Celia Cross Named Hopedale Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine Athlete of the Year
Hopedale, IL – Hopedale Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine in collaboration with Hopedale Medical Complex is pleased to announce Celia Cross as the 2026 Athlete of the Year. Along with being honored as Athlete of the Year, Celia receives a $1,000 scholarship from the Hopedale Medical Foundation. Celia was the recipient of the October Athlete of the Month award for her tremendous effort and leadership of the Hartem volleyball team. Celia is the daughter of Julie and Kent Cross and a 2026 graduate of Hartsburg-Emden High School. She will attend Illinois Central College to major in Nursing and play volleyball this coming fall.
In conjunction with Hopedale Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, the outreach partner school districts athletic directors and “in season” coaches nominated students from their district for this distinguished, monthly award. The individuals that are chosen must not only excel as athletes but also must be fully rounded in their approach to scholarship, leadership, character, and community service. The 25-26 monthly recipients were:
August 2025 – Ellie Klokkenga, Hartsburg- Emden High School
September 2025 – Brett Bane II, Tremont High School
October 2025 – Celia Cross, Hartsburg- Emden High School
November 2025 – Shaun Denniston, Dee-Mack High School
December 2025 – Lilly Elston, Tremont High School
January 2026 – Peyton Swinford, Hartsburg- Emden High School
February 2026 – Miller Reynolds, Tremont High School
March 2026 – Aubrey Hurckes, Tremont High School
April 2026 – Andrew Dawson, Tremont High School
Hopedale Medical Complex and Hopedale Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine is pleased to continue this tradition with Dee-Mack, Delavan, Hartsburg-Emden, and Tremont school districts during their 2026/2027 Sports Seasons.