At the top of their class

Sunday’s commencement ceremony at Coal City High School will recognize the academic achievement of the top 10% of the Class of 2024.
Valedictorian Dominic Cimino will be honored, as will salutatorian Abby Stiles. Also to be recognized, in order of class rank, are: Kylie Jackson, Amelia Fritz, Elsa Bunton, Alaina Gill, Keaton Stroner, Kevin McConnell, Ava Houston, Jared Counterman, Avah Housman, Mackenzie Henline and Ryland Megyeri.
The students in the top 10% posted grade point averages [gpa] all above a 4.0, ranging from 4.652 to 4.149.
As they close out their time in the Unit 1 School District, the students reflect on their time at CCHS and share their plans for the future.
Kylie Jackson, the daughter of Suzanne and Chris Jackson, will complete her high school studies with a 4.521 gpa. She is an Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler.
Throughout high school she has participated in Concert Band, Jazz Band, Color Guard, Winter Guard, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, SADD, Future Business Leaders of America and Math Team. She has been recognized with the Kindness and Organization Awards, received the Coaches’ Award for Tennis and was an Academic All-Conference honoree in the sport.
Kylie will continue her studies at Eastern Illinois University majoring in Communication Disorders and Sciences.
Amelia Fritz, the daughter of Traci and Matt Fritz, has earned recognition as an Illinois State Scholar, Acclaimed Coaler and is a recipient of the National Rural and Small Town Award given by the College Board. She finishes high school with a 4.452 gpa.
Amelia said her parents have been the biggest motivators to her success. “They were consistently there for me through the good and hard times. They made sure that I maintained a social life instead of loading up my schedule. My parents have been my No. 1 supporters, believing in me even when I couldn’t. At times they forced me to get help in school before I was ready to, saving my grade and getting me comfortable to reach out to teachers,” she said.
As a Coaler she was involved in Speech, Science Club, GSA, Drama Club/Musicals, Madrigals, Art and National Honor Society.
Amelia will continue her education at Ball State University majoring in Social Studies Education.
Elsa Bunton, the daughter of Brock and Natalie Bunton, said it was her parents who were her biggest motivators throughout high school. “They always believed in me and pushed me to do my best.”
She wraps up her high school studies with a 4.354 gpa and recognition as an Acclaimed Coaler.
During high school, Elsa has been involved in Tennis, Musicals, Drama Club, Educators Rising, Student Council, National Honors Society and Link Leaders. She was named to the Academic All-Conference Tennis Team and was selected as recipient of the Bonnie McDowell Spirit of Music Award.
Elsa’s plan is to obtain a degree in elementary education.
Alaina Gill, the daughter of Amanda and Tony Gill, is an Illinois State Scholar and earned recognition as an Acclaimed Coaler. She finishes her high school studies with a 4.291 gpa.
During high school she participated in Spanish Honors Society and Link Leaders, she served as the Volleyball manager and held the position of president in the National Honors Society and Student Council. As a student enrolled in courses at the Grundy Area Vocational Center she was twice named a GAVC Directors Award recipient.
Alaina said her mom has motivated her the most. “Her constant support and effort to help me be successful has had a huge impact on my high school career.”
Alaina’s future plans are to attend Joliet Junior College to study nursing.
Keaton Stroner is the son of Jennifer Stroner-Rolley, Dennis Rolley, Lisa Stroner and Sarah Stroner. He completes his high school studies with a 4.267 gpa. He has been recognized as an Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler.
During high school he has been involved in Soccer and Track and Field. Earning the honors of Most improved in Track during the 2022 and 2023 seasons and was selected to the Academic All-Conference Track team in 2022, 2023 and 2024 and the 2023 and 2024 All-Conference Track Teams.
Stroner noted that his teacher and track coach Mr. Keppner motivated him the most in high school.
“He never gave up on me nor let me give up when I was down. In school and sports, he is motivating, passionate, and funny. Although he didn't always listen, he made me feel heard and took time out of his day to understand me and talk to me. I owe Mr. Keppner an unpayable debt and I hope he knows how important his guidance was to me.”
Honorable mentions go to some of his other teachers like Mrs. Gerber, Mr. Unger, Mrs. Fritz, Senora Sondergoth, Mr. Sink, Mr. Baer, Mrs. Peterson, Mrs. Sthay, Mr. Leman, Mrs. Cyrkiel and many more.
Stroner is headed to the University of Kentucky where he will be a pre-med major.
Kevin McConnell, is the son of Pete and Kelly McConnell. He completes his high school studies with a 4.244 gpa. His academic success was noted in his selection as an AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler.
Throughout high school, Kevin has been involved in Spanish Honors Society, Trapshooting Club, Art Club, Track and Field and Speech, advancing to the State Tournament this year.
McConnell reports that Mr. Baer, his teacher and Speech coach, has been his biggest motivator. “He taught me how to speak in front of others and was always supporting me while simultaneously putting a smile on my face.”
In the fall, McConnell will begin his studies in computer science and mathematics at Simpson College.
Ava Houston, the daughter of Tracy and Devon Elliott, has achieved a 4.234 gpa and has earned recognition as an Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler.
During high school she was involved in National Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Cheerleading and Soccer. She served as cheer captain and was named to the All-Conference Cheer Team.
Houston was her own biggest motivator throughout high school. “I held myself to an expected standard and that motivated me to do better,” she said.
Houston will continue her education at the University of Missouri majoring in English with a pre-law minor.
Jared Counterman, the son of Jessica and Caleb Counterman, completes his high school studies with a 4.168 gpa and recognition as an IllinoisState Scholar.
“My teachers have had the biggest effect on me in high school. Throughout high school all of my teachers have pushed me to work harder and have put within me the want to learn more. I wouldn't be able tohave done as many classes or fight through sicknesses without the sympathy and friendliness from all my teachers. I am forever grateful,” Counterman said.
During high school, Jared was involved in the school musicals and was amember of National Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Chess Club,Drama Club, Scholastic Bowl, Coal City Running Club and Madrigals, and he played soccer and was on the track team. He was All Conference in Track and an athletic All-Conference honoree. He will continue his education at Olivet Nazarene University studying physics prior to transferring to the U.S. Air Force Academy.
Avah Housman, is the daughter of John and Rebecca Housman. She graduates from Coal City High School with a 4.158 gpa.
“My parents and my teachers motivated me the most in high school. They always pushed me to do my best and helped me with whatever I needed,” she said.
At Coal City High School, Avah was involved in Yearbook, Coalers with Character and Cheerleading in which she was named to the All-Academic Team.
Avah will continue her studies at Illinois State University majoring in Allied Health Professions.
Makenzie Henline, the daughter of Stefanie and Lonnie Henline, completes her studies at Coal City High School with a 4.154 gpa and recognition as an Acclaimed Coaler. She said her parents were her biggest motivators. “They have pushed me to do my best and work hard.”
Mackenzie participated in National Honor Society, Coalers with Character and Spanish Honor Society. She played volleyball, softball and basketball for the Coalers and was an All-Academic honoree all for years in each of her sports and received All-Conference honors in basketball in 2022 and volleyball in 2023.
Her plan is to become a teacher and she will begin her studies in the field of elementary education at Illinois State University in the fall.
Ryland Megyeri, is the son of Chris Megyeri and Shanna Arnold. He finishes high school with a 4.149 gpa. His parents and the Sidemen were his biggest motivators over the past four years.
In his senior year, Ryland was recognized as an Illinois State Scholar and Acclaimed Coaler. He has also been honored as an All-Conference Academic selection in golf for three consecutive years and was first and second in conference his junior and senior year.
In addition to participating in golf, he was a member of the Spanish Honors Society and served as its director of activities this year.
Ryland will continue his education at Lewis University where he will major in data science.