TRIO Students Honored at Annual Banquet
Published on April 30, 2026
Lake Land College recently held its annual TRIO Student Support Services banquet, recognizing students who participated in the program throughout the 2025-2026 school year. During the event, several students received awards for their outstanding leadership and academic achievements.
The Above and Beyond Award was presented to Katherine Carlson, Shumway, for exceptional representation of TRIO values. Ethan Grant, Charleston; Tawny Webb, Effingham; and Madison Nichols, Lerna, were also recognized as the nominees for the Above and Beyond Award.
Pictured (from left to right): TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver; Ethan Grant, Charleston; Katherine Carlson, Shumway; Madison Nichols, Lerna; and Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq. (Not pictured): Tawny Webb, Effingham.
The Outstanding TRIO Advocate Award was presented to Ameilia Shonkwiler, Bethany, for proudly leading student involvement and serving as a TRIO ambassador. Boman Johnson, Mattoon; Grey Brault, Shelbyville; and Nate Carlin, Mattoon, were also recognized as nominees for the Outstanding TRIO Advocate Award.
Pictured (from left to right): TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver; Grey Bault, Shelbyville; Amelia Shonkwiler, Bethany; Nate Carlin, Mattoon; Boman Johnson, Mattoon; and Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq.
The TRIO Life Experience Award was presented to DeAnn St. Michael, Mattoon, for determination in overcoming obstacles to achieve success. Jeri Mattox, Mattoon; Stephanie Beltran, Mattoon; and Georgia Firnhaber, Shelbyville, were also recognized as nominees for the TRIO Life Experience Award.
Pictured (from left to right): TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver; Stephanie Beltran, Mattoon; Georgia Firnhaber, Shelbyville; Jerri Mattox, Mattoon; and Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq. (Not pictured): DeAnn St. Michael, Mattoon.
The Perseverance Award was presented to Eric Stanley, Charleston, for consistently overcoming obstacles and achieving success. Cooper Kessel, Effingham; Marlee Kocher, Newton; and Laci Harden, Mattoon, were also recognized as nominees for the Perseverance Award.
Pictured (from left to right): TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver; Eric Stanley, Charleston; Cooper Kessel, Effingham; Marlee Kocher, Newton; Laci Harden, Mattoon; and Director of TRIO Services Faisal Tariq.
The TRIO Student of the Year Award was presented to Kailyn Tracy, Mattoon, for involvement in TRIO and campus activities while exceling in the classroom. Ariel Norman, Paris; Drew Damery, Mattoon; and Naomi Comer, Casey, were also recognized as nominees for the TRIO Student of the Year Award.
Pictured (from left to right): Ariel Norman, Paris; TRIO Student Support Services Advisor Gavin Shawver; Kailyn Tracy, Mattoon; Naomi Comer, Casey; Drew Damery, Mattoon; and Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq.
The following students also received the Visionary Award in recognition of their commitment to future success and educational goals.
| Name | Hometown |
| Stephanie Beltran | Mattoon |
| Alaina Boren | Paris |
| Grey Brault | Shelbyville |
| Macey Brewer | Westfield |
| Derik Brown | Tuscola |
| Sophia Brozis | Mattoon |
| Nathaniel Carlin | Mattoon |
| Katherine Carlson | Shumway |
| Naomi Comer | Casey |
| Drew Damery | Mattoon |
| Caiden Debolt | Stewardson |
| Georgia Firnhaber | Shelbyville |
| Rachel Fiscus | Paris |
| Jasmine Gast | Charleston |
| Ethan Grant | Charleston |
| Laci Harden | Mattoon |
| Kyle Jackle-Hugh | Pana |
| Boman Johnson | Mattoon |
| Cooper Kessel | Effingham |
| Marlee Kocher | Newton |
| Brookelyn Kraus | Altamont |
| Jasinda LaFine | Effingham |
| Amber Lilley | Effingham |
| Jeri Mattox | Mattoon |
| Jerika Morgan | Mattoon |
| Maddy Nichols | Lerna |
| Ariel Norman | Paris |
| Kristy O’Connell | Casey |
| Ruth Ream | Taylorville |
| JayeAnne Reynolds-White | Gays |
| Amelia Shonkwiler | Bethany |
| DeAnn St. Michael | Mattoon |
| Eric Stanley | Charleston |
| Amanda Starr | Mattoon |
| Jake Stutesman | Charleston |
| Nicolette Stutesman | Charleston |
| Janiah Thomas | Urbana |
| Kailyn Tracy | Mattoon |
| Patience Vanatta | Charleston |
| Peyton Whitacre | Effingham |
| Aleczander Williams | Effingham |
| Bri Young | Teutopolis |
Several students were also recognized for maintaining a high GPA. The students recognized for academic excellence were as follows.
| Name | Hometown |
| Grey Brault | Shelbyville |
| Katherine Carlson | Shumway |
| Laci Harden | Mattoon |
| Cooper Kessel | Effingham |
| Amber Lilley | Effingham |
| Jeri Mattox | Mattoon |
| Jerika Morgan | Mattoon |
| Kristy O’Connell | Casey |
| Eric Stanley | Charleston |
| Nicolette Stutesman | Charleston |
| Patience Vanatta | Charleston |
| Payton Whitacre | Effingham |
| Sophia Brozis | Mattoon |
| Naomi Comer | Casey |
| Jasmine Gast | Charleston |
| Ethan Grant | Charleston |
| Boman Johnson | Mattoon |
| Brookelyn Kraus | Altamont |
| Maddy Nichols | Lerna |
| Ruth Ream | Taylorville |
| Amelia Shonkwiler | Bethany |
| DeAnn St. Michael | Mattoon |
| Drew Damery | Mattoon |
| Kailyn Tracy | Mattoon |
| Aleczander Williams | Effingham |
TRIO Student Support Services is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to help students complete their academic goals and graduate from Lake Land College. Counselors and advisors work with each student individually, providing and connecting students with a wide variety of support services. TRIO provides one-on-one meetings with staff, informative workshops and access to educational, social and cultural opportunities available only to TRIO participants. All of TRIO services are free to eligible students.
To learn more about TRIO at Lake Land College, contact Director of TRIO Programs Faisal Tariq at 217-234-5048 or ftariq@LakeLandCollege.edu.