Lake County Gazette

Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 has recognized Granite City High School seniors Kaden Kennedy and Ellie Taylor as Students of the Month for September.

The Elks Student of the Month Program aims to honor students who have demonstrated achievements in school and community life, including fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry, and farming. According to the program guidelines, "Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability."

Each recipient is awarded a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement.

Kaden Kennedy is a four-year member of both the boys golf and hockey teams. He volunteers at the Community Care Center and participates in the National Honor Society Blood Drive. Kennedy is also involved with Twin Bridges Lightning AA Hockey, Student Council, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Hockey Club, Renaissance Club, Varsity Club and has received the All Warrior Award and Nate Ryckman Character Award. He was previously named Rotary Student of the Month and has earned High Honor Roll status as well as Secondary Honors. Kennedy was also selected for Homecoming Court. He is the son of Trent and Sherry Kennedy.

Ellie Taylor has been a four-year member of both the girls tennis and soccer teams. She serves as Girls Student Council Representative and Chairperson. Taylor has participated in Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Basket Collection drives and Madison County Young Authors. She also contributes to the National Honor Society Blood Drive. Taylor is Varsity Tennis Captain and a member of National Honor Society, Renaissance Club, Varsity Club, Spirit Club, Hockey Club, Powderpuff Football team, Pickleball Club; she was also named Rotary Student of the Month and served as an American Legion Girls State delegate. She is the daughter of Kelly and Kenly Taylor.

Granite City High School is part of Granite City Community Unit School District 9 (GCSD9), which represents Madison County schools such as Coolidge Junior High School, Frohardt Elementary School, Grigsby Intermediate School among others (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district employs 320 teachers with an average salary of $67,898; 77 percent are women while 23 percent are men (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). GCSD9 reports no teachers with more than ten absences in a school year (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The district's student population is composed primarily of White students at 65 percent; Black students make up nearly 16 percent; Hispanic students about 12 percent; Asian students less than one percent (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020 GCSD9 spent $17,739 per student for a total expenditure exceeding $106 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

For additional information about Granite City School District #9 visit www.gcsd9.net.