Kewanee High School Graduation is on Sunday, May 21st at 1 pm in H.F. Brockman Gymnasium. The KHS Class of 2023 has 128 students with six valedictorians and two salutatorians. The valedictorians are Madison Copeland, Shaan Dev, Mayra Diaz, Natalie Maxon, Lena Miller and Marcos Pagan, and the salutatorians are Mya Mirocha, Marissa Stevens.
The 2023 Class Song: “Five More Minutes” by Scott McCreery
Class Colors: white and gold
Class Quote: “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” –Dr. Seuss
*Valedictorian: Madison Copeland, daughter of Paul and Diane Copeland, Extracurricular: cheer for basketball and football – four years, competition cheer – one-year, Gray Matters Club – one year, Band – four years (marching, pep, and concert), SMO tumbling, youth group 1st United Methodist Church.
College plans: Attending the University of Chicago, majoring in biology on a pre-med track with a minor in Spanish
Honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Highest Honor Roll – four years, All-Academic for cheer, Seal of Biliteracy
*Valedictorian: Shaan Dev, son of Sid and Amy Dev, Extracurricular: Boys Track – four years, golf – four years, swim team – four years, scholastic bowl – four years, four years of band (marching, pep, and jazz), FFA – one year, robotics – four years.
College Plans: Attending Southern Illinois University, Carbondale in aviation, with plans to join the Air Force afterwards.
Honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Highest Honor Roll – four years. All-Academic golf, swim and track, Seal of Biliteracy
*Valedictorian: Mayra Diaz, daughter of Manuel and Patty Diaz, Extracurricular: Key Club, student council, volleyball, basketball
College Plans: Attend Knox College and major in biology
Honors: National Honor Society – President, Illinois State Scholar, Highest Honor Roll – four years, All-Academic volleyball and basketball, Seal of Biliteracy
*Valedictorian: Natalie Maxon, daughter of James and Melissa Maxon, Extracurricular: tennis – four years, track – three years, band – four years (marching, pep, jazz, and symphonic), Key Club, Gray Matters Club
College Plans: Attend the University of Illinois – Urbana, major in psychology
Honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Highest Honor roll, four years, TRAC Honor Band – two years, All Academic in tennis and track, ILMEA All-District Honor Band – two years, Seal of Biliteracy
*Valedictorian: Lena Miller, daughter of Mark and Rose Miller, Extracurricular: band – four years (marching, pep, and concert), basketball – four years, Key Club, Student Council, FCA
College Plans: Attend Bradley University and major in Spanish education
Honors: National Honor Society, Illinois State Scholar, Highest Honor Roll four years, All Academic basketball, Seal of Biliteracy
*Valedictorian: Marcos Pagan, son of Elvis and Lillian Pagan, Extracurricular: Band – four years (marching, pep, jazz, concert, wind ensemble I, Scholastic Bowl, Group Interpretation, musical theater pit band, Key Club, Gray Matters Club, Americorps – two years
College Plans: Attend the University of Illinois, Urbana, and major in molecular and cellular biology on pre-med track. Will be marching with the Fighting Illini band.
Honors: National Honor Society, Highest Honor Roll four years, TRAC Honors band, ILMEA District 2 senior concert band, Seal of Biliteracy, Illinois State Scholar
*Salutatorian: Mya Mirocha, daughter of Matt and Heather Mirocha, Extracurricular: Golf four years, bowling four years, track four years, Key Club four years, student council four years
College Plans: Attend Eastern Illinois University and major in business and play on the women’s golf team
Honors: National Honor Society, Highest Honor Roll four years, All Academic golf, bowling, and track, IHSA All-Academic State Honorable Mention, 1st Team All-Conference golf four years, 1st Team All-Conference bowling two years, Athlete of the week, Seal of Biliteracy
*Salutatorian: Marissa Stevens, daughter of Duane and Jenny Stevens, Extracurricular: Key Club – four years, softball-four years, basketball – four years, student council – four years
College Plans: Attend Southeastern Illinois College – associates in science on the pre-med track, and will be playing softball for them as a recruit, then transferring to a four year university and majoring in biology on the pre-med track.
Honors: National Honor Society, Highest Honor Roll – four years, All Academic for softball and basketball, 1st team All-Conference For softball, 2nd Team All-Conference for softball, highest single season and career free throw percentage for basketball, All Western Illinois Team Basketball – 2nd Team, Seal of Biliteracy
