The Chicago Bears proudly announce Margaret Yoest, a student-athlete from Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago, Ill., as the third recipient of the 2024 Community High School All-Star award. This award, brought to you by Athletico Physical Therapy, recognizes nine high school football players from March through May who make a positive impact in their communities and schools.
Margaret is currently in her junior year at Lane Tech, where she is a key member of Lane’s Girls’ Flag Football and Girls’ Basketball teams. Since the team’s inaugural season in her sophomore year, she has played the center position in girls’ flag football. In her junior year, Margaret’s leadership qualities led to her being chosen as captain by her teammates. With her guidance, the team achieved a remarkable milestone by winning their first high school girls’ flag football state championship at Halas Hall in October
of 2023, making them the second Illinois high school girls’ flag football team to achieve this feat.
Margaret’s passion for sports extends beyond the field. She actively volunteers at Lane Tech’s flag football and basketball camps for younger girls. This spring, she’ll become an assistant coach for Lane’s 7th and 8th grade girls’ flag football team. Her dedication has helped pave the way for the younger generation now that girls’ flag football is officially a sanctioned high school sport by the IHSA in Illinois.
Margaret also excels academically. Ranked in the top 50 of her class (in a school of more than 4,200 students), she maintains a cumulative 5.0 weighted GPA and a 4.0 unweighted GPA. Her strong work ethic allows her to balance her academics with her athletic commitments, her new assistant coaching role and community volunteerism.
Outside of school and sports, Margaret gives back to her community by volunteering at the Irving Park Community Food Pantry since middle school. She assists with special distributions, school supply drives, holiday toy drives and has assembled Easter baskets for more than 300 children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she volunteered regularly to distribute food weekly. She also maintains a connection with St. Viator Elementary School, volunteering in clothing and housewares drives for migrants and participating in meal-packing events with Feed My Starving Children in Schaumburg, Ill.
Each Community High School All-Star award recipient will receive a custom hand-painted football, gift bag and an invitation to a future Chicago Bears event. Additionally, the Chicago Bears will make a $500 donation to the charitable organization of the player’s choosing.
The above story is from the Chicago Bears
About Community High School All-Star Award
The Chicago Bears are proud to partner with Athletic Physical Therapy to present the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award that recognizes high school football and girls flag football players who make a positive impact in their community and school. These student-athletes exemplify service, leadership and character. The Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star is an off-season initiative that encourages student-athletes to be involved in community service during offseason, and take the lessons learned through playing the sport of football and use them to benefit their community.
2024 Community High School All-Star Award Winners
Week 2 – Nicholas Armour, Leo Catholic HS
Week 1 – Abbie Lewis, Stevenson HS
