When you walk the halls of Peoria High, you might wonder: What happens to the students who once sat in these very classrooms? Today, we’re catching up with two incredible women from the Class of 2016: Deja Dennis, voted “Most Likely to be Famous,” and Carrie Conton, “Most Academic” and “Most Artistic.” Their stories remind us all that big dreams can start right here—and that every student can shape their own amazing future.
Deja Dennis: From RAW Talent to L.A. Lights
Deja Dennis always had a flair for the spotlight. At Peoria High, she was known for her passion for poetry and her drive to make a difference. Deja didn’t just participate—she created, founding the school’s SLAM team, RAW Talent, which stands for Real Ambitious Writers. “I’m most proud of establishing that poetry group,” she says. She also represented Peoria High at the state speech competition, the first in four years to do so.
Her favorite class? English with Mr. Nicholson. “He really inspired me,” Deja remembers. But her love of poetry started even earlier, thanks to a middle school teacher who dared her to enter a poetry contest—a dare that landed her first poem in print.
After graduation, Deja’s journey took her to Xavier University in New Orleans for mass communication, then to Florida State University for a master’s in screenwriting. Today, she lives in Los Angeles, where she teaches film, helps new poets publish with the Community Literature Initiative, and keeps winning at poetry slams—seven out of nine this year! Deja still comes home to visit her mom (and always grabs a pizza at Avanti’s).
Her advice: “It’s okay to restart your plan. Don’t be afraid to rethink your path or to not know everything right now.”
Carrie Conton: Engineering Success—and Never Forgetting the Music
Carrie Conton balanced brains and creativity at Peoria High, shining in academics and the arts. She fondly remembers sneaking into the orchestra practice rooms during lunch with friends for mini jam sessions—moments that convinced her she’d always keep music in her life. “No matter what happens, I’ve got to do this,” Carrie reflects. Her favorite teachers were Ms. Colgan, her supportive statistics teacher and golf coach, and Mr. Warren, the orchestra director who made class “a reprieve when things were heavy”.
After high school, Carrie attended Prairie View A&M University in Texas to study mechanical engineering and later worked as a design engineer in oil and gas. She even spent a year teaching high school, which made her appreciate her own teachers even more! Now, Carrie is finishing a master’s in urban planning, composing music on the side, and applying to Ph.D. programs.
She misses Peoria’s snowy winters and the old grilled cheese shop in Campustown, but she’s clear about what keeps her going: “Please don’t give in to pessimism. Good things are happening, and it’s because people like you keep trying and fighting for what matters.”
Your Story Starts Here
Deja and Carrie show that you can chase your dreams—whether they lead you to Hollywood, an engineering lab, or a jam session with friends. They prove that your favorite teachers, your passions, and even your lunchtime adventures can shape your future.
So, current Peoria students, dream big. Maybe one day, we’ll be asking: Where are YOU now?