001Good morning. >> Thank you. So, let's get started with our 2026 senior celebration. It's the ninth annual one. Hope you enjoyed your breakfast and we'll celebrate the achievements of the class of 2026 and announce individual awards and scholarships. Let's start by celebrating some remarkable accomplishments from our senior class. First and foremost, maintaining perfect attendance throughout the senior year is no small feat. This year, we are proud to recognize one student who has not missed a single academic day for personal reasons. Congratulations to Joson Heler on achieving impressive milestone. [applause] [applause and cheering] There we go. Then you go and don't forget after you get award, go into the gym for a picture, but then hustle back in case you're up again. Next, we'll recognize our impact student of the month of the year who's accumulated
002the most community service hours during their high school career making a positive impact on their school and community. Congratulations this year recipient who had 920 hours of community service, Grace Sunser. [applause] Next, we're going to list some previously awarded scholarship. So, you do not need to come up for this. Just stand and stay till everyone's or stand get recognized and take a seat because there's a list here. So, these people have been awarded at other banquetss throughout the year. First, Harvey Alers, please stand. [applause] The Chancellor's Fellows, $7,500 renewable for four years. Next, Max Anderson. Columbia PTA 500. YMCA Youth of the Year a thousand. YMCA Sonnenberg Scholarship 5,000. The Mandy Ebler Foundation Scholarship for a,000. The Provos Scholarship at SIUE $48,000 full tuition. [applause] >> I'm going to change it. So after I'll say
003their name and their pres their award. We'll do the applause after that. Next we have Avery Ellander. I'm sorry. Arendelle academic scholarship $18,500 a year. [applause] Lily Arnold, the Er Foundation scholarship, $2,500. [applause] Quinn Bahan, the FACEX scholarship, $56,960 for four years, full ride and Slooh housing scholarship, $5,000 a year. [applause] >> Casey Bernard Chancellor Scholar Program Award, $1,000 a year. [applause] Aiden Bower, SIOUE Cougar Pride Scholarship, $4,000 a year. [applause] Ava Bergseker, Slooh, 1818 Scholarship, $300. Swick top 20% scholarship, $7,500 a year. [applause] >> [applause] >> Caleb Blair, University of Illinois tuition grant, $10,800. Electrical and computer engineering visionary scholarship, 5,000 renewable for four years. [applause] Carly Chambers, honors scholarship, $17,000 a year. [applause] Kyle Chud, America's 25 contest, $1,000. Tiger Border County Scholarship, 22,500, renewable for four years. [applause] Lincoln Corbin, the George
004Oberenegel Scholarship, $2,000. Kenneth Stump Scholarship, $2,000. Columbia Agra Science Association, $1,500. Marines Great American Rivalry Series, $500. >> [applause] >> Ava Crabtree, Arizona Tuition Scholarship, $10,000 a year. [applause] Katie Cohen, Cougar Pride Scholarship, $3,000 a year. The Craig Range Foundation scholarship for 500. [applause] Skyler Durban, Columbia Women's Club Scholarship, $1,500. Columbia PTA scholarship, $500. [applause] Avery Eller, the Arkansas non-resident Tuition Award Scholarship, $19,000 a year. [applause] Charlotte Garcia, the University of Illinois School of Music Scholarship, $10,000 a year. [applause] Ethan Habo, the Petker Construction NextGen Scholarship, $500. [applause] Joelen Heler, George Oberenegel Scholarship, $750. The Aggra Science Association, $1,000. [applause] Lauren Hilg KU Excellence Merit Scholarship $16,000 a year. [applause] Emerson Hman Kentucky Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship 122,500 and the Crown Scholarship for a,000. [applause] Ella her crown scholarship thousands Tiger Border County award 21,500 renewable
005for four years. [applause] Grace Hunucker the Lynenwood Highest Honors Merit Scholarship $12,000 Lynenwood perfor P performing arts scholarship $5,000 Lynenwood Legacy Scholarship 1,000. The Lionhe Heart scholarship for a,000. the Crown Scholarship for 2500 and the PEO star scholarship for 2500. [applause] Alex Hurst, the AIM High Scholarship, $2,000 a year. The Redbird academic scholarship for $6,500 a year. The work study for 2500 a year. Miscellaneous others equaling to a full ride of over $36,000 a year. [applause] Camry Johnson. The Tiger Border County Award level one $21,000 renewable for four years. The Sam M. Walton endowment in business scholarship 9500. Mandy Ebler Foundation scholarship 2500. America 250 Youth Contest Scholarship for a,000. Rosemary Crossley Scholarship for a,000. And the Elk Foundation scholarship for a thousand. [applause] >> [applause] >> Mora Coenberger, the ladies auxiliary of the Columbia
006Attorney's Gymnastics Association 500. [applause] Brody Longoff, the Kraton University Baseball Scholarship and Kraton University Academic Scholarship. [applause] Grace Lubers, the Tiger Border County level one 20 21,500 a year. [applause] Lindseay Maloney, the Tiger Border County awarded one $21,500 a year. [applause] Ava Matthews Simo Athletic Volleyball Scholarship $36,000 a year. Copper Copper Dome scholarship 5,000. >> [applause] >> Mila Mlan Butler University merit scholarship $27,000 renewable for four years. Butler grant $8,500 renewable for four years. [applause] Madison Mlan Murray State Trustee academic achievement $10,000 renewable for four years. Donald J. Lich Memorial Scholarship for a th00and and the crown scholarship for a thousand. [applause] Maya McTurnan Tiger Border County award level one 21,500 renewable for four years. Jame Myers ISU Jesse W. Fel Scholarship for $9,000 and the ISU civic engagement scholarship for 2,000. >> [applause] >>
007Abby Meny, Redbird Academic Scholarship, $6,500 a year. [applause] Owen Meny, Pcker Construction NextGen Scholarship for 500 and the Maroon and White Award. [applause] Olivia Mercer, Simo Marching Band Scholarship, 725. Simo Monroe County Alumni Scholarship 3,000. The Simo Copper Dome scholarship 5,000. [applause] Genevieve Najenko Iowa academic award 6,000, National Scholars Award 10,000. Henry B. Tippy Undergrad Business Scholarship for 3,000. [applause] Elliot Nelson, Tiger Border County Award, $22,000 renewable for four years. [applause] Gabe Nelson, the groundbreaking scholarship. [applause] Jace Nelson, Cougar Pride Scholarship, $4,000 a year. [applause] Mason Nabolski Gold Scholarship 5,500 University Missouri St. Louis $3,000 a year. [applause] Hannah Noah Red and Black Scholarship $4,000 renewable for four years. ACT Excellence Award $1,000 renewable for four years. And residency scholarship 8,900 renewable for four years. [applause] Megan Olirri Black and Gold Border County award 21,500
008a year [applause] Kale Reigns Brevard Engineering Scholarship 5,000 STEM major NR scholarship $2,000 a year academic merit NR18 $18,760 a year dean scholarship $10,000 a year and and the Columbia PTA 500. [applause] Isaac Range Cougar Pride Scholarship 3,500 a year. Explore Engineering Day 500. [applause] Melania Melena Robertson 1880 scholarship 225. Swick top 10 scholarship $7,500 a year. >> [applause] >> Kai Sanchez, merit-based scholarship, $34,000 a year. [applause] Booker Schmidt, Blackburn academic scholarship, $9,000 a year. [applause] Hope Schwarz, Old Miss merit scholarship, $9,000, renewable for four years. Columbia PTA scholarship 500. A ladies auxiliary of the Columbia Turner Gymnastics Association scholarship 500. [applause] Gabby Smith Jesse W. Fel Scholarship $8,000 renewable for four years. [applause] Addison Tar Tiger Border County Scholarship 21,500 a year. Walter Williams scholarship, 1500. [applause] Sophia Walters, Crown Scholarship, $1,000. [applause] Emily
009Webb, University of Illinois Springfield Athletic Softball Scholarship, $10,000 a year. Capital Scholars Honors Program Scholarship, $7,000 a year. Horus man company scholarship 2,000. Carrot Patch and Backyard Learning Center Scholarship 250. [applause] Grace in Border State Scholarship 2000, academic scholarship, 1500. [applause] Do you have a total up this year? >> Okay. All right. So, now we'll start recognizing recipients of some new scholarships beginning with the Columbia Education Association presented by Mr. Sandstrom there. When I call your name, please come forward to accept your award. The Columbia Eagles Association is awarding two $500 scholarships to Columbia High School seniors who will be furthering their education in the fall with the intent to major in education or a trade school. Their scholarships are being awarded to Abby Meny and Austin McLaren. [applause] >> [cheering] [applause] [cheering] [applause] [cheering]
010>> Please stay in class. Uh, the Alyssa Harper Memorial Scholarship. Miss Craig will be Miss Craig will be presenting. This scholarship is being awarded to a CHS student who plans to further their education in nursing. The recipient of this $1,000 scholarship must have a minimum 3.5 GPA with plans to attend Swick or four-year university in the fall. Congratulations to Ella her. [applause] >> After you give your word, please feel free to go with them to get the picture taken. Columbia Kowanas Scholarship. Miss Myers will be presenting. This is a $1,000 scholarship awarded by the Columbia Kuanas to the deserving senior at Columbia High School. Congratulations to this year's recipient, Kate Jackson. [applause] Next, the Columbia Kuanas Vicky Smith Key Club Scholarship. Mr. McDermott will be presenting. This is a $1,000 scholarship being awarded to two
011senior key club members. Key Club is a service organization and members participate in a variety of community service projects throughout the school year. This year's recipients are Harvey Alers and Jameson Meyers. >> [applause] >> Next we have the Monroe County Electrical Cooperative Memorial Scholarship. Have some members here presenting. This is a $3,000 scholarship awarded to a high school senior who is dependent is a dependent of a member in good standing of the Illinois Electrical Cooperative. Congratulations to Lily Arnold. [applause] Next, we have the Music Boosters Senior Scholarship. Miss Myers is going to present. I don't think she's B. There we go. The Columbia Music Music Boosters is awarding a $1,000 scholarship to an outstanding senior band or choir member who will be pursuing a music degree in college. This year's Columbia Music Booster Scholarship winner
012is Charlotte Garcia. [applause and cheering] The music boosters are also awarding a Rurki marching band scholarship in the amount of $500 to a senior band member for their outstanding participation in the band program at CHS. Congratulations to this year's recipient, Olivia Mercer. [applause] four-way test scholarship of $500. $500 is being awarded to a graduating senior in Monroe County who plans to attend a vocational school. The winner is an individual whose observed behavior suggests they embrace the values of tolerance, fairness, empathy, compassion, and service reflected in the way they interact with people in their lives. Our recipient is Justice Albert. >> [applause] >> Club members. Next. Club members. Okay, so next we have club members of the year. This year clubs met monthly during home room. Club adviserss were asked to choose a club member of
013the year and and a certificate will be presented to their selected student when their name is announced. if you'd like to come forward. Best Buddies, Skyler Durban, [applause] Blue Crew. Hope Schwarz, [applause] FFA, Kate Jackson, [applause] Key Club. Harvey Alers, [applause] math team. Jonah Vnowski, [applause] Spanish club. Olivia Mercer, [applause] speech team. Grace Hunucker, [applause] Student Council. Genevie Najenko, [applause] Next we have senior department awards. These will go the department picked exceptional academic achievement. That's what based on. They were nominated by the teachers within each department. So business education Madison Mlan [applause] Agricultural Science. Kate Jackson, [applause] English. Lily Arnold, [applause] Family and Consumer Science. Addison Tar, [applause] fine arts. Micah Meyers, [applause] German. Harvey Alers, [applause] industrial technology. Kale Reigns, [applause] >> Industrial Technology Construction. Phoener, [cheering] [applause] >> mathematics. Jonah Velnowski. [applause] Performing
014Arts Band. Charlotte Garcia, [applause] Performing Arts Choir. Caroline Denny, [applause] >> physical education. Ava Matthews, [cheering and applause] >> science. Skyler Durban, [applause] social studies. Olivia Mercer, [applause] Spanish. Addison Muran [applause] technology. Kai Sanchez [applause] >> Scooters Coffee Scholarship. Mr. Schwarz will be presenting and Miss Schwarz. >> Scooters Coffee is awarding two $500 scholarships to high school seniors who are employed by a Scooters Coffee franchise and plans to further their education after high school. Congratulations to two of them, Lauren Hilg and Genevie Nenko. [applause and cheering] Next, we have the Waterlue Independent Order of Oddfellows Scholarship. The Waterlue Independent Order of Oddfellows is awarding four $3,000 scholarships to seniors planning to attend college. This organization is a global, altruistic, and benevolent fraternal organization which aims to provide a framework that promotes personal and social development.
015Congratulations this year's recipients. Let me read all four. Lily Arnold, Molly Mlan, Madison Mlean, Mason Nabolski. [applause] [cheering] Next, we have the Louiswis Hutch Schlafley Schlafley Columbia Rotary Club Scholarship. It's a $2,000 local scholarship awarded to a senior who will be attending college in the fall. The applicants had to be in good standing at the school and answer three essay questions. Congratulations to Max Anderson. Congratulations. [applause] >> Columbia Volunteer Fire Department Scholarship, a local scholarship that is awarded each year to seniors planning to further their education. Each scholarship award is for $750. Community service is a major factor in the selection process. Please come forward to accept your award. I have five, so please hold the applause till the five are done. Justice Alers, Max Dreer, Skyler Durban, Lauren Hilguck, and Cheyenne May. [applause] Mandy
016Ebler Foundation Scholarship Award. Mr. Ebler and Mr. Ra will be presenting. The scholarship supports Monroe County student athletes as they continue their education beyond high school. It recognizes character, athletic involvement, academic effort, ambition, and community impact. The $1,000 scholarship award goes to Max Anderson. [applause] The $2,500 scholarships being awarded to Camry Johnson. [cheering] [applause] Simo Monroe County Alumni Scholarship. This $3,000 scholarship is being awarded to a senior who has been accepted and plans to attend Southeast Missouri State University. Applicants of the scholarship were judged based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, community service, work experience, and an essay. Congratulations this year's recipient, Olivia Mercer. [applause] [applause] >> Columbia 21st Century Lions Scholarship. The Columbia 21st Century Lions Club offers a $1,000 scholarship to a CHS senior who plans to pursue a degree or certificate from a
017technical trade school or community college. Congratulations to Kate Jackson, this year's recipient. [applause] Students have the opportunity to be recognized by the state of Illinois for earning proficiency in English and one additional language as part of the biiteracy program. Two honors are available. the commendation toward biiteracy and the seal of biiteracy. These two honors require test scores in both English and a second language. We are currently awaiting Apple results for a few students. However, those students who have already earned accommodation towards biiteracy for Spanish are I've got a several start coming up, but please hold the applause so I can everyone can hear everyone's name. Colton Aguar, Max Anderson, Anthony Hour, Ava Bergseker, Carly Chambers, Skyler Durban, Grace Lubers, Molly Mlan, Madison McClean, Abby Meny, Genevie Najenko, and Eliia Nygard. [applause] Go ahead and get
018a picture as a group. >> This next group of students are being awarded the top honor of seal by liter by literacy for Spanish. have several Lily Arnold, Quinn Bahan, Ava Crabtree, Olivia Mercer, Addison Muran, Emily Webb. [applause] And then we have those who've earned accommodation towards biiteracy for German. Harvey Alers, Casey Bernard, Caleb Blair, Alina Sinclair, and Jonah Velnowski. [applause] One student is being awarded the top honor of the seal of bilitery for German. Congratulations to Hannah Noah. >> [applause] >> German Honor Society. Our next recognition will be presented to the new inductees of the Delta Epsilon FI, the German National Honor Society. We might need to wait till those students get back. I'm gonna skip that one and come back to it. Shelter Insurance Scholarship. The Shelter Insurance Foundation Agent Scholarship Program awards
019scholarships up to $2,000 to graduating high school seniors in communities with a Shelter Mutual Insurance Company agent. Congratulations to Madison Mlan on this award. She had just stepped up. I'll wait. I'll wait and we'll redo that. The shelter insurance $2,000 scholarship goes to Madison McClean. She heard us. She came back. [applause] Jumping back to our German Honor Society. New inductees of the Delta Epsilon Fi, the German National Honor Society. The following students have completed at least three semesters of German with a 3.3 gradepoint average in German and have an overall grade point average of three on a 4.0 scale. Please come forward. I'll read several names. Harvey Alers, Casey Bernard, Charles Bass, Caleb Blair, Landon Hull, Hannah Noah, Alina Stlair, Addison Tar, and Jonah Velnowski. [applause] Monroe County Licensed Beverage Association Scholarship is next. The
020association awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student from each high school in Monroe County. Selection criteria includes ACT scores, essay, school and community involvement, and grade point average. Congratulations to this year's recipient, Molly Mlan. >> [applause] >> Robert Holden Memorial Scholarship. Miss Miller will be presenting. Bob Holden was born and raised in Columbia and graduated from CHS in 1965. Due to financial challenges, he was unable to complete college and instead worked various jobs before enlisting in the military. He was deployed to Vietnam where he gave his life on May 7th, 1968, just 8 days before his 23rd birthday. In honor of Mr. Holt and other CHS alumni who have served our country, four $500 scholarships are being awarded to CHS seniors pursuing further education at a college, university, or technical school. Those four recipients are
021Grace Hunucker, Camry Johnson, Jameson Meyers, and Kale Reigns. [applause] the Columbia American Legion Post 581 and Ladies Auxiliary Unit 581. one. Are you going to present that one, too? Would you guys wait for her to come in? She's going to give the next award, too. So, take a picture. Wait for her for the picture. The Columbia American Legion is awarding six $500 scholarships to graduating seniors or children or grandchildren of veterans and planning to attend a two-year or four-year college, university, or technical school. This year's winners are Ella her, Cheyenne May, Molly Mlan, Maya McTurnan, Olivia Mercer, and Hannah Noah. [applause] It is for $1,000. I I'm corrected. Crawford Bryant Foundation Scholarship. presented by Miss Lure and Mr. Bryant. It's a $10,000 scholarship being awarded to a graduating senior from Columbia High School, has a
022minimum 3.25 GPA and plans to further their education at a two-year trade school or a 4-year university in construction related fields. Congratulations to Kate Jackson. [applause] Do they read this one? >> Okay. Next, we have the Zimmer family scholarship. Mr. Perry will come up. >> Morning everyone. Uh my name is Jack Perry. I uh work at Archford Capital in Swansea, Illinois. Uh it is my pleasure to present the Edgar R. Zimmer Award to the Zimmer scholars for this year. Um so Mr. Zimmer was a a member or a community member of Monroe County who believed in uh the best way to give back to his community was furthering the education of the next generations. Um so I'm really happy to be here and award the Zimmer scholars. Um and I will read those now. Uh
023first up we have Skyler Durban. [applause] Next we have uh Grace Huner. [applause] And finally we have Camry Johnson. [applause] Thank you. >> That scholarship is for $6,000 a year and can be renewed up to four years for a total of $24,000. Matilda and Edward Door Scholarship. Mr. Gene Door was a 1954 CHS graduate and a lifelong resident of Colombia. After graduation, he attended college and became an aerospace engineer at Boeing. Mr. Door passed away in late 2022 and upon his death, the Matilda and Edward Door Memorial Scholarship Trust was established. This trust was established to benefit the graduates of Columbia High School in honor of his parents, Matilda and Edward. Since this scholarship's inception three years ago, $381,000 in scholarships have been awarded. And this trust will provide scholarships to CHS graduates for many
024years to come. Today, this generous scholarship trust will be awarding over 1,000 I'm sorry, $125,000 to eight recipients. Congratulations. First, there are three one-time $5,000 scholarships being awarded to Kyle Chud, Caroline Denny, and Ethan Habmill. [applause] two one-time $7,500 scholarships being awarded to Lily Arnold and Hope Schwarz. [applause] Two onetime $10,000 scholarships being awarded to Camry Johnson and Kai Sanchez. >> [applause] >> Don't let anybody ever tell you you're not going to be anything because you all are. You're all going to do something wonderful. I know. [applause] [cheering] >> Don't forget to get your picture, Kai. [applause] >> Don't forget to get your picture, Kai. Thanks for the words. [cheering] [applause] >> Here's the last part of the Matilda and Edward Door scholarship. a four-year scholarship covering 50% of the recipients tuition in the amount
025of 18 $18,798 per year totaling just over $75,000 over four years being awarded to Skyler Durban. [applause] It's my great pleasure to announce that as of this senior breakfast, the class of 2026 has been awarded an outstanding $878,000 in scholarships for their first year of education. Some of those were for multiple years. That's just for first year. [applause] We also recognize that further scholarships will be awarded, but that's a great total, incredible total. Congratulations to all of our students on these outstanding achievements. On behalf of the administration, faculty, staff, school board, we are incredibly proud of you. Wish you the very best in your future endeavors. Thank you to all the families that have joined us online this morning. We're now ending the live stream so our graduates complete the checkout process. We'll be back
02610:15, 10:30 with our senior signing. See you then. Thank you. [applause]