ALTON - Kennedy Lacey of Alton High School, Lucille Cassenti of Alton High School, and Samuel Caughran of Alton High School were honored as Students of the month for April 2026 at a regular meeting of the Rotary Club of Alton-Godfrey at the Gentelin’s on Broadway Restaurant.
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Kennedy Lacey is a senior at Alton High School with a 4.16 GPA and consistent placement on the Academic High Honor Roll. As a dual-enrolled student at Lewis & Clark Community College and Saint Louis University, she has pursued a rigorous academic path that reflects both her passion for learning and her commitment to excellence. After taking four years of Spanish, she plans to graduate with the Seal of Biliteracy or the Commendation of Biliteracy, further demonstrating her dedication to academic achievement and global communication.
Beyond the classroom, she is an entrepreneur with a purpose. Four years ago, she founded OutspoKEN Beauty, a professional makeup business serving clients throughout the Alton area. This experience has strengthened her skills in business management, communication, and client relations, while teaching the importance of professionalism, consistency, and delivering excellence in every interaction.
Leadership and service are at the core of who she is. She has completed over 120 hours of community service and remains actively involved in Student Council, Upward Bound TRIO, Link Crew, Spanish Club, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and the Tatler Program. As a three-year member of both the Varsity Cheerleading and Girls Soccer teams, she has developed discipline, resilience, and a deep appreciation for teamwork. Beyond school, she serves on the Riverbend Growth Association Young Adults Committee, where she continues to grow as a leader and contribute to her community. She also recently worked the polls at the Madison County Primary Election in March 2026, further demonstrating her commitment to civic engagement and community involvement. Additionally, she is a 2026 Jewels of Distinction Participant with the Alton National Council of Negro Women, continuing her dedication to leadership, service, and empowerment.
Kennedy has been honored to receive recognition for her dedication and growth, including First Place in the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Alpha Zeta Chapter Evelyn D. Wilkey Scholarship Essay Contest, Second Runner-Up Overall and First Place Essay Winner in the Miss Illinois Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant, and Second Runner-Up in the 2025 Miss Fashionetta Cotillion. She was also selected for the Alton High School Homecoming Court and named the Alton High School Godfrey Rotary Club Student of the Month for April 2026. Each of these experiences has strengthened her confidence, leadership, and responsibility to uplift others.
Lacey's commitment to service extends beyond her local community. In 2021, I participated in a mission trip to Costa Rica, supporting unhoused families. In 2025, she studied abroad in Panama with Alton High School, where she engaged with Indigenous communities and gained a deeper appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives. These experiences broadened her worldview and reinforced her passion for service.
She is especially passionate about equity and empowerment within African American communities. Through her involvement in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Senior Pearl Youth Group, NAACP, and the National Council of Negro Women Youth Chapter, she promotes civic engagement, leadership, and social justice while educating and inspiring her peers.
Looking ahead, she plans to pursue a degree in Mass Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations at Clark Atlanta University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU). I am committed to using my voice, leadership, and education to advocate for others, inspire change, and make a lasting impact in her community and beyond.
Lucy Cassenti is a senior at Alton High School. In her academic pursuits, Lucy chases challenges by taking high-level courses and aiming for perfection. Her hard work has been recognized through various awards including, Illinois State Scholar, Platinum Alpha, Silver Medallion, and AP Scholar with distinction. She has also earned college credit through both the Dual Credit classes offered at Alton High School and Advanced Placement Testing. She has earned college credit in English Language and American History through Dual Credit and is in the process of earning college credit in Spanish, English Literature, and Calculus AB. She scored five, the highest score, on AP tests for Computer Science Principals, Precalculus, Physics 1, and United States History. She is also planning on taking the AP tests for Psychology, English Literature, English Language, Music Theory, and Calculus BC.
In addition to high academic achievement, Lucy is engaged in many extracurricular activities. Her main focus is on her trombone, and she plays in every ensemble available to her at Alton High School. She has participated in the Marching 100 for four years and was honored to be the trombone and baritone section leader and was part of a featured trio this year. She has also been in the Pep band for four years, the Jazz band for two and a half years, and the wind ensemble for three years, which is the highest level band at Alton High School. She also plays trombone in the symphonic and pit orchestras.
While most of her activities outside of school center around music, she also takes time to further her math, another passion, through participation in the Alton High School math team. At the Excellence in Mathematics contest held at Saint Louis Community College each year, her scores have been in the top ten for her grade level three of the four times she went.
Lucy volunteers in her community through three service organizations: Mu Alpha Theta, a math honor society; National Honor Society; and the Alton Band and Orchestra Boosters (ABOB). She has served with ABOB for all four years at Alton High School, starting with their annual craft fair as a freshman. She has continued working at the craft fair for three additional years and has also helped by putting away equipment after concerts, setting up for concerts and competitions, and helping with ABOB's virtual auction. She also joined two honor societies in her senior year: Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. In Mu Alpha Theta, she tutors students struggling in math and has earned 19 hours of community service. In National Honor society, she works with multiple different organizations for community service, including the Nature Institute and the Salvation Army.
Lucy plans to attend the University of Iowa to study Actuarial Science, a discipline that uses mathematical and statistical models to evaluate risk in the insurance, finance, and pension industries.
Samuel Caughran is a senior at Alton High School who is deeply committed to academic excellence, community service, and extracurricular involvement. Throughout his life, he has embraced the value of “Service Above Self,” a principle instilled in him from a young age through his involvement in community events alongside his mother, who served as the director of Glazebrook Park for over a decade.
Samuel’s early experiences volunteering at local events and assisting with youth sports laid the foundation for his continued dedication to service. As he grew older, he expanded his involvement through opportunities such as junior counseling at The Nature Institute, participating in the National Junior Honor Society, serving as a counselor in training at Collinsville Aqua Park, volunteering at community events, and contributing to local traditions like the Christmas parade.
At Alton High School, Samuel has been actively involved in a wide range of organizations, including National Honor Society, Spanish Club, Student Council, Link Crew, Biology Club, Math Team, Mu Alpha Theta, Saturday Scholars, and environmental programs such as Growing Beyond Earth. He has also participated in athletics, including soccer and track and field, and brought energy and school spirit as a lead cheerleader for Power Puff.
Music played a central role in Samuel’s high school experience. He has been a dedicated member of multiple ensembles, including Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Orchestra, Pep Band, Pit Orchestra, and the Marching 100. Demonstrating strong leadership, he served as Co-Drum Major during his sophomore year and as Head Drum Major during his junior and senior years. Through music, Samuel has developed discipline, teamwork, confidence, and a deep appreciation for collaboration and perseverance.
Academically, Samuel has challenged himself with a rigorous course load while maintaining a 4.6 weighted GPA and a 3.9 unweighted GPA. He is recognized as an Illinois State Scholar, a Platinum Alpha graduate, and a Silver Medallion recipient, ranking seventh in his graduating class. In addition to his school commitments, he has dedicated significant time to Freedom Percussion, a highly competitive program requiring extensive rehearsals and teamwork, further strengthening his leadership and time management skills.
Following graduation, Samuel plans to attend Ranken Technical College to study Electrical Systems Design Technology. He aspires to work with energy companies to develop renewable energy solutions and promote environmental sustainability. His passion for this field has been shaped by his coursework in environmental studies and his interactions with industry professionals.
Driven, well-rounded, and service-oriented, Samuel Caughran continues to strive for excellence while making a positive impact on his school and community.
Kennedy, Lucille, and Samuel each received plaques recognizing their achievement from the Alton-Godfrey Rotary Club President Donna Bemis.
