Acclaimed Coalers: Graduates ready for the next chapter

Having demonstrated what college and career- ready students must achieve to be ready for the next chapter, 31 members of the Coal City High School class of 2026 have been named Acclaimed Coalers.
Students who meet certain requirements through their senior year are celebrated as an Acclaimed Coaler and on May 8, a fifth class of honorees was recognized. Among them are State Scholars, musicians, athletes, performers and class officers.
These graduates are heading off to college to pursue degrees in a wide range of career paths—health care, education, engineering, business, finance, and more.
The Acclaimed Coaler program was developed in response to the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness [PWR] Act that was enacted to support Illinois high school students find success in the path they choose after graduation.
The PWR Act is based on four main strategies including Postsecondary and Career Expectations [PACE] framework and that is focused on three key areas—career exploration and development, college preparation and selection and financial literacy.
The state-developed framework was something the district could adopt, but it took the concept a step further and developed its own framework with input from teachers, counselors and administrators. The goal they set was for students to have exposure to college and career options, encourage participation in community service, focus on career path courses, and increase student involvement in school and community.
The program recognizes students for more than just academic achievement and provides a way to reward and incentivize students to become college and career ready by the time they graduate from high school.
Acclaimed Coalers are students who have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, have a 95 percent attendance rate in their junior and senior years, and achieved at least one academic indicator in the areas of English/language arts and math, and three career indicators—extra curricular activities, community service, and career development to name a few.
Acclaimed Coalers this year include Gavin Berger, Laura Christopher, Cambree Davidson, Bridget Feeney, Rowan Fitzpatrick, Hayden Francisco, Keirsten Gabehart, Ava Garrelts, Carter Gill, Aubrey Gunwald, Calleigh Hamilton, Mason Hamilton, Kamryn Hansen, Sydney Larson, Devon McVey, Khloe Picard, Camryn Planeta, Colin Schimandle, Rhaina Vanek, Jaela Vasquez, Gaven Vestal, Sam Vota, Oliva Weatherbee, Brody Widlowski, and Evelyn Wills.
Six members of the class of 2026—Jacob Cimino, Aidan Kenney, Mackenzie Lovell, Julian Micetich, Dane Noffsinger, and Cade Poyner—earned distinction as Acclaimed Coaler Scholars. The honor of scholar goes to those who have earned a 3.75 gpa or higher through seven semesters of study, post a composite score of 1400 on the SAT college entrance exam, achieve 95 percent attendance during their junior and senior years and who have met the academic and career ready indicators.
In the five years of the program, Coal City High School has bestowed scholar honors to 17 graduates and 119 graduates have been named Acclaimed Coalers.
Each of the Acclaimed Coalers recognized during the ceremony were presented with golden stole to be worn atop their gown on graduation day. Also participating in the ceremony were principal Art Stafford, assistant principal Corey Mikula and guidance counselors Erin Dransfeldt and Keith Kiper.