We are excited to feature Quinn Flach in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Quinn will be attending Parkland College, where he plans to study Nursing.
Advice to his future self:
“Keep an open mind.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Explore.”
Fun Fact:
He has 5 siblings
What he’ll miss most:
Spending time with friends
Quinn, we are excited to see all the great things ahead for you as you begin your journey into the nursing field. Best of luck at Parkland!
After graduation, Quinn will be attending Parkland College, where he plans to study Nursing.
Advice to his future self:
“Keep an open mind.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Explore.”
Fun Fact:
He has 5 siblings
What he’ll miss most:
Spending time with friends
Quinn, we are excited to see all the great things ahead for you as you begin your journey into the nursing field. Best of luck at Parkland!
We are excited to feature Avont Jackson in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Avont will be attending the University of Illinois, where he plans to major in Community Health.
Song that describes graduation:
“Flashing Lights”
Advice to his future self:
“Stay positive and think!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Stay respectful and pursue your dreams.”
Fun Fact:
He says he has the best hair in the land
What he’ll miss most:
Working at school events because they were always so much fun
Avont, your personality and positivity have made a lasting impact on those around you. Wishing you nothing but success in this next chapter!
After graduation, Avont will be attending the University of Illinois, where he plans to major in Community Health.
Song that describes graduation:
“Flashing Lights”
Advice to his future self:
“Stay positive and think!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Stay respectful and pursue your dreams.”
Fun Fact:
He says he has the best hair in the land
What he’ll miss most:
Working at school events because they were always so much fun
Avont, your personality and positivity have made a lasting impact on those around you. Wishing you nothing but success in this next chapter!
Fine Arts Night – Thursday, May 7th
District Art Show 5:00 – 7:00 in the small gym
IMPACT Family Game Night 5:00 – 7:00 in the cafeteria
Elementary Concert 6:00
4th Grade Recorders
5th Grade Band
5th Grade Choir
3rd- 5th Grade Drumming Bulldogs
MS/HS Choir Concert 6:45
Middle School Choir
High School Choir
MS/HS Band Concert 7:40
6th Grade Band
Jazz Combo
7th/8th Grade Band
High School Band
District Art Show 5:00 – 7:00 in the small gym
IMPACT Family Game Night 5:00 – 7:00 in the cafeteria
Elementary Concert 6:00
4th Grade Recorders
5th Grade Band
5th Grade Choir
3rd- 5th Grade Drumming Bulldogs
MS/HS Choir Concert 6:45
Middle School Choir
High School Choir
MS/HS Band Concert 7:40
6th Grade Band
Jazz Combo
7th/8th Grade Band
High School Band
We are excited to feature Addie Roberts in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Addie will be attending John Wood Community College, where she plans to major in Sports Management.
Song that describes graduation:
“Young Dumb & Broke” by Khalid and “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan
Advice to her future self:
“Find happiness in what you're doing. You will have more fun and time will go faster. You've worked so hard for where you are now, so keep it up and keep going.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Don't let what others think of you control your life. Just try to have fun with it and keep your head up. You can get through any hard moments when you try to.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Addie wanted to own a restaurant in New York City, and the first person she wanted to serve was Taylor Swift.
What she’ll miss most:
Laughing with the people around her about old memories
Favorite memory:
Riding the mine train at Six Flags with her class as their final ride together during their 8th grade field trip
Addie, your positivity and energy have made high school memories even more special. Best of luck as you begin this exciting new journey!
After graduation, Addie will be attending John Wood Community College, where she plans to major in Sports Management.
Song that describes graduation:
“Young Dumb & Broke” by Khalid and “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan
Advice to her future self:
“Find happiness in what you're doing. You will have more fun and time will go faster. You've worked so hard for where you are now, so keep it up and keep going.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Don't let what others think of you control your life. Just try to have fun with it and keep your head up. You can get through any hard moments when you try to.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Addie wanted to own a restaurant in New York City, and the first person she wanted to serve was Taylor Swift.
What she’ll miss most:
Laughing with the people around her about old memories
Favorite memory:
Riding the mine train at Six Flags with her class as their final ride together during their 8th grade field trip
Addie, your positivity and energy have made high school memories even more special. Best of luck as you begin this exciting new journey!
English I
Bement High School Student Recognition Breakfast
SVCEO 2026 Trade Show
We are excited to feature Emma Garlutzo in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Emma will be attending Bradley University, where she plans to study Creative Writing.
Song that describes graduation:
“Slow It Down” by Benson Boone
Advice to her future self:
“Work hard.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Work hard, make every day count.”
Fun Fact:
She received the Presidential Scholarship
What she’ll miss most:
Her friends
Emma, your dedication and achievements have set you up for great things ahead. Wishing you the best as you begin this next chapter!
After graduation, Emma will be attending Bradley University, where she plans to study Creative Writing.
Song that describes graduation:
“Slow It Down” by Benson Boone
Advice to her future self:
“Work hard.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Work hard, make every day count.”
Fun Fact:
She received the Presidential Scholarship
What she’ll miss most:
Her friends
Emma, your dedication and achievements have set you up for great things ahead. Wishing you the best as you begin this next chapter!
We are excited to feature Shelby Senter in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Shelby will be attending Eastern Illinois University, where she plans to major in Business.
Song that describes graduation:
“Motion Picture Soundtrack” by Radiohead
Advice to her future self:
“Consider people more than you do now.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Carefully pick and choose what to procrastinate.”
Fun Fact:
She has never broken a bone
What she’ll miss most:
Her classmates
Favorite memory:
Any class they all have together
Shelby, we hope you carry these memories with you as you begin this next chapter. We are excited to see where your path takes you!
After graduation, Shelby will be attending Eastern Illinois University, where she plans to major in Business.
Song that describes graduation:
“Motion Picture Soundtrack” by Radiohead
Advice to her future self:
“Consider people more than you do now.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Carefully pick and choose what to procrastinate.”
Fun Fact:
She has never broken a bone
What she’ll miss most:
Her classmates
Favorite memory:
Any class they all have together
Shelby, we hope you carry these memories with you as you begin this next chapter. We are excited to see where your path takes you!
SPORTS UPDATE:
JH Track Meet for today, Monday May 4, 2026 will now start at 2:00 at Okaw Valley due to the predicted incoming storms for this evening.
JH Track students will leave Bement at 12:30
JH Track Meet for today, Monday May 4, 2026 will now start at 2:00 at Okaw Valley due to the predicted incoming storms for this evening.
JH Track students will leave Bement at 12:30
Friday Reader
We are excited to feature Ella Corum in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Ella will be attending Illinois State University, where she plans to major in Elementary Education.
Song that describes graduation:
“Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog
Advice to her future self:
“Live in the moment!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Get involved and soak up every moment, it’ll be over before you know it.”
Fun Fact:
She is the youngest person in her class
What she’ll miss most:
Seeing people she doesn’t get to see every day outside of school
Favorite memory:
Her eighth-grade trip to Six Flags
Ella, your kindness and positive outlook have made a difference here. We are excited to see the impact you’ll make in the classroom one day!
After graduation, Ella will be attending Illinois State University, where she plans to major in Elementary Education.
Song that describes graduation:
“Where’d All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog
Advice to her future self:
“Live in the moment!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Get involved and soak up every moment, it’ll be over before you know it.”
Fun Fact:
She is the youngest person in her class
What she’ll miss most:
Seeing people she doesn’t get to see every day outside of school
Favorite memory:
Her eighth-grade trip to Six Flags
Ella, your kindness and positive outlook have made a difference here. We are excited to see the impact you’ll make in the classroom one day!
The family of Nick Shelton presented Mr. David Salefski with a monetary donation in Nick’s memory to support students in the Industrial Technology Department at Bement High School. Nick was a welder by trade—and one of the very best.
We sincerely thank Nick’s family for their generous donation to Bement CUSD 5 and for honoring his legacy in a way that will positively impact our students.
We sincerely thank Nick’s family for their generous donation to Bement CUSD 5 and for honoring his legacy in a way that will positively impact our students.
We are excited to feature Ariel Ponce in our Senior Spotlight!
After graduation, Ariel will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she plans to major in Sports Administration.
Song that describes graduation:
“Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC and “Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery
Advice to her future self:
“Find joy in what you’re doing, and live in the moment!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Know how to balance school and fun. Go out, make friends, and try your best!”
Fun Fact:
She got a tattoo for her grandma
What she’ll miss most:
Playing games on bus rides back from track meets
Favorite memory:
Senior year in general has been so much fun together
Ariel, the memories you’ve made and the friendships you’ve built will stay with you as you take this next step. Excited to see where your journey takes you!
After graduation, Ariel will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she plans to major in Sports Administration.
Song that describes graduation:
“Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC and “Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery
Advice to her future self:
“Find joy in what you’re doing, and live in the moment!”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Know how to balance school and fun. Go out, make friends, and try your best!”
Fun Fact:
She got a tattoo for her grandma
What she’ll miss most:
Playing games on bus rides back from track meets
Favorite memory:
Senior year in general has been so much fun together
Ariel, the memories you’ve made and the friendships you’ve built will stay with you as you take this next step. Excited to see where your journey takes you!
We are excited to continue our Senior Spotlights with Ariel Ponce!
After graduation, Ariel will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she plans to major in Sports Administration.
Song that describes graduation:
“Young Dumb & Broke” by Khalid and “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan
Advice to her future self:
“Find happiness in what you're doing. You will have more fun and time will go faster. You've worked so hard for where you are now, so keep it up and keep going.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Don't let what others think of you control your life. Just try to have fun with it and keep your head up. You can get through any hard moments when you try to.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Ariel wanted to own a restaurant in New York City, and the first person she wanted to serve was Taylor Swift.
What she’ll miss most:
Laughing with the people around her about old memories
Favorite memory:
Riding the mine train at Six Flags with her class as their final ride together during their 8th grade field trip
Wishing you continued success as you chase your goals, Ariel. Your future is bright.
After graduation, Ariel will be attending Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where she plans to major in Sports Administration.
Song that describes graduation:
“Young Dumb & Broke” by Khalid and “You’re Gonna Go Far” by Noah Kahan
Advice to her future self:
“Find happiness in what you're doing. You will have more fun and time will go faster. You've worked so hard for where you are now, so keep it up and keep going.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Don't let what others think of you control your life. Just try to have fun with it and keep your head up. You can get through any hard moments when you try to.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Ariel wanted to own a restaurant in New York City, and the first person she wanted to serve was Taylor Swift.
What she’ll miss most:
Laughing with the people around her about old memories
Favorite memory:
Riding the mine train at Six Flags with her class as their final ride together during their 8th grade field trip
Wishing you continued success as you chase your goals, Ariel. Your future is bright.
PROM 2026
We are excited to continue our Senior Spotlights with Will Fuson!
After graduation, Will will be attending the University of Illinois, where he plans to major in Business.
Song that describes graduation:
“Time Marches On” by Tracy Lawrence
Advice to his future self:
“Stop and think. You’ll figure it out.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Get involved, try new things, and learn something about yourself. You only do this once.”
Fun Fact:
Cross country and track
What he’ll miss most:
The nights that weren’t planned
Wishing you the best at Illinois, Will. We’re excited to see where this next chapter takes you.
After graduation, Will will be attending the University of Illinois, where he plans to major in Business.
Song that describes graduation:
“Time Marches On” by Tracy Lawrence
Advice to his future self:
“Stop and think. You’ll figure it out.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Get involved, try new things, and learn something about yourself. You only do this once.”
Fun Fact:
Cross country and track
What he’ll miss most:
The nights that weren’t planned
Wishing you the best at Illinois, Will. We’re excited to see where this next chapter takes you.
The High School Softball Game today will be played at Cerro Gordo starting at 4:30.
Unfortunately our outfield in Bement was not safely playable.
Hope to see everyone for the High School Baseball Game on Thursday in Bement starting at 4:30.
Unfortunately our outfield in Bement was not safely playable.
Hope to see everyone for the High School Baseball Game on Thursday in Bement starting at 4:30.
We are excited to continue our Senior Spotlights with Sierra Fay!
After graduation, Sierra will be attending Parkland College, where she plans to pursue Carpentry.
Song that describes graduation:
“White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean
Advice to her future self:
“Don’t get caught up on what you haven’t accomplished. Stick to what you have accomplished and remember to be grateful for how far you have come.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Be a sponge, soak it all in. Embrace your discomfort and learn to grow through the hard times.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Sierra dreamed of being a rapper and went by the name “Lil Sis Dawg.”
What she’ll miss most:
Being surrounded by people who want the best for her. She gives a special thank you to Rog for always having her back and being a role model. Now, she’s ready to be that person for others and pass on the same growth and resilience.
Favorite memory:
She’ll never forget cutting out a giant uppercase “E” from a newspaper, almost the size of her hand, when the assignment was to cut out a lowercase “e” to look at under microscopes.
Wishing you all the best in the future, Sierra. Your future is full of opportunities and growth ahead.
After graduation, Sierra will be attending Parkland College, where she plans to pursue Carpentry.
Song that describes graduation:
“White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean
Advice to her future self:
“Don’t get caught up on what you haven’t accomplished. Stick to what you have accomplished and remember to be grateful for how far you have come.”
Advice to underclassmen:
“Be a sponge, soak it all in. Embrace your discomfort and learn to grow through the hard times.”
Fun Fact:
When she was younger, Sierra dreamed of being a rapper and went by the name “Lil Sis Dawg.”
What she’ll miss most:
Being surrounded by people who want the best for her. She gives a special thank you to Rog for always having her back and being a role model. Now, she’s ready to be that person for others and pass on the same growth and resilience.
Favorite memory:
She’ll never forget cutting out a giant uppercase “E” from a newspaper, almost the size of her hand, when the assignment was to cut out a lowercase “e” to look at under microscopes.
Wishing you all the best in the future, Sierra. Your future is full of opportunities and growth ahead.
Join us for the 2026 Sangamon Valley CEO Trade Show — just one week away!
Our 12 young entrepreneurs have worked incredibly hard this year to develop their businesses, prepare their products and services, and create a professional trade show experience for the community. Now it is time for them to showcase their work.
Date: Monday, May 4
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Location: Monticello Community Building
201 North State Street, Monticello
Our 12 young entrepreneurs have worked incredibly hard this year to develop their businesses, prepare their products and services, and create a professional trade show experience for the community. Now it is time for them to showcase their work.
Date: Monday, May 4
Time: 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Location: Monticello Community Building
201 North State Street, Monticello
