Chester Community School District 139

CHS Theatre Production of “Addams Family” is huge hit! (1 of 2) Cast, Crew, and Orchestra wow crowds at each presentation and bring the house down consistently BY JIM BEERS Chester High School’s 2025 production of “The Addams Family” was a huge success and pleased audiences at each show. The musical featured a cast of 10 main actors along with an additional 12 Ancestors in what is traditionally called the chorus. In only his second year as Theatre Director at CHS, Steve Colonel led the charge in organizing and directing not only the on-stage production, but organized and directed the 11-musician orchestra. Cast members included Jason Sibley as Gomez Addams; Grace Kirkpatrick as Morticia Addams; Will Welge as Uncle Fester; Ary Shipley as Wednesday Addams; Annah Helvey as Grandma; Nico De Guzman as Pugsley Addams; Brenden Malley as Lurch; Bently Valleroy as Mal Beineke; Megan Zimmer as Alice Beineke; and Jaden Lopez as Lucas Beineke. Addams Family Ancestors included Jaden Bert, Abby Carter, Kylie Eggemeyer, Addy Gottschammer, Natalie Guethle, Kendall Nanney, Katherine Pierce, Alyssa Stehl, Hannah Stueve, Whitney Sulser, Macy Van Zandt, and Alex Williamson. Every successful stage production also has a group of very important individuals that are known as “The Crew” that works especially hard throughout the entire process to make sure the production can be successfully performed. This year’s crew consisted of 17 Chester High School students. The 2025 Crew included Monica Anaya, Hayden Cartwright, Natalie Guetersloh, Liam Holland, Hannah Hoskin, Jack Kennedy, Mirra Krieg, Southern LaChance, Tia Martinez, Chelse Mathis, Anna Menefee, Lincon Schroeder, Isabel Smith, Lydia Smith, Ashlyn Via, and Lizzy Wilson. The mere nature of a musical production dictates that the show must have music accompaniment. That accompaniment can be either music that is produced by a CD, record, tape, or some other form of recorded music, or produced by live music. Most musicals have live music produced by musicians via an orchestra. Chester High School theatre productions have utilized both types of accompaniment music over the years. There are advantages and disadvantages to both, but most patrons at both high school and professional theatrical productions prefer live orchestras. The CHS production of “The Pajama Game” last year in 2024 and this year’s production of “The Addams Family” utilized live orchestral music. Numerous patrons who attended both productions voiced that they were extremely happy that Steve Colonel, CHS Theatre and Music Director, brought back live orchestra to CHS Musicals. Mr. Colonel spared no time and effort putting together this year’s 11-member orchestra which included two university-trained music teachers, another six college-trained musicians, one current university student who is in his third year of studying to be a band-choral teacher, and two current Chester High School music students. The orchestra included one Primary Piano Accompanist, two Keyboard Players, one who played primarily bass lines and another who played synthesized keyboard, one Drummer-Percussionist, another Percussionist-Drummer, one Trumpet Player, two Trombonists, one Flutist, one Clarinet-Saxophone Player, and one Bass Clarinet Player. The musicians making up the orchestra included David August, bass keyboard; Dr. Jim Beers, drummer-percussionist; Mrs. Vicky Beers, Primary Piano Accompanist; Mrs. Sue Colonel, Clarinet-Saxophone; Lexi Davis, Trombonist; Ms. Melanie Johnson, Percussionist-Drummer; Mrs. Lisa Nazar, Flute-Piccolo; Mrs. Jeanne Pence, Trumpet; Mrs. Brooklyn Stehl, Bass Clarinet; Mr. Justin Stehl, Trombonist; and Mr. Brock Stinson, Keyboardist. Special Thanks were also extended to another very important group of 17 individuals who helped make the production such a huge success. Included in this group were District # 139 Administrators Jeremy Blechle, CHS Principal; Robin Barton, CHS Assistant Principal; Shirley Stegmann, Curricular Director, and Kimberly Briggs, Superintendent of Schools.

REMINDER! Kindergarten Pre-Registration for the 2025-2026 school year will take place tomorrow from 10 AM to 6 PM at Chester Grade School. No prior appointment is required. Additionally, Pre-School screenings will occur tomorrow in the gym of the Grade School. Please note that Pre-School screening appointments must be scheduled in advance. There will be NO Pre-School and Early Childhood classes tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8th.

CHS: WEEK OF 04/07/2025 EVENTS See attached graphics. CHS PROM WEEK 2025 DRESS UP DAYS REMINDER Mon: A Night Under the Stars - Pajama Day Tues: Blend Into the Night Sky - Camouflage Day Weds: Dark Skies, Bright Goals - Class Colors Thurs: Shine Bright Like the Northern Lights - Neon Day Fri: Bring Back the Solar Eclipse - Black Out

CGS & CHS: MONDAY 4/07/25 STARTS NATIONAL ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL WEEK THANK YOU CGS: DR.PETROWSKE CHS: MRS. BARTON FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS & COMMUNITY!

Job opportunities for the upcoming school year ‼

CGS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY (3 of 3) THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS & COMMUNITY!

CGS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY (2of 3) THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS & COMMUNITY!

CGS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY (1 of 3) THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS & COMMUNITY!

CHS PARAPROFESSIONAL APPRECIATION DAY THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR STUDENTS & COMMUNITY!

CHS PROM WEEK 2025 DRESS UP DAYS Mon: A Night Under the Stars - Pajama Day Tues: Blend Into the Night Sky - Camouflage Day Weds: Dark Skies, Bright Goals - Class Colors Thurs: Shine Bright Like the Northern Lights - Neon Day Fri: Bring Back the Solar Eclipse - Black Out

CHS: PREACT & ACT TESTING FRIDAY 4/04/25 PreACT & ACT TEST NOTES - Junior CCSI Students will be testing with class at CHS. - Seniors be not be attending school. Instead, they will have the day to visit colleges and explore career opportunities. - Juniors will be dismissed at the end of their testing.

CGS &CHS: ATHLETIC CANCELATIONS All practices for CGS & CHS are canceled for today, Wednesday April 2nd, due to impending weather.

CHS MUSIC DEPARTMENT SPAGHETTI DINNER Chester Knights of Columbus Hall Sunday , April 13th 11:00am-2:00pm Menu: Spaghetti, Bread, Desserts, Tea, Lemonade Cost: Adults $12, Children (10 and under) $5 There will also be a Silent Auction Proceeds to benefit 2025 CHS Music Department Summer Trip to Universal Orlando Performances

CHS: BLOOD DRIVE Red Cross Blood Drive Chester High School Gym 1901 Swanwick Street Chester, IL 62233 Tuesday, April 29, 2025 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter: ChesterHS to schedule an appointment. Thumbs up for saving lives! Come to give blood April 29, for a NEW Red Cross shirt, ltd. qty!

Nominations for our CGS Faculty Member of the Month for April are now OPEN! All submissions are due using the form provided below or at Chester139.com by Friday, April 18 at 3 pm. https://forms.gle/dcmmZHXGX2x9Dpcc9

CHS: 2025 PROM Chester High School Prom is Saturday April 12. The event takes place in Juergens Gym at CHS. Doors open for prom-goers at 7 p.m. The public is invited to attend the coronation. Doors open to the public at 8:30 p.m. with the coronation taking place at 9:00 p.m. The theme for Prom 2025 is, "A Night Underneath the Stars". The 2025 Prom Court consists of six seniors, three girls and three boys, and four juniors, two girls and two boys. From the six seniors, one girl and one boy will be selected as the 2025 CHS Prom King and Queen. From the four juniors. a 2025 Prom Prince and Princess will be selected. Pictured are the members of the 2025 Chester High School Prom Court. (Front row, left to right) are Camryn Wolff, Junior Princess Candidate; Sadessa Sellers, Senior Queen Candidate; Mirra Krieg, Senior Queen Candidate; Whitney Sulser, Senior Queen Candidate; and Callie Davis, Junior Princess Candidate. (Back row, left to right) are Trayton Peters, Junior Prince Candidate; Nate Maes, Senior King Candidate; Max Blechle, Senior King Candidate; Alex Williamson, Senior King Candidate; Ethan Colvis, Junior Prince Candidate. Jim Beers Photo

CHS: WEEK OF 03/31/2025 EVENTS See attached graphics.

Next week, students at CGS will begin their state testing. By working together, we can help ensure that your child's testing experience is both positive and successful. Here are some suggestions to help them conquer the week: ensure they have a restful night's sleep, enjoy a nutritious breakfast, and arrive at school punctually. Our dedicated teachers and staff will be there to reassure them that they only need to try their very best while at CGS! We will also be hosting themed dress-up days related to positive encouragement!

CHS: ACT & PreACT TESTING TIPS FRIDAY 4/04/25 PreACT & ACT TEST TIPS 1) Bring FULLY CHARGED Chromebook 2) ARRIVE on TIME 3) Bring Calculator (charged) 4) Dress in Layers for Comfort 5) Eat a Good Breakfast, available in Professor Sharp Cafeteria This is a great opportunity for students to demonstrate the benefits of their efforts and take steps toward their future endeavors. We encourage all students to prepare for their best day possible and do their very best. Thank you

Kindergarten Pre-Registration for the 2025-2026 School Year will be April 8th from 10am-6pm at Chester Grade School. Students must turn 5 years old ON or BEFORE September 1, 2025. Check out the flyer for more info!