The Mendota Lions Club held its annual Lions Honor Banquet on May 14, recognizing Mendota High School students for excellent academic achievement. Front row, left to right, are Mary DeFore, Amanda Barrett, Morgan Marquis, Madi Mikolasek, Bonnie Hall and Madison Pappas. Back row, Ella Massey, Lily Linden, Katherine Wohrley, Amellia Bromenschenkel, Sam Becker, Preston Lewis, Katie Beetz, Natalie Landgraf and Peyton Baird. Not pictured: Hannah Ambler, Noah DeLong, Rachel Brandner, Abby Phalen, Sean Dullard, Keina Arteaga, Daisy Contreras. (Photo contributed)

MENDOTA – The Mendota Lions Club honored 22 Mendota High School students for excellence in academics at its annual Lions Honor Banquet on May 14 at the Lions’ Den.

Freshman students that were recognized included Keina Arteaga, Amanda Barrett, Amellia Bromenschenkel, Daisy Contreras, Mary DeFore, Bonnie Hall, Lily Linden, Ella Massey, Madi Mikolasek and Madison Pappas.

Keina is the daughter of Jose and Lucia Arteaga. She received honor roll and an invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast.

Amanda is the daughter of Jeff Barrett. During her freshman year she has been a member of the volleyball team, was awarded honor roll and received an invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast, where she received her first academic award.

Amellia is the daughter of Chad and Debi Bromenschenkel. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball and soccer. She was the recipient of all-conference basketball honors as well as recognized as IBCA all-state basketball. She was awarded honor roll and received her first academic award.

Daisy is the daughter of Josefina Contreras. She was awarded honor roll and received her first academic award.

Mary is the daughter of Shaun and Julie DeFore. She has been a member of the volleyball, basketball and softball teams, was awarded honor roll and received an invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast, where she received her first academic award.

Bonnie is the daughter of Glenn and Teresa Hall. In her first year at MHS, she has been active in jazz, marching, pep and concert bands as well as woodwind and treble choir. She appeared in the spring musical, was involved in cross country, Scholastic Bowl and was a member of the math team. Her 4.0 grade point average earned her honor roll status and her first invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast.

Lily is the daughter of Mike and Maureen Linden. She has been involved in pep, marching and jazz band, choir, show choir and was in the spring musical. She was a member of Scholastic Bowl and the cross country team, was awarded honor roll and her first invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast.

Ella is the daughter of Chad and Melinda Massey. She has been active in volleyball, Student Council and Spanish Club. She was freshman Homecoming attendant and earned her first invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast for her honor roll achievement.

Madi is the daughter of Ray and Terri Mikolasek. She participated in volleyball, earned honor roll and received her first academic award.

Madison is the daughter of Sean and Jen Pappas. In her first year at MHS, she has been involved in marching, jazz and concert bands, concert and show choir, appeared in the fall play, Madrigals and spring musical, was a football and basketball cheerleader, and a member of the math team. Her 4.0 grade point average earned her honor roll and her first invitation to the Academic Incentive breakfast.

Sophomore students honored by the Lions Club were Hannah Ambler, Rachel Brandner, Noah DeLong and Sean Dullard.

Hannah is the daughter of Carl and Susan Ambler. She is active in band, tennis, basketball and has made cheer squad for next year. She was awarded for three semesters on the honor roll.

Rachel is the daughter of Don and Karen Brandner. Among her activities are tennis, choir, spring musical, ILMEA all-state and was invited to the Academic Incentive breakfast for the second year, where she was awarded for three semesters on the honor roll.

Noah is the son of Michael and Janet DeLong. He has participated in golf, basketball, tennis, band, choir and Academic Challenge, and has been awarded for three semesters on the honor roll.

Sean is the son of Steve and Deb Dullard. He has been involved in band, jazz band, drumline and tennis. He is member of the math team, Spanish Club, WYSE Academic Team and is a Boy Scouts of America Life Scout. He received second place in the Spanish Regional Cultural Contest and second place at the 2018 WYSE Academic Challenge. He also received Order of the Arrow, Boy Scouts of America Life Scout, BSA. He has twice been invited to the Academic Incentive breakfast.

Students from the junior class invited to the Lions Banquet were Peyton Baird, Katie Beetz, Preston Lewis, Abby Phalen and Katherine Wohrley.

Peyton is the daughter of John and Kris Baird. She has been active in volleyball, is a member of the National Honor Society and has been five semesters on the honor roll.

Katie is the daughter of Zach and Michelle Beetz. She is a member of the band and serves as secretary. She has also participated in jazz band, choir, woodwind choir and has been in musicals. She is a member of the National Honor Society and an ILMEA choir participant.

Preston is the son of Julie Lewis. Among his activities at MHS are football, tennis, Interact, Student Council, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish Club, math team and Academic Challenge. He has served on the IHSA student advisory committee, was football and Scholastic Bowl captain, and Interact treasurer. He received second-team all-conference Scholastic Bowl, attended the Illinois Leadership and National Student Leadership seminars, is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and has been awarded for five semesters on the honor roll.

Abby is the daughter of Tim and Jan Phalen. She has been involved in volleyball, basketball and track, is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Student Council, math team and Academic Challenge. She has served on the handbook committee and the code of conduct committee, was nominated for Girls State and was second-team all-conference in volleyball. She has been awarded for five semesters on the honor roll.

Katherine is the daughter of Kevin and Jill Wohrley. She has been a member of the basketball and tennis teams, participated in band, marching band, choir, show choir, Madrigals and school plays. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council, Interact, math team and Academic Challenge. She served as Interact trustee and vice president, band section leader and was an ILMEA participant, in addition to being awarded for five semesters on the honor roll.

Seniors recognized by the Lions Club include Samuel Becker, Natalie Landgraf and Morgan Marquis.

Samuel is the son of John and Cindy Becker. He has participated in golf and baseball, is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, Student Council and Scholastic Bowl. He was a Spanish Cultural contest participant, was a tutor for District 289, served as senior class vice president, National Honor Society president, is an Illinois State Scholar and received the Sons of American Revolution award. He attended the Academic Incentive breakfast where he was awarded for seven semesters on the honor roll.

Natalie is the daughter of Mitch and Tammy Landgraf. She has been active in tennis, band, jazz band, choir, jazz choir, show choir, Madrigals and appeared in school plays and musicals. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, All-Academic Team, Mendota Rotary Interact Club and Spanish Club. She served as band librarian and head librarian before being president this year. She is an Illinois State Scholar, Student ‘Pulley’ Mentor, HOBY selectee, WYSE Academic Challenge state qualifier, ILMEA, all-state honors chorus qualifier, a Spanish Cultural Festival/Contest participant and was Homecoming attendant her sophomore year. She is the recipient of the LaSalle County Board Schools Committee Student Excellence Award and was also awarded for seven semesters on the honor roll.

Morgan is the daughter of Matt and Maurine Marquis. She has participated in volleyball, basketball, softball, and was active in Student Council, Interact Club, math team, Academic Challenge and Spanish Club. She is a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, and served as National Honor Society co-secretary. She is an Illinois State Scholar, a math team state qualifier, and received first place for physics at regional and third place at sectional in the Academic Challenge. She attended the Academic Incentive breakfast and was awarded for seven semesters on the honor roll.