Morning light spills through the windows of Momence High School as Cassidy Stromme discusses her plans for the future. The junior with an easy smile and thoughtful demeanor has been a fixture in this small Illinois community since preschool, weaving her story into the fabric of the town.

"I really like the community," Cassidy says, her voice warm with appreciation. "I like this small town, how everybody knows each other. It's very close-knit. I feel like I like the smaller high school situation. I know my classmates well, and I like it a lot."

There's something special about growing up in a place where faces become familiar over years rather than months. Where teachers remember your name long after you've left their classroom, and where the local Casey's pizza becomes a hometown staple.

"Especially growing up here this whole time, I've come to know a lot of people. They're all family here. So it becomes like a web of all these people. But it's actually nice," she reflects.

Despite her deep roots in Momence, Cassidy's ambitions stretch beyond the town limits. With her senior year approaching, she's already planning for dual enrollment at Kankakee Community College, where she'll spend her mornings taking college courses while finishing her high school requirements in the afternoons.

"I'm looking at law, legal studies," she says of her college plans. Her eyes light up at the mention of Chicago. "I love Chicago. I want to go more than I do now. I love the city. I do want to go to school there. I plan on living there once I get out of high school."

This humanities-focused student thrives in classes like AP History and Western Civilizations. Her teacher, Mr. Toberman, has made a significant impact on her educational journey.

"I think he's a really good teacher," Cassidy says. "I learned a lot in that class the past two years."

While academics are clearly important to her—she's a member of the National Honor Society—Cassidy's life extends far beyond the classroom. Recently, she embraced a new challenge by trying out for the soccer team, despite never having played before.

"I found out literally two hours ago that I made the team," she says, a hint of disbelief and excitement in her voice. "I've played softball my whole life, but not through Momence necessarily. It was more of a private club, more for fun type league. I've done that my whole life. But I wanted to try something new."

Her motivation for joining soccer reveals much about her character. Cassidy's little sister, Maeva, just five years old and in kindergarten, had tried soccer but became frustrated and quit. Cassidy saw an opportunity to teach her sister a valuable lesson.

"I wanted to prove to her, not necessarily that she had to do soccer, but just that if she picks something that she wants to do and sticks with it, it works out," Cassidy explains. "I just wanted to show her that being consistent is important. And if she really wants to do something, she can, one hundred percent."

The eleven-year age gap between the sisters has created a unique dynamic, with Cassidy naturally falling into a mentoring role. When Maeva expressed interest in soccer again, Cassidy embraced the opportunity to practice together.

"I've been talking about it more at home and doing it a little bit every time. She'd ask, 'Can we go practice? Can we go outside and play? Can you teach me stuff?'" Cassidy shares, her face lighting up at the memory.

This summer, Cassidy will add another dimension to her already full life by helping manage the Kankakee Farmers Market. "I've been talking with the manager there. I'm going to end up doing a lot of work over there and helping her out," she explains. "I've been going there since I was a little kid every summer."

The balance she maintains—between academics and activities, between being a student and a role model to her sister, between embracing her small-town roots and nurturing big-city dreams—speaks to a maturity beyond her years.

As Cassidy considers her college options, she carries with her the values instilled by her community: hard work, connection, and the courage to try new things. Whether studying legal briefs in a Chicago university library or cheering on her sister at a future soccer game, she'll bring that small-town heart to everything she does.

"I think it's important to be a part of something that pushes you to be better," she says, a philosophy that seems to guide her approach to life.

In the tapestry of Momence, Cassidy Stromme's thread shines with promise—connecting past and future, small town and big city, tradition and innovation—weaving a pattern uniquely her own.