook House December Student of the Month, and the DAR Award Recipient. She is consistently listed on the High Honor roll and is a member of the WHS chapter of the National Honor Society.
While at WHS, Jessica has participated in Youth & Government, cross country, basketball, vocal music, drama, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. In the Youth and Government program, she gained experience as a lobbyist, legislator, and a gubernatorial candidate. She is also a leader in the FCA program. In Madrigals, Jessica served as Vice President and took a lead role as the Jester in this year’s performance. In Choir, Jessica served as Treasurer and has participated in IHSA and IMEA competitions. She has received an IHSA Best of Day award for a solo performance and made IMEA District Concert Choir, District Jazz Choir, and All State Concert Choir. As a member of our Vocal Jazz ensemble, Jessica had the opportunity to sing the Star Spangled Banner for President Obama at the Lincoln Bicentennial celebration. Her coaches have also recognized her leadership and strength of character. In cross country, she won both the Most Spirited award and the Coach’s Award. In basketball, she received the Bullet Pride award.
Jessica has volunteered for the American Diabetes Association, the Mini O’ Bierne Crisis Nursery, several events within the deaf community, peer tutoring for the school district, and at VBS for Grace Presbyterian Church.
Jessica plans to attend Illinois State University to pursue a career in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education.
Congratulations to Jessica and her parents, John and Jodi of Sherman!