Young Women of Achievement Awards presented to Belleville high school seniors

Each year the Belle Clair Rotary Club, with the Belleville News-Democrat, presents the Young Women of Achievement Awards to graduating seniors attending the four Belleville high schools. These students have excelled in the fields of academics, the arts, athletics and community service. These awards are a way to publicly acknowledge the contributions these individuals make to the community.

Here are the recipients of the 2020 Young Women of Achievement Awards:

Academic Award Winners

Abigail Lanter, Althoff Catholic High School

Abbigail is a 2019 Illinois State Scholar who is in the running for class valedictorian. She carries an all-honors class schedule and is enrolled in St. Louis University 1818 courses at Althoff. She has been awarded the St. Thomas Aquinas academic scholarship at Althoff as well as the Southeast Missouri State University scholarship and the KMOX Student Achievement Award.

In 2018, Abigail attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar that provides students the opportunity to expand their leadership skills. She is a member of the National Honor Society and student council as well as secretary of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Abigail excels as a member of the varsity soccer and volleyball teams.

While actively participating in these extracurricular activities, she maintained a 4.0 GPA and attained High Honor Roll each semester of high school. Abigail attended the Boeing Girls in Engineering Day and completed the Boeing Education Relations Introduction to Coding Course which has given her a jump start in her plans to pursue a degree in engineering.

Her parents are Sue and Matt Lanter of Swansea.

Diana Hoerner, Belleville East High School

During her high school career, Diana maintained a 5.0 weighted GPA and is ranked first in a class of 588. One of Diana’s teachers described her as having “more than intelligence, more than self-discipline, more than an inquisitive mind — she is that rare combination that distinguishes the best of the best.”

Diana served as a member of the BASIC Youth Board for four years. She is an Illinois State Scholar and was selected to serve as a juror with Teen Court of St. Clair County. Diana is a member of the English Honors Society, Beta Chi Phi Science Honors Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honors Society and the Rho Kappa Social Studies Honors Society.

She is a four-year member of the varsity swim team and is an assistant coach for the swim team. Diana has been the manager of the varsity boys’ volleyball team since her freshman year. One teacher stated that Diana is “among the best of the honors students I have taught in my 30 years and inspires other students to excel.”

Diana is the daughter of Katie and Garrett Hoerner of Belleville.

Johanna Holm, Belleville West High School

Johanna has carried a full load of AP/Honors classes in each of her high school years. She is ranked No. 1 in a class of 503 students. She earned a 5.0 GPA on a 4.0 Scale. Johanna is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Model UN, English Honor Society, Student Council, Little Theater and the BASIC board. As a member of the Speech and Acting Team for four years, she competes in two different speaking and acting events at tournaments, receiving many awards.

In 2019, Johanna finished in the top 60 competitors in the nation in extemporaneous speaking at the National Speech and Debate Association Tournament. She created and implemented a summer theatre camp for younger students. She also volunteered at the Millstadt Senior Center, Adapt for Autism Camp and the Belleville Humane Society. She plans to study math at a college in the Chicago area. One of her teachers stated that “The world needs leaders who are compassionate, intelligent, and giving. Johanna is just the kind of person that we need to lead us into the future.”

Johanna is the daughter of Nancy and Matthew Holm of Millstadt.

Arts Award Winners

Audrey Beyersdorfer, Althoff Catholic High School

Audrey began her drama career at the age of 7 in her first musical production at Althoff, continuing that participation for the past 11 years. She has played many supporting leads and has choreographed numerous productions. Audrey has been a studio dancer for eight years and a varsity dance team member for four years, acting as captain for two years.

She spent multiple summers in New York, Chicago and St. Louis for dance intensives. Variety Children’s Theatre is a professional theater company for youth with disabilities where Audrey worked alongside theater professionals as well as the children.

In her junior year, she was first chair trumpeter and helped lead the band with a series of solos. Audrey has been a member of the mixed chorus and liturgical choir. She was selected to be a member of the Honors All-State choir at the 2019 Illinois Music Education Conference. Although she received a talent-based scholarship to Millikin University, Audrey is undecided where she wants to earn her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre. With her degree, she wants to open a studio for all ages with disabilities. Audrey believes art is a vital part of life.

Her parents are Dr. Kevin and Valerie Beyersdorfer.

Gwynne McGrady, Belleville East High School

During her high school career, Gwynne has been a member of the top ensembles at school as well as in the district. For the past two years, she has been an Illinois Music Educator Association All-State musician and the Marching Band High Brass Sergeant. At the 2019 Marching Panther Invitational, she was selected as the Eastern Illinois University Outstanding Soloist. Gwynne plays the violin and French horn at nursing homes and churches and leads the high brass in the marching band.

Gwynne maintains a 4.65 weighted GPA and ranks 49th in a class of 591. She is a member of the National Science, German, Tri-M and National Honor Societies. She is captain of the Scholar Bowl and participates in the German Bowl. Gywnne plans to major in Architectural Studies and minor in Music at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. She wants to create energy efficient buildings that have a lower carbon footprint on the environment and combat climate change.

She is the daughter of Becky and Dr. Murray McGrady of Swansea.

Delaney Holliday, Belleville West High School

Delaney is a well-rounded student artist and excels in acting, singing and the visual arts. She was the lead in the Illinois High School Theater Festival’s All-State production of “Aida” and was a 2019 nominee for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her performance in “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

Delaney won the 2019 state championship in dramatic interpretation and placed third in state in poetry reading. She qualified for the 2020 National Speech and Debate tournament to be held in June in Albuquerque.

Delaney won first place at the National Association of Teachers of Singing Midwest regional contest. Delaney is a two-time Belleville young idol voice competition champion.

In visual arts, Delaney was an Artists’ Choice Winner in Art on the Square. At the 2020 IHSA State Speech tournament, Delaney won the state championship in both prose reading and poetry reading. This makes her the first student in school history to win multiple state championships for the speech & acting team.

Delaney’s parents are Donna and Charles Holliday of Belleville.

Dehlia Odom, Governor French Academy

Dehlia participated in the Governor French Academy drama program for the past five years. She performed in two plays each year including “Doctor Faustus,” “The Bacchae” and in multiple Shakespeare productions. In addition to being a performing artist, Dehlia is also a talented photographer, writer, painter and poet.

When she is not working on her studies, Dehlia concentrates on her writing. She was recognized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars for an essay she wrote. She is currently working on a few short stories — “The Two Brothers,” “The Storyteller and the Fallen Crown.” Dehlia is a serious student and is often on the honor roll. She is an active member of the Key Club, Student Council, Math Counts and Science Fair.

Dehlia is the daughter of LaTonya Odom of East St. Louis.

Athletics Award Winners

Mary Wessel, Althoff Catholic High School

Mary has excelled in three varsity sports throughout her high school career. She is a three-year varsity basketball player and has been a starter for four years in varsity soccer and volleyball. Mary is a class 3A volleyball state champion and a soccer class 1A third-place finisher. She has played club volleyball for three years for HP Illinois Volleyball Club and Blue Steel Volleyball Club. Mary was named captain of the Althoff volleyball and soccer team and of her club soccer team.

In volleyball, Mary was named MaxPreps’ Illinois Setter of the Week; second team All State; second team STL all area; first team Belleville Area and all conference first Team. In soccer, she was named to the all-sectional team and all conference first team. In 2018, Mary finished 16th with her partner at the Sands Volleyball Nationals in Siesta Key, Florida.

In the past four years, Mary has been on the high honor roll, a member of the National Honor Society and Illinois State Scholar. She has maintained a 5.0/5 weighted GPA and scored 1340 on her SAT.

Mary’s parents are Christine and Jim Wessel of Waterloo.

Joanna Skaer, Belleville East High School

Joanna has been a member of the East tennis team for four years. She is captain of the tennis team and was named to the First Team All-Conference three times. Joanna was awarded Most Improved player in the Southeastern Conference in two consecutive years. According to her coach, players seldom receive that award twice.

Joanna is a leader of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; manager of the boys’ tennis and girls’ basketball teams. Joanna is a member of the Spanish Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, Beta Chi Phi and Young Republicans. She is active in her church as a server and trains others on how to serve.

Joanna maintains a 4.6/5 weighted GPA and scored 1390 on the SAT. Joanna’s future education plans are to apply to Murray State University and major in Nursing. She enjoys babysitting with babies and young children and hopes to work in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit once she earns a nursing degree.

Joanna is the daughter of Trish and Dan Skaer of Swansea.

Jessica Coughlin, Belleville West High School

Jessica has taken part in varsity basketball, softball, varsity track and cross country. In 2018, she was the Rookie of the Year in Cross County, Academic All-Conference Track team, First Team All-Conference in the 4x100 relay and First Team Softball All-Conference Outfield. Jessica was a State Qualifier for the 100, 200, 400 and 4x100 races. At the St. Clair County Track Meet, she placed first in the 100 and 400 and at the Sectional Track meet she was first in the 400 and second in the 200.

Jessica maintains a weighted 5.0/5 GPA and ranks first in her class of 503. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, English Honor Society and Rho Kappa. Jessica has given back to her community by reading to the blind at Mind’s Eye Radio. She volunteered at Eden’s Army Trivia event and the Shriners 5K Run. One of her teachers noted that “Along with her academic and co-curricular pursuits, Jessica stays grounded and is committed to her school, family and community.”

Her parents are Dana and Craig Coughlin of Millstadt.

Community Service Award Winners

Olivia Underwood, Althoff Catholic High School

Olivia is co-president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a member of the Rotary Interact Club, the National Honors Society, Student Ambassadors and has served on the Student Council. She serves as a sacristan and Eucharistic minister for Althoff school masses.

Olivia has served as a peer juror for four years as an active member of the St. Clair County Teen Court. She is an Illinois State Scholar and was accepted in the Commonwealth Honors Academy at Murray State University where she took college courses and did volunteer work with children in the community. Olivia is a member of the Metro East Lodge Council of Camp Ondessonk.

Olivia is a member of the girls’ soccer team and co-captain of the varsity cheerleading team. Olivia earned a 4.87/5 weighted GPA. After graduation, Olivia plans to study biology at a university yet to be determined.

Olivia is the daughter of Missy and Tom Underwood of O’Fallon.

Kaylynn Schwoebel, Belleville East High School

Kaylynn is a member and leader of multiple school and community organizations. She serves on the BASIC (Belleville Achieves Strength in Character) Youth board, which provides service projects designed to improve the community. She served as a mentor in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.

She is president of the Key Club as well as the Helping Others Excel Club and is a member of the Saturday Scholars Program and the Belleville East Marching Lancers. She is secretary of the Octagon Club, a community service organization. Kaylynn is a member of the Girl Scouts and earned the Girl Scout Silver Award in 2016.

She participates in the orchestra, hand bell choir, puppet ministry and is a Children’s Program Assistant at St. Matthew UMC. Kaylynn is a member of the English, Spanish, Math, Science and National Honor societies. She volunteers with the American Heart Association as a CPR Instructor. Kaylynn was recognized as a St. Clair County State Scholar. She maintains a 4.9/5 weighted GPA.

Her parents are Karen and Michael Schwoebel of Belleville.

Rachael Rosenstengel, Belleville West High School

In her freshman year, Rachael was a nominated recipient of the Mighty Maroon Award, which recognizes students who embody the characteristics of an ideal student. She is on the Yearbook Leadership team serving as the copy editor.

Rachael has volunteered more than 160 hours at the school’s Bridges Program which provides education for students ages 19-21 with severe disabilities. Rachael is a talented karate student, earning a Green Belt and aspires to earn her Black Belt. Her enthusiastic approach resulted in recruiting nine new families for her karate school after speaking to them at a park event.

She was chosen to intern and teach new skills to the younger karate classes. Rachael has been described as someone who goes above and beyond to be the very best she can be and to help others do the same. Rachael earned a 4.0/4 GPA. Her future plans are to study biology in college. She will be attending Illinois College.

Her parents are Stephanie and Jeremy Rosenstengel.

Lili Smith, Governor French Academy

Lili has been an active member of the Key Club for three years. She ensures that the school Key Club is connected to the Kiwanis Club by attending meetings and events. She attended each Kiwanis Key Club district committee meeting, the fall leadership rally and all club events in the past three years.

Lili is a volunteer at the Belleville Area Humane Society and organized a service project for the animal shelter. Lili tutors students with academic challenges. She is a member of the school Drama Club with leading roles in annual productions. Lili held board positions in the World Language Club.

She competed as a member of the Math Counts Team and Academic (ACES) Team. Lili is a competitive ballet dancer for 12 years with the World Class Talent Experience. Lili received a $50,000 scholarship to Knox College and plans to major in business administration and minor in arts administration and dance studies.

Her parents are Carrie and Richard Smith of Cahokia.

This story was originally published April 10, 2020 at 5:00 AM.