Class of 2021
Senior Honors
May 6th, 2021
Awards and Honors
Top 10% of Class of 2021
IHSA Scholar Achievement Award
Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year Award
This year’s recipient is Chloee Reed.
Jack Prowell Male Athlete of the Year Award
This year’s recipient is Logan Jones.
Student Council Award
Each year, the student council members vote to determine the Most Outstanding Senior Council Member. This award is in recognition of all the service and dedication a member has put into Student Council. This year’s Outstanding Senior has been a four-year member of council. She has been a very active and dependable member of council, has been involved in all of our activities, and always encouraged younger members to fully participate in council activities. She has proven herself to be an exceptional leader. She has the patience to listen, the courage to speak, the discipline to follow, and the wisdom to lead. It has been a privilege to witness the leadership growth of this particular senior. As a junior, she served as our recording secretary and this year was our co-president. She will continue to lead, wherever she may land, as a young adult and community member.
This year’s Student Council Outstanding Senior Award is presented to Elizabeth Hulick.
Daughters of the American Revolution Award
Rachel Branson
Korie Novak
Sons of the American Revolution Award
2021 Illinois State Scholars
Illinois State Scholars represent approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors from 726 high schools across the state. Illinois State Scholars are chosen based on a combination of exemplary ACT or SAT test scores and sixth semester class rank.
Not pictured: Olivia Kleiss
2021 Illini Prairie All Conference Scholar Athletes
Male Athlete: Logan Jones Female Athlete: Taylor Joop
President’s Education Award
Math Department Award
Every year the Mathematics department recognizes a student who excels in mathematics both in and out of the classroom. We look for a student who has shown an extreme aptitude for mathematics and rigorous mathematical thinking. This year’s recipient has been extremely successful in all of the mathematics courses they’ve taken, including AP Statistics (as a junior) and AP Calculus. They have also participated on our ICTM Math Contest team two out of three years. They’ve shown extreme interest in the subject of mathematics and have shown tremendous skill at problem solving and approaching solutions in unique ways.
We are pleased to give this year’s Mathematics Award to
Kim Pruetting.
Science Department Awards
Each year the Science Department recognizes two students. Our intention is to both honor them, and to help get them started on their professional library. This year, choosing only two students was incredibly difficult. This class has a strong core of science students and so many of them are worthy of being honored. In the end, we wanted to choose two students who besides displaying great academic achievement also showed an enthusiasm for learning and a love of science. Again, this decision was difficult.
This year, the award in Physical Science goes to Rachel Branson, and the award for Life Science goes to Taylor Joop.
Life Science Winner
Taylor Joop
Physical Science Winner
Rachel Branson
Class of 2021 National Honor Society Members
John Philip Sousa Band Award
Introduced in 1955 to honor the top student in the high school band, the John Philip Sousa Band Award® recognizes superior musicianship and outstanding dedication.
This year’s recipient of the John Philip Sousa Band Award is Rachel Branson.
National School Choral Award
The National School Choral Award is the highest honor for high school choral performers. It recognizes the dedication and musical achievement to that student it is awarded.
This year’s recipient is Elizabeth Hulick.
Scholarships
All-Pro HVAC and Plumbing Scholarship
This scholarship is for students who are pursuing higher education or training in the trades, engineering, architecture, project management, construction, or other trade-specific schools.
This year’s scholarship is awarded to
Rachel Branson.
Alumni Hall of Fame Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a senior planning to attend a four year institution, is a student of good academic standing and high moral character.
The winner is voted on by all current Unity Alumni Hall of Fame members.
This year’s scholarship award goes to Rachel Branson.
Annie Sue Daly Girls Track Scholarship
Annie ran track all through high school and was a Unity graduate in 2013. Annie passed away at the young age of 19. This scholarship was established in memory of Annie and her passion for running.
This year’s recipient is Alyson Bagwell.
Beatrice Tucker Memorial Scholarship
The Beatrice Tucker Memorial Scholarship is given in memory of Mrs. Beatrice Tucker, a long-time, dearly loved teacher at Unity High School. Mrs. Tucker was a faculty member of exceedingly high character and this scholarship is given to a graduating senior who has demonstrated excellent character throughout their career at Unity High School.
This year’s recipient of the Beatrice Tucker Memorial Scholarship is Caroline Bachert.
Mr. Bob Aimone Scholarship
Mr. Aimone taught at Unity from 1960-2001. He taught math and physics, was a class sponsor, and was a longtime student council sponsor. This scholarship was established to recognize a student who is a true leader and exhibits leaderships qualities on a daily basis. Leadership takes many forms, from holding an office in an organization, to leading on an athletic field, to being an example to peers.
This year’s recipient of the Mr. Bob Aimone Scholarship is Rachel Branson.
Brad Hulick Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded in honor of Brad Hulick, a Unit Seven Schools music educator for over 30 years. Brad loved nothing more than sharing his passion for music with others, and so enjoyed working with young people. He was a firm believer that music education and musical training enhanced the lives and development of all students, and that music instruction provides people with skills and appreciation that will serve them and bring them enjoyment for their entire lives.
This year’s recipient is Annie Schmidt
Brian Cardinal Athletic Scholarship
Brian Cardinal was a 1995 graduate of Unity High School. Brian played basketball for Purdue University and later in the NBA. He won an NBA championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
This scholarship was established to assist other Unity athletes with their college education.
This year’s recipient is Alyson Bagwell.
Caring for Communities Scholarship
Established in honor of Vida Friedlein and in memory of Oliver Friedlein. When student council approached the Friedleins about donating some money to them to assist with expenses with Vida's breast cancer, their generosity and sense of community spirit led them to instead establish this scholarship.
This year’s recipient of the Caring for Communities Scholarship is Cerra Thompson.
Champaign County Farm Bureau:
Joe and Sue Summerville Scholarship
This scholarship memorializes Sue Summerville’s parents, Lois and Myron Riddle, and their family farm legacy. This scholarship is offered by Sue & Joe Summerville and the CCFB Foundation.
This year’s recipient is Shannon Flavin.
Champaign County Farm Bureau:
Captain Hank Warfel Memorial Scholarship
Offered by the CCFB Foundation and funded by Lin Warfel and Lynda Fishel in honor of their father.
Captain Orville “Hank” Warfel fought in World War II and died in the Normandy region of France a few months following the D-Day invasion.
This year’s recipient is Emily Lopez.
C.J. Parks Memorial Scholarship
“We are honored to present this years CJ Parks Memorial Scholarship to Nathan Drennan! He participated in the football program all 4 years while maintaining a 3.0 or higher gpa, which is a requirement.
Congratulations on a job well done! We wish you continued success throughout your college career at McKendree University.”
-Carl and Heather Parks
Deputy Taylor Briggs Memorial Scholarship
The Deputy Taylor Briggs Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Champaign County senior in honor of Taylor Briggs who was a young Champaign County Deputy when he passed away unexpectedly in June of 2020. The scholarship is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Illini Lodge 17.
Maggie Hewing will be the first recipient of the annual scholarship. Maggie’s name will appear on a plaque that hangs at the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.
Maggie Hewing
Elizabeth W. Osborn Scholarship
Ms. Osborn was a teacher, Coach, and Administrator at Unity High School from 1962-1996. She was instrumental in starting the girl’s interscholastic sports program here at Unity. As Assistant Principal Ms. Osborn spent countless hours talking with students and impacting their lives even past high school. She encouraged all students to continue their education beyond high school.
This year’s recipient is Summer Day.
Fertilizer Dealer Supply Scholarships
The Fertilizer Dealer Supply Scholarship is for any student with Agriculture experience either through work, school or family. The student must also plan to pursue a career in Agriculture.
This year’s recipients are
Shannon Flavin Emily Lopez Clay Dailey
Unity FFA Alumni Scholarship
Emma Aders
Shannon Flavin
Herschel Wood Scholarship
The Herschel Wood family lived in the Unit Seven area and felt strongly about young people receiving a college education. They set up this scholarship to help those students with financial need to help achieve their goals.
This year’s recipient is Elizabeth Hulick.
James Black Memorial Scholarship
A formed committee of friends and colleagues established this scholarship in memory of Mr. James Black.
This year’s scholarship recipient is
Emma Felsman.
J.D. Schulthes Memorial Scholarship
J.D. Schulthes was a Unity Football player who displayed tremendous talent, discipline, a will to learn, and a love for the game. J.D. put his whole heart into every down, every play, and every game. After J.D.’s death in 2000, his parents set up a scholarship to honor a player that shows the same desire and dedication that J.D. had at
Unity High School.
This year’s recipient is Nathan Drennan.
Joe Summerville Scholarship
Joe Summerville came to Unity in 1963 as a physical education teacher and coach. During his 31 year tenure (1994) Coach Summerville worked with numerous sports; Assistant Varsity Football, 1963-73, Head Varsity Football, 1974-80, 1984-94; Head Wrestling, 1966-87; and Assistant and Head Track, 1964-75.
This scholarship was established to assist Unity athletes with their college education.
This year’s recipient is Nathan Drennan.
Kenneth Freeland Memorial Scholarship
Kenneth Freeland was a Business teacher and later a principal at Unity High School until his retirement in 1989. His family established this scholarship to assist Unity High School students with their college education.
This year’s recipient is Cerra Thompson
Lt. Harley Rutledge Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was established in late 2017 to honor the life and work of Harley D. Rutledge. Lt. Rutledge was a police officer for 21 years. During his career, he served his community as a patrol officer, field training officer, state police drug task force inspector, founding member of the Urbana Police Department Street Crimes Unit, patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, and lastly patrol division lieutenant.
During his career, he was a thorough and tenacious investigator. He worked on many major crimes and was an excellent resource for other officers. Lt. Rutledge had the highest of character and could be trusted to do what was right in every situation.
This memorial scholarship is awarded to a graduating Unity High School student that has demonstrated high academic achievement and excellent moral character. The scholarship is awarded to assist in funding a college, university or technical school education for a graduating student.
This year’s recipient of the Lt. Harley D. Rutledge Memorial Scholarship is Cerra Thompson.
National Honor Society Scholarships
The National Honor Society is pleased to have partnered with the Philo Exchange Bank and Busey Bank to award two scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to NHS members that best exemplify the 4 pillars of the National Honor Society: Leadership, Scholarship, Character, & Service.
Brooke Garretson
Taylor Joop
O’Neill Family Scholarships
Bill and Judy O’Neill are Unity graduates as are all four of their children. Believing that it is our duty to give back to our communities, the O’Neill Family has established this scholarship to financially assist current students with their future education and training.
Caroline Bachert
Ellie Henning
Resa Ellison Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship was created in memory of Resa Ellison a 1996 graduate of Unity High School. The intent of this scholarship is to help students pursue a college education in the Fine Arts or Literature.
This year’s recipient is Mia Shannon.
Run4Raley Scholarship
Run4Raley is dedicated to Raley Lynn Kirby, who was born with a Mitochondrial Disease that ended up taking her life. In memory of Raley the Kirby Family would like to award a scholarship to a student that gives back to their community by volunteering their time doing charitable work for others.
This year’s recipient is Shannon Flavin.
Savannah Day Girls Athletic Scholarship
Savannah Day was a 2018 Graduate of Unity High School. She was an outstanding student and a phenomenal runner. Savannah or “Sav” as her friends liked to call her, was a part of the 4x800m relay team that made girls track history as well as the 2015 and 2017 state champion cross country teams. She was also Co- President of Unity Pep Club her senior year.
Sav loved life, everyone that she met, and most of all her teammates. She definitely was one of a kind. After Savannah’s tragic death in October 2018, we decided as a family to keep her memory alive with a female athletic scholarship in Sav’s name. The scholarship recipient must have been a 4 year girl’s athlete who has obtained a 3.0 GPA or higher all 4 years.
This year’s recipient is Kyleigh Weller
Sidney Lions Club:
Frank and Yvonne Grussing Scholarship
The Sidney Lions Club wishes to award the Frank and Yvonne Grussing Memorial Scholarships to deserving high school seniors. Our goal is to assist in a monetary way to seniors who may wish to further their education.
Summer Day
Nathan Drennan
Sidney Lions Club:
Dr. Martin Koeck II Memorial Scholarship
The Sidney Lions Club wishes to award the Dr. Martin Koeck Memorial Scholarships to a well deserving high school senior who plans to have a career in a health related medical field. (Doctor, Nurse, Sport Med, etc.)
We are proud we can present this scholarship in memory of Dr. Koeck who was an active member of the Sidney Lions Club.
This year’s recipient is Isabella Bryant.
Tolono Lions Club Scholarship
Tolono Lions Club would like to present scholarships to two students that have shown good character, leadership, and service.
Alyson Bagwell
Maggie Hewing
Tolono Masonic Lodge Scholarship
The Tolono Masonic Lodge offers an annual scholarship to a Unity High School senior. Recipients must be pursuing a degree either in Education or a Human Health related field.
This year’s recipient is Alyson Bagwell.
Tolono Park District Scholarship
The Tolono Park District offers an annual scholarship to a Unity High School senior that resides within the Tolono Park District boundaries.
This year’s recipient is Shannon Flavin.
5th Annual Unity Athletic Booster Scholarship
Female Athlete
Each year the Unity Athletic Booster Club awards a scholarship to a senior female athlete that is continuing her education at a 2 or 4 year college/university. This student must have been awarded a minimum of two varsity letters in a IHSA sport and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
This year’s recipient is Kyleigh Weller.
5th Annual Unity Athletic Booster Scholarship
Male Athlete
Nathan Drennan
Each year the Unity Athletic Booster Club awards a scholarship to a senior male athlete that is continuing his education at a 2 or 4 year college/university. This student must have been awarded a minimum of two varsity letters in a IHSA sport and have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
This year’s recipient is Nathan Drennan.
Unity Music Boosters:
Polly Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Emily Lopez
Mia Shannon
Additional Achievements
Emma Aders
Iota Sigma Pi -
Outstanding Young Women in Chemistry Award
Aidan Anderson
Special Olympics Gold Medal:
Softball Throw
50 Yard Speed Walking Dash
Brandon Bates
EIU Distinguished Merit Scholarship
EIU Aim High Scholarship
Rachel Branson
Engineering Excellence Scholarship from University of Illinois
Materials Science Engineering Scholarship from University of Illinois
Clayton Dailey
Will attend and play football for the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point
Destination Wisconsin renewable scholarship up to 4 years - $1,000 per year
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Bass Fishing Team member
Nathan Drennan
McKendree University Athletic Scholarship for football
McKendree University Dean’s Scholarship
Maude Alexander Grant and Mckendree Grant
Brooke Garretson
University of Alabama Competitive Academic Scholarship
Benjamin Gavel
Will attend and wrestle for Campbellsville University in Campbellsville, KY
Heartland Award renewable scholarship up to 4 years-$10,000 per year
Men’s Wrestling renewable scholarship in increasing increments: up to 4 years-first year award $7,000.
Elizabeth Hulick
Millikin Merit Scholarship
Lane Innes
McKendree University Athletic Scholarship for football
Logan Jones
McKendree University Athletic Scholarship for football
Olivia Kleiss
Awarded $100,000 Vice Presidential Scholarship at St. Louis University
Admitted to the St. Louis University Law Scholars Program
Emily Lopez
University of Kentucky Bluegrass Spirit Scholarship
University of Kentucky William C. Parker Scholarship
4H Community Service in Ag Scholarship
Suzie Migut
Received an academic scholarship to the University of Illinois through the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
Andrew Miller
Illini Prairie All Conference Honorable Mention for Soccer
Madelyn Moore
Received the Redbird Academic Scholarship to Illinois State University.
A member of the National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS).
Zachary Ohlsson
Redbird Academic Scholarship at Illinois State University
Legacy Scholarship at Illinois State University
Annie Schmidt
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Industrial Design Major
James Scholar Honors Program in the College of Fine and Applied Arts
College of Fine and Applied Arts Talented Student Scholarship for 4 years
Conner Sharp
National Merit Scholarship Program Finalist
Lillian Styan
Received the Redbird Academic Scholarship for Illinois State University.
Kyleigh Weller
Awarded a full ride athletic scholarship to Danville Area Community College to play softball