At the last scheduled board meeting of the school year, the Flossmoor District 161 Board of Education recognized a long list of students and staff for their various achievements.
The District 161 students who qualified for and won the National History Day state competition were lauded for their dedication, hard work and for showcasing their exceptional research and presentation skills, contributing to a deeper understanding of historical events and their significance.
Superintendent Dana Smith, back row left, poses with National History Day competition participants. Back row, from left: Smith, Katelynn Woods, Zephyr Peters, Isaac Hernandez, Elle Linde and Isabella Davies. Front, from left: Alessandra Orr, Ezra Rafferty, Alexander Merlo, Shyla Viner, Sophie Sanchez and social studies teacher Linda O’Dwyer. (Chris Weber/H-F Chronicle)
The winners of the EduHam Project, a unique initiative inspired by the Broadway musical Hamilton, were also recognized. This project encourages students to engage with American history creatively. Three Parker students wrote a skit about the Boston Tea Party that earned them a spot in the top twenty teams of junior high and high school students.
Their efforts won them a trip to New York City, where they had the privilege of enjoying a live performance of Hamilton and meeting the cast.
Participants in the Math Bowl were celebrated for their mathematical prowess and teamwork. Competing against peers from other schools at Prairie State College during a competition in early May, these students displayed exceptional problem-solving abilities and a firm grasp of mathematical concepts, earning accolades for their impressive performance.
Students who participated in the Illinois Math and Science Academy contest were recognized for competing and winning second place in the team portion of the contest.
The #AboveAndBeyond initiative honors students and staff who have gone the extra mile to contribute to the school community. The prekindergarten and Early Childhood Education staff earned the award after each member was nominated by a different person from the community in recent months.