School News

 

All Four D155 Schools Earn Statewide Recognition at Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards

 

For the first time since the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) began in 2012, all four Community High School District 155 high schools have been nominated in at least one category.

This year, three District 155 students earned nominations in individual performance categories:

• Corey Atkinson (Crystal Lake Central) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actor Role for his portrayal of Harold Hill in The Music Man.
   
• Lydia Jensen (Prairie Ridge) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actress Role for her role as Katherine Howard in SIX: Teen Edition.
   
• Aaron Yaccino (Cary-Grove) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actor Role for his role as Jack in Into the Woods.

In addition, two District 155 school productions received recognition:

• Crystal Lake Central’s production of The Music Man was nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Production.
   
• Crystal Lake South’s theatre director, Ben Stoner, was nominated for Best Direction for The SpongeBob Musical.

The IHSMTA is one of the top honors for high school musical theatre in Illinois. Each year, students from across the state compete for recognition in a highly competitive process, with over 315 students from 85 schools participating this year. Nominees are selected by a panel of industry professionals who evaluate performances in musical theatre productions.

“Being nominated is an incredible honor, and it wouldn't have been possible without the hard work of my cast, crew, band, and directors. This journey has taught me that doubt and fear are the only things standing between you and your dreams. Believe in yourself and see how far it can take you,” said Aaron Yaccino, nominated for best performer.

These students will participate in workshops with professional theatre artists leading up to a live performance on May 12, 2025, at the Broadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place in Chicago. Two students from the 24 actor and actress nominees will be selected to represent Illinois at the Jimmy Awards in New York City this summer.

Cary-Grove Senior Ashley Winikates Earns First D155 Career Pathway Endorsement

Ashley Winikates, a senior at Cary-Grove, is the first student in District 155 to earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement. To achieve this, she completed Dual Credit Intro to Education and additional college-level coursework, fulfilled over 60 internship hours through her Micro-Internship class, and tackled two team-based challenges: Bridging the Gap, supporting students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade and Combating the Teacher Shortage.

Ashley is headed to the University of Wisconsin Madison to study elementary and special education.

“Ashley is such a driven and dedicated student, and I know she will be the best teacher!” said Rachael Fischer, teacher.

 

Cary-Grove NHS Students Raise $3,000 for Local Health Clinic

Cary-Grove High School’s National Honor Society (NHS) students raised approximately $3,000 to benefit the Family Health Partnership Clinic in Crystal Lake, a nonprofit clinic that provides high-quality healthcare to the uninsured.

To find the right recipient for their fundraising efforts, NHS board members researched and contacted several local organizations. The Family Health Partnership Clinic was one of the first to respond, offering insight into how a donation could make a meaningful difference. After reviewing the clinic’s mission and needs, students determined it was the right fit for their project.

“We wanted to do more than just raise money; we wanted to make a real difference,” said Cary-Grove senior Katherine Gross. “By supporting the Family Health Partnership Clinic, we helped fund vital services and raised awareness about the healthcare needs in our community.”

Over several months, NHS members led a series of initiatives to raise funds and spread awareness about the clinic. The group created and sold handmade bubble candles for $5 each and organized food fundraisers in partnership with Portillo’s and Panda Express.

The $3,000 donation was used to purchase two dental handpieces, an essential tool for providing dental care, and 40 blood pressure monitors that will be distributed to patients managing hypertension at home.

“The clinic was grateful for the students' hard work in helping us get these items,” said Suzanne Hoban, Executive Director of the Family Health Partnership Clinic. “We rely on support from the community, and this generous gift is critical in helping us keep our patients healthy. We are completely blown away by the commitment of these amazing students to make a difference. They’ve impacted many lives with this gift.”

 

Performance Dates & Times: 

March 7 - 7:00 p.m.

March 8 - 7:00 p.m.

March 9 - 2:00 p.m.

March 13 - 7:00 p.m.

March 14 - 7:00 p.m.

March 15 - 7:00 p.m.

Ticket Information:

Tickets are $13 each, student activity passes are accepted at the door. 

Purchase Tickets Here

 

Description:
Let us take you Into the Woods! James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim take everyone's favorite storybook characters and bring them together for a timeless, yet relevant, piece... and a rare modern classic. The Tony Award-winning book and score are both enchanting and touching. The story follows a Baker and his wife, who wish to have a child; Cinderella, who wishes to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wishes his cow would give milk. When the Baker and his wife learn that they cannot have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse. Everyone's wish is granted, but the consequences of their actions return to haunt them later with disastrous results. -Information courtesy of mtishows.com

 

 

D155 Superintendent Dr. Neil Lesinski Named Finalist for 2024 Innovative Superintendent of the Year

Congratulations to Dr. Neil Lesinski, Superintendent of District 155, for being named as a finalist for the Innovative Superintendent of the Year award for 2024 in the State of Illinois. This annual award, sponsored by Sibme, recognizes superintendents who exhibit creative and cutting-edge strategies to foster a culture of continuous improvement among their teams. 

Dr.Lesinski has been instrumental in adapting to a changing school district. According to Dr. Kevin Werner, Chief Officer of Finance & Operations, "Neil developed an International Newcomer Center and supporting peer teacher coaching program to collaborate with our newcomer students to practice English and content-area academic skills.” By establishing a peer teacher coaching program, Dr. Lesinski ensures that professional learning is relevant to the individual needs of each teacher, and fosters a sense of community among staff.

Dr. Lesinski's approach to reflection and collaboration among teachers is rooted in active listening and empathy. "Neil treats each staff member with respect while reaching decisions through ongoing collaboration and consensus building.”

Ultimately, this sense of professional community impacts students first. As Dr. Werner shared in his nomination, “The impact that Neil has had on our district is incredible! Each year we conduct a School Culture Survey. Following his first year as Superintendent, 94.2% of students agreed that they feel like they belong in their school community, up from 74.3% from the prior year.”

Neil Lesinski’s nomination is a testament to his dedication and the positive impact he has made on Community High School District 155. His innovative approach to leadership, continuous improvement, and professional development sets a benchmark for other education leaders to follow.