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Each Friday during the month of June, Granite City Community Unit School District #9 will highlight a new member of the Granite City High School coaching staff as we prepare for the 2026-27 school year.

This week's staff spotlight features Jessica Thompson.

Thompson is a sixth-grade teacher at Prather Elementary School and is entering her first season as the GCHS Head Cheerleading Coach. A former GCHS cheerleader and collegiate national champion at Lindenwood University, Thompson brings a wealth of experience as both a competitor and coach to the Warriors program.

Coach Thompson shares her thoughts on returning to GCHS, her vision for the cheerleading program, and what she's most excited about for the upcoming season!

As a former Coolidge and GCHS cheerleader, what does it mean to return home and lead the Warriors cheer program?
Returning home to lead the Warriors cheer program is a full-circle moment for me. Granite City helped shape who I am, not only as a cheerleader but as a person. My coaches and community invested in me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to give back to a program that means so much! I take great pride in representing Granite City and helping the next generation of Warriors create memories, build confidence, and experience the same sense of pride and belonging that I did.

You were part of Lindenwood University’s first NCA National Championship team. What is one lesson from that experience that you still carry with you today?
One lesson I still carry with me is that success is built on consistency and trust. Winning a national championship wasn’t about one great performance...it was the result of countless hours of preparation, attention to detail, and coaches and teammates holding each other accountable. Every athlete had an important role, and our success depended on trusting each other to do our jobs. That’s something I strive to teach my athletes today: small daily habits and commitment to the team lead to extraordinary results. 

You have experience as an athlete, coach, camp instructor, and national champion. How have those experiences shaped your coaching philosophy?
My experiences have taught me that great coaching is about developing the whole athlete. While technical skills and performance are important, I believe the most successful programs focus on building confidence, character, leadership, and resilience. As a coach, I want to create a positive environment where athletes feel challenged, trusted, supported, and motivated to reach their full potential. I strive to hold high standards while also building strong relationships and helping athletes grow both on and off the mat.

What are your goals for the GCHS cheer program both on the sidelines and in competition?
On the sidelines, my goal is to create an energetic, unified team that helps build school spirit and represents Granite City with pride and professionalism. I want our athletes to be positive leaders within the school and community and be proud to wear that G on their uniform! 

In competition, I want to build a program that consistently performs at a high level through strong fundamentals, proper technique, and a commitment to excellence. My focus is on creating a culture where athletes are motivated to improve, compete with confidence, and achieve individual and team goals that they can be proud of.

What qualities do you hope to instill in your student-athletes as they represent Granite City High School?
I hope to instill integrity, accountability, resilience, teamwork, and pride. I want our athletes to understand that they represent something bigger than themselves whenever they wear a GCHS uniform. Whether they are performing on the sidelines, competing, or representing the school in the community at an event, I want them to lead by example, support one another, work hard, and carry themselves with confidence and respect. The saying goes, "there's a young cheerleader in the stands looking up to you!" My goal is for them to leave the program not only as better athletes, but as stronger leaders and individuals prepared for success beyond high school.

By Chris Mitchell ‘95

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Joe Valencia. 

Valencia is a high school social studies teacher at Lake Educational Support Services Center and has been with GCSD9 since the Alternative Education program moved to Lake in 2020.

Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Collinsville High School in 2014 and SIUE in 2019.

Talk to me about “Lake Life” – what do you enjoy most about working with the students and staff at Lake?
I enjoy working with our Lake students in a smaller classroom setting. We are able to create an environment where students and staff can foster strong relationships with each student because of the smaller setting. Our Lake staff is one big family and I wouldn’t trade them for anything!

Do you have a favorite memory from your career in teaching?
My favorite memory was last year when I helped produce the first Lake ESSC Career Fair. It was incredible to see so many people from our community come together to show the many different options available to our students after they graduate.

Who do you look up to and why?
I look up to both of my parents. I watched my dad work with teenagers my whole life as a youth pastor and that laid the foundations for my teaching and relationship building styles. My mom instilled in me the importance of honesty and patience, two traits that I emphasize with my students.

Hobbies?
I love to spend time with my soon to be 4-year old son, Beaux, watch any sport live or on television, and work the soccer games at Energizer Park.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net

Granite City, Ill., May 27, 2026 – Granite City High School had nine students deliver Summa Cum Laude speeches at the Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony held Friday at Kevin Greene Field in Granite City.

Since students were limited to a two-minute speech during the graduation ceremony, GCHS recorded the speeches in their entirety to watch following the ceremony.

Toby Clements – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbapPnC05M (15:30)

Emilee Connolly – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKguPdnxzmQ&t=12s

Ricardo Garay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbapPnC05M (20:25)

Melody Hang – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbapPnC05M (22:45)

Emily Lievens – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6R3QjH94W2M

Myla Layne – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbapPnC05M (28:45)

Marik Pickerell – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuPudZenR7A

Katelynn Strubelt – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ZM2PXUFlE

Kya Wonders – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mxDiJiOOP0

For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net.