The Rising Star Award is in its 27th year.  The prestigious list of finalists represents an honor roll of high school baseball in the St. Louis metro area.  Finalists are chosen based on their outstanding achievements on the field and in the classroom.

Bagwell’s accomplishments include:

• Three-time All-Southwestern Conference selection 2020-2022
• Cincinnati Reds Scout Team (Fall 2023)
• Invited to two Pro Scout Days (FL, MO)
• Member of CHS Student Leadership Class, Kahok Football Leadership Council
• Baseball Youth Camp Volunteer, Volunteers at local events (Italian Fest, BBQ on Main)
• Earned a 3.4 GPA entering his senior year

Kahok Baseball Head Coach Brett Swip said, “Ethan is a great, physical athlete.  His is great at baseball and was also a successful Kahok football athlete his first three years at CHS.  Being recognized by the Greater St. Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame as a Rising Star in 2024 demonstrates the complete student-athlete and community leader Ethan is as well.  He’s a great Kahok!”

The five finalists were recognized on Thursday, April 18, during the 2024 Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Sheraton Chalet Hotel at Westport.

Ethan is the son of Kayce and Mike Bagwell.  He will attend and play baseball at University of Missouri-Columbia next year.

The post CHS Senior Ethan Bagwell Named Finalist for Greater STL Baseball Award appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

For a list and profiles of each of the inductees, as well as information about the Hall of Fame, visit the Kahok Hall of Fame website.

Use the link below to watch the induction ceremony and view the acceptance speeches.  Use the timestamp menu to locate each presentation.

The post View the 2024 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Collinsville, Illinois – December 27, 2023

The Hall of Fame was established in May 2022 “to recognize athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.”

The 2024 group is the second to be enshrined in the Kahok Hall of Fame. Twenty-one individuals and teams were honored as the inaugural class last year.   

Beginning in May 2023, nominations for the 2024 class of inductees were solicited from the public.  In August, the eleven members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee – four from the school district and seven representing the community at large – chose this year’s Kahok Hall of Fame inductees from a lengthy list of worthy individuals and teams.  

To be eligible, a candidate must have graduated from Collinsville High School, worked for Collinsville CUSD #10 or be affiliated with the Collinsville CUSD #10 communities. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame must be at least 30 years of age prior to being inducted.

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame has two divisions:

• Distinguished: Individuals are recognized for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment and/or school district employment.
• Athletic: Individuals, teams and coaches are recognized for their success and accomplishments.

“Our district is really excited to recognize our alumni, residents and employees for their community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishments, service to the district, athletic success and accomplishments,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“It was a challenge and an honor for the committee to review and select the Collinsville Kahok Hall of Fame Class of 2024,” added Skertich, “We are extremely proud of this year’s inductees and look forward to our  community  celebrating their accomplishments in February.”

2024 Induction Dinner Tickets and Information:

The 2024 inductees will be celebrated February 15, 2024 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois.  Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m.  The inductee presentations begin at 6:45 p.m.  The cost is $40 per person.  Tables seating eight can be requested. Tickets for this event are limited and must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales end on February 1, 2024.  

Tickets can be purchased by contacting Clay Smith (csmith1@cusd.kahoks.org) 618-346-6320 Ext. 1231 OR Jan Harmon (jharmon1@cusd.kahok.org)  618-346-6320 Ext. 1122.  

2024 Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame Inductees:

1965 Basketball Team (Athletic Achievement): The 1964-65 Kahok basketball season was supposed to be a “rebuilding year” after an upset loss in the super sectionals ended the 1963-64 season. However, everything came together that winter to bring home Collinsville High School’s second state basketball championship.  Under the leadership of legendary Collinsville basketball coach Vergil Fletcher and assistant coach Frank Pitol, with grit and perseverance, as well as a historic command of Fletcher’s 1-2-2 “ball press” defense, the ‘65 team accrued a 30-2 season, 12-0 conference record, and state championship.  

1986 Soccer Team (Athletic Achievement): The 1986-87 Kahoks capped an 18-5-2 season with Collinsville High School’s second boys soccer state championship. Collinsville beat Libertyville in the state tournament final match 2-1 in a nail-biter that included four overtimes. 

William (Bill) Baumgartner (Distinguished Achievement):  A 1976 graduate of Collinsville High School; as well as graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, University of New Orleans and Harvard Law School, retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Bill Baumgartner’s 33 year military career included serving as The Judge Advocate General/Chief Counsel (TJAG) and Seventh District Commander of the Coast Guard. He is the recipient of the Legion of Merit Award for his actions during the global war on terror.

Bob Bone (Athletic Achievement): Bob Bone was a three-year starter for Kahok Basketball leading up to his graduation from CHS in 1973. He played on two regional and sectional championship teams and two Elite Eight teams. Bone was named All-Conference, All-State and All-State Tournament as a senior.  At University of Missouri-St. Louis, Bone started every game for four years, and was a three-time NCAA Division II All-American. He was also an academic All-American and earned an NCAA postgraduate scholarship. His career as an athletic director and basketball coach includes twenty-years at Collinsville High School. 

Brenda Holdener (Distinguished Achievement):  Captain Brenda Holdener enlisted in the U.S. Navy following her 1978 graduation from Collinsville High School. She earned degrees from Oregon State University, the Naval War College and University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.  During her 31-year Navy career, she served as a combat helicopter pilot, navigator on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and USS Kitty Hawk, commanding officer of a helicopter squadron, and command center director for North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD). She was the first female commander of the USS Wasp, a multipurpose amphibious assault ship.  In the early 1990s, Holdener was part of a panel that spoke before Congress regarding the combat exclusion law which prohibited women from serving in combat positions.

Francesca “Frannie” Kolesa (Athletic Achievement): CHS Class of 2010 graduate Frannie (Steiner) Kolesa’s calm and cool demeanor helped lead the Kahok Girls Bowling team to the state championship in 2010; to date the only IHSA state championship girls team in school history.  At the state tournament, Kolesa’s 2,756 (229 average) pins, including three consecutive strikes in her final frames, helped the Lady Kahoks clinch the team championship, and earned her the individual state title.  She was named 2009-10 SIHSBC Player of the Year and St. Louis Post-Dispatch Female Athlete of the Year.

Dominique Manley (Athletic Achievement): Kahok middle-distance runner Dominique Manley graduated from Collinsville High School in 2010 holding eight school records; seven still standing today. During his high school years, he was a two-time 800m, and one-time 4X800m relay Madison County champion; and 4x400m Southwestern Conference relay champion.  Manley made three appearances at IHSA State, including when he won the 800m state championship in 2010. He continued his track career at Kansas University where he competed individually and as part of Jayhawk relay teams.

Ken Oberkfell (Athletic Achievement): Ken Oberkfell, a 1974 graduate of Collinsville High School, learned baseball growing up in Maryville, Illinois, and as a Kahok at CHS.  He was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1975, which launched his long career as a professional baseball player and coach.  The highlight of his Major League career was being a member of the Cardinals’ 1982 World Championship team as part of “the best infield in baseball.”

Dennis Pace (Athletic Achievement): The 1965 Kahok state championship basketball team was led by center Dennis Pace. He averaged 25.6 ppg during their 30-2 season.  He was the state tournament’s leading scorer, and earned All-State and All-American honors.  After graduating in 1965, Pace took his skills on the court to the University of Illinois where he excelled in the classroom, too, earning both All-Big Ten and All-American academic honors.  After college, he returned to Collinsville High School as a physical education instructor and coach.  

Tom Parker (Athletic Achievement): Basketball player Tom Parker graduated from Collinsville High School in 1968.  At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Parker was a three-year starting center for Kahok Basketball.  During his record-setting career at CHS, he scored 2,041 career points and set many school records. In high school, he earned All-State honors twice, and was named an All-American his senior year. At the University of Kentucky, his standout performance continued: All-SEC First Team, Academic All-SEC Team, and co-SEC Player of the Year. Parker was drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1972 NBA draft. 

John A. “Jack” Renfro (Distinguished Achievement): Jack Renfro dedicated his career to public education.  Renfro, a 1950 graduate of Collinsville Township High School, was a multisport Kahok; a four-year contributor in basketball, track and baseball, including captain of the 1950 basketball team that took 4th in state, and the record holder of both 100- and 220-yard dash. After graduating from SIU Carbondale and service in the U.S. Army in South Korea, he began his career as a teacher and coach in several Illinois communities. In 1970, he returned to his hometown, where he was an educator for several years before serving as superintendent for 22 years.  John A. Renfro Elementary is named in his honor.  

John M. Renfro (Distinguished Achievement): John Renfro is a 1978 graduate of Collinsville High school where he was a member of National Honor Society and science club, officer of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and captain of the cross country and track teams.  Next, he followed the path of several relatives who earned degrees at SIU Carbondale. There he earned the business degree that would become the foundation of a career that has included senior executive roles at Zenith, Gateway, The Walt Disney Company, HP, AECOM and Capital Group. He is currently an executive advisory board and founding member of SemperVirens Venture Capital in California.     

Everett Singleton (Distinguished Achievement):  Everett Singleton was a pioneer in ending racial discrimination and segregation in the Collinsville public school system. Singleton was born in 1914 and raised in Collinsville during segregation. He attended Lincoln School for Blacks in the community, but graduated from high school elsewhere because Collinsville Township High School was not desegregated until 1940.  He earned a teaching degree from Illinois State Normal University and returned to Collinsville where he would serve as a teacher, and eventually, the final principal of Lincoln School for Blacks. Singleton’s leadership and character helped convince the Board of Education to close the school and integrate its students and staff into other schools. Singleton taught at Summit Elementary and Webster Elementary until his death in 1970. 

Kevin Stallings (Athletic Achievement): While growing up in Collinsville, Kevin Stallings developed a passion for basketball.  Stallings played guard at Collinsville High School for four years under legendary coach Vergil Fletcher. When he graduated in 1978, the Kahoks had collected three conference championships and two appearances in the state tournament; and Stallings had set records in career assists, season assists and season steals. He went on to play basketball at Purdue University for American Hall of Fame basketball coach Gene Keady. After college, Stallings became an assistant coach at Purdue, then University of Kansas. Over the next 25-years, he served as head basketball coach at Illinois State University, Vanderbilt University and University of Pittsburgh. 

Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame

For more information about the Kahok Hall of Fame,  including previous inductees,  visit: www.kahokhalloffame.org

Collinsville Area Community Foundation

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Hall of Fame is supported through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation. 

CACF works to enhance the quality of life for the communities of Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, Fairmont City and surrounding areas by promoting impartial, unbiased and ethical philanthropy, with a commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, by bringing together people and resources that identify and address present and emerging school and community needs.

CACF is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  All contributions and gifts are tax deductible. To learn more and make a donation, visit the Collinsville Area Community Foundation website. 

The post Kahok Hall of Fame Announces 2024 Inductees appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click to read the message in Spanish

Kahok Families, 

As 2023 comes to a close, I want to thank our staff, administrators, families and communities for their constant dedication to our students.  Our students continue to see success in the classroom and while participating in co-curricular activities.  This wouldn’t be possible without the support given to them outside of school.  We are fortunate to call Unit 10 home and look forward to more success in 2024!

Winter Break begins Friday, December 22, and extends to Tuesday, January 2, with students and staff returning on Wednesday, January 3.  It’s safe to say everyone is looking forward to a little downtime.  In between the holidays, don’t miss the opportunity to attend the Prairie Farms Holiday Classic at Fletcher Gymnasium Wednesday, December 27 – Friday, December 29.  Don’t forget:  The Kahok Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced at halftime of the Collinsville vs. Decatur Eisenhower game scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.  Don’t forget to wear your purple, come watch some basketball and be ready to cheer for the Kahoks!  

Our district has partnered with the Southern Illinois Health Foundation to provide school physicals, immunizations and treatment for common ailments (cold, cough, sore throat, earache, etc.)  Their offices are open for in-person visits at CMS on Mondays and Tuesdays, and via tele-health on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  Please call (618) 578-5701 to schedule an appointment.  Life rarely slows down and SIHF is here in a convenient setting to assist our families throughout the year.

Attached you will find information about CHS Band’s annual stuffed shells fundraiser.  Here’s the link to place an order. Take advantage of this once-a-year opportunity to support our high school band program and enjoy a delicious Kahok tradition. 

I want to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable holiday season with family and friends.  Please be safe!

Happy Holidays and Go Kahoks!

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent

Click HERE for a printed order form.

The post December 21, 2023 Message from Dr. Skertich appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Read the December 8, 2023 transcript in English
Read the December 8, 2023 transcript in Spanish

Click HERE to read the 2023-24 E-Learning Plan

For information on the 2024 Kahok Hall of Fame dinner and ceremony, click HERE.

The post December 8, 2023 Message from Dr. Skertich appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

The 2nd Annual Kahok Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is February 15, 2024 at the Gateway Center in Collinsville, Illinois. Doors open at 5:00 p.m.; followed by dinner at 6:00 p.m. The inductee presentations begin at 6:45 p.m. The cost is $40 per person. Tables seating eight can be requested.

To reserve your seat and purchase tickets, contact:

Clay Smith (csmith1@cusd.kahoks.org) 618-346-6320 Ext. 1231
Jan Harmon (jharmon1@cusd.kahoks.org) 618-346-6320 Ext. 1122

Please note: Tickets for this event are limited and must be purchased in advance. Ticket sales end on February 1, 2024.

The Kahok Hall of Fame 2024 class of inductees will be announced at the Prairie Farms Holiday Basketball Tournament at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 27, 2023 in Vergil Fletcher Gymnasium at Collinsville High School. A tournament ticket is required to attend. The announcement will be broadcast live on the Kahok Sports Network.

The Kahok Hall of Fame was established in May 2022 to recognize athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10. For more information, including how to make a monetary donation to support the Hall of Fame, visit www.kahokhalloffame.org.

The post Tickets on Sale for 2024 Kahok Hall of Fame Induction appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Shortly after 5:00 am, KMOV’s Matt Chambers was in the Kahok Hall of Fame where he talked  to Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich and representatives of the CHS StuCo.

At 6:00 am, the pep rally got underway in Fletcher Gymnasium with a loud, rousing rendition of the school fight song by the Marching Kahoks and the grand entrance of the 2023-24 Kahok Krazies running through the gym with spirit flags.  Until 7:00 am, the CHS dance team, cheerleaders and color guard entertained the large crowd of students and staff who arrived at school nearly two hours before the start of the day.

Following the rally, students moved to the cafeteria for breakfast and on to the school day.

It was a LOUD/PROUD morning to be a Kahok!!!

Click images to watch clips from the Kahok Back-to-School Pep Rally featured by KMOV

Dr. Skertich talks about the Kahok Hall of Fame

Athletic Director Clay Smith talks about blending athletics and academics

The post First Day Pep Rally Raises the Roof on Fletcher Gym appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Here are 2022-23 CHS Latin award highlights:

Seal of Biliteracy

The post CHS Latin Reports Record Year of Awards in 2023 appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Nominate a deserving Kahok

Online and printable nomination forms are posted on the Kahok Hall of Fame website or can be accessed using these links:  ONLINE nomination OR PRINTED nomination

The selection committee is accepting nominations May 1, 2023 through August 1, 2023.

Kahok Hall of Fame

The Kahok Hall of Fame was established in May 2022 to recognize “athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.”

“Our district is fortunate to have a long and storied list of alumni, residents and employees who are worthy of recognition for their community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishments and service to the district,” said CUSD 10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, “Furthermore, Kahok Nation has a long history of student athletes, alumni and coaches who have experienced a great deal of athletic success and accomplishments.”

To organize the difficult task of selecting inductees, the founders of the Kahok Hall of fame established the following Hall of Fame Divisions:

• Distinguished: Individuals are recognized for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment and school district employment.
• Athletic: Individuals, teams and coaches are recognized for their success and accomplishments.

2024 Induction Ceremony & Dinner

The induction ceremony and dinner for the 2024 hall of fame inductees will be held at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville on February 15, 2024. Tickets for this event will be limited and go on sale in December 2023.

Support the Kahok Hall of Fame

The Kahok Hall of Fame is supported through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation. CACF is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. All contributions and gifts are tax deductible.  Donations and bequests are accepted from and disbursed to individuals, groups or businesses. To learn more and to make a donation to the Kahok Hall of Fame, visit the foundation website. 

The post Nominations Open for 2023 Kahok Hall of Fame Inductees appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Read the transcript in English
Read the transcript in Spanish

Click HERE to access the 2023 YouTube Hall of Fame inductee playlist

The post February 24, 2023 Video Message from Dr. Skertich appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Collinsville, Illinois – December 28, 2022

The Hall of Fame was established in May 2022 “to recognize athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.”

Beginning in June 2022, nominations for the 2023 class of inductees were solicited from the public.  In September, the eleven members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee – four from the school district and seven representing the community at large – began the formidable task of selecting the inaugural class of Hall of Fame inductees from a lengthy list of worthy individuals and teams.  

To be eligible, a candidate must have graduated from Collinsville High School, worked for Collinsville CUSD #10 or be affiliated with the Collinsville CUSD #10 communities. Individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame must be at least (thirty) 30 years of age prior to being inducted.

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame has two divisions:

• Distinguished: Individuals are recognized for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment and/or school district employment.
• Athletic: Individuals, teams and coaches are recognized for their success and accomplishments.

“Our district has a long and storied list of alumni, residents, students and employees who are worthy of recognition for their community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishments and service to the district; and a long history of student athletes, alumni and coaches that have experienced a great deal of athletic success and accomplishments,” said Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich.

“It was a challenge and an honor for the committee to review and discuss so many deserving Kahoks to create the first class of Hall of Fame inductees,” added Skertich, “We look forward to the community reminiscing and celebrating these individuals and teams with us.”

2023 Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame Inductees:

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (Athletic Achievement):  A 2008 graduate of Collinsville High School, Bartsch-Hackley is a professional volleyball player. In addition to many high school, college and professional accolades, Bartsch-Hackley earned a gold medal at the 2022 Tokyo Olympics with the US Women’s National Team. 

Terry Bethel (Athletic Achievement): Bethel, a 1957 Collinsville graduate, was a first team All-American basketball player in 1957, as well as All-State in 1956 and 1957. He was an initial inductee into the Illinois High School Basketball Hall of Fame.  

Donald Bitzer (Distinguished Achievement): A 1951 graduate of Collinsville Township High School, Bitzer is widely known as the “Father of PLATO” having co-invented the PLATO Computer System (Programmed Logic for Automatic Teaching Operations).  PLATO was the first system to combine graphics and a touch sensitive screen. 

Irving Dilliard (Distinguished Achievement): Dilliard was a 1923 graduate of Collinsville Township High School.  He became an accomplished writer, editor and well-known authority on the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court. 

Walter “Hoot” Evers (Athletic Achievement): Evers graduated from Collinsville Township High School in 1938. He excelled in multiple high school and college sports. Evers served his country in WW2, and returned to play, coach and hold executive positions in major league baseball.

Arthur Fletcher (Athletic Achievement): Born in 1885, raised and educated in Collinsville, Arthur Fletcher was a professional baseball player from 1909 to 1922.  He later coached in the major leagues, including with the New York Yankees from 1927-1945 when they won ten American League pennants and nine World Series championships.

Vergil Fletcher (Athletic Achievement): Vergil Fletcher’s legendary career at Collinsville High School ran from 1946-47 through 1977-78  He was head basketball coach for 32 years, including two state championships, and head football coach for 20 years. Renowned for coaching basketball, Fletcher earned a winning percentage of .814 at the helm of Kahok Basketball.  Among his many accolades, Fletcher was named to the charter class of the Illinois Basketball Hall of Fame in 1973 and the 100 Legends of the IHSA Boys Basketball Tournament in 2006. Fletcher was inducted into the National Federation of High School Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.

Moses Harrison II (Distinguished Achievement): A member of the Collinsville Township High School Class of 1950, Judge Harrison is the only Collinsville graduate to serve on the Illinois Supreme Court. He was Chief Justice from 2000 until 2002.

Tom Jager (Athletic Achievement): Record setting swimmer Tom Jager is a 1982 graduate of Collinsville High School.  He earned NCAA individual championships, was named 1984 Pacific-Ten Conference Swimmer of Year, and was an eleven-time United States National Open Champion.  A multiple-year Olympian, Jager won seven Olympic medals for the United States.

Richard Mark  (Distinguished Achievement): A 1973 CHS graduate, Richard Mark has had an exemplary civic and business career.  His professional positions included CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital in East St. Louis and President/Chairman of Ameren Illinois. Mark has earned numerous civic awards and recognition for philanthropic efforts. 

George Musso (Athletic Achievement): Musso was a football player and 1929 grad of Collinsville Township High School.  He was a standout at Milliken College and All-Pro player during his 12-season career with the Chicago Bears.  He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

Bogie Redmon (Athletic Achievement): A 1961 grad, Redmon was an All-State athlete in football and basketball, and All-America in basketball. His role with the 1961 undefeated state and national champion Kahoks Basketball team earned many tributes, including a spot on the IHSA Top 100 All-Time List. His storied basketball career continued at University of Illinois, where Redmon is listed on the Fighting Illini Basketball All-Century team.  

Joe Reiniger (Athletic Achievement): Reiniger is a 1989 Collinsville High School graduate, where he was a two-time soccer All-American and member of the 1986 state championship team. His notable career continued at SIUE, then for 13-years as a professional soccer player and coach. He is in the SIUE and St. Louis Sports Halls of Fame.  Reiniger influences future generations of soccer players through the Gateway Rush Soccer Club.

Fred Riddle (Athletic Achievement): Riddle graduated in 1961 from CHS where he was named All-State in football and basketball.  He was one of the rare individuals who continued to play both football and basketball in college at the University of Iowa. In 1963, Riddle set a then-Big Ten record by throwing five touchdowns in a single game.

John Shimkus (Distinguished Achievement): Upon graduation from Collinsville High School in 1976, Shimkus accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Following military service, he worked in several local government roles before being elected to the US House of Representative in 1997.  He retired from Congress in 2021, after serving all or part of the CUSD 10 community during his 24 years in office.     

Lucille Stehman (Distinguished Achievement): Lucille (McLanahan) Stehman, a 1936 Collinsville Township High School graduate, is recognized for her outstanding career of service and work as a Collinsville area historian who helped preserve Collinsville’s rich history for future generations.  She produced “Collinsville: A Pictorial History” in 1992. 

Mathew Welch (Distinguished Achievement): A 1910 graduate of Collinsville Township High School, Welch was a member of the school’s first boys basketball team, as well as the baseball and track teams. He played on the Illinois Wesleyan University conference champion baseball team and served in WWI. Welch practiced law in Collinsville and served as the Assistant State’s Attorney for Madison County, in addition to holding leadership roles in local civic endeavors and fraternal organizations of his era.  

1941 Baseball Team (Athletic Achievement):  The 1940-41 Kahok baseball team won the first state championship in school history. After graduation, many members served in World War II. 

1961 Basketball Team (Athletic Achievement): The 1960-61 Kahok boys basketball team was an undefeated state champion at 32-0 and was crowned the #1 high school team in the nation that year. The 1960-61 Kahoks are remembered as one of the finest teams in Illinois high school basketball history.  Under the direction of fabled coach Vergil Fletcher, the team included two All-Americans: Bogie Redmon and Fred Riddle.  

1981 Soccer Team (Athletic Achievement): The 1981-82 Kahok boys soccer team was the first Kahok soccer team to win a state championship in soccer.  They finished the season with a record of 24-2-2 and won their three state tournament games by a total combined score of 8-1.  

2010 Girls Bowling Team (Athletic Achievement): To date, the 2009-2010 Collinsville High School Girls Bowling Team is the only IHSA state championship girls team in Collinsville’s history. In addition to the championship that year, the Lady Kahok Bowlers set the record for the highest pinfall in state finals history.

Collinsville High School Athletic Director Clayton Smith said, “The Kahok Athletic Department is excited to share the pride, history, and tradition with our inaugural class and community.  Collinsville Community Unit 10 has so much to be proud of! Sharing the history and past accomplishments with our current students will teach them the importance of what it means to be a Kahok, and give them a sense of pride to carry on past traditions started before them.” 

“Our district has so much rich history. We look forward to commemorating the inaugural class of 2023 and honoring more outstanding Kahoks in the years to come,” said Skertich.

Hall of Fame Dinner

The 2023 class of inductees will be honored at the First Annual Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame Dinner on February 16, 2023 at Gateway Center in Collinsville.  Seating for the event is limited.  Tickets are $35 and can be purchased on GoFan: https://gofan.co/app/events/745197?schoolId=IL24016  

Collinsville Area Community Foundation

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok  Hall of Fame is supported through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation (CAF) works to enhance the quality of life for the communities of Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, Fairmont City and surrounding areas by promoting impartial, unbiased and ethical philanthropy, with a commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, by bringing together people and resources that identify and address present and emerging school and community needs.  For information, visit: https://www.collinsvillefoundation.com/

The post CUSD 10 Announces 2023 Kahok Hall of Fame Inductees appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Ticket information is posted on the homepage of the official tournament website (click image above).  Tickets can be purchased using THIS LINK.

State up-to-date on tournament news by visiting the tournament website (click image above) and following the action at @ClassicTorny on Twitter.

Games in Fletcher Gym will be streamed on Kahok Sports Network. Games in the Aux Gym are being streamed on Kahok Athletics YouTube page. For half-time and final scores, follow: https://twitter.com/ClassicTorny

Hall of Fame Announcement

On Wednesday, December 28, during halftime of the 6:00 pm game between the Collinsville Kahoks and Oakville Tigers, the inaugural class of the Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame will be announced.  A tournament ticket is required for admission.

Ticket information for the February 16, 2023 Hall of Fame tribute dinner is posted below.

The post Stay Up-to-Date on 2022 Holiday Classic Basketball appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

Click the image below to view this week’s video message.  A transcript in English and Spanish is posted below the link.

Read the December 16, 2022 video transcript in English
Read the December 16, 2022 video transcript in Spanish

The post December 16, 2022 Video Message from Dr. Skertich appeared first on Collinsville Kahoks.

December 8, 2022 – Collinsville CUSD 10 is proud the The Collinsville Area Community Foundation entry celebrating Vergil Fletcher Kahok Basketball teams was awarded the grand prize at the 2022 Festival of Trees.

Kahok Nation is anxiously awaiting the December 28, 2022 announcement of the inaugural class of Collinsville CUSD 10 Kahok Hall of Fame inductees.  The names will be unveiled at 6:30 pm in Fletcher Gym during the Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament.

The 2022 Festival of Trees on December 7 at Gateway Center in Collinsville raised money for Collinsville Charities for Children, Miner’s Theatre, and Southern Illinois Children’s Dyslexia Center.

Collinsville Area Community Foundation

The Collinsville CUSD 10 Hall of Fame is supported through the Collinsville Area Community Foundation.

CACF works to enhance the quality of life for the communities of Collinsville, Maryville, Caseyville, Fairmont City and surrounding areas by promoting impartial, unbiased and ethical philanthropy, with a commitment to inclusiveness and diversity, by bringing together people and resources that identify and address present and emerging school and community needs.

CACF is a public charitable organization as defined by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  All contributions and gifts are tax deductible. To learn more and make a donation, visit the Collinsville Area Community Foundation website.

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The event will be held at the Gateway Center in Collinsville.  Doors open at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the presentation ceremony at 6:30 p.m.  Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased via the QR code above or by using THIS LINK.

The inaugural class of inductees will be announced at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday,  December 28, 2022, during the Prairie Farms Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament at Fletcher Gym.  Tournament tickets are required for admission. For tournament and ticket information, visit the Classic Tourney website: https://www.collinsvilleholidayclassic.org/.

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He shared the following letter with families and the community:

español

June 8, 2022

Kahok Nation, 

On behalf of the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Hall of Fame Selection Committee,  we are excited to begin accepting nominations for the inaugural Class of 2023 Hall of Fame inductees.  

Our district is fortunate to have a long and storied list of alumni, residents and employees who are worthy of recognition for their community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishments and service to the district.  Furthermore, Kahok Nation has a long history of student athletes, alumni and coaches that have experienced a great deal of athletic success and accomplishments.

The Hall of Fame will recognize athletic and personal accomplishments, exemplary citizenship, contributions to society and actions that brought distinction and honor to all associated with Collinsville Community Unit School District #10.  

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee consists of eleven members: four from the school district and seven representing the community.  We are honored to be part of this endeavor to celebrate the accomplishments of fellow Kahoks.

To organize the difficult task of selecting the inaugural Hall of Fame Class of 2023, as well as future inductees, we have established the following Hall of Fame Divisions*:

Distinguished:  Individuals are recognized for community service, academic achievement, professional accomplishment and school district employment.

Athletic:  Individuals, Teams and Coaches are recognized for their success and accomplishments.

*Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Hall of Fame by-laws can be accessed on the district website.

The Selection Committee will accept nominations for the Collinsville CUSD 10 Hall of Fame beginning Wednesday, June 8, 2022.  An online nomination form is available using THIS LINK; click HERE  for a printable form, or pick one up from the CUSD 10 district office at 201 W. Clay Street. 

Completed forms should be submitted electronically or returned to:

2023 Hall of Fame Nominations
201 W. Clay Street
Collinsville, IL  62234

Nominations will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on September 1, 2022.    

Please note these upcoming important dates for the Collinsville CUSD 10 Hall of Fame:

• The inaugural class will be announced during the Holiday Classic Basketball Tournament held in Fletcher Gymnasium on December 28-30, 2022.  
• On February 16, 2023, an induction ceremony will be held at the Gateway Convention Center in Collinsville. Tickets for this event will be limited and go on sale in December 2022.  

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich, Ed.D.
Superintendent

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May 31, 2022 – Today, Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 announced the creation of a Hall of Fame to celebrate accomplishments of the many Kahoks who have brought positive recognition to our community over the years. 

Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich shared the Hall of Fame news in the following letter:

On behalf of the district and Board of Education, I am excited to announce the creation of the Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Hall of Fame.  The Hall of Fame has been established to recognize students, alumni, community members and employees for individual and team successes, and other notable accomplishments.

I have been fortunate to interact with many different people from our communities the past three years.  Our talks often turn to the amazing things our students, staff, alumni and community members have accomplished.  Kahok Nation is a special place and we have a rich history to celebrate.  The timing is right for the establishment of the Collinsville CUSD #10 Hall of Fame.

In recent weeks, I have met with district and community leaders to envision how to best capture Kahok Pride and honor the accomplishments of individuals and teams who have brought recognition and distinction to our community. We plan to gather nominations this summer and induct the Collinsville CUSD #10 Hall of Fame Class of 2023 during a special event in February.  Next week we will announce more details about this exciting endeavor.

Our district has numerous individuals and teams that are deserving of this kind of recognition.  We hope to memorialize their accomplishments for the Collinsville School District and our respective communities to share and embrace for generations to come.

Sincerely,

Mark B. Skertich Ed.D.
Superintendent

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Siegel is the 3rd women’s soccer player enshrined in the Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame. She is a four-time All-AMC First Team selection and three-time AMC Player of the Week. She earned AMC Freshman of the Year honors in 2000 and AMC Player of the Year in 2003. Siegel holds MBU Women’s Soccer career record for goals (68) and points (166) as well as single game records for goals (5) and points (11).  She is credited in helping the Spartans to 50 wins a 4-year span, including an AMC record in 2002.

Mrs. Siegel is a Title I teacher at Caseyville Elementary.

Congratulations! #thekahokway #onceakahokalwaysakahok

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National Latin Exam

This year, twelve CHS Latin students placed on the National Latin Exam.  Their placements are:

Cum Laude
Olivia Frawley (Intermediate Latin)
Magna Cum Laude
Isabel Perez (Beginning Latin)
Peyton Beeles (Intermediate Latin)
Claudia De La Cruz (Intermediate Latin)
Amber Vargas (Intermediate Latin)
Donald Thomas (Intermediate Reading Comprehension)
Maxima Cum Laude – Silver Medalists
Elliot Schusky (Beginning Latin)
Madeline Eversmann (Intermediate Latin)
Mason Foley (Intermediate Latin)
Ian Marlow (Intermediate Latin)
Aiden Kaufman (Intermediate Reading Comprehension)
Summa Cum Laude – Gold Medalist
Christopher Thilman (Intermediate Reading Comprehension)

In addition to the information above, one student took the National Roman Civilization Exam – a difficult exam on Roman culture and history – and earned a bronze medal.

National Roman Civilization Exam – Bronze Medal
Ian Marlow (Latin II)

Illinois Seal of Biliteracy Exam

This year, four CHS seniors earned Commendations of Biliteracy that will appear on their diplomas (two of which also earned Biliteracy Seals in Spanish).

In addition, seven juniors/sophomores scored high enough for commendations of biliteracy as well.  These students will receive a commendation upon graduation, and they will be taking the test again next year to see if they can move up to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

2020-21 in Summary

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BSU members identified, researched and wrote about prominent African Americans and their accomplishments. Each school day during February, a different person from the list will be shared with CHS students during Morning Announcements.  The information was also shared with other schools in the district, so principals could incorporate it into announcements or other Black History Month activities.

BSU members will decorate CHS with posters and decorations; and sponsor a door decorating contest to involve all classrooms in the month-long celebration.  Black History Month buttons ($3 each) were sold and theme days will be announced throughout February.

To allow students to fully participate when remote learning, the BSU built a slide show with links to provide more information.  As students view the Black History Month presentation they can use the embedded links to learn more.

Click the image below to view the slide show.

Videos Produced by Black Student Union:

In this video, Sean Brown, vice president of the CHS Black Student Union, interviews Dr. Eric L Johnson, principal of Winnetonka High School in the North Kansas City School District, about the importance of honoring Black history.

The Black Student Union’s second 2021 Black History Month focuses on entrepreneurship.  BSU member and young entrepreneur Aaliyah Bell highlights well-known trailblazers and interviews Entrepreneur and Intellectual Property Attorney Mia LeFlore.

Learn more about the people highlighted in this year’s Black History Month Celebration of Excellence:

Notable African American Women:

Harriet Tubman was an American abolitionist and political activist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. Harriet Tubman also worked for the Union Army as an armed scout and spy. She was the first woman to lead an armed expedition in the war, she guided the raid at Combahee Ferry, which liberated more than 700 enslaved people.

Mary Mcleod Bethune was an American educator, stateswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian, civil rights activist and advisor to five different US Presidents. She was the founder of the McLeod Hospital in Daytona Beach Florida, the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, and Bethune-Cookman College.

Ida B. Wells was an American investigative journalist, educator, and early leader in the civil rights movement. She was also one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mrs. Wells used her writing talents and her newspaper to publish pamphlets against lynching. She was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in fighting lynching.

First Lady Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama is a lawyer, writer and the wife of the 44th President, Barack Obama. She is the first African-American First Lady of the United States. Through her four main initiatives, she became a role model for women and an advocate for healthy families, service members and their families, higher education, and international adolescent girls education.

Week 2: Notable African American Inventors, including:

George Carruthers is an astrophysicist who spent much of his career working with the Space Science Division of the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C. He’s most famous for creating the ultraviolet camera/spectrograph, which NASA used when it launched Apollo 16 in 1972. Carruthers was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2003.

Dr. Patricia Bath revolutionized the field of ophthalmology when she invented a device that refined laser cataract surgery, called the Laserphaco Probe. She patented the invention in 1988, and today she’s recognized as the first African American woman doctor to receive a medical patent.

Mark Dean is a computer scientist & engineer who worked for IBM, where he led the team that designed the ISA bus—the hardware interface that allows multiple devices like printers, modems and keyboards to be plugged into a computer. He also helped to invent the first color computer monitor and the first gigahertz computer chip. Dean was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 1997.

Dr. Shirley Jackson is a theoretical physicist. She helped develop technologies that led to the invention of the portable fax, touch-tone telephone, solar cells, fiber optic cables and the technology enabling caller ID and call waiting. Dr. Jackson is also the first black woman to graduate with a Ph.D. from M.I.T., and the first to be named chair of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In 2016, President Obama presented Dr. Jackson with the National Medal of Science.

Week 3: African American Pioneer Groups, including:

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, they flew more than 15,000 individual sorties in Europe and North Africa during World War II. Their impressive performance earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and helped encourage the eventual integration of the U.S. armed forces. Before the Tuskegee Airmen, no African-American had been a U.S. military pilot.

Negro League Baseball got its start thanks to the increasing popularity of two things after the Civil War: baseball and segregation. The National Association of Amateur Baseball Players rejected African American membership in 1867, and in 1876, owners of the professional National League adopted a “gentleman’s agreement” to keep Black players out. Subsequent African American players found their greatest opportunities with traveling teams until 1920, when Rube Foster launched the Negro National League. It launched with eight teams: Chicago American Giants, Chicago Giants, Cuban Stars, Dayton Marcos, Detroit Stars, Kansas City Monarchs, Indianapolis ABCs and the St. Louis Giants. Some of the stars of the Negro Leagues are Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Cool Papa Bell.

African American Pioneers of Hollywood: Black Hollywood History started when movies started screening across America in 1896 shortly after the Supreme Court sanctioned racism in the Separate But Equal ruling. Movies were the principal medium to communicate news, social customs and visual entertainment to millions of Americans each week. Thus, Hollywood movies shaped America’s perception of African Americans. In 1905, most African-Americans portrayed in Hollywood films were white actors in blackface. The actors in blackface would portray African American men as slow talking, dim witted and lazy. In the 1930’s when African Americans were finally allowed to participate in films, the roles they were given were mainly stereotypical, servant or musical roles. In the late 1940’s African Americans were finally starting to get better movie rolls, which jump-started the careers of many famous actors such as Sidney Poitier, Dorothy Dandridge, Harry Belafonte, and more.

Children of the Civil Rights Movement: In 1954 the United States Supreme Court ruled segregation in the school setting was against the law. Brown vs. The Board of Education was the landmark case that made this ruling possible. However, defeating segregation would be a much harder fight than anticipated. In 1957 when nine African American students would attempt to integrate Central High School in Little Rock Arkansas, they would be stopped at the front door by the national guard, under the order of the Arkansas Governor. It took President Eisenhower sending in federal troops for the students to be allowed into the school. Two years later, six year old Ruby Bridges would join the civil rights movement by integrating her elementary school. She was escorted to school every day that year by federal marshals due to the crowds of people waiting for her. Only one teacher agreed to teach her, and all the other students were removed from her class. She ate lunch and played at recess with her teacher only.

Week 4: New Generation Civil Rights Pioneers, including:

Stacey Abrams is an American politician, lawyer, voting rights activist, and author who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2007 to 2017, serving as minority leader from 2011 to 2017. In 2018, Mrs. Abrams founded Fair Fight Action, an organization to address voter suppression. Her efforts have been widely credited with boosting voter turnout in Georgia during the 2020 election.

Tamika Mallory is an American activist. She was one of the leading organizers of the 2017 Women’s March, for which she and her three other co-chairs were recognized in Time magazine’s 100 influential people edition. Ms. Mallory is also the founder of Until Freedom, a social justice organization.

S. Lee Merritt esq. is a federal civil rights attorney and activist. Mr. Merritt is a graduate of Morehouse University, a Historically Black College/University (HBCU) in Atlanta Georgia. He started his career with the Cochran Firm before going into private practice. Mr Merritt was the attorney for the families of Ahmaud Arbrey, George Floyd and Atatiana Jefferson.

Joanna Kelly, sponsor of the CHS BSU said, “Thank you Kahok family for your participation in this very important celebration of African American achievements and history. History, and even present events have shown us, we can do anything if we work together. In the words of Dr. Martin Luther King: ‘The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.'”

Watch for information on more Black History Month activities sponsored by the Multicultural Kahoks!

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2009-2010 State Champion Kahok Bowlers

The 2009-2010 State Champion Kahok Girls Bowling Team will be inducted into the inaugural class of the Southern Illinois High School Bowling Conference Hall of Fame on Tuesday, March 6, 2018.

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• Vergil Fletcher, Collinsville, won 747 games as head coach at Collinsville High School including two state championships
• Ken Oberkfell, a resident of Maryville and Collinsville High School graduate, batted .278 in 15 big-league seasons, most prominently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He delivered the game-winning single in Game 2 of the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves.
• Joe Reiniger, Collinsville, SIUE soccer star scored 600 goals in National Professional Soccer League.
• Tom Jager, Collinsville, two-time world champion swimmer, five-time Olympic Gold medalist and six-time world record holder in the 50-meter freestyle.
• 1961 Collinsville Kahoks basketball team, which was the undefeated state champion (Whitey Herzog Award)

The enshrinement ceremony is Feb. 1, 2018 at Gateway Classic Cars in O’Fallon. Tickets are $90 each or $720 for a table of eight.  For more information:  For more information, visit St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame

To read a full list of inductees:  Belleville News-Democrat: St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame to Induct Nine from the Metro-East

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