Pope County High School student Vance Hertter is the 2021-22 IHSA nominee for the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award:
VANCE HERTTER, POPE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL
Vance was born with Rentinitis Pigmentosa, which caused him to become legally blind over the course of this life. That setback has not prevented him from taking advantage of the opportunities offered at Pope County High School. Pope County started a speech program during Vance's freshman year, which he promptly joined. Despite no prior experience in speech, he worked to become an IHSA Regional champion in two events as a junior and then culminated his experience by qualifying for the State Finals as a senior, where he earned All-State accolades after placing sixth in Impromptu Speaking. Vance continued to step outside his comfort zone by joining the the school musical cast, while also running cross country, serving as Senior Class President, and earning Valedictorian honors.
Pope County Speech Assistant Coach Laura Hosfeldt On Vance:
“Vance uses his story not to garner pity from his classmates, but rather to show them that if he can do this with his impairments, then there is nothing holding them back from achieving their dreams.”