Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Announces 2016 “Those Who Excel” Award Recipients

Annually, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognizes a variety of educational staff and community members for their outstanding contributions to schools throughout the State. Nomination letters and letters of recommendation must be sent in support of each candidate. A committee then determines the winners and the level of recognition, including: Award of Excellence, Award of Merit, and Award of Recognition.

Bremen High School District 228 is proud to announce that all of its nominees will receive an award at the ISBE’s Those Who Excel Awards Banquet on Saturday, October 22 in Normal, Illinois.

Oak Forest High School Principal, Dr. Brad Sikora, will receive an Award of Merit. Dr. Sikora was nominated by Mrs. Kristine Kalnins, a parent in the community. In her nomination, Mrs. Kalnins stated, “Dr. Sikora’s complete dedication and commitment to the betterment of Oak Forest’s students and teachers alike is exceptional. His unwavering enthusiasm extends to seemingly every facet of Oak Forest’s curriculum as well as the Oak Forest High School’s athletics program, of which he never seems to miss an event. Although Dr. Sikora’s influence on the educational processes are widespread, he has not lost the ability to inspire on an individual level. This is truly most evident on his effect on special needs student, of which I am a parent. The affect Dr. Sikora has had on my son as a mentor, leader and most importantly, as a friend, will be forever felt.”

Ms. Carla Cheatham will receive an Award of Recognition. Ms. Cheatham, a counselor at Bremen High School, was nominated by the school’s Principal, Dr. Dave Kibelkis. In his nomination, Dr. Kibelkis wrote, “Ms. Cheatham has been a successful counselor at Bremen High School for the past 15 years. In that time, she has demonstrated the desire to assist all students in setting goals and working towards them. Ms. Cheatham has provided many resources and opportunities for all students to experience and learn about the importance of attending college. In addition, she assists students in finding connections to career paths that will lead to jobs related to their areas of interest. Carla coordinated our first career week, which included 22 presenters and had approximately 340 students participate. I have been blessed to see the work of Ms. Cheatham and to know that because of her dedicated and focused work, our students are greatly served.”

Mrs. Carissa Fetig will receive an Award of Recognition. Mrs. Fetig, a physical education teacher at Hillcrest High School, was nominated by Dr. Renee Simms, Hillcrest’s principal. In her nomination, Dr. Simms had this to say, “Mrs. Fetig is a role model for teachers not only at Hillcrest and Bremen High School District 228, but across the State of Illinois. Mrs. Fetig has taken on a leadership role in many capacities touching not only the students at Hillcrest but across the District. She has taken the lead to organize an intra-district spirit competition that provides a community service through the collection of canned goods for local food shelters. She is one of those teachers every principal would love to have in their building and if she could be cloned, I would certainly do so. She has touched the lives of our students academically, socially and emotionally.”

The District 228 Learning Leadership Team will receive an Award of Recognition. The team of 11 includes media specialists Mary Rose Bernas, Mary Gabel, Cheryl Harris-Sumida, Kelly Sala, Katie Udstuen, Lisa Walsh and Kara Williams, IT staff Jim Donato and Robert Johnston, and Department Supervisor April Nykaza. The nomination was made by Lori DeVos, District Community Relations Coordinator. She had this to say about the nomination, “This team has worked very hard and gone beyond anything that was asked of them to put a 1 to 1 learning program in place for students. They gathered information and tips that would help our school district move the program along with as few issues as possible. They designed a web page for parents, students and staff, created staff development for teachers, and put together a student technology team in each school to provide support in the areas of use of and minor repairs to the devices. The 1 to 1 Learning Leadership Team has stepped up, gotten creative, and worked hard to provide this learning opportunity for students in Bremen High School District 228.”

“Bremen District 228’s ISBE Those Who Excel award recipients are outstanding role models for students. They always have students at the forefront of every idea they have and decision they make. On behalf of the Board of Education and Administration, we congratulate them and look forward to honoring them and seeing them formally receive their awards at the Illinois State Board of Education awards banquet in October,” said D228 Board President Debi Stearns.