La Salle-Peru High School seniors honored at 2021 awards ceremony

La Salle-Peru High School honored the achievements of upcoming graduates during the 2021 senior awards ceremony. Cavalier seniors received scholarships valued at about $75,000 as well as other awards.

ExpandAutoplay

Image 1 of 55

Drake Weber (left) and Lauren Klein (middle), La Salle-Peru High School seniors, shared the George Preston Blow Medal/John & Lucy Pomatto Scholarship, presented by Jane Riva (right). The $1,500 scholarship is considered the highest award the L-P athletics department bestows. ( )

Academic scholarships more than $1,000

Emily Beebe received the Esther Styma Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who lives in La Salle with a GPA of at least 3.0 and submits an essay on the topic of “How education will make a difference in my life.”

Adam Sarabia received the Quesse Technology Scholarship, presented by Bill and Gracelyn Quesse. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student who plans to pursue a career in computer technology, has at least a 3.25 GPA, plans to attend college or university, and submits an essay about their interests in a computer technology career and a record of participation in school and community activities.

Jack Brittin received the Ficek-Carboni Heritage Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student with at least a cumulative 2.4 GPA , plans to attend college, and who wrote an essay on the topic of “How the lessons I learned from my family have influenced my life.”

Lauren Phillips and Lea Selquist received the Business Education Award and Future Business Leaders of America Presidents Award.

Jaidynne Lash , Aubrey Garretson, Macy Anderson, Arianna Alfaro and Chloe Picatto received Evelyn E. Biederstedt Memorial Scholarships. These scholarships, valued at more than $2,000, are awarded to students who attended L-P for four years, have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA, participated in band or chorus, plan to attend college or university, and who submit an essay on how they have been influenced by music.

Eric Lane and Claire Stillwell received the L-P Agriculture Scholarship from the L-P FFA Alumni. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to students interested in pursuing an agriculture-related career.

Lauren Phillips received the $1,000 L-P Class of 1956 Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has attended L-P for at least two years and has a cumulative GPA of at least 3.5. The student also must be accepted into a two- or four-year college or university and have participated in school or community activities with a leadership role.

Sydnee Wright , Ben Postula, Katelyn Lamps, and Jasmine Samolinski received the Robert Alpert Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship was established in memory of Robert Alpert, who was an educator, counselor and coach at Peru Washington School. These scholarships benefit three graduating seniors from the Peru Elementary School District with plans to pursue an education major in college.

Amanda Burkart received a $1,000 PQ Corporation Scholarship, which is awarded to seniors who excelled in science and math and plan to pursue a career in chemistry or a related field.

Nick Hancock received a $1,000 PQ Corporation Scholarship, which is awarded to seniors who excelled in science and math and plan to pursue a career in chemistry or a related field.

Lauren Klein received the Linda Levine Memorial Scholarship. This $2,000 scholarship is awarded to a female senior at L-P High School who plans to pursue a degree in business, has a minimum 3.0 GPA, is accepted to and plans to attend a two-year or four-year college full time and demonstrates participation in school and community activities.

Reese Kurtz received the L-P Foundation for Educational Enrichment Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating L-P senior with a minimum 3.0 GPA, acceptance to two- or four-year college or trade school and a combination of classroom excellence and extracurricular activities including 100 hours of community service.

Rileigh Lemmer received the $2,000 Lambert Jones Auto Technology Scholarship, awarded to seniors who plan to major in auto technology and who has at least a C-average GPA.

Joseph Tomminello received the $1,000 Harry Debo Memorial Scholarship, which is named in memory of local businessman Harry Debo and is awarded to an L-P senior who plans to pursue a degree in business, is accepted to and plans to attend a two- or four-year college full time and demonstrates participation in business-related activities and classes.

Julia VanderMeersch, received the $1,000 Thomas K. Kujawa Scholarship, which is named in memory of registered nurse and Vietnam War-era U.S. Army veteran Thomas Kujawa. The scholarship is awarded to an L-P senior who is pursuing a degree in nursing upon graduation.

Patricia Black received the Jack Lyon Memorial Scholarship, valued at least at $1,000 and named in honor of U.S. Air Force veteran and retired educator Jack Lyon. The memorial scholarship is given to a senior who has taken four years of German classes, earned a minimum 2.5 GPA, and who submitted an essay on what they’ve gained from learning German at L-P.

Angelo Feliciano received the Knights of Columbus Calvert Council 892 La Salle-Peru Scholarship.

Academic scholarships less than $1,000

Lauren Phillips and Lauren Klein received the L-P Renaissance Scholarship, presented by L-P Renaissance coordinators Jean Ganze and Andrea Henry. This $750 scholarship is awarded to L-P seniors who actively participated in Renaissance during their junior and senior year and plan to attend a two- or four-year university. Evaluation of this scholarship is based on solid academic performance, leadership and good character. Deb and Mike Nelson sponsor this scholarship. During her 20 years as principal, Deb Nelson and husband Mike were integral members of L-P’s Renaissance Committee.

Gage Hoover received the $500 Gary Eccles Scholarship, which is awarded to an L-P senior going into emergency services and who will attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Savanna Rietgraf received the $500 Nancy Kochis/Brian Towne Scholarship for the Legal Profession.

Ella Thompson received the $500 Pat Weber Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to a senior who exemplifies qualities of leadership in school, extracurricular and civic activities, and plans to continue her/his education in college in the fields of teaching/counseling. Brayden Porter received the $300 Andrew J. Kelly Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to the senior class president with plans of attending college or vocational school. Katelyn Lamps received the Kim Parsons Memorial Scholarship. The $500 award goes to an L-P or Streator High School senior who shows a strong commitment to music and/or education in service to their community. Arianna Alfaro received the $500 Elizabeth Boyle/Richard Henneberry Scholarship for students who plan to major in nursing, biology, speech pathology/audiology or psychology. Jonathan Johnson received the Dr. A.J. Sellett Medical Scholarship for students planning to pursue a career in medicine. Ashley Urbanski received the $500 Dr. and Senator Rezin Scholarship, which is awarded to a student who has demonstrated strong character, positive academic achievement and a desire to pursue higher education after high school.

John Wasilewski received the Tirza B. Ennor Mathematics Scholarship in honor of Tirza B. Ennor, a former L-P math teacher. The scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior who has attended L-P for at least three years. The student must have completed four years of college preparatory math, plans to enroll in college upon graduation from high school and have demonstrated good character throughout their high school career.

Alaina Stasiak received the Tonica Teachers’ Union Scholarship, which is awarded to an L-P senior who graduated from Tonica Elementary School District and plans to further their education.

Lea Selquist received the Central Bank Illinois Scholarship, which is awarded to an L-P senior who has a minimum 3.0 GPA after seven semesters and has been accepted to a two- or four-year college.

Emily Beebe received the Robert and Judith Quick Family Education Scholarship in honor of the Quicks, who attended and taught L-P is awarded to a L-P senior who plans on going into education and attending either Illinois Valley Community College or a four-year school.

Kaitlyn Gibson received the $500 Law Offices of Peter F. Ferracuti Future Law Scholarship.

Weston Wenzel received the $500 Law Offices of Peter F. Ferracuti Importance of the Trades Scholarship.

Olivia Woods received the R. Earl Trobaugh Presidential Scholarship. The $275 scholarship is awarded to students who have attained the highest averages in English and foreign language classes. The student must attend Illinois Valley Community College.

Sydnee Wright and Lea Selquist received Financial Plus Credit Union Scholarships. These scholarships valued at either $500 or $100 are awarded to local high school graduates who are Financial Plus members pursuing higher education.

Annaella Beckom received the $500 Dale Family Scholarship recognizing those dedicated to the betterment of society. The scholarship is awarded to an L-P senior who demonstrates a desire to make a difference in the world with plans to attend a two- or four-year university or trade school.

Athletic scholarships and awards

Drake Weber and Lauren Klein shared the George Preston Blow Medal/John & Lucy Pomatto Scholarship. The $1,500 scholarship is considered the highest award the L-P athletics department bestows. A recipient must have at least a 2.75 GPA and have been outstanding in general athletics. Candidates are nominated by varsity head coaches and voted on by L-P administrators.

Maverick Andrews received the City Center Physical Therapy Scholarship. The $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a student pursuing a career in physical therapy or sports medicine. A student must have a 3.25 GPA and be accepted to a college or university.

Lauren Klein received the $1,000 Hubert “Huby” Sarver Scholarship named for former L-P coach Huby Sarver. This is awarded by the Sarver family to an L-P student based on the student’s character, work ethic, leadership and multiple sport participation. Klein will also have her name added to the plaque of past recipients.

Drake Weber received the $1,000 William Plantan Football Scholarship, which is awarded to an L-P football player who exhibits a high standard of leadership and citizenship and who plans to attend a two- or four-year college.

Reese Kurtz, Drake Weber, Tyler Hartman, Makenzie DeFosse and Brayden Porter received Athletic Booster Club Scholarships. The L-P Athletic Booster Club presents these $500 scholarships to L-P student-athletes who participate in at least one sport each year of high school, have a GPA of at least 3.0, have at least one parent active in the Athletic Booster Club and who complete an essay. The recipients also have their named added to a plaque.

Reese Kurtz received the $1,000 Mike Kasap Memorial Football Scholarship. The recipient is chosen by the Kasap family based on devotion and loyalty to football.

Jack Brittin received the $1,000 Herbert W. Bekermeier Scholarship, which is awarded to a graduating senior who has received a varsity letter for participation in track or basketball.

Carson Mrowicki received the $500 Eddie Bray Football Scholarship, which is given to a four-year L-P football player who displays teamwork, sportsmanship and the potential for academic success in higher education.

Tyler Hartman received the A.J. “Butch” Nowack Memorial Award, which is presented to a student-athlete who has shown excellence in football, combined with courage, determination, leadership and character.

Departmental awards

Each year members of the graduating class are awarded special honors by L-P’s academic departments. This year the recipients are: Lea Selquist (English Award); Adam Sarabia (Carol Walsh Memorial Spanish Award and Illinois Science Teachers Physics Award); Olivia Woods (Carol Walsh Memorial Spanish Award, Illinois Science Teachers Chemistry, and Knights of Columbus U.S. History Award); Amanda Burkart (Math Division Rabe Award); Jonathan Johnson (German Award and Illinois Science Teachers Biology Awards); Easton Koudelka (Bertusi Award for social science); Chloe Bruce (Art Department Award); and Alaina Stasiak (Eldon Gunia Memorial Art Scholarship).