The 2024-2025 boys high school basketball team, cheerleaders, and pep band all had their senior night on Friday, February 14th. There are five senior boys on the team. Number 50, Aidan Anderson is the son of Beth Williams-Anderson and Matt Anderson. Aidan plans on playing basketball at Rend Lake and majoring in sports medicine after high school. The next Senior is number 1, Parker Wiese; he is the son of Tom and Rhonda Wiese. After high school, Parker plans on attending Williams Wood University, playing on the golf team and majoring in accounting. Number 22, Calvin Maynard is the son of Justin and Carrie Maynard. Calvin is also a member of the band and has been for the last four years. He plans on attending McKendree University and is undecided on his career. The next senior is number 12, Thor Gavin, he has also been a member of the band for four years. He is the son of Derek and Jessica Gavin, he plans on attending McKendree, majoring in Cyber Security after high school. The last Senior is John Schaller. He is number 30 and also plays in the band. He is the son of Jeff and Karen Schaller. John plans on attending Kaskaskia College and majoring in engineering.
Five senior cheerleaders were announced on Friday. Alyssa Statler is the daughter of Jason and April Statler. Alyssa plans on attending SIUE and majoring in nursing after high school. Payton Meier is the daughter of Jonathan and Shannon Meier. Payton is currently undecided about her plan after high school. Madelyn Epplin is the daughter of Eric Epplin and Amanda Surman-Epplin. Her plans for after high school are to attend Kaskaskia College, and she is undecided on her major. Sidney Charles is the daughter of Eric and Mariah Charles. Sidney plans to attend the University of Evansville to run track and cross country and get a degree in exercise sciences with a direct entry into physical therapy. The final senior cheerleader is Kaylyn Cragen; she is the daughter of Scott and Jenn Cragen. Kaylyn plans on furthering her academic and athletic career by attending Shawnee Community College and playing for their softball team. She plans to get a degree in either occupational therapy or nursing.
Fourteen seniors are members of the pep band. Three of them are also players on the basketball team: John Schaller, Thor Gavin, and Calvin Maynard. The rest of the seniors were also recognized that night. First, Sarah and Laura Cook are the daughters of Tim and Cathy Cook. Laura plans on pursuing a degree in Political Science and then into pre-law at Saint Louis University. Sarah plans to attend Illinois State to major in sound design, with a minor in electrical engineering. Next, Nolan Frantz is the son of Rachel Lehde and Jason Frantz. Following is Jackson Althoff, the son of Jeff Althoff and Miranda Kelly. Jackson plans on attending Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and getting a major in Secondary Education. Evan Stine is the son of Darren Stine and Kristin Nordling. Evan plans on going to Kaskaskia College and getting his general studies while he is there. Wyatt Kuhn is the son of Nick and Erin Kuhn. Wyatt is currently undecided about his plans after high school. Madison Gogolek is the daughter of Chad and Stephanie Gogolek. Madison plans on either going to Kaskaskia College or Southwestern Illinois College and getting a degree in education. Katie Forgy is the daughter of Nicole and Danny Bassen. Katie plans on attending Kaskaskia College and entering into their cosmetology program. Colten Kampwerth is the son of Brian and Angie Kampwerth. Colten Kamwerth is currently undecided on his plans. Paige Kolweier is the daughter of Levi and Renee Kolweier. Paige recently got accepted into Ball State University in Indiana and she plans on going there and getting a degree in audiology. Laurie Mueth is the daughter of Dondra and Bradley Mueth. Laurie is planning to go to Eastern Illinois University for a degree in music education.
We are so thankful we got to celebrate all of our wonderful senior students this year! The high school boys pulled out an outstanding win, defeating the Wesclin Warriors 64-58. Leading the Rockets in scoring was Aidan Anderson with 30 points. Following was Braylen Turner with 17 and Landen Shubert with 8. Calvin Maynard had 3 and Ryker Obermeier with 1. Overall, the Rockets performed very well for their senior night and we are very proud of them.