ALTON - Alton High School senior Erick Humphrey, who founded a birding club that has grown to 40 students, has been named an Alton-Godfrey Rotary Student of the Month for November in recognition of his achievements in academics, athletics, music and community service.
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Humphrey maintains a 4.585 GPA with straight A’s and is a member of the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta. He expects to graduate with approximately 35 hours of dual college credit.
For two consecutive summers, he participated in the school’s Watershed Academy Science Internship, funded through a grant from the American Water Charitable Foundation. The experience strengthened his interest in environmental science and helped shape his career goals.
Humphrey plans to pursue a college degree in natural resources or forestry, with interests in wildlife, fisheries and hydrology. His long-term goal is to work in environmental conservation, particularly protecting wildlife habitats and wetlands in the Mississippi Flyway.
With support from teacher Mr. Pettus, Humphrey founded Alton High School’s first Birding Club. He initially hoped to attract approximately 10 members. The club now has 40 students interested in exploring nature and learning about local bird populations. Humphrey hopes it will continue after he graduates.
A four-year member of the school’s swim and tennis teams, Humphrey will serve as captain of both teams during his senior year. He has earned medals at the Illinois High School Association Swimming Sectional twice and has been named to the Southwestern Conference All-Conference and All-Academic tennis teams for two years.
Humphrey also has served as principal cellist in the Alton High School Symphonic Orchestra throughout his four years of high school. He has been selected for the Illinois Music Education Association All-District Orchestra for seven consecutive years and the All-State Orchestra twice. He also earned IHSA Solo & Ensemble “Best of Day” recognition for two years.
As the 2026-2027 Arion Award recipient, Humphrey will perform Lalo’s Cello Concerto in D Minor as a featured soloist this spring. He also plays keyboard in the school’s jazz band and has studied piano for 12 years.
His community service includes volunteering at school music recruitment events, local tennis tournaments and The Nature Institute, where he has been involved since sixth grade. His volunteer work also has connected him with the Piasa Palisades chapter of the Sierra Club and reinforced his commitment to protecting natural habitats.
Humphrey credits his family, teachers, coaches and community mentors with supporting his interests. He is the son of James and Dawn Humphrey and the younger brother of Victor Humphrey, a former Rotary Student of the Month who is a senior at Saint Louis University.
