Lake County Gazette

Seven senior members of the Coalers Volleyball Team were recognized during Senior Night on October 15. The students honored for their dedication to the program were Keirsten Gabehart, Riley Walker, Sydney Larson, Stana Milinkovic, Kiera Brodnick, Jaela Vasquez, and Ava Kenney.

Keirsten Gabehart has played volleyball for four years and was acknowledged for her contributions. She also participated in Track & Field and Math Team during high school. Gabehart is a class representative in Student Council, secretary of National Honor Society, and a mentor in the EmpowHer program. She plans to attend a four-year university to pursue nursing and aims to become a psychiatric nurse practitioner. Her parents Jessica and Alan Gabehart accompanied her during the event.

Riley Walker has been part of the volleyball team for four years. She also played on the girls basketball team and is involved with the school's Pickleball Club. Walker is currently undecided about her future plans after graduation. Her parents Jon and Kathleen Walker attended Senior Night with her.

Sydney Larson, who recently achieved 1,000 career assists, is a four-year member of the volleyball team as well as an athlete in basketball and track and field. She participates in National Honor Society and EmpowHer. Larson intends to study nursing at Mizzou after graduation. Her parents Chad and Jackie Larson joined her for Senior Night.

Stana Milinkovic’s contributions over four seasons were celebrated at the event. In addition to her academic work at Coal City High School, she is enrolled in Grundy Area Vocational Center’s Cosmetology Program. Milinkovic will continue her education at Prairie State College studying dental hygiene. Her parents Trishelle and Luka Milinkovic accompanied her.

Kiera Brodnick has played three seasons with the volleyball team while also participating in Coalers with Character, Math Team, Coaler Creations, and EmpowHer. After graduation she plans to enroll in a radiology program at a community college. Lauren and Joseph Brodnick escorted their daughter during Senior Night.

Jaela Vasquez has spent four years on the volleyball team; she is also involved with Coalers with Character, Link Leaders, National Honor Society, EmpowHer, Drama Club, Pickleball Club, serves as stat girl for wrestling, and studies at Grundy Area Vocational Center. Vasquez plans to study marketing at a four-year university after high school; she was accompanied by her mother Ashley Smith.

Ava Kenney completed four years on the volleyball team while participating in Coaler Creations, Yearbook, Link Leaders and Coalers with Character. Kenney intends to start college at Joliet Junior College before transferring to earn a degree in education; she hopes to become a physical education teacher and coach. Her parents Jeremy and Jennifer Kenney joined her for Senior Night.

Coal City Community Unit School District 1 covers schools across Grundy and Will counties including Coal City High School where these seniors attend (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to recent data from the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), there are 153 teachers within this district earning an average salary of $69,297; most are women (77.9 percent) while men make up 22.1 percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student body consists primarily of White students (86.9 percent), followed by Hispanic (9.6 percent), Black (0.6 percent), and Asian (0.6 percent) students (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020 the district spent $21,619 per student for a total expenditure of $47 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

"Keirsten Gabehart was recognized on Senior Night for her many contributions to the program... Following graduation in the spring, Keirsten plans to attend a four year university to pursue a degree in nursing while working toward becoming a psychiatric nurse practitioner."

"Riley Walker has been on the court for the Coalers Volleyball Team for four years... She is currently undecided about her plans following graduation in the spring."

"Sydney Larson is a four year member of the Coalers Volleyball Team... She plans to continue her education at Mizzou working towards a degree in nursing."

"Stana Milinkovic contributions to the Coalers Volleyball Team over the past four seasons was celebrated on Senior Night... Stana will continue her education at Prairie State College studying dental hygiene."

"Kiera Brodnick is in her third season with the Coalers Volleyball Team... Following graduation Kiera plans to enroll in a radiology program at a community College."

"Jaela Vasquez is a four year member of the Coalers Volleyball Team... After high school Jaela plans to study marketing at a four year university."

"Ava Kenney has been on the court for the Coalers for the past four years... Ava plans to continue her education starting at Joliet Junior College and transferring to a four year university..."