George and Leah Benz of 6329 S. 48th have announced the engagement of their daughter, Valerie Lynn Benz, to Jay William Wackerly Jr., both of Urbana. He is a son of Jay and Kim Wackerly of Godfrey.

The bride-elect graduated in 2002 from Quincy Notre Dame High School, in 2004 from John Wood Community College and in 2006 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She was a member of the JWCC cheerleading squad and Phi Theta Kappa, and was named to the All-American USA Academic Team. Miss Benz is a cottage counselor at Cunningham Children's Home.

The prospective bridegroom graduated in 2003 from Winona State University and will graduate this year from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He is a member of the Chemistry Club, rugby, Football Club and Student Ambassadors Club, and is a student orientation leader. He also graduated summa cum laude, and is a member of the Golden Key Honors Club and Alpha Lambda Delta Honors Club. Mr. Wackerly is a research assistant/doctorate candidate at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

The couple will be married at 4 p.m. June 7 in Clat Adams Park.