Hirtzel, Wall Are Rotary Scholarship Recipients

Keira A. Hirtzel of Effingham High School and Bryson E. Wall of St. Anthony High School each received a $1,000 college scholarship from the Effingham Noon Rotary Club. The awards were presented at the club's meeting on May 8. This marks the 31st year of the Rotary Club's annual scholarship program, which began in 1989. With the presentation of this year's two scholarships, the club has awarded a total of $52,000 since the program's inception.

(FROM LEFT, MATT AND MANDEE HIRTZEL, KEIRA HIRTZEL, ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JIM EDER)

The scholarship recipients are selected each year by a committee of club members, based upon the following criteria: scholastic ability, extra-curricular activities, activities outside of school, honors and awards, and a 750-word essay. This year's essay topic was "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind."

Hirtzel, who ranks first in her class of 136 students with a 4.0 grade point average, will be attending Lake Land College, after which she plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in Business, and then go on to graduate school in optometry. She is an Illinois State Scholar, a four-year member of the Effingham High School Hall of Fame, and a member of the National Honor Society.

In addition to her academic achievements, Hirtzel lettered in golf for four years, and was named to the All-Conference girls golf team for three years. She also lettered on the pom pon squad for three years, winning first place in team competition and individual awards for "Biggest Leap" and Excellence in Showmanship. She also was a member of the cross country team for two years and advanced to Sectionals.

Hirtzel participated in Effingham High School's spring musical each year, and she had a lead role in three out of four years. She was a member of Student Council for four years and class president one year. She also participated in the Effingham County CEO class. Hirtzel has been a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and she participated in various service projects for Calvary Baptist Church, Christ's Church Nursery, Salvation Army, and Catholic Charities. 

She is the daughter of Matt and Mandee Hirtzel.

Wall ranked third in his class at St. Anthony High School with a grade point average of 3.96. He will be attending the University of Illinois, where he plans to major in Engineering. He is an Illinois State Scholar, a two-year member of the Society for Academic Achievement, and president of St. Anthony's chapter of the National Honor Society. He also participated in the Effingham County CEO class.

(FROM LEFT, ROTARY SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN JIM EDER, BRYSON WALL, AND SALLIE AND MICHAEL WALL)

Wall lettered in both basketball and baseball for four years, and he was team captain for the Bulldogs in his senior year for each of those sports. He was named a Central Illinois Basketball All-Star as a senior, and a Toyota High School Athlete of the Week as a junior. He played on the 2017 Illnois State Class 1A boys basketball championship team as a sophomore.

Wall was a member of the St. Anthony High School Student Council for four years, serving as its president in his senior year. He also was a class officer for four years, serving as vice president in his senior year. 

He is the son of Michael and Sallie Wall.