An “Example in Excellence” is not necessarily a star athlete or academic, but someone who shows strength of character and a willingness to go out of their way to help others.
Congratulations to this year’s amazing Examples that we are so fortunate to have here in Rockford Public Schools!

Previous Examples in Excellence

2023–2024 Examples in Excellence

Micah Frost

Rockford High School

Trina Varano

Rockford High School

Narong Bushong (Mono)

Rockford Freshman Center

Keagan Mulka

North Rockford Middle School

Jayden Fudge

East Rockford Middle School

Mylie Meyering

Belmont Elementary

Mabel Devries

Cannonsburg Elementary

Noah Balenger

Crestwood Elementary

Wesley Daniel

Lakes Elementary

Isaiah Sinkfield

Meadow Ridge Elementary

Emma Marker

Parkside Elementary

Drew Wilber

Roguewood Elementary

Lucy O’Rourke

Valley View Elementary

Daniel Smith

River Valley Academy

Evonna Tiel

Special Services (RHS)

2022–2023 Examples in Excellence

Isabel Boncher

Rockford High School

Alissa Vezikov

Rockford High School

Samantha Lundberg

Rockford Freshman Center

Bryce Miller

North Rockford Middle School

Caleb Steele

East Rockford Middle School

Olivia Stevenson

Belmont Elementary

Chris Brunner

Cannonsburg Elementary

Leighton Cook

Crestwood Elementary

Gianna Ricci

Lakes Elementary

Kinley Carlson

Meadow Ridge Elementary

Nolan Barr

Parkside Elementary

Natalie VanLoo

Roguewood Elementary

Mae Thompson

Valley View Elementary

Zachary Aqel

River Valley Academy

Leo Anderson

Special Services (ERMS)

2021–2022 Examples in Excellence

Bell (Isabella) MacKenzie

Rockford High School

Samuel Danner

Rockford High School

Olivia Cook

Rockford Freshman Center

Gabe Gauss

North Rockford Middle School

Lily Cutler

East Rockford Middle School

Jace Opoku-Agyeman

Belmont Elementary

Crosby Chase

Cannonsburg Elementary

Oliver McInerney

Crestwood Elementary

Sienna Van Stensel

Lakes Elementary

Lilly Rypma

Meadow Ridge Elementary

Kasin Gordon

Parkside Elementary

Jayla Bozek

Roguewood Elementary

Mia Vella

Valley View Elementary

Bradley Reynolds

River Valley Academy

Ella Hodgkinson

Special Services

Grace Moseley

Rockford Virtual- High School

2020–2021 Examples in Excellence

Ellie (Elizabeth) Sagorski Rockford High School
Armaan Amiri Rockford High School
Brady Haskins Rockford Freshman Center
Kennedy Goad North Rockford Middle School
Cristal Nink East Rockford Middle School
Brady Donovan Belmont Elementary
Owen Kemp Cannonsburg Elementary
Cameron Cook Crestwood Elementary
Camille Blasky Lakes Elementary
Kaila VanDrie Meadow Ridge Elementary
Caroline (Carly) Rhodes Parkside Elementary
Darien Potter Roguewood Elementary
Hudson Shore Valley View Elementary
Lydia Tyler River Valley Academy
Aaron Blum Special Services
Madisson Lising Rockford Virtual- Elementary
Isabella Rinderknecht Rockford Virtual- Middle School
Kattrina Kiselevach Rockford Virtual- High School

2019–2020 Examples in Excellence

Elsa Dondit Rockford High School
Natalie Hammer Rockford High School
Emily Schroeder Rockford Freshman Center
Jackson Wyble North Rockford Middle School
Carter Bissell East Rockford Middle School
Maeve Schuler Belmont Elementary
Lucy Elyea Cannonsburg Elementary
Allory Burkholder Crestwood Elementary
Benjamin Sluiter Lakes Elementary
Stephen Chien Meadow Ridge Elementary
Berkley Wiggerman Parkside Elementary
Malayah Jarrell Roguewood Elementary
Gabby Schmuker Valley View Elementary
Jenna Snyder River Valley Academy
Daxton Hune Special Services

2018–2019 Examples in Excellence

Ally Orvis Rockford High School
Dwight Hua Rockford High School
Isabel Macka Rockford Freshman Center
Isabelle Parks North Rockford Middle School
Cathryn Bennie East Rockford Middle School
Reed Binney Belmont Elementary
Anna TenBrink Cannonsburg Elementary
Addison Smith Crestwood Elementary
Sofia Roy Lakes Elementary
Lila Powers Meadow Ridge Elementary
Madalyn Lockard Parkside Elementary
Landon Smith Roguewood Elementary
Brayden Daniels Valley View Elementary
Catie Batchelder River Valley Academy
Samantha Hathaway Special Services

2017–2018 Examples in Excellence

Morgan McBain Rockford High School
Jackson Danner Rockford High School
Talia Emilee Osborne Rockford Freshman Center
Benjamin Lewis North Rockford Middle School
Addison Clum East Rockford Middle School
Samuel Rohrer Belmont Elementary
Austin Anderson Cannonsburg Elementary
Asa Jenkins Crestwood Elementary
Saige Riley Baldwin Lakes Elementary
Emily Bodbyl Meadow Ridge Elementary
Brody Bodbyl Meadow Ridge Elementary
Ty Blystone Parkside Elementary
Brody Phillips Roguewood Elementary
Zachary Ruda Valley View Elementary
Markwane Billingsley River Valley Academy
Nathan Garrett Special Services

2016–2017 Examples in Excellence

Montana Mott Rockford High School
Annika Severson Rockford High School
Ian Cook Rockford Freshman Center
Riley Thompson North Rockford Middle School
Briggs Maloney East Rockford Middle School
Keaton Morris Belmont Elementary
Gerrit TenBrink Cannonsburg Elementary
Ellyanna Kraai Crestwood Elementary
Lilly Teesdale Lakes Elementary
Peyton Bradford Meadow Ridge Elementary
Alexsys Phillips Parkside Elementary
Trey Brisbin Roguewood Elementary
Avery Nezwek Valley View Elementary
Trevor Hansen River Valley Academy
Taryn Northrup Special Services

2015–2016 Examples in Excellence

Nick Ignatoski Rockford High School
Tiana Colovos Rockford High School
Niyah Banfill Rockford Freshman Center
Charlotte Best North Rockford Middle School
Bailey Banfield East Rockford Middle School
Nathan Karelse Belmont Elementary
Chloe LaPlante Cannonsburg Elementary
Emma Campbell Crestwood Elementary
Madee Whitford Lakes Elementary
Jordan Eck Meadow Ridge Elementary
Michael Liggett Parkside Elementary
Reagan Zainea Roguewood Elementary
Logan Paul Valley View Elementary
Alyssa Autumn Vanhattum River Valley Academy
Lola Hein Special Services

2014–2015 Examples in Excellence

Megan Malley Rockford High School
David Newberger Rockford High School
Kiana Dufendach Rockford Freshman Center
Shea Burger North Rockford Middle School
Jean’Paul Osafo East Rockford Middle School
Jonas Ahonen Belmont Elementary
An Ngoc Khann Nguyen Cannonsburg Elementary
Roman Lowery Crestwood Elementary
Josh McCready Lakes Elementary
Marc Stewart Parkside Elementary
Madyson Alber Meadow Rodge
Gabriel Spees Roguewood Elementary
John Pekrul Valley View Elementary
Jessica Blackport River Valley Academy

2013–2014 Examples in Excellence

Nate Woznick Rockford High School
Tessa Powers Rockford High School
Max Christians Rockford Freshman Center
Cole Johnson North Rockford Middle School
Maddie Tomasko East Rockford Middle School
Avery Sluiter Belmont Elementary
Emilia Dufort Cannonsburg Elementary
Daniel Triesenberg Crestwood Elementary
Ethan Boening Lakes Elementary
Olivia Carey Meadow Ridge Elementary
Sadie Kampf Parkside Elementary
Sydney Judnich Roguewood Elementary
Andrew Lanham Valley View Elementary
Joey Whitmore Valley View Elementary
Madeline Johnson River Valley Academy

2012–2013 Examples in Excellence

Marcus Powers Rockford High School
Zoe Bruyn Rockford High School
Madison Mayle Rockford Freshman Center
Jacob Kelley North Rockford Middle School
Emily Pilarski East Rockford Middle School
Dimitra Colovos Belmont Elementary
Brecken Durham Cannonsburg Elementary
Claire Froumis Crestwood Elementary
Skylar Lennon Lakes Elementary
Chloe Bowen Meadow Ridge Elementary
Caitlin Baker Parkside Elementary
Chet Huls Roguewood Elementary
Erin Gaynor Valley View Elementary
David Davis River Valley Academy

2011–2012 Examples in Excellence

Kendra Bilardello Rockford High School
Julia Ceglowski Rockford High School
Mackenzie Vallad Rockford Freshman Center
Briana Houle North Rockford Middle School
Braden King East Rockford Middle School
Lauren Grinage Belmont Elementary
Lauren Crandle Cannonsburg Elementary
Chloe Van Eck Crestwood Elementary
Jenna Olson Lakes Elementary
Lukas Schuring Meadow Ridge Elementary
Megan Derby Parkside Elementary
Maria Bomer Roguewood Elementary
Mavis Johnson Valley View Elementary
Luke Gerald LaBarge River Valley Academy

2010–2011 Examples in Excellence

Alex Quinn High School
Peyton Wells High School
Maria Anel Freshman Center
Maja Hill North Middle
Anna Dornan East Middle
Anna Kurtz Belmont
Natalie Frank Cannonsburg
Ayden Kraai Crestwood
Alina Porter Lakes
Nate Kolenda Meadow Ridge
Madelyn McConnon Parkside
Jason Whittaker Roguewood
Sadie Smyth Roguewood S.I.
William Riddering Valley View
Benjaman Enter RVA

2009–2010 Examples in Excellence

Hannah Kinlaw Belmont Elementary
Lauren Hyink Cannonsburg Elementary
Amanda Eslinger Crestwood Elementary
Drew Harrier Lakes Elementary
Jake Fath Meadow Ridge Elementary
Rachel Cruden Parkside Elementary
Coleman VanSetters Roguewood Elementary
Sam Corey Valley View Elementary
Tate Lewis North Rockford Middle
Kory Young East Rockford Middle
Brooke Marie Glencer Rockford Freshman Center
Ashley Gremel Rockford High School
Cailie Johnson Rockford High School
Jordan Lee Sherwin River Valley Academy

2008–2009 Examples in Excellence

Ethan Babcock Belmont Elementary
Kabe Beach Cannonsburg Elementary
Natalie Carlson Crestwood Elementary
Olivia Sobie Lakes Elementary
John Hammer Meadow Ridge Elementary
Laurin Elizabeth Soupal Parkside Elementary
Skylar Berlin Roguewood Elementary
AnnMarie Aulbach Valley View Elementary
James Spencer Staley North Rockford Middle
Lynsey Bettig East Rockford Middle
Andrea Kay Kacsits Rockford Freshman Center
Allison Stephens Rockford High School
Patrick Kolehouse Rockford High School
Nikole Golemba River Valley Academy

2007–2008 Examples in Excellence

Maria TenHave-Chapman Belmont Elementary
Chandler Michael King Cannonsburg Elementary
Jared, Jordan, Aaron and Alex Herald Crestwood Elementary
Dakota Morgan Noble Lakes Elementary
Ethan LaCourt Meadow Ridge Elementary
Tyler Michael Willison Parkside Elementary
Sarah Kogelschatz Roguewood Elementary
Makayla Cook Valley View Elementary
Marjeanne Bothma North Rockford Middle
Joel Bera East Rockford Middle
Cody Normington Rockford Freshman Center
Cassaundra Bell Rockford High School
Keith Dufendach Rockford High School
Evan Cornell River Valley Academy

2006–2007 Examples in Excellence

Courtney Fedeson Belmont Elementary
Katie Johnston Cannonsburg Elementary
Marley Ferguson Crestwood Elementary
Nathan Woznick Lakes Elementary
Sydney Bogard Meadow Ridge Elementary
Melanie Holt Parkside Elementary
Makayla Segard Roguewood Elementary
Zachary Katsma Valley View Elementary
Andrew Rademacher North Rockford Middle
Kara Klausing East Rockford Middle
Margaret Smiley Rockford Freshman Center
Martha Anna Nowicki Rockford High School
David Scott Rockford High School
Bradley Troyanowski River Valley Academy

2005–2006 Examples in Excellence

Jessica Shantz Belmont Elementary
Hannah Bodnar Cannonsburg Elementary
Colleen Conroy Crestwood Elementary
Kristen Schnelle Lakes Elementary
Tim Spehar Meadow Ridge Elementary
Nick Willison Parkside Elementary
Hanna Reierson Roguewood Elementary
Addie Ouellette Valley View Elementary
Olivia Kacsits North Rockford Middle
Kaitlin Pontius East Rockford Middle
Samantha Chambon Rockford Freshman Center
Abby McIntyre Rockford High School
Camille Riddering Rockford High School
Amanda Ecklesdafer River Valley Academy

2004–2005 Examples in Excellence

Mark Wallace Pearson Belmont Elementary
Haley Johnston Cannonsburg Elementary
Justine Hernandez Crestwood Elementary
Emily Ruhf Lakes Elementary
Austin McKee Meadow Ridge Elementary
Justin Champion Ullrey Parkside Elementary
Noah David Jager Roguewood Elementary
Doni Owens Valley View Elementary
Kristin Ariana Darby North Rockford Middle
Tanya Kolenbrander East Rockford Middle
Allison Staley Rockford Freshman Center
Theresa Gipson Rockford High School
Jackie Lewis Rockford High School
Heather Spoelstra River Valley Academy

2003–2004 Examples in Excellence

Emily Jean Halliday Belmont Elementary
Mitchell Quaiver Cannonsburg Elementary
Kristopher Hall Crestwood Elementary
Mackenzie Anschuetz Lakes Elementary
Emily Munslow Meadow Ridge Elementary
Thomas Soupal Parkside Elementary
Ryan Majerle Roguewood Elementary
Melissa Kaule Valley View Elementary
Sage Owens North Rockford Middle
Stacey Chrisman East Rockford Middle
Andrew Hawks Rockford Freshman Center
Emma Schroder Rockford High School
Kyle VanKoevering Rockford High School
Christina Couturier River Valley Academy

2002–2003 Examples in Excellence

Sarah York Belmont Elementary
Laura Todd Cannonsburg Elementary
Kelly McCabe Crestwood Elementary
Emily Kolenda Lakes Elementary
Alex Fox Meadow Ridge Elementary
Tatiana Martinez Parkside Elementary
Mitchell Reyers Roguewood Elementary
Vincent Marco Pavano Valley View Elementary
Jennifer Erickson North Rockford Middle
Kelly VanKoevering East Rockford Middle
Graham Greenland Rockford Freshman Center
Zach Berta Rockford High School
Burt DeWilde Rockford High School
Scott Karczewski River Valley Academy

2001–2002 Examples in Excellence

Elisha Shantz Belmont Elementary
Dillon Vrosh Cannonsburg Elementary
Andrew Laurent Crestwood Elementary
Derek Korthuis Lakes Elementary
Brianna Blauser Meadow Ridge Elementary
Shannon Schmutz Parkside Elementary
Maureen Stormzand Roguewood Elementary
Richard Sholtis Valley View Elementary
Andi-Ruth Owens North Rockford Middle
Nicholas Heinz East Rockford Middle
Shleby Vogg Rockford Freshman Center
Theresa Schuilke Rockford High School
Kevin Dufuendach Rockford High School
Sara VanderRoest River Valley Academy