The Chicago Bears announced today that senior Blake Eversmann of Harrisburg High School has been named the seventh Community High School All-Star award winner of the season. The Community High School All-Star award recognizes high school football players making a positive impact in their community and school throughout the season.

During his freshman year, Eversmann began cleaning the crosses of veterans in his local cemetery after being inspired by his grandfather, who is a Vietnam War veteran, to do so for a school community project. He continued to do so for the next four years ahead of Memorial Day and Veterans Day as a way of honoring and thanking those who have served our country. Additionally, he recently helped organize a fundraiser to purchase new crosses for fallen veterans and created the Veterans Memorial Preservation Fund to provide scholarships for youth who give back to their community or lost a loved one serving in the military; through the initiative, he was able to purchase new metal crosses and a honorary flame. Over the last four years, he has volunteered at the VA Hospital in neighboring Marion, Ill. In addition to playing football, Eversmann maintained a 4.0 GPA for all four years and was part of the band, wrestling team and other clubs. He has also overcome two ACL surgeries. Eversmann will be directing the $500 donation he receives for winning the award to the Veterans Memorial Preservation Fund.