Rotary Youth Scholarships
The board salutes several District 204 students for receiving Youth Scholarship Awards from the Rotary Club of Naperville. This year’s recipients include Metea Valley seniors Akshay Baid and Bryce Jordan, Neuqua Valley senior Grace Stubitz, and Waubonsie Valley seniors Ainsley Atwater and Zack Heneghan. These scholarships, funded through generous donations from the Rotary Club of Naperville, Naperville Sunrise Rotary, Naperville Rotary Charities, Naperville Rotary Foundation, and members of the Slocumb family range from $2,000 to $5,000.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients!
Accessible Community Task Force Student Recognition Award
The board salutes STEPS student Markeesha Carwell, a Waubonsie Valley High School alumnus, who has been honored with the Accessible Community Task Force Student Recognition Award. She received the award for her mentorship and support to our STEPS students, and her outstanding contributions at a local daycare center. Her dedication to enhancing the lives of those with disabilities exemplifies the very best of our community.
Congratulations Markeesha!
31st Annual High School Video Festival
The board salutes Metea Valley, Neuqua Valley, and Waubonsie Valley media production students for their achievements at the Midwest Media Education Association’s 31st Annual High School Video Festival. These students demonstrated remarkable talent, with Neuqua Valley earning multiple top honors and a national award nomination. Waubonsie Valley achieved top placements in Live Event Sports Coverage. Additionally, Metea Valley had two videos that placed as finalists, including one for "The Mane,” and a commercial by Makaylin Victor, who also won the Lucas Palermo Scholarship.
Congratulations on a job well done!
2024 Student Council School of Excellence Award
The board salutes Young Elementary for recently receiving the 2024 American Student Council Association Student Council School of Excellence Award! The school was selected based on their submission of projects completed during the 2023-2024 school year in the areas of community service, student leadership, citizenship, and school spirit. Councils were also required to submit letters of recommendation from their school principal and student council president.
Congratulations!
U.S. News ranks District 204 high schools in the top 50 in the state
U.S. News & World Report released its 2024 Best High Schools ranking. All three District 204 high schools made the national list and were ranked in the top 50 in the state. U.S. News ranked Neuqua Valley 396 in the nation and 15th in the state, Metea Valley was 702 in the nation and 28th in the state, and Waubonsie Valley ranked 874 in the nation and 37th in the state. Rankings are based on state assessments, graduation rates, and how well schools prepare students for college.
Congratulations to all three of our high schools on this outstanding achievement!
National Merit Scholarship winners announced
The National Merit Scholarship Corporation released the names of the first group of winners in the 69th annual National Merit Scholarships Program. Approximately 770 distinguished high school seniors have won corporate-sponsored National Merit Scholarship awards financed by about ninety-four corporations, company foundations, and other business organizations. One District 204 high school senior was named in this year’s competition; Himesh Nasaka from Neuqua Valley High School.
Congratulations Himesh on your achievement!
IPCA Scholarship Winners
The board salutes the three District 204 students who were honored by the Indian Prairie Classified Association with scholarships. The Indian Prairie Classified Association awarded scholarships to Audrey Smith from Neuqua Valley, and Claire Hagerman and Kendall Mathew from Waubonsie Valley. We appreciate the Indian Prairie Classified Association’s support of our students through their scholarship program.
Congratulations to all the scholarship recipients.
Bilingual Parent and Community Resource Fair
The board salutes Angie Nieto and Maria Arias Garzon, our bilingual parent and community relations coordinators, as well as Shelly Scardamaglia, our instructional services secretary, for their efforts in organizing the Bilingual Parent and Community Resource Fair on Wednesday, April 17. Their commitment and hard work made the event an enormous success, attracting over two hundred students, parents, community partners, and volunteers.
Congratulations on a job well done!
2024 Best Communities for Music Education
The National Association of Music Merchants Foundation named District 204 as one of the 2024 Best Communities for Music Education. District 204 is one of 975 districts in the nation to receive this recognition. The award acknowledges schools and districts across the country for their commitment and support for music education. The selection process is facilitated by the Music Education Research Institute at the University of Kansas, and is based on music class participation, instruction, facilities, and overall support for music education programming. This is the thirteenth year Indian Prairie has received this national recognition.
Congratulations to all our music teachers who provide outstanding music opportunities for our students!
IPSD Grow Your Own Teacher Program
The board salutes the District 204 seniors in the Grow Your Own Teacher program who have dedicated themselves to becoming the next generation of educators. The Indian Prairie School District’s Grow Your Own Teacher program includes a group of over one hundred high school students. They engage in practical, real-world experiences that prepare them for careers in education. This program is open to any District 204 high school student interested in pursuing a career related to education. The goal is to foster a passion for education and encourage these students to return to become teachers at IPSD 204.
2024 Illinois Horizon School to Watch Recipient
The board salutes Crone Middle School, on their third redesignation as an Illinois Horizon School to Watch. Schools to Watch are focused on continuous school improvement. Schools participate in the Association of Illinois Middle-grade Schools (AIMS) networking events, present at Association workshops and conferences, and provide leadership as part of the AIMS Network. Schools are recognized at the National Forum Annual Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C.
Congratulations on this outstanding achievement!
American Legion Oratorical Contest Winner
The board salutes Neuqua Valley senior April Zhang, for taking first place at the 2024 American Legion Department of Illinois Constitution Oratorical contest in Springfield, Illinois. The oratorical contest has developed knowledge and a greater appreciation of the Constitution of the United States among high school students. April won a $2000.00 scholarship and will represent the State of Illinois at the National Finals in Hillsdale, Michigan later this month.
Congratulations April!
