Women’s Recognition Day 2026 Youth and High School Winners
Edison Junior High School
Kiera Weaver
Kiera Weaver is an 8th grader from Edison Junior High School and she is the daughter of Kimberly and Kevin Weaver. Kiera’s nominator describes her as a natural leader with a strong sense of integrity and responsibility. Kiera demonstrates these traits in the classroom and beyond. She approaches life with a positive attitude and genuine kindness towards everyone she meets.
As a leader, she ensures that every voice is heard, she is quick to offer support to her classmates, lending a helping hand without expecting recognition. Yet, it is this type of recognition that Kiera so genuinely deserves.
Beyond the classroom, Kiera is actively involved in her community orchestra, Youth Music Illinois, where she showcases her musical talent by playing the violin, oboe, and piano. She brings the same level of commitment and enthusiasm to cheerleading where she demonstrates teamwork, school spirit, and leadership. Kiera also gives of her time to assist with babysitting at the First Baptist Church in Pekin, creating a safe and welcoming environment for the children. Balancing her artistic pursuits, athletic involvement, and community service truly highlights Kiera’s well-rounded character.
Whether it’s in school or through music lessons, Kiera enjoys helping others find their confidence and creativity, which is why she sees herself becoming a teacher in the future. It is the YWCA’s distinct privilege to present Kiera Weaver with this award.
Georgetowne Middle School
Tynlee Huffman
This year’s Georgetowne Middle School award recipient is Tynlee Huffman, daughter of Betheny Huffman. Tynlee consistently shows strong character and is a positive influence to everyone around her. Tynlee’s kindness is shown through the ways she supports her struggling classmates and through her cheerful smile. The leadership that Tynlee shows inside and outside the classroom is rooted in her humility and work ethic. She is the type of student who leads by example by taking responsibility, staying focused on the task at hand, and always participating thoughtfully.
Tynlee is highly involved in school activities, participating on Student Council, cheer, dance, and volleyball. Her recent induction into the Junior National Honor Society speaks to her academic dedication and her commitment to service. Tynlee is a determined student with goals to become a marine biologist one day. With her positive character and quiet determination, the sky is the limit for Tynlee. Congratulations on being this year’s Women’s Recognition Day award recipient for Georgetowne Middle School, Tynlee!
Broadmoor Junior High School
Keeley Kemp
Our next award recipient is Keeley Kemp, an 8th grader from Broadmoor Junior High School. Keeley is the daughter of Jason and Erin Kemp. Keeley’s leadership is shown through her kindness, and she can be counted on to interact respectfully with everyone she encounters. Keeley is a genuine person who always shows up with the utmost of integrity. At school, Keeley is involved with Broadmoor’s Service Learning program and is always willing to lend a helping hand to her peers. She takes the initiative to try and improve her school and she helps others without needing external validation. Keeley’s character shines through her positive influence on her peers. She also has a passion for dance and is involved with the Classical Dance Academy. Keeley shows high academic effort and her future plans center around the medical field. Her goal is to either work as an anesthesiologist or pediatric nurse. Keeley has a bright future ahead of her, and we are pleased to present her with a Women’s Recognition Day award this year.
South Pekin Grade School
Makinley Harms
This year’s South Pekin Grade School 8th grade award recipient is Makinley Harms, daughter of Robert and Christina Harms. Makinley is in the top 20% of her grade academically which she balances with her participation in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, track and field, and softball. Makinley has a volunteer’s heart, giving of her time to her school and fundraising for Autism Awareness with her softball team. Even with such a busy schedule, Makinley always has a smile on her face and shows respect to both adults and peers. She serves as a wonderful role model to younger students and she is someone who is both incredibly talented, yet also humble and kind. Makinely’s teachers appreciate her excitement about learning, and they describe her as a leader in the classroom. She is also considered one of the most polite students in her school, a testament to her caring attitude. Amid this long list of positive attributes, what really stands out about Makinley is her willingness to make others feel included and seen. She is the type of student who stands up and says something if a peer is getting picked on, the kind who sits by someone at lunch who might otherwise be alone.
Makinley’s dedication and kindness will contribute to her future aspiration of becoming an ultrasound technician. Makinley’s nominator summarized that everyone who knows her is certain that she is destined for amazing things, so we are proud to recognize Makinley today as one of our award winners.
Tremont Middle School
Kenna Rocke
We are pleased to announce that the Tremont Middle School 8th grade award winner is Kenna Rocke, daughter of Galen and Betty Rocke. Kenna exemplifies excellence in every aspect of her academic journey. She shows exceptional dedication to her studies and she always gives her best effort. Kenna willingly collaborates with peers, offering support and assistance whenever needed. Her infectious enthusiasm and genuine smile resonates with those around her, creating a truly positive atmosphere. Her peers hold her in high regard, recognizing both her strong work ethic and her uplifting presence.
Kenna volunteers readily for tasks and approaches each responsibility with professionalism and grace. Kenna is a valued volunteer with the Tremont Apostolic Christian Youth Group and the Tremont Turkey Festival. Kenna actively participates in meaningful service initiatives, including meal preparation for new mothers, young families, and individuals in need. At the local Tremont Turkey Festival, Kenna is an active volunteer in preparing strawberry shortcakes for sale and serving in the food line. Her willingness to take on both behind-the-scenes and customer-facing roles demonstrates her versatility and maturity.
Currently, Kenna is exploring career opportunities that align with her values, with a particular interest in respiratory nursing within the healthcare field. Her natural inclination to help others makes this an ideal fit for her talents and aspirations. She also hasn’t ruled out a career in engineering, demonstrating her versatility and intellectual curiosity across disciplines. We are pleased to present Kenna with this award in recognition of all her past, current, and future success.
Rankin School
Sophia Rosenbohm
Our next award recipient is Sophia Rosenbohm, an 8th grader from Rankin School. Sophia is the daughter of Candice and Jonathan Rosenbohm. Sophia consistently demonstrates exceptional character, leadership, and maturity beyond her years. She maintains a positive attitude in every situation and is known for always having a smile on her face, even in the face of challenges. Sophia shows up each day with resilience, grace, and optimism, leading by example in all that she does. She is patient, kind, and inclusive with her peers, often choosing to partner with classmates who need additional support. Sophia is a leader without needing a title. As a member of Student Council, she takes initiative and her servant-leader mentality makes her someone other students naturally look up to.
Sophia is deeply involved in the Rankin school community, playing a significant role in Rankin’s Families Program, which brings together students in mixed K-8 groups to build mentorship and school community. Younger students gravitate toward her, and fellow eighth graders view her as a role model. She consistently demonstrates leadership, compassion, and responsibility in these settings. Sophia plans on being just as involved when she moves onto high school next year, and her ultimate goal is to work in the field of oncology. Congratulations on this well-deserved award, Sophia.
St. Joseph Catholic School
Jhanissa Clutter
Jhanissa Clutter is the 8th grader being honored by St. Joseph Catholic School in Pekin. Jhanissa is the daughter of John and Vhanissa Clutter. Her school describes her as a well-poised, faith-filled lady. Her principal and teacher says, “I have watched her growth as she has navigated many changes in our school. She held steadfast and knows her own mind, not allowing peer pressure to sway what she knows is the best choice for her. She has a quiet strength and helps with younger students with kindness and guidance.”
Jhanissa is an active member of the parish and school, participating in a variety of service projects that benefit the parish and community as a whole. She is an “almost” straight A student. She is an altar server at church, and she does a lot of activities with the kindergarteners, reading with them. She loves music (piano and singing), theater, and she was the lead in the school production of 101 Dalmations. She is president of Student Council, and she likes to bowl and ice skate. Jhanissa plans on attending Pekin Community High School. She will be taking vet tech classes while in high school, as her goal is to become a veterinarian.
Jhanissa, your faith, your academic skills, your music, your leadership, and your kindness to others have led your school to honor you with this award. Congratulations from St. Joseph School and the YWCA.
East Peoria Community High School
Annabel Pulling
This year’s high school award recipient from East Peoria High School is Annabel Pulling, daughter of Ben and Megan Pulling. Annabel is a ray of sunshine who constantly exudes positivity. Gifted with a natural instinct to lead and serve, she does so with remarkable grace and compassion. She is always engaged, eager to learn and her steady nature creates comfort and confidence in others. Annabel’s drive and passion set her apart from her peers and she is the very embodiment of being the change you wish to see in the world.
Annabel is heavily involved in both her community and school. She is a leader of the Youth Worship Team at The Encounter Church and also assists with the church’s Children’s Ministry for children ages 0 through 5th grade. She was the 2024 Festival of Lights Queen which required her to be a city wide representative for an entire calendar year. During her reign, she was involved in at least one service event per month including helping at the local food banks, surveying community members, making many special appearances and overall city clean up. At school, she has devoted herself to the service organizations Key Club and National Honor Society, serving as the Vice President for both. She also loves everything musical, playing in the band, singing in both the chorus and Madrigals, and serving as the Assistant Director of the Chorale alongside being Section Leader of the Drumline.
Annabel plans to attend Millikin University to study Music. Her goal is to make a meaningful impact on the world by sharing the lessons that music has taught her. She aspires to earn her doctorate and become a university professor, mastering her craft while inspiring others through her teaching. Driven by a deep passion for music, she is committed to using her experience to educate, uplift, and contribute to a better world. Congratulations, Annabel!
Pekin Community High School
Kendall Garman
Our next award recipient is Kendall Garman from Pekin Community High School. Kendall is the daughter of Jill and Brian Garman. Kendall has been an impressive student during her time at PCHS, balancing extracurriculars alongside maintaining academic excellence. Kendall has been a member of the PCHS Pom Pom Dance team and the Competitive Dance Team for 4 years. She also dances competitively outside of PCHS at Pekin’s Classical Dance Academy studio. Kendall’s commitment to dance even earned her the role of captain of the Poms team. Kendall has also been involved in yearbook and she is currently the editor-in-chief. This year, Kendall took part in the SkillsUSA competition, a workforce development program, by competing in the Job Interview, Medical Terminology, and the PreSchool Interactive Board competitions. Outside of school, Kendall has accumulated over 50 hours of community service.
Moreover, Kendall has not shied away from a rigorous academic courseload. She has taken six Advanced Placement classes, five science classes, and three years of Latin, all while maintaining high grades as evidenced by her membership in the National Honor Society. These courses have also contributed to Kendall’s future, as she plans to major in biology at the University of Alabama this fall. Kendall’s academic excellence, outstanding citizenship, and leadership within her school and her community make her a deserving recipient of this award.
Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School
Jaelyn Nunley
Jaelyn Nunley is a senior from Deer Creek-Mackinaw High School and she is the daughter of Chris and Jessica Nunley. During her four years at Dee-Mack High School, Jaelyn has consistently modeled great character and integrity. A natural leader, she has made a tremendous impact through her dedication to the Student Council and her athletic teams. Jaelyn’s commitment to excellence extends to the classroom, where she ranks at the top of her class and is a distinguished member of the National Honor Society. In her senior year alone, she has held the following positions: National Honor Society Vice President, Senior Class Student Council Vice President, Captain of Varsity Basketball, and Captain of Varsity Volleyball. Jaelyn’s outstanding character and leadership are evident in her unwavering dedication to both her academic and athletic pursuits. In the classroom, this drive has earned her the prestigious summa cum laude designation upon graduation. On the court, these same traits propelled her team to a Girls Basketball State Championship.
Jaelyn’s leadership extends well beyond the walls of Dee-Mack High School. She is an active volunteer in Mackinaw and the surrounding communities, dedicating her time to organizations such as the Midwest Food Bank and the Peoria Neighborhood House. Additionally, she has volunteered at the St. Jude Muddy Madness and numerous youth sports camps. Jaelyn’s commitment to her community and her commitment to personal excellence will serve her well after graduation as plans on studying business at the University of Missouri-Columbus. It is our honor to present this award to Jaelyn Nunley.
