On Thursday, May 9th, Kewanee High School announced this year’s Valedictorians and Salutatorians…

Jillian Bennison – Valedictorian
Daughter of Gini an Jeffrey Bennison
Extra Curricular Activites: Volleyball for 4yrs, Captain for 1 yr
Dance for 4yrs
Key Club for 4yrs, Statistical Secretary for 2yrs
Student Council for 4yrs, President 1 yr
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) for 1 year
National Honor Society for 2yrs, President for 1 yr
College Plans: Going to Illinois State University to major in Psychology
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Highest Honors – 4yrs
Illinois State Scholar
Commendation of Biliteracy
All-Academic Conference Dance – 2yrs
Elk’s October Student of the Month
NDA All – American Dancer
Key Club Distinguished Statistical Secretary
Illinois Principals Leadership Award

Eleanor Burkhart – Valedictorian
Daughter of Suzanne Burkhart & the late James Burkhart
Extra Curricular Activites: Key Club member for 4yrs, Board Member for 2yrs, Vice President for 1 yrs, and President for 1yr
Student Council member for 4yrs, 2 yrs as class president and 1 yr as class treasurer
FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) for 3yrs
Golf for 4yrs, Co-Captain for 1yr
Musical for 3yrs at Stage Manager
National Honor Society member for 2yrs, and Vice President for 1yr
College Plans: Going to University of Iowa to major in Biomedical Engineering
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Highest Honors – 4yrs
Illinois State Scholar
Seal of Biliteracy
All-Academic Golf – 2yrs
Key Club Distinguished President
Illinois Principals Leadership Award

Victoria Dennison – Valedictorian
Daughter of Troy Dennison and Natasha Dennison
Extra Curricular Activities: Fall Play 4yrs, Musical Play 4yrs, Competitive Theater – 2yrs, and Group Interpretation – 2yrs
Softball – 3yrs
Speech – 2yrs
Key Club – 1 yr
Concert Band – 4yrs
Marching Band – 4yrs and Drum Major 1 yr
Jazz Band- 2yrs
College Plans: Going to Augustana College to major in Biochemistry and minor in Spanish
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Illinois State Scholar
All Academic – Softball
National Honor Society – 2yrs
Highest Honors – 4yrs
Illinois State Scholar
National Honor Society – 2yrs
Seal of Biliteracy

Jersie Duytschaver – Valedictorian
Daughter of Matt and Kelly Duytschaver
Extra Curricular Activities: Cheerleader for 4yrs, captain for 2yrs
Key Club – 2yrs
Musical Play – 3yrs
Group Interpretation – 2 yrs
Band – 1 yr
Choir – 3yrs, Alto Section Leader – 1yr
College Plans: Going to Millikin University to major in music education
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Highest Honors – 4yrs
National Honor Society – 2 yrs
All Academic Cheer – 2yr
All Conference Choir – 1yr
In the Band and Choir who just won the Music Sweepstakes for 2023-2024 school year.
Commendation of Biliteracy

Ayery Yepsen – Valedictorian
Daughter of Martin and Kara Yepsen
Extra Curricular Activities: Volleyball 4yrs, Basketball 4yrs
Student Council – 4yrs, Vice President 1 yr
Key Club – 4yrs
Class Officer – 4yrs
Fellowship of Chritain Athletes – 4yrs
College Plans: Going to University Missouri to major in Social Work
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Illinois State Scholar
National Honor Society – 2yrs
Highest Honors – 4yrs
Seal of Biliteracey
All Academic Volleyball – 2yrs
All Academic Basketball – 2yrs

Alexander Hager – Salutatorian
Son of Julia Moon & Chas Hager
Extra Curricular Activities: Marching Band – 4yrs
Pep Band – 4yrs
Concert Band – 4yrs
Choir – 4yrs
Fall Play – 4yrs
Musical Play – 4yrs
Competitive Theater – 3yrs
College Plans: Going to Northern Illinois University to major in Meteorology
Honors received at Kewanee High School:
Highest Honors – 4yrs
National Honor Society – 2yrs
All-District Choir – 2yrs
All-State Honors Choir – 2yrs
Seal of Biliteracy
Illinois State Scholar


