What is D123 4-WARD
As a District, we love hearing about all of the extraordinary achievements our graduates have accomplished over the years, and D123 4-WARD gives us the opportunity to share these amazing alumni success stories with our community. This E-newsletter will be sent semiannually in May and December, and the 4-WARD submission form will remain open all year for D123 graduates to share their journeys post middle school graduation.
Thank you to all who submitted your stories to D123 4-WARD. It was a pleasure to read all the submissions. We are so proud of our alumni and the variety of paths they have taken to success. From producing a feature film to working in strength and conditioning, D123 alumni are prepared to take on tomorrow's world, wherever the path may lead (even if it's to the sky).
Elementary School: Hannum Elementary School
Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
High School: Harold L. Richards High School
College: DePaul University
After graduating with a Master's in Film and Television with a concentration in post-production in 2025, Ivan became a full-time filmmaker while working as a freelance videographer. He wrote, directed, and edited his first feature film, LEVEL 2, a backroom-inspired film, which has been selected for a film festival in Tokyo.
His passion for filmmaking began right here at District 123 as a member of the Newscast Club and participating in his Multimedia Class. Here, he discovered the depths of his creativity and was encouraged to share his ideas with the world. After middle school, Ivan continued to take Television Production classes and later shared his knowledge as a Chicago Housing Authority-Filmmaker Summer Mentor, showing young students how to employ media in positive ways and helping instill greater confidence in sharing their stories with the world.
While working as a Camera Assistant for the Abbott Chicago Marathon every year, Ivan is working on his next horror feature film and pursuing his ultimate foal of working on massive Hollywood film productions.
Elementary School: Sward Elementary School
Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
High School: St. Rita High School
College: Lewis University
After acquiring his commercial pilot, private pilot, and flight instructor certificates, Jake searched for a job in aviation. Before accepting a position at Endeavor Air in Minnesota, he returned to District 123 as a guest teacher. As an aircraft dispatcher, Jake is now part of a team involved with flight planning and safety, looking at features such as fuel performance, route planning, and weather monitoring.
While looking back at his time attending Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School, Jake remembers the 8th-grade field trip to Six Flags, highlighting when they rode the Viper while it was raining.
Elementary School: Hannum and Hometown Elementary Schools
Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School
High School: Harold L. Richards High School
College: Coe College
Madyson is making strides in working towards her dream job as a strength and conditioning coach in the NCAA. While in college, she played softball, was on the executive board for the wellness club, and worked as a strength and conditioning intern. She was accepted into a Master's Program at the University of Wisconsin River Falls, where she will continue to work on skills for successful coaching such as clear communication and creating strong relationships.
District 123 has had a lasting impression on Madyson as her favorite memory is from her time in Victoria Conner’s Kindergarten class. It’s where her nickname “Mady” began, which she continues to use today as a reminder of where she started and how far she has come.
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