Krabill and Kaufmann named January Elks Teens of the Month

Princeton Elks Lodge 1461 Teens of the Month nominees for January pictured with Penny Best (back row, left) include (front row, from left) Marie Batkiewicz, Aaron Kaufmann, Laura Krabill, Jason Boehm and Kathleen Council; and (back row) Josh Fahs, Cory Spencer, Amanda Croisant and Luke Willard. Krabill and Kaufmann were the female and male teens of the month. (BCR photo/Donna Barker)

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PRINCETON — Prince-ton Elks Lodge 1461 recently announced the female and male Teens of the Month for January were Laura Krabill and Aaron Kaufmann, seniors at Princeton High School.

The purpose of the Elks Teen of the Month program is to recognize teens with outstanding overall achievements in character, leadership, service, citizenship and scholarship. The high school teens of the month attended a luncheon at the Elks Lodge on Jan. 18.

Krabill, 18, is the daughter of Elvin and Connie Krabill of rural Tiskilwa. Kaufmann is the son of Phil and Pam Kaufmann, also of rural Tiskilwa.

Krabill is ranked first in her class of 147 with a grade point average of 4.0. She has an ACT score of 24 and has been on the high honor roll for four years and a member of the National Honor Society for two years. She is also a state scholar.

Krabill was in varsity soccer for three years and varsity tennis for four years. She was the JV soccer captain and tennis team captain.

She has also been a Student of the Month recipient, Dare to Dream scholarship winner, recipient of the Keith Schultz Award, and the First Class Award. She has received an IMEA first rating, concerto competition winner, and participated in the all-state choir.

She has served as concertmaster of the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra and a Soprano 1 Section leader in the Concert Choir. She participated in the musicals “Cinderella,” “Music Man” and “Pippin.” She also performed with the Homestead community plays, “All Shook Up,” “Joseph,” Stage 212” and “Quilters.”

Krabill has participated in chorus, mixed chorus, swing choir, band, marching band, pep band and concert band. She is also a member of the Illinois Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Valley Adult Symphony Orchestra.

She is also a member of the Madrigals, Star Spangled Singers, Soprano Quartet, drumline, and also attended the Apple Hill Chamber Music Camp. She also teaches violin.

She is a member of the German Club and Student Council. She has also served as office helper, served on the homecoming committee, and was a Red Cross blood drive helper.

Her volunteer work includes serving as an assistant counselor at Menno Haven Camp last summer. She attends Young Life every week and attended Young Life Camp. She volunteers at the Tiskilwa Community Bible Church every summer. Krabill went on a dental mission trip with her father her junior year and went to Panama in eighth grade on a mission trip.

Her hobbies include playing violin, orchestra and choral music. She enjoys water skiing, swimming, tennis and soccer. She enjoys watching college football with her father, and photography and scrapbooking.

Krabill has applied to Goshen College in Indiana and is planning on majoring in music with a violin performance major. She also hopes to play varsity tennis at the college level.

Kaufmann is ranked ninth in his class of 147, with a grade point average of 3.9 out of a 4.0. He has an ACT score of 30 and has been on the honor roll all four years. He has also been a part of the National Honor Society and is an Illinois State Scholar.

He was a student of the month and a student of the month nominee, and an Eagle Scout. He served as president and treasurer on the Student Council. He also served as band president, band vice-president, choir president, Scholastic Bowl captain, and served on the thespian board.

He has participated in school plays and musicals all four years. He has also participated in community musicals through the Prairie Arts Center and the Homestead Festival. He is also a Young Life musician.

He participated in soccer his sophomore year. He has been a part of the chorus, mixed chorus, swing choir, band, marching band, jazz band, pep band and concert band all four years.

He has also participated in Madrigal singers, Star-Spangled Singers, Madrigal Bass, men’s ensemble and jazz choir.

His other organizations include German Club, drama club, and Student Council. He was also a school mascot his junior and senior year and a member of the Scholastic Bowl all four years.

He volunteered at the Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center in the summer of 2007 and has done various community service through Boy Scout Troop 1063. He volunteered as backstage crew for the Prairie Arts Center and during the Homestead Festival productions.

His hobbies include listening to music, hiking and playing ultimate Frisbee with his youth group. He also enjoys theater events and being involved in school.

His future plans include attending Goshen College, but he is still undecided on his major though is considering secondary education in math or music, business administration or possibly youth ministry.

Other Teen of the Month nominees were Sara Pizano of DePue High School; Josh Fahs, LaMoille High School; Kathleen Council, Ohio High School; Marie Batkiewwicz, St. Bede Academy; Luke Willard, St. Bede Academy; Cory Spencer, Hall High School; Amanda Croisant, Hall High School; Alyssa Doubet, Bureau Valley High School; and Jason Boehm, Bureau Valley High School.