Chester teen named Distinguished Young Woman of Illinois

Chester High School junior Melody Colonel, daughter of Steve and Sue Colonel of Chester, has been named a 2021 "Distinguished Young Woman" of Illinois, putting her in line to compete for college scholarships.

The program is part of a national scholarship program that promotes and rewards scholarship, leadership and talent in young women. Honorees also compete for scholarships at the state and national levels.

"This is an outstanding scholarship program for high school juniors that is fun and rewarding and helps participants push their limits and grow," said Tiana Evans Pequette, program chairwoman. "It places value not on being the best as compared to others, but in each girl striving to be her best self."

Participants make new friends from around the state and participate in workshops on interviewing, public speaking and more, Pequette said. Girls also put on a showcase of their achievements.

Colonel said she entered without any expectations of winning, so she was elated to be selected.

This summer she will compete for college scholarships, which last year was for $6,000 at the state level. Millions in scholarships are further available, as $1 billion is awarded nationally.

Colonel plans to attend Illinois Wesleyan University and eventually study law, after she graduates from Chester High School in May 2021.

At CHS Melody is an accomplished vocalist and actress. She plays alto saxophone in the CHS bands and sings in the CHS swing choir, "Sound Affect." Melody was a cheerleader her first two years and is a runner on the cross-country and track teams.

Academically she maintains a high grade-point average and competes on the CHS Academic Challenge Team and on the Scholar Bowl team. Colonel is a writer for the school newspaper, "The Sting," where she has won a SISPA Writing Award, and is an editor for the Summit yearbook.

Colonel has been accepted into the CHS Summit Chapter of the National Honor Society and she has earned awards for "outstanding vocalist" and "outstanding character" for the CHS Drama Department productions.

Melody is a member of the CHS chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is a regular volunteer in many community and school activities.