By Eric Stock/WJBC News
BLOOMINGTON – A Central Illinois boy who developed a fighting spirit an early age is among Illinois’ top scholars.
Gabe Huddleston overcame liver cancer and other illnesses as a baby. He’s now a healthy 8th grader who was recently honored with the Scholar Attitude Award from the Illinois Elementary School Association.
“I’ve always when it mattered most been able to dig down and find something deeper that’s always helped me grow and be stronger as a human: Huddleston said.
Another honoree, Emilie Collins from St. Mary’s School in Pontiac, participates in four sports and various groups, while excelling in the classroom.
“When I participate in clubs and activities it makes me work all that harder to keep my grades up, otherwise I can’t participate in all the things that help me have fun,” Collins sai9d.
The IESA awarded the top students in 15 regions of the state during its annual luncheon at the DoubleTree Hotel in Bloomington.
The IESA treated students to a magic act from Stephen Bargatze who uses sleight of hand to share his story about how he overcame a childhood accident that left him with a speech impediment to bring comedy to others on a national stage.
“It was tough but in the end, I had 4.0 (grade point averages) the last two years (of college), so I realized I wasn’t stupid,” Bargatze said. “I just had to find my way of learning.”
Bargatze has performed with likes to Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton and Bill Cosby, while his son Nate has appeared multiple times on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
The list of IESA Scholar Attitude winners are here:
Division A Molly FitzPatrick, Barrington Station
Division B Kate Dennis, Rockford Eisenhower
Division C Jack Cossairt, Westmont JHS
Division D Uche Onyenemezu, Crest Hill Richland
Division E Emilie Collins, Pontiac St. Mary’s
Division F Megan Ptak, Princeville
Division G Conner Curry, Watseka Glenn Raymond
Division H Ben Geiger, Morton JHS
Division I Kate Aupperle, Maroa-Forsyth
Division J Evan Stegall, Macomb
Division K Gabe Huddleston, Danville Schlarman
Division L Olivia Theirl, Paris Mayo
Division M Bethany Bergschneider, Franklin
Division N Payton Kinder, Newton Jasper County
Division O Analise Best, Staunton
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
