TaShawn Palacio breaks school receiving touchdown record with 11th touchdown pass reception; McCartney scores two touchdowns
BY JIM BEERS
The YellowJacket receiving corps had a good night catching 17 passes for a total of 240 yards and four touchdowns. TaShawn Palacio led the group with 10 receptions for 153 yards and 1 touchdown. That one TD broke the school record for receiving TD’s with 11 career receptions for a touchdown. Trey McCart6ney caught 5 passes for 54 yards and 2 TD’s. Zane Eggemeyer caught two passes for a total of 33 yards and 1 TD.
Dupo had 16 receptions for a total of 312 yards and three touchdowns. Brrayden Esterlein caught 3 passes for 98 yards and 1 TD. Thinh Scaggs caught 8 passes for 86 yards and 1 TD. Brady Portell caught 4 passes for 85 yards and 1 TD.
Chester’s defense was great again against Dupo with 25 solo tackles, 14 tackle assists, 2 quarterback sacks, and 3 tackles for a loss (TFL). Kanon Jany led with 4 solos, 1 assist, 1 sack and 1 TFL. Morgan Miers had 3 solos, 2 assists, 1 sack and 1 TFL. Ethan Colvis recorded 2 solos, and 3 assists. Karim Landeros had 1 solo, 1 assist, and 1 TFL. Trey McCartney, Landen Conder, Danny Worley, Zane Eggemeyer, and Alex Blechle each recorded 2 solo tackles apiece.
Further key Chester defensive contributors included Derrius Shoemate who had 1 interception. Tray Peters had 2 interceptions and the final game-saving play to end the game as he swatted away Dupo quarterback Deegan Prater’s pass that could have won the game for Dupo.
The Tigers recorded 33 solo tackles, 26 tackle assists, 3 quarterback sacks, and 4 tackles for a loss (TFL). They were led by two key players. Shia Owensby had 7 solos, 2 assists, 2 sacks and 4 TFL’s, and Carter Lumpkins had 2 solos, and 2 assists.
TaShawn Palacio breaks school receiving touchdown record with 11th touchdown pass reception; McCartney scores two touchdowns
BY JIM BEERS
On Dupo’s possession, the Tigers were called for a false start. Chester was called for a personal foul. Dupo was called for holding. Dupo had an incomplete pass, and Dupo was called AGAIN for holding. Facing 3-and-15, Dupo’s Deegan Prater attempted another pass. This pass was intercepted by Tray Peters, his second interception in as many possessions. That turnover gave the ball back to Chester with 8:20 to play in the game and Chester leading, 31-23.
On Chester’s next possession, the YellowJackets were held to 4-and-out. Dupo had the ball for five plays, including back-to-back first downs with passes to Brady Portell. On the 6th play, Dupo scored a touchdown at the 4:51 mark. The 2-point conversion was good and the Tigers tied the game, 31-31.
At this point things were getting worrisome for Chester fans and Dupo fans were energized and confident. On Chester’s next possession, which started at the 4:51 mark, Alex Blechle got the Jackets started with a great kickoff return.
On Chester’s second play from scrimmage, Blechle was horse-collared and Dupo was penalized for 15 yards. Peters then ran for 8-yards and Colvis ran for a first down with 2:18 to play in the game. A successful pass to Trey McCartney took the ball to the Dupo 16 yard line and 1:27 left in the game.
Ethan Colvis ran for another first down, and on the final play of the possession, Tray Peters found Trey McCartney for a 13-yard touchdown with only 53.6 seconds left on the clock. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and the Jackets led, 38-31. All seemed great in YellowJacket Country!
No one dreamed that Dupo could make a comeback with only 53.6 seconds remaining on the clock. Boy were they wrong!
Dupo ran the kickoff to the 38 yard line (52.3). Deegan Prater’s pass on the first play from scrimmage was defended by the YellowJacket defense (43.4). Deegan then completed his second pass for a first down (32.3). That pass took the ball to the 49 yard line. With 22.3 seconds left to play, Deagan connected with wide receiver Carter Lumpkins who ran the ball to the Chester 6 yard line (.07). Dupo then called a timeout.
Following the time out, Dupo quarterback, Deegan Prater, found wide receiver Thinh Staggs in the end zone for a touchdown with only 1.4 seconds on the clock. The score was Chester 38- Dupo 37. The Tigers had to make the crucial decision to kick the extra point to tie the game, or attempt a 2-point conversion for the win.
The Tigers decided to go for the win. On the snap, Deegan Prater attempted a pass to a Tiger receiver, Thinh Scaggs in the end zone. It was extremely close, but Chester’s Tray Peters, who had already played the role of hero in the Tiger’s previous possessions by intercepting back-to-back passes, reached up at the last second and defended the conversion. With 1.4 seconds left to play, Chester maintained its slim, 1-point lead, 38-37.
An on-side kick by Dupo was attempted but not successful, and the YellowJackets escaped with the 1-point win, 38-37. Chester fans erupted in celebration as the previously undefeated Dupo Tigers were handed their first loss of the 2025 season.
In the win the YellowJackets ran a total of 81 lays. Dupo ran 55. Chester racked up a total of 431 yards for the game, 240 passing and 191 rushing. Dupo accumulated 334 yards, 312 passing and 22 rushing. The Jackets earned 25 first downs while the Tigers recorded 14 first downs. CHS was 2-for-11 in 3rd down efficiency (18%) and DHS was 2-for-8 (25%).
Chester had no turnovers in the win while Dupo had three turnovers, all interceptions. The YellowJackets were called for 20 penalties for a total of 247 yards while the Tigers committed seven penalties for 56 yards.
Chester passers attempted a total of 23 passes and connected for 17 of those (74%). Included in that statistic were Tray Peters (16-of-21 for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns (76%); Alex Blechle (1-of-1 for 34 yards and 1 touchdown) 100%, and TaShawn Palacio (0-of-1) 0%.
Dupo’s Deagan Prater completed 16 of 31 passes for 51%, 312 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was also intercepted 3 times.
Chester runners rushed 41 times for a total of 191 yards a one touchdown. Leading the Chester rushing attack was Ethan Colvis who ran 15 times for 118 yards. Tray Peters ran 13 times for a total of 37 yards and Chester’s only rushing touchdown. Alex Blechle ran six times for 27 yards. Zane Eggemeyer ran five times for 13 yards. The rest of the team ran twice for 14 yards.
Dupo rushed 17 times for 22 yards and 1 touchdown. Luke Ellis ran twice for two yards. Deagan Prater ran three times for -13 yards, and the rest of the team ran 12 times for 32 yards and 1 touchdown.
TaShawn Palacio breaks school receiving touchdown record with 11th touchdown pass reception; McCartney scores two touchdowns
BY JIM BEERS
On Chester’s next possession, Tray Peters ran for eight yards, the Jackets earned a pair of first downs and on the fifth play from scrimmage, Chester’s TaShawn Palacio, a 6’0”, 190 Lb. wide receiver caught a 34-yard Tray Peters pass and scored the YellowJacket’s third touchdown of the first half. Karim Landeros kicked the extra point and Chester led, 21-0 at the 1:29 mark.
The Palacio receiving touchdown was very nice and gave Chester a huge, 21-0 lead, however, that touchdown broke the Chester High School record for receiving touchdowns. Coming into the Homecoming game, there were three Chester receivers, two former, Jim Howie and Keith Kiner, and one current player, TaShawn Palacio, who tied the record for most receiving touchdowns at 10.
With Palacio’s receiving TD, he broke that record and is now the current leader with 11 receiving touchdowns. He is only a junior and has two more regular-season games left, and hopefully at least one playoff game left to play.
With 58-seconds remaining in the half, Chester kicked off to Dupo. On the first play from scrimmage, Tiger quarterback, Deagan Prater, hit Brady Portell with a pass for a 65-yard touchdown. It was Dupo’s first score of the game at the 46.3 mark. The extra-point was good and the Tigers trailed by 14 points, 21-7.
With 46.3 on the clock Chester took the Dupo kickoff and went to work. Tray Peters orchestrated three first downs in the time left on the clock, but as the horn sounded to end the first half, Chester led, 21-7.
The third quarter would see both teams get two scores apiece. Dupo would score 14 points and Chester would score 10 points.
The Tigers received the opening kickoff to start the second half. It took just two first downs and a total of five plays and Dupo picked up where they left off at the end of the second quarter with a second touchdown. Deagan Prater connected with wide receiver Brrayden Esterlein for a 62-yard touchdown. Chester defended the extra-point kick, but with 10:15 left to play in the third quarter, Chester led by just eight points, 21-13.
Chester started its next possession with a 15-yard personal foul. The Jackets then orchestrated two first downs in an eight-play drive to score its fourth touchdown of the game. CHS scored on a 1-yard run by junior wide receiver Zane Eggemeyer. Landeros kicked the extra-point and CHS extended its lead to 15 points, 28-13, at the 7:12 mark of the 3rd quarter.
The Jacket defense stood firm on Dupo’s next possession and held the Tigers to 4-and-out. In that stand, Trey McCartney, Zane Eggemeyer and Karim Landeros sacked Dupo’s quarterback to put an end to their possession.
Chester had the ball for just four plays on its next possession with Tray Peters being closely guarded. On the third play from scrimmage Peters slipped on the wet grass and lost seven yards. Facing 4-and 12, the Jackets called on Karim Landeros to kick a 34-yard field goal. Landeros was successful and earned Chester three more points to further extend its lead to 18 points, 31-13, with 2:47 left in the 3rd quarter.
Just when it appeared as if Chester had good control of the game, Dupo’s Brady Portell took the next Chester kickoff for a 92-yard trip into touchdown land at the 2:29 mark. The 2-point conversion was successful and once again, the Tigers got within striking distance to trail by only 10 points, 31-21. That’s how the third quarter would end!
The 4th quarter would turn out to be a wild ride with three possessions for both teams, but Chester would only score once for a touchdown and extra point. Dupo would add a total of 16 points. Two points would come from a safety, eight points would come from a touchdown and a two-point conversion, and the final six points would come from a touchdown.
Dupo had the ball to start off the 4th quarter. Their possession was marred with two penalties for five yards each. On the fifth play from scrimmage Chester’s Tray Peters halted the possession with a pass interception, turning the ball over to the YellowJackets at the 4-yard line and 10:16 to play in the game.
On the Jacket’s next possession, CHS only ran one play with the Jackets being called for a penalty. Dupo defended the Jackets tackling the Jackets in the end zone for a safety. That added two points on the Tiger’s point total and narrowed Chester’s lead to eight points, 31-23. Chester also had to kick off to Dupo for another Dupo possession at the 10:02 mark.
TaShawn Palacio breaks school receiving touchdown record with 11th touchdown pass reception; McCartney scores two touchdowns
BY JIM BEERS
Friday October 10 was the 2025 Chester High School Homecoming game and the State Ranked No. 17 Chester YellowJackets hosted the undefeated Dupo Tigers in a hard fought contest. CHS came into the game with an overall record of 5-1 and a Cahokia Conference record of 3-0. Chester plays in IHSA Class 2A football. Dupo, who plays in IHSA Class 1A, came into the game undefeated with an overall record of 6-0 and a Cahokia Conference record of 3-0.
The game was played in front of a packed W.O. Smith Field at CHS, complete with nine former CHS classes that were there for class reunions, as well as many people there to witness the crowning of the 2025 CHS Homecoming Queen.
The Tigers and YellowJackets had what is often referred to as a tale of two halves. Chester dominated the entire first half, outscoring Dupo 21-7 in the first half, and Dupo outscored the Jackets in the second half 30-17 in the final 16 minutes.
The Jacket defense was fierce in the first half. Dupo didn’t even get a first down until the 10:18 mark of the second quarter. They got two more 1st and tens in their fourth possession deep into the second quarter. Chester, on the other hand, earned 11 first downs in the first half.
Chester received to start the game. Fifteen plays and four first downs later, the Jackets scored the first touchdown of the game at the 4:20 mark of the first quarter. Trey McCartney caught a Tray Peters 13-yard pass to score six points. Chester’s kicker, Karim Landeros, a junior, kicked the extra-point and the Jackets drew first blood, 7-0.
The Orange Crush Defense held Dupo to 4-and-out on their first possession and Chester got the ball back with 3:27 left to play in the first quarter. The Jackets had the ball for nine plays, achieving two first downs, but were also penalized for a block-in-the-back. Chester faced 4-and-18 and were forced to give the ball back to the Tigers. The Jacket defense once again held Dupo to 4-and-out to end the first quarter with Chester leading, 7-0.
Chester had the ball to begin the second quarter. Trey McCartney, Ethan Colvis and Alex Blechle had big plays to earn two more first downs and get the ball to Dupo’s 11 yard line. On the 6th play from scrimmage, CHS quarterback, Tray Peters, scored on an 11-yard quarterback keeper. Landeros kicked the extra point and Chester led, 14-0, with 10:33 to play in the second quarter.
On Dupo’s third possession, they did get their first, 1st and ten, but Chester’s defense once again forced a Tiger’s punt. Dupo returned the favor on Chester’s next possession after sacking the Chester quarterback and making CHS face 4-and 14. Chester was then called for its second block-in-the-back penalty. Chester had to turn the ball back to Dupo with 6:41 to play in the half.
The Tigers had the ball for seven plays and two first-and-tens when Chester’s Derrius Shoemate intercepted a Deagan Prater pass to end the Tiger’s run with 3:10 left in the quarter.
Photo 1 Peters
CHS quarterback Tray Peters scores Chester's second touchdown of the game vs Dupo Friday October 10 at the 10:33 mark of the 2nd quarter. Peters scored on an 11-yard run to extend the YellowJacket lead to 14-0. The Jackets won 38-37. In the win, Peters connected for 16-of-21 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns. He also made two major Dupo pass interceptions on defense and broke up a pass in the end zone at the buzzer which would have allowed the Tigers to win the game by one point. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 2 Palacio
TaShawn Palacio, a YellowJacket wide receiver, broke the school record for receiving touchdowns Friday October 10 when he caught a touchdown pass at the 1:29 mark of the 2nd quarter. He scored on a 34-yard pass from quarterback Tray Peters to extend Chester's lead against the Dupo Tigers to 21-0. Palacio came into the game tied with two other former Chester players, Jim Howie and Keith Kiner, for the record. Each of the three receivers had 10 receiving touchdowns at the time. With Palacio's receiving TD Friday October 10, Palacio set a new school record of 11 receiving Touchdowns. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 3 Colvis
Chester running back Ethan Colvis (25) was the YellowJacket's top rusher Friday October 10 when the Jackets hosted undefeated Dupo at W.O. Smith Field. In the win, Colvis ran 15 times for 118 yards. He also played excellent defense with 2 solo tackles and 3 tackle assists. He has been Chester's lead rusher throughout the 2025 season. Shown here, Colvis goes up against Dupo defenders Thinh Staggs (0) and Shia Owensby (24) at the 8:15 mark in the first quarter. His run achieved the Jackets their third 1st Down of the game. Jim Beers Photo
CHS 2025 HOMECOMING QUEEN, KING, RUNNERS UP AND COURT:
Homecoming King: Trayton Peters
Homecoming Queen: Callie Davis
Runner Up: Ethan Colvis
Runner Up: Camryn Wolff
Court: Maggie Caby
Court: Aubrey Colvis
Court: Aleah Eggemeyer
Court: Brayden Juenger
Court: Zane Eggemeyer
Court: Karim Landeros-Alvarado
Retiring Homecoming King: Kolton Jany
Standing in for Kolton was Max Blechle, last years Runner Up
Retiring Homecoming Queen: Elaina Lutman
Please note, the Chester High School Homecoming Class Reunion Tour is now starting at 9:00am, NOT 10:00am and stated previously.
We will gather in the Professor Sharp Cafeteria promptly at 9:00am.
CHS FREE FOOTBALL BROADCAST
Tonight, Chester High School will host our multiplatform football game broadcast, streaming simultaneously on Hudl, YouTube, and Facebook. For your convenience, QR codes are included in the attached graphics, and the links are provided below. We invite you to join us for this exciting event!
Go Jackets!
Hudl: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/il/chester/organization/14289/chester-high-school
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChesterHighSchoolIL
Facebook: Chester Community Unit School Dist No 139
In the event of any issues with the Facebook Live feed, we encourage you to utilize one of the alternative platforms available. Thank you for your understanding.
On Friday, October 10th, Chester High School proudly celebrated our positive school climate as part of the Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS). This fall, CHS emphasized the values of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY. We commend both our students and staff for exemplifying these important character traits, which contribute significantly to our school environment. Their commitment is a testament to why Chester is an exceptional place for learning and growth.
Students participated in a variety of engaging activities, including dodgeball, tabletop games, trivia, outdoor games, and video games. The morning's festivities culminated in our Homecoming Spirit Games, featuring tug-of-war, gym floor hungry-hungry-hippos, dribbling musical chairs, pizza-box carry, and class spirit chants. This tradition of community building will be cherished by all who participated in the week’s events and share a love for our school.
We invite everyone to join us tonight in supporting our Jackets during the Homecoming Football game against Dupo. Additionally, the public is welcome to attend the Coronation at our Homecoming Dance tomorrow evening at 9:00 PM, with the Dance starting at 7:00 PM and the doors opening to the public at 8:45 PM.
Go Jackets!
On Friday, October 10th, Chester High School proudly celebrated our positive school climate as part of the Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS). This fall, CHS emphasized the values of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY. We commend both our students and staff for exemplifying these important character traits, which contribute significantly to our school environment. Their commitment is a testament to why Chester is an exceptional place for learning and growth.
Students participated in a variety of engaging activities, including dodgeball, tabletop games, trivia, outdoor games, and video games. The morning's festivities culminated in our Homecoming Spirit Games, featuring tug-of-war, gym floor hungry-hungry-hippos, dribbling musical chairs, pizza-box carry, and class spirit chants. This tradition of community building will be cherished by all who participated in the week’s events and share a love for our school.
We invite everyone to join us tonight in supporting our Jackets during the Homecoming Football game against Dupo. Additionally, the public is welcome to attend the Coronation at our Homecoming Dance tomorrow evening at 9:00 PM, with the Dance starting at 7:00 PM and the doors opening to the public at 8:45 PM.
Go Jackets!
On Friday, October 10th, Chester High School proudly celebrated our positive school climate as part of the Positive Behavioral Intervention System (PBIS). This fall, CHS emphasized the values of RESPECT and RESPONSIBILITY. We commend both our students and staff for exemplifying these important character traits, which contribute significantly to our school environment. Their commitment is a testament to why Chester is an exceptional place for learning and growth.
Students participated in a variety of engaging activities, including dodgeball, tabletop games, trivia, outdoor games, and video games. The morning's festivities culminated in our Homecoming Spirit Games, featuring tug-of-war, gym floor hungry-hungry-hippos, dribbling musical chairs, pizza-box carry, and class spirit chants. This tradition of community building will be cherished by all who participated in the week’s events and share a love for our school.
We invite everyone to join us tonight in supporting our Jackets during the Homecoming Football game against Dupo. Additionally, the public is welcome to attend the Coronation at our Homecoming Dance tomorrow evening at 9:00 PM, with the Dance starting at 7:00 PM and the doors opening to the public at 8:45 PM.
Go Jackets!
https://chesterjrjackets25.itemorder.com/shop/home/
27 students are recognized for demonstrating Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and/or Empathy
BY JIM BEERS
On Friday October 10, 2025, Chester Grade School presented its 3rd set of “HIVE” awards for the 2025-2026 school year. These awards are presented twice each month throughout the year and students in grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade are eligible to be recognized for demonstrating one or more of the four “HIVE” character traits.
Character traits being recognized include Respect, Responsibility, Safety, and/or Empathy. Throughout the weeks leading up to each set of “HIVE” award presentations, teachers, staff and administration, are observing students that are regularly demonstrating the four “HIVE” good character traits.
Nominations can be made by any CGS employee, but typically are made by teachers or classroom paraprofessionals who are in day-to-day, regular contact with the respective students. All nominations are submitted to the coordinator of the program, Kacey Crook, School Counselor. Crook reviews all of the nominations and selects the bi-monthly award winners.
All award winners are recognized at the bi-monthly school-wide “Morning Meetings” that take place in the CGS gymnasium. All students, teachers and paraprofessionals are in attendance at this bi-monthly gathering of the CGS family.
At the time of the presentation of the bi-monthly “HIVE” awards, the honorees are introduced to the entire student body where they receive a very loud and proud round of applause and are brought down to the gym floor where they are recognized and presented with a certificate to commemorate the honor.
Following the presentations, a group photo is taken of all “HIVE” award recipients with their certificates. These photos are published in various media outlets as well as on various social media platforms.
For the October 10th presentations, there were a total of 27 students that received awards. The areas of recognition included Respect (9); Responsibility (9), and Empathy (9), for a total of 27 awards. Grade levels that received these awards included:
K 3
1st 4
2nd 3
3rd 1
4th 2
5th 2
6th 6
7th 4
8th 2
Total: 27 awards/recipients
Award winners, grade levels, and “HIVE” Characteristics being recognized
Respect (9 students)
Jaymie Dickerson 8th
Mason Howie 7th (Not Pictured)
Audrey Jarrett 4th
Janiyah Logan 2nd
Nicandro Cortes 6th
Hunter Lloyd 2nd
Antonio Aguilar Guijon 1st
Adalyn Caron 6th
Jocelyn Maldonado Hernandez Kindergarten
Responsibility (9 students)
Noah Belton Kindergarten
Jackson Conway 6th
Presley Howell 6th
Wylin Sullivan 6th
Zoe Atchison 3rd
Ivan Lopez Perez 1st
Aracely Hernandez 2nd
Makenzie Rains Kindergarten
Kolin Martinez 8th (Not pictured)
Empathy (9 students)
Xander Hammel 5th
Ines Ixcoy Sica 2nd
Emma Voudrie 7th
Sophia Bryant 7th
Marissa Rosales 7th
Deegan Carter 1st
Savannah Bentem 3rd
Izabella Pender 1st
Ellie VanOtterloo 4th
The next “HIVE” awards will be presented on Thursday October 23, 2025 at the CGS “Morning Meeting” at 8:00 a.m.
📍Paraprofessional
📍Grade School Evening Custodian
📍High School Band/Choir Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
📍Grade School Band/Music Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
📍High School CTE/Business Teacher for the 2026-27 school year
Today, Friday October 10, 2025, Tallen James represents Chester High School at the Prairie Vista Golf Course in Bloomington, IHSA State Tournament.
Good Luck Tallen, Go Jackets!
Please note, the Chester High School Homecoming Class Reunion Tour is now starting at 9:00am, NOT 10:00am and stated previously.
We will gather in the Professor Sharp Cafeteria promptly at 9:00am.
USDA “Sun Meals To-Go” program was huge success (2 of 2)
District # 139 provided 9,100 meals per week throughout the summer of 2025
BY JIM BEERS
Superintendent Briggs said, “Since arriving in Chester, I’ve wanted to bring a program like this to our community, because I saw a real need. This year that vision became a reality. After receiving program approval on May 15th, we launched our registration. Within just a few days, we grew from 40 registered children to 695 children. On our very first day of service, we were able to feed 600 kids. It has been a true blessing and an honor to lead this effort.”
Briggs noted that when numbers surged so quickly, she knew that the program would need community support on delivery and distribution days. She then reached out to the school organizations and the broader community for help.
Briggs said, “The outpouring of volunteers was overwhelming and deeply appreciated. We had support from Buena Vista Bank, Dairy Queen, Pepsi Cola, First Baptist Church, teacher groups, our YellowJacket Football team, and our Lady Jacket Volleyball Team. Their willingness to step in and serve has been another powerful reminder of how special our community is and how much people care about supporting local families.”
The Sun Meals To-Go Program is part of the USDA’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). This program supports low-income and underserved communities by ensuring children continue to receive healthy meals when school is not in session. Since its launch in 2023, the program has expanded to cover 30 states, including Illinois.
When asked if the District would do the program again next summer, Briggs said, “We hope to do it again. The parents approved of it and it benefits the community. By bringing the program to the community, we are not only addressing food insecurity, we are also showing families that their children matter, even when school is out. This initiative reflects the heart of our community and the dedication of our staff and volunteers who make it all possible!”
PHOTO 4 Loading Cars
Volunteers load food items into the vehicles at the last stop of the food distribution process. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 5 Briggs and Eggemeyer
District # 139 Superintendent Kimberly Briggs (left) and Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Coordinator/Manager (right), pose for a quick photo in front of the James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. That is the location where the 2025 USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" program was housed and implemented throughout the summer of 2025. Briggs was instrumental in finding and creating the program and Eggemeyer was the Summer of 2025 Program Manager. Throughout the summer the program provided 9.100 meals each week to program recipients. Jim Beers Photo
USDA “Sun Meals To-Go” program was huge success (1 of 2)
District # 139 provided 9,100 meals per week throughout the summer of 2025
BY JIM BEERS
District # 139 Superintendent of Schools Kimberly Briggs said, “Our district was proud to participate in the USDA’s Sun Meals To-Go program, a federally funded initiative designed to reduce food insecurity during the summer months. Through this program, we were able to provide free, nutritious, meals to ALL children ages 1-18, with no application or income verification required!”
On top of these amazing facts, children that came for meals did not have to be enrolled in the Chester School District. They could have even been residing anywhere in the State of Illinois.
The program was organized and coordinated at the Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. Food items were distributed in a smoothly functioning drive through system that brought automobiles in Chester High School’s back parking lot, off of Rt. 150, up to a check-in station at the corner.
From there, cars were directed to the buss driveway along Colbert Memorial Gymnasium in between the pickle ball, tennis, and basketball courts. When they arrived at the CHS kitchen and bus porch area, they were greeted by program volunteers who loaded their vehicles with the food items.
The program was offered each Tuesday and Friday throughout the summer beginning June 10th and ending August 5. Pick-up times were from 11 am till 1:00 p.m. Potential clients could come to the Chester High School Dr. James F. Sharp Cafeteria Monday mornings from 8 am till 12 p.m. to register and receive a card to hang on their vehicle mirrors verifying that they were part of the program.
Each child registered for the program received 7-days of breakfasts and lunches each week. The following format describes the distribution schedule.
Each Tuesday each child received a half gallon of milk, 3 breakfasts, and 3 lunches
Each Friday each child received a half gallon of milk, 4 breakfasts, and 4 lunches
The Meals To-Go program is a non-congregate option. That means that the meals did not need to be eaten on the program site. In his case, at the James F. Sharp Cafeteria. Meals were picked up Tuesdays and Fridays and taken home or elsewhere. The child registered did not have to be present at pickup time. Parents could even designate another adult to pick up the meals. This fact offered flexibility for working parents and those who live in rural of hard-to-reach areas.
Program Manager, Carrie Eggemeyer said, “The program ran very well throughout the summer. Each delivery day we provided meals for 500 to 650 children. Superintendent Briggs requited volunteers for each session some of which included the CHS Football Team, Volleyball Team, members of the First Baptist Church, the Chester Rotary Club, the Chester Dairy Queen Staff, Chester High School students, Chester Early Childhood Center staff, and 2nd grade teachers at CGS.”
Photo 1 Staff
Pictured are USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" staff inside the James F. Sharp Cafeteria at Chester High School. Food bags were filled and arranged for delivery at that location. (left to right) are Michele McConnell, Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Manager, and Brandie Stefani. Jim Beers Photo
Photo 2 Football Team Volunteers
Members of the Chester High School YellowJacket Football Team volunteered to assist on delivery days during the summer USDA "Sun Meals To-Go" program. With the team is Head Coach, Billy Belton and family members. Jim Beers Photo
PHOTO 3
Carrie Eggemeyer, Program Manager, checks clients in at the first stop in the delivery process. From her station vehicles were directed to the driveway leading to the CHS kitchen-bus porch area where staff greeted them and loaded their food items in their vehicles. Jim Beers Photo
It was a great day at Rend Lake for Senator Terri Bryant’s Youth Advisory Council! CHS was well represented with some fantastic students. They had the opportunity to meet Senator Bryant, a 1st Judicial Circuit Court judge, an Illinois representative, and to learn a little bit about how legislation works.
We look forward to going to Springfield in the Spring!
Tomorrow, 10/10 is an 11:30 AM dismissal day. Students that take an alternate bus on early dismissal days will be sent home on that bus unless a parent or guardian specifies otherwise. There will be no Jacket Care available after school. Thank you.