As the final quarter of the school year begins, students are shifting their attention toward the summer season. Yet for seniors, this season is especially exhilarating with the highly anticipated Mr. and Miss HHS competition. This prestigious award, which has been a tradition for over seventy years, has become a beloved highlight for the entire community, as it honors one male and one female senior who have made a significant difference and impact on their teachers, students, and the community. 

Out of the entire senior class, the top twenty-five percent of academically achieving students are chosen to be eligible. Then, a panel of teachers votes on their top five male and female nominees, further narrowing down the list.  At this point, the candidates are revealed, and the entire student body votes on the one male and one female who excels in the categories of personal character, academic integrity, school involvement, and community participation. 

The 2026 Miss HHS candidates are Gigi George, Ava Goetting, Maddie Martin, Sidnee Nelson, and Isabella Ratchford. 

Gigi George 

School Club Involvement: Student Government, Rotary Interact, Pep Club, Tigers United, Future Business Leaders of America, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), Prom Committee, National Honor Society, Band

School Leadership Positions: FCCLA President, Tiger Paws Teacher, Educators Rising Leadership Team

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? While I participated in many clubs and activities, the one that made a lasting impact on me was Tigers United. In this club, you get to connect with wonderful individuals with special needs and share experiences that I will carry for the rest of my life. Whether it was cheering together at the Special Olympics, plunging into freezing water at the Polar Plunge, or making a night filled with confidence and fun at Night To Shine, these moments were all filled with laughs, joy, and pure love. The feeling of being with these beautiful individuals is like no other; they have a sense of happiness that tends to spread to everyone surrounding them. Through Tigers United, I not only had unforgettable experiences, but I also formed genuine friendships. As I learned a deeper understanding of patience and compassion, I saw the power of inclusion. This club has changed my perspective on life drastically, and gave me some of the greatest memories.

Sports: Tennis, Track, Softball, Volleyball

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? At HHS, I hope to leave a fun legacy behind. With all of the stress from school and serious conversations about the future, I hope that others truly see the fun that can be had. This is everyone’s first and only experience in high school, so make it worthwhile. Be kind to others, share your authentic self, and have the most fun. I truly hope that my peers can look back at their high school career and know that they made great memories with the best people, and I know I can.

What are your future plans? In my near future, I plan to attend SIUC and double major in Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Health Care Management. While in college, I hope to join a sorority where I will be able to help with community service and stay involved within the school.

Ava Goetting

School Club Involvement: Student Government, Journalism, Rotary Interact, National Honor Society, Tigers United, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Spanish Club, Prom Committee, Loud Crowd, Science Club

School Leadership Positions: HOSA Secretary, HOSA Reporter

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? I enjoyed Student Government most of all, despite my role as Secretary in HOSA. Personally, I found Student Government to be a remarkable club in which I could truly communicate and interact with not just my fellow classmates, but also my community.

Sports: Golf

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? I want to leave behind a legacy of kindness, loyalty, and determination, empowering and inspiring students to be their best selves for both themselves and others, as one good act always sparks another.

What are your future plans? I plan to major in Psychology at SIUC, pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree in order to hopefully become either a clinical or criminal psychologist.

Maddie Martin

School Club Involvement: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Student Government, Math Team, Scholar Bowl, French Club, French Travel Club, STEM Team, Health Occupation Society of America, Rotary Interact, Student Chamber, Prom Committee, National Honor Society, School Musical

School Leadership Positions: Student Government Secretary, Student Government Vice President, FBLA Vice President, Dance Team Captain, NHS Secretary

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? For me, it was dance. The dance team allowed me to express my creativity through choreographing our routines. Being a captain on the team for the past two years has not only taught me the importance of teamwork but also how strong leadership can push a team to success.

Sports: Golf, Dance

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? I hope everyone chooses to take every advanced class possible.

What are your future plans?  I will either attend the University of Iowa or Saint Louis University to study Biomedical Engineering.

Sidnee Nelson

School Club Involvement: Student Government, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Rotary Interact, French Club, Prom Committee, Pep Club

School Leadership Positions: Pep Club President, FBLA Treasurer, Student Government Executive Project Chair

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? Bowling was the most impactful to me because it taught me more than just the basic mechanics of the sport. It taught me how to be a part of a team and, later on, a responsible leader for the team.

Sports: Bowling, Softball

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? The legacy I intend to leave behind is to be yourself and do what your heart desires, be kind and show up for others when they need it, and be responsible in any situation, because it will navigate you in the proper direction for the future.

What are your future plans?  I plan on continuing my education at SIUC, majoring in nursing and becoming a Labor and Delivery Nurse to provide the best care for mothers and babies.

Isabella Ratchford

School Club Involvement: Science Club, Rotary Interact, Chess Club, Spanish Club, Tigers 4 Life, Tigers United, Band, Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), Prom Committee

School Leadership Positions: Band Drum Major, Tigers 4 Life Vice-President

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? The most impactful club has been Rotary. Through serving my community, I have discovered a strong sense of purpose and connection. Rotary has allowed me to gather others and contribute in meaningful ways. This club has helped me grow as a person; It’s where I truly find myself: making a difference, building relationships, and contributing to something bigger than myself.

Sports: Tennis

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS?  I want to leave an impact of service and purpose. I want to leave behind my mark as someone who cared deeply about my community and showed that even the smallest acts can make a lasting difference. I also want to inspire others to see their education as their greatest weapon; the tool that empowers them to grow, change, and build a better tomorrow.

What are your future plans? I plan to attend WashU in St. Louis, majoring in biology with a specialization in genetics and minoring in psychology and Spanish. In my senior year of college, I plan to study abroad in Australia. After my undergrad, I plan to go to medical school in hopes of becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon. 

The 2026 Mr. HHS candidates are Cooper Christ, Braden Davis, Nolan Gentile, Sam Jolliff, and Charlie Schloemann. 

Cooper Christ

School Club Involvement: Student Government, National Honor Society, Journalism, Pep Club, Esports, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Prom Committee, Student Chamber, Spanish Club, Spanish Travel Club

School Leadership Positions: Student Government Class President, FBLA Treasurer, FBLA Secretary, FBLA President, Student Government Executive Council President, Journalism Broadcast Editor, Pep Club Secretary, Spanish Club Representative

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? My most impactful activities are FBLA, Student Government, and Journalism because they give me opportunities to lead, serve others, and make a positive impact on my school community. FBLA stands out the most because, as president, I lead one of the largest student organizations at HHS, where I help organize events, grow membership, and create opportunities for students to develop leadership and business skills.

Sports: Tennis

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS?  I hope to leave a legacy of leadership, involvement, and pride in Herrin High School. During my time at HHS, I’ve tried to do more than just participate. I’ve worked to help grow the organizations I’m part of and create opportunities for other students to get involved. Through FBLA, Student Government, and Journalism, I’ve helped organize events, represent student voices, and highlight the stories that make our school special. Coming from St. Louis, I’ve also learned not to take a town like Herrin for granted. You don’t always realize how special a close-knit community like this is until you’ve seen something different. More than anything, I hope people remember me as someone who cared about this school and worked to make it better for the students who come after me.

What are your future plans?  Currently, my plan is to attend the University of Missouri to earn a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing, and possibly a minor in Journalism. I’m interested in both business and communication, and I think combining the two will give me the skills to promote ideas, work with people, and pursue a career that allows me to be creative while also leading and building something meaningful.

Braden Davis

School Club Involvement: Student Government, Journalism, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Rotary Interact, Tigers 4 Life, National Honor Society, Tigers United, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Math Team, Youth Alive, French Club, French Travel Club, Student Chamber, Project 7, Chorus

School Leadership Positions: Student Government Vice President, Student Government Executive Vice President, Journalism Chief Newspaper Editor, FCA President, Tigers 4 Life Founder/President, National Honor Society Vice President, Rotary Treasurer, Rotary Vice President

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? Through all of the activities I have participated in, two have stood out to me the most: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and Tigers 4 Life. FCA was founded four years ago at our school, and through those years, I have been able to watch as more and more students have joined and grown closer in their walk with the Lord. This year, I had the privilege of serving as the FCA leader, and it has truly been a life-changing experience to see students who used to be more timid now leading devotions and Bible studies. All of their stories of redemption and growth have truly left an impact on my life, and I cannot wait to see where they are led to serve in the future. As with Tigers 4 Life, I founded the club in 2023 and have been able to assist so many families through service projects and volunteer work. Some of our projects included hosting diaper drives for young mothers and delivering carnations to HHS teachers for Mother’s Day. The club has taught me the valuable lessons of leadership, advocacy, and the immense power of kindness.

Sports: Track and Field, Cross Country

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? The legacy I want to leave behind is one of leadership, determination, and kindness. Even from the first day of high school, I took every chance I could to get involved, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made. It opened up ways for me to positively impact our school, serve in influential leadership positions, and meet so many incredible people. It also allowed me to have many positive interactions throughout school and spread kindness whenever possible. With AP classes, sports, and clubs, I was rather busy at times, but every moment was undoubtedly worth it. HHS offers opportunities for everyone to become involved, whether through sports, clubs, or classes, and I hope that every student uses that same inspiration to impact others positively.

What are your future plans?  I will be attending the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to earn a degree in Journalism with a specialization in News Media. While there, I aim to broaden my knowledge of journalism and get involved in campus ministries and volunteer clubs. Ultimately, my goal is to become a news anchor in a large market area, so I can positively impact as many people as possible. 

Nolan Gentile

School Club Involvement: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Math Team, Scholar Bowl, Student Chamber, National Honor Society (NHS), ACES, French Club, Rotary Interact

School Leadership Positions: Scholar Bowl Captain, Rotary Secretary, National Honor Society Treasurer

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? The most impactful club for me was the Math Team. I was very lucky to have a lot of people who were my friends who joined. I feel that compared to the other grades, we are tighter knit and really get along with each other. Some of my favorite memories come from the math team, such as shopping with Braden freshman year at state, or Jack putting on a dress the next day. The people I’m lucky to be with really left an impact on my time in high school. The math team, on the surface, can seem like something that is almost a task; you do more math than required in class, but I really learned to like competing at these events with those around me. I will always appreciate everyone on there and Mr. Harlow for what they taught me and the memories they helped me make.

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS? I hope to leave a legacy to enjoy yourself at HHS. It’s very cliché to say it goes fast, but to think memories like freshman year, math team state, or gaslighting Jack Parrish with Joe Youngblood were 4 years ago is absurd in my mind. I was lucky to make friends with a few of the kids from OLMC, and it seems like I met them yesterday. I will always appreciate what the teachers have taught me, but I’m gonna forget most of it. I will always remember, however, the impact some of these teachers had on me. They truly teach you how to be an adult. Teachers like Mr. Hall, in my sophomore year, helped me realize how essential it is to laugh and to find humor in things. While other teachers like Ms. Hickman made me realize how far kindness can go. All my teachers taught me academically, but I think I will take more from what they taught me morally. I feel even now I will take for granted the friends I have. I have made so many memories inside and outside of school with friends I have made at HHS, and I will forever be grateful for that.

What are your future plans? I plan to go into engineering at SIU and hopefully work as an engineer. I’d like to stay sort of local. My whole family is around here, so I’d like to stay around them.

Sam Jolliff

School Club Involvement: Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), Tigers 4 Life, Spanish Club, Prom Committee, National Honor Society, Student Government, HHS Secret Society

School Leadership Positions: FBLA Parliamentarian, Spanish Club Secretary, Student Government Executive Government Secretary, Spanish Club Vice President

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? I feel most impacted by the activities that Tigers 4 Life has done. We conducted a diaper drive that supported young mothers. I also enjoyed when we made greeting bags for pregnancy centers to give out to their patients.

Sports: Track and Field, Cross Country

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS?  I want to leave a legacy of being friendly, smart, and hardworking. I really enjoy talking to people, and I love meeting new people and learning about others. I really enjoy doing homework; it does sometimes get annoying, but I know all of my homework is knowledge that I must learn. I really enjoy learning new concepts, which makes school fun and enjoyable. I love my hard work dedication in school and in Athletics, I am proud of being able to know that I can understand concepts that I learn in my difficult classes. Using my hard work for athletics has led me to running my very best and being successful in my events.

What are your future plans?  I am going to attend John A. Logan and study Mechanical Engineering. Then I will most likely transfer to UIUC because they have an automatic acceptance program that I hope to get into.

Charlie Schloemann

School Club Involvement: Health Occupation Students of America, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Spanish Club, Student Government, Scholar Bowl, Rotary Interact, Prom Committee, ACES, HHS Secret Society

School Leadership Positions: HOSA President, FBLA Secretary, Spanish Club President

Which activity/club was the most impactful to you? The Club that is most important to me has been HOSA because it is directly aligned with my career path as a future physician, although all the clubs have taught me to be part of a team.

Sports: Track and Field 

What legacy do you wish to leave behind at HHS?  I want to leave behind a legacy that encourages hard work, goal setting, and precise planning to achieve success.

What are your future plans?  I will earn my undergraduate degree in physiology at SIUC. I will continue my education and eventually become a physician to serve my community.

The Mr. and Miss HHS vote will take place on Friday, March 27, during advisory. The official recipients of the award will be announced toward the end of Honors Night on Wednesday, April 29.