RPS 205 recognized outstanding students, staff, and coaches during the December 16 Board of Education meeting.
The evening opened with acknowledgements of student-athletes who advanced to the IHSA State Finals. Guilford High School senior Hannah King qualified for state competition in both the 50-yard freestyle and the 100-yard backstroke under the guidance of her coach, Dawn Hodlmair.
Nadia Vilic, a Rockford co-op freshman who attends East High School, also qualified for state in the 100-yard breaststroke. She was coached by Amy Taylor. The Board congratulated both athletes and their coaches for their hard work and dedication.
The meeting also highlighted student creativity in the arts. Five RPS 205 students representing three schools were selected in the inaugural Noah’s Ark Animal Shelter Holiday Card Contest.
Ivanna Penaloza from Jefferson High School earned first place. Her winning design will be printed on the shelter’s holiday card, mailed to 5,000 homes, and displayed at Noah’s Ark for years to come.
Abria Lambert, a seventh grader at West Middle School, placed second. Her design will be shared as Noah’s Ark’s Happy Holidays social media post on December 25.
Three additional students were named runners-up, with their artwork featured on Noah’s Ark social media:
• Josephine Tortorici, an eighth grader at West Middle School, whose design will be shared in a first day of winter post
• Anny Ramirez Aguilar, an eighth grader at RESA Middle School, whose artwork will be featured during a holiday adoption special
• Yanelly Cecilia Almanza, a seventh grader at RESA Middle School, whose design will be used on New Year’s Day
RPS 205 congratulated all student-athletes and artists for their outstanding accomplishments.