2023 PRINCESS FLAME MAKANE CASS

Makane Cass is the 18-year-old daughter of Charley and Kristen Cass of West Frankfort. Makane is a 2022 graduate of Frankfort Community High School, and currently attends Southern

Illinois University Carbondale where she majors in Elementary Education with an Endorsement in 7th-9th Grade. Due to the significant teacher shortage in America, Makane one day hopes to recruit individuals to the teaching profession by traveling to area high schools and colleges to encourage students to pursue a career in teaching, all while teaching her own classroom.

Makane serves as an Ambassador for the Southern Illinois University Carbondale School of Education. In her free time, Makane enjoys volunteering on campus, spending time with

friends and family, and watching Netflix. Makane has been awarded: River to River Girls Golf All-Conference 2021; Lady

Redbirds Basketball Team Captain 2021-2022; Lady Redbirds Basketball Leader of the Year Award 2022; Lady Redbirds Basketball Offensive Player of the Year 2022; National Fastpitch

Softball Coaches Association All-American Scholar Athlete 2019; ECE Early Childhood Level One Credential 2022; ECE School Age Level One Credential 2022; ECE School Age Level Two

Credential 2022; Principal’s Choice Award 2022; Frankfort Community High School Class of 2022 Leader of the Year; Frankfort Community High School Class of 2022 Most Involved

Student Award; Frankfort Community High School Class of 1988 Scholarship Recipient in 2022; Ivah J. Pistono and Jesse Pistono Memorial Scholarship Recipient 2022; Johnathan Sloan

Memorial Scholarship Recipient 2022; Frankfort Community High School National Honors Society Scholarship Recipient 2022; Timothy ‘Murph’ Murphy Memorial Platinum Scholarship

Recipient 2022; Weeks of West Frankfort Scholarship Recipient 2022; Illinois Principal’s Association Scholarship Recipient 2022; Southern Illinois University Carbondale Counselor’s

Choice Scholarship Recipient 2022; Southern Illinois Future Teachers Coalition Scholarship Recipient 2022; and was inducted as a Frankfort Community High School Varsity Letter Club Member in 2023. At this year’s pageant, in addition to being crowned Princess Flame 2023, Makane was the recipient of the Community Service Scholarship, which was donated by sponsor Heather Abell. The recipient of this scholarship was selected by the judges during the interview process and was awarded to a young woman who exhibited leadership and service within her community, and embodied selflessness and compassion for others. Makane was unanimously selected by the judges.