The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.



Illini West Class of 2019 Top Students

Four students at Illini West Class of 2019 graduated with top honors and were recognized during Illini West Graduation ceremony in Carthage on Sunday, May 19th. The ceremony which began at 2:00 p.m., efficiently recognized top honors, heard speeches, and handed out graduation diplomas to 86 students before a packed crowd in less than 50 minutes.

Pictured are the four students who graduated Summa Cum Laude with a GPA of 3.900-4.000. From left to right are:

Ali Bliss, Matthew Greiner, Karli Norman and Katelyn Murphy.

Seven students earned MAGNA CUM LAUDE (GPA of 3.750-3.890):

Trinity Burton, Sydney Carlisle, Karlynn Flynn, Kendra Johnson, Matthew Peacock, Samuel Todd and Hannah Wood.

Two students earned CUM LAUDE (GPA of 3.600-3.749):

Ty Jackson and Elizabeth Talley.

National Honor Society members were each announced and asked to stand: Ali Bliss, Michaela Broadwater, Sydney Carlisle, Jake Garnett, Matthew Greiner, Ty Jackson, Kendra Johnson, Wyatt Johnson, Katie Kaminski, Katelyn Murphy, Karli Norman, Elizabeth Talley, Nick Vorhies, and Hannah Wood.

American Legion Good Citizen Awards were awarded to Matthew Peacock and Karli Norman by Darrell Kraft. Mr. Kraft said there were three graduates who were going into the military: Nora Gittings-United States Army; Cody Marshall-National Guard; and Austin Rampley-United States Army.

Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award went to Ty Jackson, presented by Joyce Buckert.

The ceremony opened and closed with the American Legion presenting the colors and then retiring the colors.

The invocation and benediction was given by Tanner Miller.