Chester Community School District 139

Chester High School crowns new royalty at 2026 Prom (1 of 2)
King and Queen are Isaac Sims and Camryn Wolff; Prince and Princess are Karim Landeros and Aubrey Colvis
By Jim Beers
Chester High School Prom was Saturday April 11. The event was held at Juergens Gymnasium at CHS. Doors opened to the Dance at 7:00 p.m. Music was provided by D.J. Aiden Blechle. The theme was, “Be Our Guest”, of Disney fame.
The CHS Student Council sponsored the event and had the gym beautifully decorated. CHS staff members Adrianne Kern and Erin Conley are Co-Sponsors of the group and supervised 2026 Prom Week activities.
Upon arrival at the dance, attendees entered the event through the breezeway doors where they checked-in by CHS staff member Vickie Hoskin. They were then screened by two friendly Chester Policemen with bretherlizers.
Supervising the back hallway throughout the evening was CHS Assistant Principal Robin Barton. Principal Jeremy Blechle and teacher Dwight Lochhead were present in the gymnasium throughout the evening to supervise the dancing.
An annual highlight of the affair was the coronation of the 2026 Prom Royalty. Retiring 2025 Prom Royalty were on hand to turn over their positions to the newly elected 2026 Royalty. A popular vote of all students selected the 2026 CHS King and Queen as well as the 2026 Prince and Princess.
The Coronation took place at 9:00 p.m. with the doors opening to the public at 8:30 p.m. By 9:00 p.m. the entire bleachers were filled with both CHS students and parents and friends of the attendees.
From 7:00 p.m. until the actual coronation, the lights were dimmed and D.J. Aiden Blechle entertained with popular music. At 8:30 p.m. parents, family, and interested community members began to enter Juergens Gymnasium and anxiously awaited the announcement of the 2026 Prom Royalty.

PHOTO 1
2026 CHS Prom Junior Prince and Princess Candidates Zane Eggemeyer & Aubrey Colvis. Jim Beers Photo

PHOTO 2
2026 CHS Prom Junior Prince and Princess Candidates Karim Landeros & Aleah Eggemeyer. Jim Beers Photo

PHOTO 3
2026 CHS Prom Senior King and Queen Candidates Ethan Colvis & Addison Gottschammer. Jim Beers Photo

PHOTO 4
2026 CHS Prom Senior King and Queen Candidates Brayden Juenger & Annah Helvey-Ahring. Jim Beers Photo

PHOTO 5
2026 CHS Prom Senior King and Queen Candidates Isaac Sims & Camryn Wolff. Jim Beers Photo

CGS presents 26 HIVE awards
Students are rewarded for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility, and Empathy
BY JIM BEERS
Chester Grade School recognized 26 students on Friday April 10, 2026 in grades Kindergarten through 8th, for demonstrating the “HIVE” PBIS good character traits of either Respect, Responsibility, Safety, or Empathy.
There are four “HIVE” PBIS characteristics that teachers and staff at CGS look for and encourage every day. Students are praised for 1) Having Respect, 2) Initiating Responsibility, Valuing Safety, and Encouraging Empathy.
Teachers and staff can nominate students for demonstrating one or more of these traits. Nominations are made twice a month. Students caught using at least one of these traits are eligible for nomination.
For the Friday April 10, 2026 awards program there were 26 students who received awards, 11 for Respect, 12 for Responsibility, and 3 for Empathy. Those students are listed below.
RESPECT: (11)
Wendell Quintana, Kindergarten; Raelyn Downey, 2nd Grade; Emma Davitz & Juana Lopez, 3rd Grade; Maria Cardona-Lopez & Karson Hecht, 4th Grade; and Lucas Maes, Michael Martin, Katelyn Middendorf, Lowell Braddy, & Violet Carter, 6th Grade.
RESPONSIBILITY: (12)
Alana Guzman Salinas, Kindergarten; Fayth Davitz & Zachary Dillman, 1st Grade; Jensen Fadler & Mateo Lopez, 3rd Grade; Gracelynn Ebers, 4th Grade; Arizona Rose, 5th Grade; Presley Howell, 6th Grade; Gage Williams & Carter Davitz, 7th Grade; Camryn Petrowske, 8th Grade; and one 2nd Grade student who is not publishable.
EMPATHY: (3)
Paisley Eckert, 2nd Grade; and Gio Munoz & Braden Lloyd, 8th Grade.
Each student was recognized Friday April 10`, 2026. Each also received a certificate and all recipients were included in a group photo. Kasey Crook, School Counselor, coordinates the “HIVE” PBIS awards program.

CHS PROM 2025
Be Our Guest
Congratulations to this year's Prom King and Queen, Isaac Sims and Camryn Wolff as well as Prince and Princess, Karim Landeros and Aubrey Colvis!

PROM DE CHS 2025
Be Our Guest
¡Felicitaciones al Rey y la Reina del baile de este año, Isaac Sims y Camryn Wolff, así como al Príncipe y la Princesa, Karim Landeros y Aubrey Colvis!

CHS PROM 2026 COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
On Saturday, April 11, 2026, a wedding is scheduled at the large shelterhouse at Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. Students planning to take prom photos at this location are asked to finish by 1:00 PM, when event staff will begin preparations.
We appreciate your cooperation in helping ensure all groups can enjoy the space and have a memorable day. Thank you.

ANUNCIO COMUNITARIO DEL PROM DE CHS 2026
El sábado 11 de abril de 2026, se llevará a cabo una boda en el refugio grande del sitio histórico estatal Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site. Se solicita a los estudiantes que planean tomarse fotos de graduación en este lugar que concluyan antes de la 1:00 p. m., momento en que el personal del evento comenzará con los preparativos.
Agradecemos su cooperación para garantizar que todos los grupos puedan disfrutar del espacio y tener un día memorable. Gracias.

CHS is hosting a blood drive in Juergen's Gym on Tuesday, April 28th.
To donate blood, sign up on the American Red Cross' website: RedCrossBlood.org.
We hope to see you there!

CHS: DONACIÓN DE SANGRE
CHS está organizando una campaña de donación de sangre en el Gimnasio Juergens el martes 28 de abril.
Para donar sangre, inscríbase en el sitio web de la Cruz Roja Americana: RedCrossBlood.org.
¡Esperamos verlo allí!

Chester High School announces 2026 Prom Court
Prom is Saturday April 11
BY JIM BEERS
It is Prom Week 2026 at Chester High School and Wednesday April 8 the 2026 Prom Court was announced. Prom is this Saturday April 11 and throughout the week of April 6-10 students and staff at CHS have been celebrating with exciting events leading up to the big night, Saturday April 11, when the 2026 CHS Prom King and Queen and Prince and Princess will be revealed.
The 2026 Prom Court consists of ten Chester High School students, six seniors and four juniors. The six seniors will vie for Prom King and Queen, and the four juniors will make up the Prince and Princess candidates.
Senior King Candidates are Ethan Colvis, Brayden Juenger, and Isaac Sims. Senior Queen Candidates are Annah Helvey-Ahring, Addison Gottschammer, and Camryn Wolff. Junior Prince Candidates are Zane Eggemeyer and Karim Landeros. Junior Princess Candidates are Aubrey Colvis and Aleah Eggemeyer.
This year’s Prom Theme is, “Be Our Guest”. Prom is this Saturday April 11. The dance starts at 7:00 p.m. with the 2026 Prom Coronation taking place at 9:00 p.m. The public is invited to attend the coronation. Doors open to the public at 8:30 p.m. The dance and coronation will be held at Chester High School’s Juergens Gymnasium. The event (dance) will conclude at 10:00 p.m.
Students and staff have been celebrating Prom Week with dress up days throughout the week, Monday thru Friday. Student Council members are preparing to decorate Juergens Gym and a prom court photo was taken Wednesday April 8. Adrianne Kern and Erin Conley are CHS Student Council Co-Sponsors.

The Chester High School 2026 Prom Court includes (Front Row, Left to Right): Aubrey Colvis, Junior Princess Candidate; Annah Helvey-Ahring, Senior Queen Candidate; Addison Gottschammer, Senior Queen Candidate; Camryn Wolff, Senior Queen Candidate; and Aleah Eggemeyer, Junior Princess Candidate. (Back Row, Left to Right): Zane Eggemeyer, Junior Prince Candidate; Isaac Sims, Senior King Candidate; Ethan Colvis, Senior King Candidate; Brayden Juenger, Senior King Candidate; and Karim Landeros, Junior Prince Candidate. Prom is Saturday April 11, from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. in Juergens Gymnasium. Coronation is at 9:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Doors will open to the public at 8:30 p.m. This year's Prom theme is, "Be Our Guest". Jim Beers Photo

Chester High School 2026 Prom Court

Senior King Candidates:
Ethan Colvis, Brayden Juenger, Isaac Sims

Senior Queen Candidates:
Addison Gottschammer, Annah Helvey Ahring, Camryn Wolff

Junior Prince Candidates:
Zane Eggemeyer, Karim Landeros

Junior Princess Candidates:
Aubrey Colvis, Aleah Eggemeyer

Corte de Prom 2026 de Chester High School

Candidatos a Rey (Senior):
Ethan Colvis, Brayden Juenger, Isaac Sims

Candidatas a Reina (Senior):
Addison Gottschammer, Annah Helvey Ahring, Camryn Wolff

Candidatos a Príncipe (Junior):
Zane Eggemeyer, Karim Landeros

Candidatas a Princesa (Junior):
Aubrey Colvis, Aleah Eggemeyer

CHS: DISTINGUISHED YELLOW JACKETS ANNOUNCEMENT
Join us in this celebration of our appreciation of the unique impact of our students on our staff and learning community. This honor recognizes students who make positive contributions to the lives of staff and fellow students and who have a meaningful impact on the overall climate of our school. Learn why each of these students selected to be recognized as a Distinguished Yellow Jacket.

Chester High School Distinguished Yellow Jacket Ceremony
Monday, April 13th, 2026, 6:30pm
Colbert Memorial Gymnasium
Please enter through the Professor Sharp Cafeteria, door open to the public 6:00pm.

CHS: ANUNCIO DE DISTINGUISHED YELLOW JACKETS
Acompáñenos en esta celebración en la que reconocemos y apreciamos el impacto único de nuestros estudiantes en nuestro personal y en la comunidad educativa. Este honor reconoce a los estudiantes que hacen contribuciones positivas a la vida del personal y de sus compañeros, y que tienen un impacto significativo en el clima general de nuestra escuela. Conozca por qué cada uno de estos estudiantes ha sido seleccionado para ser reconocido como un Distinguished Yellow Jacket.

Ceremonia de Distinguished Yellow Jacket de Chester High School
Lunes, 13 de abril de 2026, 6:30 p. m.
Gimnasio Memorial Colbert
Por favor ingrese por la Cafetería Professor Sharp; las puertas estarán abiertas al público a las 6:00 p.m.

Dear Chester Families,

We are excited to announce our upcoming Preschool Screening for all children who will be 3 years old on or before September 1, 2026. Screenings will take place on April 21, 2026, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

To participate, you must schedule an appointment by calling Rebecca at 618-822-0829 or by emailing rebeccahanna@chester139.com.

Please note that there will be no school for all preschool and Early Childhood (EC) students on this day due to screenings.

We look forward to meeting our future students! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

CECC STAFF OF THE MONTH
It's time to cast your vote for CECC Staff of the Month for March!
Use the link below to nominate who you feel deserves recognition!
Nominations will close on April 15, 2026 at 3:00 pm.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduZ-5jfftrGx_qSRMAbdO0mYK1TSwdcGrSVPRCj5j-jhuNjg/viewform?usp=dialog

CECC: EMPLEADO DEL MES
¡Es hora de emitir su voto para el Empleado del Mes de marzo de CECC!
Utilice el enlace a continuación para nominar a quien considere que merece reconocimiento.
Las nominaciones se cerrarán el 15 de abril de 2026 a las 3:00 p. M.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSduZ-5jfftrGx_qSRMAbdO0mYK1TSwdcGrSVPRCj5j-jhuNjg/viewform?usp=dialog

CGS & CHS: NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL APPRECIATION WEEK
Chester Grade School and Chester High School would like to recognize and thank Dr. Kristin Petrowke (CGS), Mrs. Robin Barton (CHS) for their service to our students, building and community.
Thank you for all you do for our students!

CGS y CHS: SEMANA NACIONAL DE APRECIACIÓN A LOS SUBDIRECTORES
La Escuela Primaria de Chester y la Escuela Secundaria de Chester desean reconocer y agradecer a la Dra. Kristin Petrowke (CGS) y a la Sra. Robin Barton (CHS) por su servicio a nuestros estudiantes, a nuestras escuelas y a la comunidad.
¡Gracias por todo lo que hacen por nuestros estudiantes!

Family Fun Night is back April 20th! All Chester School District families are invited to an evening of board games, basketball, dodgeball, MarioKart, delicious snacks, and exciting prize drawings. It's the perfect night to connect, play, and have fun together. RSVP now!

Chester High School, April 20th, 5:00-7:00pm
RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/RNp1mSJaDYLJ9nPZA

¡La Noche de Diversión Familiar regresa el 20 de abril!
Todas las familias del Distrito Escolar de Chester están invitadas a una noche de juegos de mesa, baloncesto, dodgeball, Mario Kart, deliciosos bocadillos y emocionantes sorteos de premios. Es la noche perfecta para convivir, jugar y divertirse juntos. ¡Confirme su asistencia ahora!

Chester High School, 20 de abril, 5:00–7:00 p. m.
Enlace para confirmar asistencia (RSVP): https://forms.gle/RNp1mSJaDYLJ9nPZA

CHS COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT
Earlier today, Thursday, April 2, at approximately 1:30 p.m., social media posts circulated regarding a possible threat near Chester High School. School administration, in coordination with local law enforcement, promptly investigated these claims and determined them to be unfounded and generated using artificial intelligence.
We want to reassure our community that any report of a potential threat is taken seriously and addressed immediately in partnership with law enforcement to ensure the continued safety of our students and staff.
Thank you for your patience and continued support.

CHS: ANUNCIO A LA COMUNIDAD
Hoy más temprano, jueves 2 de abril, aproximadamente a la 1:30 p. m., circularon en redes sociales publicaciones sobre una posible amenaza cerca de Chester High School. La administración escolar, en coordinación con las autoridades locales, investigó de inmediato estas afirmaciones y determinó que eran infundadas y generadas mediante inteligencia artificial.
Queremos asegurar a nuestra comunidad que cualquier reporte de una posible amenaza se toma con seriedad y se atiende de inmediato en colaboración con las autoridades para garantizar la seguridad continua de nuestros estudiantes y del personal.
Gracias por su paciencia y continuo apoyo.

Family Fun Night is back April 20th! All Chester School District families are invited to an evening of board games, basketball, dodgeball, MarioKart, delicious snacks, and exciting prize drawings. It's the perfect night to connect, play, and have fun together. RSVP now!

Chester High School, April 20th, 5:00-7:00pm
RSVP Link: https://forms.gle/RNp1mSJaDYLJ9nPZA

We are now offering online registration for our Stingers Before & After School Program.

Please note that completing the online registration form is the first step only. After you register, district staff will contact you with any additional forms and information needed to complete the process for your child. Register here: https://forms.gle/AP86LoVui5sNM64J7

Just a reminder that tomorrow, Thursday, April 2nd is an early dismissal day with students dismissing at 1:30pm. CECC parent pick-up will start at 1:10pm. Students who ride an alternate bus on early dismissal days will be sent home on that alternate bus unless a parent/guardian provides different instructions. There is no school Friday, April 3 and Monday, April 6.

Solo un recordatorio de que mañana, jueves 2 de abril, es un día de salida temprana con estudiantes que salen a la 1:30 p.m. La recogida de padres de CECC comenzará a la 1:10 p. m. Los estudiantes que tomen un autobús alternativo en los días de salida anticipada serán enviados a casa en ese autobús alternativo a menos que un padre/tutor proporcione instrucciones diferentes. No hay clases el viernes 3 de abril y el lunes 6 de a...

CGS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY (2 of 2)
Chester Grade School would like to thank our hard working Paraprofessional Staff for all they do for our students. They really go above and beyond expectations to care for our students. Thank you!

CGS: DÍA DE APRECIACIÓN A LOS PARAPROFESIONALES
La Escuela Primaria de Chester (CGS) desea agradecer a nuestro dedicado personal de paraprofesionales por todo lo que hacen por nuestros estudiantes. Realmente van más allá de lo esperado para cuidar y apoyar a nuestros estudiantes. ¡Gracias!