Lake County Gazette

Senior members of the Coalers Girls Tennis Team were recognized on September 29 during Senior Night activities for their commitment and contributions to the program. The athletes honored included Bridget Feeney, Becca Hall, Kamryn Hansen, Kyla Kohler, Mackenzie Lovell, Camryn Planeta, Sophia Spoto, and Olivia Weatherbee.

Bridget Feeney participated in the tennis program for four years and played doubles in her senior year. She is also active in several school organizations such as National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Link Leaders, Science Club, Pickleball Club, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Drama Club and Yearbook at Coal City High School. After graduation in May, she plans to attend a four-year university. Her parents Kevin and Peggy Feeney accompanied her during Senior Night.

Becca Hall has been part of the team for four years and has contributed significantly. Besides tennis, she participates in Coalers Basketball, Coalers with Character and National Honor Society. Becca intends to continue her education at a college or university after graduation. Her parents Dave and Jen Hall joined her on Senior Night.

Kamryn Hansen completed her final year with the team this season. She is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Coalers with Character, Pickleball Club, Science Club and Yearbook. Kamryn plans to study chemistry at a four-year university before attending dental school. She was accompanied by her mother Jamie Hansen.

Kyla Kohler also spent four years on the team and contributed throughout high school. She is a member of Spanish Honor Society and participated in band. Kyla's future plans include studying nursing at a college or university after graduation. Her parents William and Jillian Kohler attended Senior Night with her.

Mackenzie Lovell joined the team two seasons ago and is involved in National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Science Club, Math Team and Link Leaders at school. She plans to major in engineering at a four-year institution following graduation. Her mother Michelle Linn accompanied her on Senior Night.

Camryn Planeta was recognized for playing all four years on the team while participating in SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), Coalers with Character, Project EmpowHer and National Honor Society. In spring she will play for the Girls Soccer Team before heading to University of Iowa to study nursing with an aim to become a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse. Her parents Brock and Nikki Planeta joined her during the event.

Sophia Spoto joined the tennis team as a senior; she marked Senior Night with an important match win for the team. Sophia also played volleyball during high school; after graduation she plans to attend college or university before pursuing work as a flight attendant while working part-time at a hair salon. She was accompanied by her mother Tracy Galass and sister Emily Spoto.

Olivia Weatherbee played on the team for four years while also participating in Student Ambassadors, Track & Field, Math Team, National Honors Society (NHS), Link Leaders and Project EmpowHer programs at school. Olivia intends to pursue diagnostic medical sonography studies after graduation from high school; she was escorted by her mother Robin Fincher and father Brandon Weatherbee.

Coal City Community Unit School District 1 serves students from Grundy County and Will County through schools including Coal City Early Childhood Center up through Coal City High School (source). According to state data from 2020-2021 reported by Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), district demographics are predominantly White (86.9 percent) with smaller populations identifying as Hispanic (9.6 percent), Black (0.6 percent) or Asian (0.6 percent) (source). The district employs 153 teachers—77.9 percent women—and spends $21,619 per student annually (source).