We recognized outstanding student athletes, coaches, educators and academic achievers during the May 2026 School Board meeting.
State Bowling Qualifiers Recognized
RPS 205 honored dozens of middle school bowlers and coaches who qualified for the IESA State Bowling Tournament in Joliet.
Recognized students included:
Eisenhower Middle School: Collin Bachtel, Jacob Hendon, Taylor Schroeder, Kierra Licio, Lanie Heath, Addison Harvey, Samantha Hendon and Meladie Ray, along with coaches Stacy Weigel and Robert Legoo.
Flinn Middle School: Cadyn Foster, Isabel Lamb, Elyse Rivera, Courtney Ellson, Rylee Fagerstrom, Thalia Villareal and Logan Le, along with coaches Sam Vandyke and Mike Perry. Isabel Lamb earned first place in the Top 16 tournament, while Logan Le earned third place in the Top 16 and first place in the individual matches.
RESA Middle School: Autumn Adams, Peyton Dornbausch and Jerome Bell, along with Coach Sabrina Stoltz.
Montessori at Marsh: Jhun Dara Picaz and Coach Tim Nabors. Picaz became the first bowler in Montessori athletic history to qualify for state.
Marshall Middle School: Ava Montana and Coach Mike Talley.
West Middle School: Addie Beaman, Olivia Komprood, Nikole Price, Emma Rivera, Amber Hills and Gabriel Olvera, along with coaches Alan Beaman and Kassi Brooks.
Lincoln Middle School: Bruce Bond, Samuel Camacho, Nolan Haffey, Jaxon Holst, Gavin Jamie and Evan Moree, along with Coach Andrew Jensen.
Guilford Esports Team Earned State Finish
Guilford High School’s Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Esports Team was recognized for an outstanding IHSA Esports season. Under the leadership of Coach Jeff Pitner and team captain Reece Johnson, the team won the IHSA Sectional Championship, captured a regional title and finished fifth in the state finals.
Team members recognized included Reece Johnson, Angel Castanos, Rhys Yehling, Xavier Watts, Solomon Olvera, Mowava Walker and Lennon List.
East Student Qualified for State Journalism Competition
East High School student Kayla Barjas-Garcia, under the direction of Coach Cassandra Hernandez, qualified for the IHSA Journalism State Competition in Normal. The competition tested students in writing, design and photography through deadline-driven events.
Coaches Earned IBCA Honors
The Illinois Basketball Coaches Association named Auburn’s Bryan Ott and Guilford’s Christopher Dixon as 2026 Coaches of the Year. The awards recognized leadership and successful seasons that included regional, sectional and state-level accomplishments.
Jefferson Artists Earned State and National Recognition
Jefferson High School students, under the direction of teacher Lynn Stockton, were honored for achievements at the Illinois High School Art Exhibition.
Students recognized for participation included Destinee Lazzaro, Adylene Montoya, Jocelynn Ayala and Joselyn Pereira-Jara.
Additional honors included:
Brittany Zepeda — Gold Award in Drawing
Dayana Santiago — Best in Show in Painting
Mily Sigala — Best in Show in the Senior Exhibition
Kristina Solis — Top 20 Scholarship Award recipient
In addition, Adylene Montoya was named the winner of the Illinois 17th District Congressional Art Competition by Eric Sorensen. Her artwork will be displayed in the United States Capitol for one year.
Record Number of Students Earned Seal of Biliteracy
District leaders announced that a record number of students earned the Illinois Seal of Biliteracy or Commendation toward the Seal during the 2025-2026 school year.
The Seal of Biliteracy recognizes students who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and at least one additional language through rigorous exams in listening, speaking, reading and writing.
This year, 60 students earned the Seal and 43 students earned the Commendation.
Seniors recognized included students from Auburn, East, Guilford, Jefferson and Roosevelt high schools. The Seal will appear on students’ diplomas and may help students earn college credit and future employment opportunities.
Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council Honored
RPS 205 also recognized members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council (SSAC) for representing student voice and helping bridge communication between students and district leadership.
Students honored included representatives from Auburn, East, Guilford and Jefferson high schools.
Eisenhower Teacher Received National Literacy Award
The ceremony concluded with recognition for Eisenhower Middle School reading teacher Ginger Murphy, who received a READ 180 Educator Award from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
The national award honors educators who demonstrate exceptional success in accelerating student reading growth and supporting literacy achievement. At Eisenhower, the READ 180 program helps students strengthen reading and comprehension skills through technology, direct instruction and independent reading.