Honors Students Recognized at Annual Banquet
Published on April 17, 2026
Lake Land College Honors students and members of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) Honors Society were recently recognized for their outstanding academic achievements at the annual Lake Land College Honors Banquet.
During the event, Grayson Thomas, Paris, was named Honors Student of the Year in recognition of his exceptional work in the Lake Land College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program.
Jay Bliler, Taylorville, and Sarah Housh, Charleston, were also recognized during the event as nominees for the Honors Student of the Year Award.
Student officers for the PTK Honors Society were also honored during the event for their service throughout the year: President Sarah Housh, Charleston; Vice President Kyra Hazelton, Effingham; Treasurer Morgan Livngston, Charleston; and Secretary Eric Stanley, Charleston.
From left to right: Eric Stanley, Charleston; Morgan Livingston, Charleston; Sarah Housh, Charleston; and Kyra Hazelton, Effingham.
Associate and Full-Level Honors students were also recognized for their exemplary academic achievements, professional integrity and commitment to lifelong learning. Associate Honors students are those who have completed two honors-level courses, while Full-Level Honors students are those who have completed four honors-level courses at Lake Land College. The following students were recognized for achieving Associate and Full-Level Honors:
| Name | Hometown | Honor Level |
| Jay Bliler | Taylorville | Full |
| Naomi Comer | Casey | Associate |
| Connor Garofano | Mattoon | Full |
| Jasmine Gast | Charleston | Associate |
| Kyra Hazelton | Effingham | Full |
| Sarah Housh | Charleston | Full |
| Morgan Livingston | Charleston | Full |
| Grayson Thomas | Paris | Full |
| Kailyn Tracy | Mattoon | Full |
All Lake Land College PTK students who will be graduating this year were also recognized and received a special graduation stole during the event. The following students are this year’s Lake Land College PTK graduates:
| Name | Hometown |
| Samantha Baker | Westfield |
| Jay Bliler | Taylorville |
| Sophia Brozis | Mattoon |
| Naomi Comer | Casey |
| Connor Garofano | Mattoon |
| Jade Garza | Humboldt |
| Jasmine Gast | Charleston |
| Kyra Hazelton | Effingham |
| Sarah Housh | Charleston |
| Morgan Livingston | Charleston |
| Ellie Macklin | Mason |
| Charlie Ring | Watson |
| Grayson Thomas | Paris |
| Kailyn Tracy | Mattoon |
| Katelynn Wise | Paris |
Pictured front row (left to right): Jay Bliler, Taylorville; Sarah Housh, Charleston; Jasmine Gast, Charleston; Jade Garza, Humboldt; Kyra Hazelton, Effingham; Ellie Macklin, Mason; and Naomi Comer, Casey.
Pictured back row (left to right): Faculty Honors Experience & PTK Advisor Casey Reynolds; Charlie Ring, Watson; Connor Garofano, Mattoon; Kailyn Tracy, Mattoon; Sophia Brozis, Mattoon; Morgan Livingston, Charleston; Grayson Thomas, Paris; Samantha Baker, Westfield; Katelynn Wise, Paris; and Dual Credit Events & Onboarding Specialist Ashlyn Paige.