Class Rankings were discontinued in 2012
 
2011--Laura Burns, Aparna Srinath, Anagha Sundararajan
2010--Shenil Dodhia
2009--Andrew Huh
2008--Heather Zhuang
2007--Joshua James, Austin Nicholas
2006--Zachary Buckley, Hariharan Iyer
2005--Daniel Brinkman, Terrance Lee
2004--Daniel Francis
2003--Praveen Bommannavar, Wilson Yum
2002--Jacob Choi
2001--Patrick Hayes, James Lottes
2000--Thomas Latoza
1999--Willian Shields
1998--Christine Janowiak, Ankit Mahadevia
1997--Jonathan Sherman
1996--Sean Broihier, Karen Han, Matthew Sirovatka
1995--Sriranjani Namperumal, Elizabeth Teutsch
1994--Julie Apgar, Alex Kruszewski
1993--Dana Anthony, Jennifer Anthony, Chadd Kobielush, 
             Emily Mensone
1992--Kathryn Sirovatka
1991--Kristin Cosgrove
1990--Murtaza Sitabkhan
1989--Bethann Kreiling, Don Jackson
1988--Joe Fiedor
1987--Kevin Broihier, Blaine Hyde, Christine Schumann
1986--Rob Southwick
1985--Elyse Myers, Bryan Schneider, Tyler Bruns
1984--Diane Frieders
1983--Laurie Southwick
1982--Joe Auer
1981--Joel Carpenter
1980--Kurt Warkenthien
1979--Chris Bruck
1978--Mary Ekstrom
1977--Shaun Sheridan 

2023
Art--Valeria Cielo
Business--Alexandra Skurka
English--Danika Benziger
ELL--Paulina (Lina) Serrano Torres
FACS--Nyzeth Martinez
Math--Subbu Muthiah
Music--Kylie Ferris
PE--Carter King
Science--Nathan Wang
Social Studies--Jeanelle Zhou
TEE--Gavin Smith
World Languages--Stephanie Svec

2022
Art--Rachel Aucoin
Business--Sohum Shah
English--Kira Morris
ELL--Shiza Ibrahim
FACS--Margo Paluch
Math--Michael Lu
Music--Elise Ehlert
PE--Emma Schwarz
Science--Rishi Patel
Social Studies--Dishita Mansukhani
TEE--Jackson Dowell
World Languages--Alexandra Smith

2023 Inductee:

Ember McCoy~ Class of 1999

After graduating from Waubonsie Valley in 2010, Ember completed a Master’s Degree in Environmental Justice from the University of Michigan’s School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS) in 2017. Her master's thesis focused on the relationship between coal-fired power plant siting and minority communities over time.

Upon earning her Master’s Degree, she remained at the University of Michigan, where she worked as a project manager for the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program and published research on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the environmental field from 2017-2020. Ember is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the University of Michigan's School for Environment and Sustainability and is continuing her research on the politics of air pollution monitoring and regulation, which she began exploring as an undergraduate at Carthage College. Her current work evaluates the efficacy of the Biden Administration's Justice40 Initiative and other EPA Environmental Justice efforts.

Since 2015, she has worked on more than a dozen grants, both local and federal, as she continued her involvement with air and ground pollution mitigation research in minority and low-income neighborhoods. Her efforts have earned recognition through numerous nominations, awards, fellowships, and scholarships within the Environmental Justice field. She is also passionate about community-engaged research, scholar activism, and inclusive teaching.

Ember’s research and writings, on these topics and more, have been published in multiple scientific journals, as well as print and radio news stories. She has presented at environmental conferences; and she has spoken at invited talks and guest lectures around the country, since 2014, at locations in Michigan, Louisiana, Illinois, Kentucky, and Wisconsin.

Outside of academia, Ember has worked on energy and environmental justice issues for the Sierra Club, the Union of Concerned Scientists, and the Nature Conservancy. She is a current member of the City of Ann Arbor's Energy Commission, in her second term.

2022 Inductee:

Gholdy Muhammad~ Class of 2010

A 1999 Waubonsie Valley graduate, Dr. Muhammad completed her undergraduate degree in education and graduate degrees in educational administration, curriculum and instruction. Dr. Muhammad is an associate professor of literacy, language and culture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. She studies Black historical excellence within educational communities with goals of reframing curriculum and instruction. She has been the recipient of the 2014 National Council of Teachers of English, the 2016 NCTE Jane Emig Award, the 2017 GSU Urban Education Research Award, the 2018 UIC College of Education Researcher of the Year, the 2020 American Educational Research Association, and the 2021 NCTE Outstanding Elementary Educator in English Language Arts. She is the author of the best-selling book Cultivating Genius: An Equity Model for Culturally and Historically Responsive Literacy.

2021 Inductee:

Andrew Chesworth~ Class of 2003

Andrew Chesworth was heavily involved in Art at WVHS. He knew from an early age that he wanted to study animation, and had dreamed of working for Disney as an animator. After graduating from MCAD, the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, Andrew taught classes there and worked at a Minneapolis-based animation studio. About 2 years ago, Andrew got "the call" from Disney, and was hired as an animator. Andrew worked on "Wreck-It Ralph" and "Frozen." He was nominated for an Academy Award in 2019.

2020 Inductee:

Paul Gamboa~ Class of 1991

Paul Gamboa is the president of IPEA. A proud product of District 204, he attended Wheatland Elementary School, Hill Middle School, and Waubonsie Valley High School. He graduated in 2000 from Illinois State University, earning degrees in Elementary Education & Psychology. He earned a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from Benedictine University in 2010 as well. He taught 3rd & 5th grade at White Eagle Elementary from 2000 to 2014. In addition to being IPEA President, he has served as IPEA Vice President - Elementary South, IPEA Secretary, and IPEA Senator.

2019 Inductee:

Tamara Wilson~ Class of 1999

Tamara Wilson was active in numerous Theater productions and Drama during her years at WVHS and she won the Outstanding Senior Award for the Music Department.
She began the 2017-2018 season as the title role in Aida to open the season at the Washington National Opera. She returns to her home company of Houston Grand Opera for her role debut as Chrysothemis in Elektra and will make her Paris debut as Sieglinde in Die Walküre with the Mariinsky Orchestra at the Philharmonie de Paris. She makes her New York Philharmonic debut in Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony (Symphony No. 3) with Leonard Slatkin to celebrate Bernstein's Philharmonic: A Centennial Festival and will also debut with the Boston Symphony in the same piece under Giancarlo Guerrero. At the BBC Proms, she will return for Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales. She makes her Italian debut with Riccardo Chailly and Teatro alla Scala Orchestra in Verdi’sMessa da requiem with performances in Pavia, Paris, and Hamburg.

Ms. Wilson made her acclaimed Metropolitan Opera debut in Aida and London debut in La forza del destino at the English National Opera, for which she received an Olivier Award nomination. She also inaugurated the new opera house in Kyoto, Japan with Seiji Ozawa as Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus. She was heard at Oper Frankfurt for her first performances as the Empress in Die Frau ohne Schatten conducted by Sebastian Weigle which was just released by Oehms Classics. She recently debuted at the Bayerische Staatsoper and Opernhaus Zürich conducted by Fabio Luisi, both as Elisabetta di Valois in Don Carlo. She has been seen as Elisabeth de Valois in the five-act French Don Carlos (Houston Grand Opera); Amelia in Un ballo in maschera (Washington National Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Florida Grand Opera, and Teatre Principal de Maó in Menorca); Elvira in Ernani (Théâtre du Capitole in Toulouse); Elisabetta in Don Carlo (Bayerische Staatsoper, Zurich Oper, and Oper Frankfurt); Lucrezia Contarini in I due Foscari (Théâtre du Capitole, Teatro Municipal de Santiago and Netherlands Radio Orchestra); Leonora in Il trovatore (Gran Teatre del Liceu, Houston Grand Opera, Théâtre du Capitole under Daniel Oren and Palma de Mallorca); Desdemona in Otello (Cincinnati Symphony and James Conlon); Alice Ford in Falstaff (Washington National Opera debut); Amelia Grimaldi in Simon Boccanegra (Canadian Opera Company); the title role in Aida (Opera Australia, Teatro de la Maestranza, and Teatro Municipal de Santiago); Marchesa del Poggio in Un giorno di regno (Wolf Trap Opera); and Gulnara in Il corsaro (Washington Concert Opera).

Other notable performances include her debut in Norma at Gran Teatre del Liceu in Barcelona; Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus at the Canadian Opera Company; her German debut at Oper Frankfurt in concert performances of Wagner’s early opera Die Feen as Ada under Sebastian Weigle; Elettra in Idomeneo under Harry Bicket at the Canadian Opera Company and under James Conlon at the Ravinia Festival.

2018 Inductee:

Gary Krienitz~ Class of

Serving in the Aurora Fire Department for 19 years, Krienitz began as a paramedic before being promoted to lieutenant and then captain. In April 2015, he was appointed as Aurora's fire marshal. Krienitz is a graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School in Aurora.
2014 Firefighter of the Year. In 2014, Krienitz was named Firefighter of the Year in Aurora. Along with Pvt. Jason Larson and Pvt. Dan Murphy, he earned the department's top award for efforts during a dangerous motel fire that resulted in them saving the lives of two people.
A member of the National Fire Protection Association and the International Association of Arson Investigators, Krienitz holds more than 15 certifications, including being a certified evidence technician, rescue specialist, arson investigator, emergency medical technician, juvenile fire setter counselor, and personal trainer. He has completed more than 50 training courses through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Illinois Fire Service Institute, the Illinois State Police Academy for Arson and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Krienitz earned his fire science degree from the College of DuPage and was a team leader with the DuPage County Fire Investigation Task Force.
Krienitz also does a lot of work in the community. He mentors youth at Calvary Church, teaches Junior Achievement classes at local schools, and has put his training to use with medical missions in Guatemala, Cambodia, the Philippines, Brazil, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Slovakia and Ethiopia.

2017 Inductee:

Debbie (Barlow) West~ Class of 1982

A graduate of the Class of 1982, Debbie West is our 2017 inductee as a Distinguished Alumna at Waubonsie Valley High School. While at WVHS, Debbie played basketball and was the co-captain of track and cross country. She served on the student council for several years and was Vice President of her senior class. She also was a member of the National Honor Society and gave a closing speech at the senior commencement.

After high school, Debbie continued her education at Arizona State University and obtained a Bachelor’s of Science in Business. She is married to Dr. William West, a Technologist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Their son, Matthew, graduated with an Electrical Engineering degree from California Polytechnic University; and their daughter, Claire, graduated with a degree in Physics from University of California, Santa Barbara. Debbie has held many positions within IT while being active in her community and leading women’s development. While working and raising children, Debbie and William took turns being home with their children and volunteering at school. She was also very active in Girl Scouts for nine years including helping the girls learn how to develop and execute plans for their Gold Award projects. Throughout her career, she has promoted the advancement of women.

Debbie is now an executive at Toyota Motor North America. She created a metrics program at Toyota that was highlighted in the nationally-distributed CIO Magazine. Now she directs teams and helps build processes to ensure success of multi-million dollar programs for Toyota. Further, Debbie was a founding team member of the Toyota Motor Sales women’s business partnering group (TORQUE) in 2006 and helped it grow to more than 750 members today. The vision of TORQUE is that Toyota women are recognized at all levels of leadership as key contributors to Toyota’s success. As the leader of TORQUE, Debbie also co-founded Toyota North America Women’s Conference (NAWC) in 2011 with 70 attendees. The NAWC now has more than 250 attendees with a goal of building relationships among Toyota women while gathering insights from joint thinking. Most recently, Debbie spent two years in Japan developing the Global IT Strategy for Toyota, requiring travel and interaction with CIOs from around the world. While in Japan, Debbie extended the Innovation Fair she co-founded at Toyota Motor Sales in 2007 to the first Global Toyota Innovation Fair in Japan. She was invited to present a seminar at Nagoya University and to mentor a group of graduate and post-doctoral students.

Debbie’s key message is “Do what you love and be the change you want to see in the world.” Through Debbie’s accomplishments, you can see she lives this message and has helped change the world around her.

2009 Inductee:

Mark Pankuch, Ph.D. ~ Class of 1987

2008 Inductee:

Robert J. Millar, M.D. ~ Class of 1977

Dr. Millar was a member of National Honor Society and was a National Merit Scholar at Waubonsie. He was quarterback and captain of the football team for the first two years of Waubonsie's existence, played basketball, and was All-Conference in baseball. Dr. Millar attended Drake University and received his B.A. in Biology with Cum Laude honors. He continued his education at Loyola University School of Medicine and University of Iowa, completing his doctorial education in 1985. Dr. Millar completed his internship and residency at Aultman Hospital in Canton, Ohio. By 1998 he was Board Certified in Family Practice.

Since becoming Board Certified Dr. Millar has been an instructor for Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, a Medical Director of Dover-New Philadelphia Emergency Room, formed a solo practice in Moline, Illinois, and ventured into a family care group practice utilizing a “without walls” concept. In 1991, Dr. Millar joined the John Deere Medical Group of the Quad Cities as a charter member. He was featured in the New York Times for the innovative HMO concept the group developed that caters to quality care.

Dr. Millar ventured back to the Naperville area in 2002, joining Hobson Family Medical Associates and currently with the Lakeside Family Practice. He has also been involved with the Aurora-Naperville Rotary, NCO Youth and Family Services Board, Heritage National Healthplan Pharmacy and Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Committees, and the Western Illinois IPA Budget Committee. Dr. Millar is a member of the AMA, AAFP, Rock Island County Medical Society,
American Geriatric Society, and American Society of Addition Medicine.

2007 Inductee:

Kristy (Anderson) Glass ~ Class of 1997

Kristy was a member of National Honor Society and International Thespian Society. She was a member of the Drama Club, Student Council, Swing Choir, Varsity Singers, Musicals, IHSA Competitions, and Choir.  Kristy was an active student leader as President of Student Council in 1997, All-State Theatre in 1996, and All-State Chorus in 1997.

She attended DePaul University, graduating in 2000 with a Bachelor of Music. Kristy has sung at the Chicago Theatre, National Theatre, Kennedy Center, Secondstage Theatre, Folger Theatre, and Studio Theatre in Chicago, Washington D.C., and New York City. She has performed for ABC’s Primetime Live, anchored by Diane Sawyer and starred in the infant video series Eebee’s Adventures. Kristy has appeared in numerous print advertisements and is one of the 20 models featured in the Discovery Health Channel series: Runway Moms. She is currently a spokeswoman for Nuvaring. Kristy’s latest project has been her debut album, Picture a Christmas. Her current teaching also includes music teachers of small children and women 18 years and older. Kristy also performs for the Mt. Sinai Children’s Hospital in Manhattan on their closed circuit Kidzone television station.  Kristy and her family currently reside in Long Island City.

2006 Inductee:

Derke Price ~ Class of 1981

The 1981 Salutatorian was a member of NHS, a conference champion on the Math Team, and specialized in Extemporaneous Speech as a member of the Speech Team. Derke was President of the Student Council, was a member of the newspaper staff and performed in nine theatre productions. He played tennis, was a founding member of the WV Hockey team and was the 1980 Homecoming King.

Derke graduated from Wheaton College in 1985 and earned his law degree in 1988 from Harvard University. His is a partner at the law firm of Ancel, Glink, Diamond, Bush, DiCianni & Krafthefer, representing municipalities in northern Illinois in the areas of Municipal Law, Special Districts, Real Estate Law, and Land & Economic Development.

He serves as the attorney for several villages and park districts and is Chairman of the Naperville Plan Commission and is an active supporter of many organizations in Naperville.

2005 Inductee:

Cynthia (Curry) Bell ~ Class of 1986

Cindy was Student Council Vice-President, Pom squad captain, and Homecoming and Prom Queen. She earned her Bachelor's degree at Cedarville University and her Masters in Educational Administration from Wright State University.

Cindy is a recipient of the prestigious Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching. She was also honored as the Math & Science "Teacher of the Year" in the state of Ohio and has been honored by Who's Who of American Educators. She currently teaches in the Indian Prairie School District where she is a perennial recipient of the "Most Influential Educator Award" and is an Adjunct Professor for Rockford College.

2004 Inductee:

Stathis Poulakidas ~ Class of 1988

Stathis was President of his Senior class, President of NHS, and a member of Student Council. He also served as a tutor throughout his years at WV. In Basketball, he earned an All-Conference Honorable Mention award. He attended Illinois Benedictine College, earning his degree in Biochemistry and then his M.D. at Chicago Medical School where he earned numerous academic awards.His residency was at Loyola University Medical Center.

He was a Burn Surgery Fellow at the Shriner's Hospital at the University of California and then at UC-Davis in a Trauma/Critical Care Fellowship. Stathis is actively involved in a number of medical associations and societies and is a Board Certified Surgeon as well as being Board Certified in Critical Care.

2003 Inductee:

Fabien Bownes ~ Class of 1990

A late bloomer, Fabien did not play Football until his Senior year, but he was named All-Conference Honorable Mention. A standout sprinter, Fabien medaled in the Indoor State Track meet in 1990 in the 200 Dash. He attended Western Illinois University Where he was a two-time Conference Champion in both the 100 and 200 as well as a four-time letter winner in both Football and Track.  He was the National Champion in the 200 Dash in 1991 and also qualified for Nationals in the 100 and 4 X 100 Relay. He was also a two-time Olympic Tryout Qualifier. Fabien earned his degree in Communications at WIU and was on the Dean's List.

After college, Fabien played for the Chicago Bears from 1995-99 and then with the Seattle Seahawks from 1999-2002, earning numerous accolades. He volunteered for the United Way and upon his retirement, came back to WV and coached football and track.

2002 Inductee:

Stephen C. Jumper ~ Class of 1980

Steve was Senior Class President and a member of the National Honor Society. He played Football, Basketball and Baseball. He pitched two "no-hitters" in baseball and is on the top-ten list of all-time scorers in basketball. Steve earned his Bachelors in Geological Sciences at University of Texas at Austin and advanced his education at Graduate School at the University of Texas, Permian Basin.

As a Geophysicist, Steve is the President, Chief Operating Officer & Director of Dawson Geophysical in Midland, Texas. He is a member of various Geophysical and Geological Societies and has co-authored several professional and technical papers. Steve also volunteers his time for youth in Little League, Boy Scouts and church.

2001 Inductee:

Kevin Broihier ~ Class of 1987

Kevin was Co-Valedictorian, a National Merit Scholar, an NHS member, Editor for the school newspaper and winner of departmental awards in science, foreign language and social studies. He was active in four sports, helping to set a school track record in the 1600 Relay and serving as Captain of the first WVHS soccer team.

Kevin majored in Psychology at the University of Chicago where his studies included speech perception and artificial intelligence. He the earned his PH. D. at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cognitive Science, focusing on models of human language acquisition. He has an active career in quantitative research, computer programming and trading securities in Asian markets.

2000 Inductee:

Dawn (Shuneman) DeSart ~ Class of 1981

While a student at WVHS, Dawn was active in the arts and related extracurricular activities. She was in various choral groups, competed on the Speech team, and acted in and directed Waubonsie theater productions. She graduated from Mankato State in Minnesota with a degree in Mass Communications and Minors in Speech and Psychology. She worked for Public Radio affiliates while in college and after graduation. She also volunteered her time at a homeless shelter and crisis intervention center.

Dawn's Emmy Award winning career focused on broadcasting in numerous venues, notably in the Chicago area where she did traffic and news for a number of radio stations and then traffic and human interest stories for WMAQ-TV. Dawn's real love is writing. She has been published in various magazines and newspapers and continues to write fiction and non-fiction.

1999 Inductee:

Dawn Marie Schaible ~ Class of 1983

At WV, Dawn was in National Honor Society and was a member of the Volleyball and Tennis teams, as well as Flag Corps and Math Team. Dawn attended Bradley University, earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering. She then earned a Masters degree in Space Systems Operation from Florida Institute of Technology.

Dawn works for NASA and has been the Lead Engineer for Environmental Control and Life Support Systems on the Orbiter Endeavor, the Lead Test Engineer for the International Space Station's first US launched element and was a member of the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center to deploy the first element. She speaks on behalf of NASA at schools across the country and has authored various articles. She has been awarded the Space Flight Awareness Program's highest award along with multiple Certificates of Commendation.

1998 Inductee:

Paul Konrad ~ Class of 1983

Paul was active in the Arts and Student Council. He was Drum Major for the Marching Band, a member of the Concert and Swing choir, and was cast in numerous theatrical productions at Waubonsie. Paul graduated from DePaul Goodman School of Drama and went on to complete his masters in Speech, Radio, Television, and Film from Northwestern University. He studied meteorology at Mississippi State University.

Paul joined the WGN-TV Morning News team as a weathercaster/reporter in 1996. He was previously a weathercaster in Tampa, Florida as well as Montgomery, Alabama and also in Chicago with CLTV. He has won seven Emmy Awards for his broadcast work.
 

1997 Inductee:

Dr. Kurt Warkenthien ~ Class of 1980

The inaugural inductee to the "club" of Distinguished Alumni was involved in all aspects of high school life. He was the 1980 Valedictorian, earning departmental awards in physics and history. He was a three-sport athlete, involved in drama, and was President of the Student Council. After high school, he attended University of Illinois, getting his degree in Biology. He then moved on to Loyola Strich School of Medicine.

He set up his first practice in Monticello, IL, then went to South Carolina and then returned to Naperville where he is a Family Practitioner at Naperville Medical Associates. Throughout his life he has been involved with community service efforts as an advocate for childhood and academic health. He has sponsored athletic teams, volunteered his  time as a physician in shortage areas, served as an instructor/advisor for medical students, provided physicals as a fundraising efforts for local schools, etc. (As a fun fact, he was also a contestant on "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire".)

1976--Football games were played at Indian Plains
 1980--First "Spirit Week" at WVHS
 1981--Interior walls were built as "open campus" concept faded
 1982--WV bought four new Apple II computers.
 1983--Prom ticket prices rose from $7.00 to $7.50
 1987--Math Wing Opens
 1988--Homecoming Parade around Fox Valley Mall
 1991--Student Parking sticker costs $5.00
 1992--Atrium Wing and new Theatre open
 1996--Green & Gold Bank opens inside the WV cafeteria
          (a full service branch of Mid-America--now Math Resource)
 2000--Yearbook is renamed the "Arrowhead" (was originally "Neuqua")
 2001--Pottowatomie Patio is built
 2002--Graduation moves to College of DuPage
 2003--Gold (Freshmen) Campus Opens
 2007--Girls Soccer wins 1st team state championship in school's athletic history
 2009--Gold Campus Closes
 2012--Graduation moves to Northern Illinois University's Convocation Center