School Board Bits: Nedzel Remembered, Students Honored

Following the bang of a gavel and the Pledge of Allegiance, the District 210 school board meeting was silent Thursday night.

A moment of silence opened the meeting to remember Steve Nedzel, the Lincoln-Way West band director . The Board of Education commended the job done by the district's counselors, who were on hand Friday when the news broke and this week during band rehearsals.

District officials also met earlier Thursday with Nedzel's family to discuss some details of the memorial services planned at West. It will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, in the gymnasium at .

Cary Ruklic was reassigned to replace Nedzel as West’s band director and will also be a music teacher. At , he was the assistant band director and a music teacher.

Newsweek rankings

The school district recognized the three Lincoln-Way District 210 schools rated in Newsweek's recent rankings. The magazine will be out shortly and highlight the top 500 high schools in the country, . Lincoln-Way North was No. 521 and Central was No. 528. West was not ranked because criteria judged were from the 2010 graduating class and West didn't graduate a class until 2011. 

Homeschool and extracurriculars

Jennifer Woods spoke about the board’s recent decision to retain its policy. “Many of you said the decision was a hard one, which makes me hope you could change it in the future," said Woods, whose children are homeschooled.

Extra Effort Awards

The district honored citizens and students in its Extra Effort Awards, which are given every June. The awards, started 19 years ago, are awarded to people who show exemplary school spirit in the schools and the community. Students were added to the awards in 2005.

• Michael Vogler, Lincoln-Way West: West’s athletic booster club president since its inception. Helped organize concessions, spirit wear, fundraising and scholarships.
•  Kevin Dalton, Lincoln-Way North: Will County student resource officer recognized for keeping the school safe and treating the kids with respect and encouragement.
•  Bob Kennedy, Lincoln-Way East: Senior Vice President of Old Second Bank, the major sponsor of Scholarship Night dinners. Also the external vice president of Lincoln-Way Foundation.
• Mark Stevens, Lincoln-Way Central: President of Lincoln-Way Community Bank, a sponsor of Scholarship Night dinners.

• Emma and Rachel Murphy, Lincoln-Way Central: Both involved with the Marching Knights. Emma volunteers in a Civil War re-enactment group, and Rachel did with Peer Helpers and the Adaptive PE Program.
• Brandon Redweik, Lincoln-Way East: Student Council member, worked at the Lincoln-Way Special Recreation Association and organized a wheelchair basketball event at his high school.
• Alyssa Breidigan, Lincoln-Way North: Job coach for students, volunteer for St. Baldrick’s Foundation having cut off waist-length hair.
• Justin Butterfield, Lincoln-Way West: Four-year football team captain, Link Crew Leader, Senior Class Secretary. Volunteered to help new students find their way around the school and also at New Lenox Fire Protection District pancake breakfasts.