Postma, Emsweller, Ferrier Top PHS Class of 2024 - The Vedette (2024)

The Peotone High School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony was held on Friday, May 24, at 7 p.m., at the high school. Honored speakers were Valedictorian Avery Postma and Co-Salutatorians Colin Emsweller and Ethan Ferrier. Avery is the daughter of Christie and Jason Postma, Colin is the son of Caitlin and Matthew Emsweller, and Ethan is the son of Tara and Matthew Ferrier. The honor of valedictorian and salutatorian is based on grade points earned (GPE).

Avery’s dedication to her studies, leadership roles, and volunteer work demonstrate her well-roundedness and commitment to making a positive impact. She is a member of National Honor Society and held the office of president. Avery has been a member of the Competitive and Sideline Cheerleading teams throughout her high school career, as well as a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Club, Student Council, the Yearbook Committee, and the PHS Journalism and Newspaper program. Outside of school, she has been a four-year member of Downtown Equestrian Horseback. She has worked just as hard at her volunteer work and helped with Christmas in the Village, Helping Hands Food Pantry, and Downtown Equestrian Center, just to name a few.

Avery is an Illinois State Scholar and was voted Student of the Month by the Peotone High School Faculty. She also received the Illinois Principals Association Award and Top 10 Recognition. Additionally, she received the Academic All-Conference Award, National Rural and Small Town Recognition Award, and the Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award. At the recent Senior Awards Night, she also received Senior Academic Awards for Art, English, Mathematics, the Marine Corps High School Award for Scholastic Excellence, as well as Honor Cords for the National Honor Society. She received Senior Activity Awards for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Journalism, the National Honor Society Award, and received the Fine Arts Booster Senior Award. Avery plans to attend Joliet Junior College and then transfer to either Northwestern University or the University of Iowa to major in English-Creative Writing.

Colin’s involvement in sports, academics, and extensive community service showcases his versatility and leadership abilities. He is a member of the National Honor Society and held the office of vice president. He is also a member of Student Council. Throughout his high school career, Colin was a member of the basketball team and football team and was a Captain his senior year. A three-year member of the baseball program, he also was in the high school band. While keeping up with his academics and extracurricular activities, he participated in many community service events, such as Christmas in the Village, NHS Fall Fair, Peotone American Legion’s fish fries, Feed My Starving Children, worked concessions at Blue Demons football games, cleaned-up the Will County Fairgrounds after the fair, helped pack boxes for Christkindl Market in Chicago, helped run the popcorn stand for girls’ basketball and volleyball games, and helped set up for the Homecoming and Winter Ball dances.

Colin is an Illinois State Scholar, received the Illinois Principals Association Award, and Top 10 Recognition. He received the JV Defensive Player of the Year for football, Varsity Blue Devil Award for football and basketball, Varsity Defensive Player of the Year for basketball, and was named All-Academic for football, basketball, and baseball. At the recent Senior Awards Night, Colin received Senior Academic Awards for English, Mathematics, Social Studies, as well as Honor Cords for National Honor Society and was the recipient of the Koomar Memorial Scholarship. After graduating, Colin plans to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to major in Kinesiology.

Ethan’s diverse range of activities, including academic clubs, sports, and his impactful volunteer work with Special Spaces Chicago, highlights his dedication to both his community and studies. He has been a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Class Representative as treasurer, Spanish Club, Best Buddies, and Renaissance Club. He was a State Qualifier for Chess Club and Unified Basketball. Ethan also rounded out his extracurricular activities and participated in basketball and football during the early years of his high school career. Ethan’s volunteer activities include Feed My Starving Children and the Peotone American Legion’s fish fries, but he is most proud of his work with Special Spaces Chicago, which is an organization that creates rooms for kids with cancer. He redecorated more than four rooms and volunteers for fundraisers to help fund these rooms.

Ethan is an Illinois State Scholar, received Top 10 Recognition, and has been on the high honor roll throughout his academic career. At the recent Senior Awards Night, Ethan received Senior Academic Awards for Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, as well as Honor Cords for the National Honor Society. He also received Senior Activity Awards for Best Buddies and Chess Club and was a recipient of the Koomar Memorial Scholarship. Ethan plans to attend Southern Illinois University – Carbondale to major in Computer Science.

Peotone High School is very proud to have such outstanding individuals representing its graduating Class of 2024, and it’s clear Avery, Colin, and Ethan will continue to excel in their future endeavors.