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!
![Examples in Excellence 23.24](https://www.rockfordschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Examples-in-Excellence-23.24.png)
Elementary School Recipients
Belmont Elementary: Mylie Meyering
Cannonsburg Elementary: Mabel Devries
Crestwood Elementary: Noah Balenger
Lakes Elementary: Wesley Daniel
Meadow Ridge Elementary: Isaiah Sinkfield
Parkside Elementary: Emma Marker
Roguewood Elementary: Drew Wilber
Valley View Elementary: Lucy O’Rourke
Secondary School Recipients
East Rockford Middle School: Jayden Fudge
North Rockford Middle School: Keagan Mulka
Rockford Freshman Center: Narong Bushong (Mono)
Rockford High School: Micah Frost
Rockford High School: Trina Varano
River Valley Academy: Daniel Smith
Special Services (RHS): Evonna Tiel
Previous Examples in Excellence
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 |