Will County Gazette

The Peotone Community Schools Board of Education recognized their academic student of the month during the panel’s January meeting.

During the session, which was streamed on YouTube, Peotone High School senior Mackenzie Strough was honored as the January 2023 academic student of the month. She has a 4.2 GPA and is a member of the Peotone student council, National Honor Society and Renaissance Club. She is a member of the softball and volleyball teams, helps with girls’ basketball games and plans on attending Illinois State University after graduation. The board also handed out certificates to recognize the 2023-2024 Illinois State Scholars from Peotone High School.

“Typically, we hand out the certificates three or four times over the course of a semester,” said Peotone High School Principal Jason Spang. “Obviously, it was once tonight, once at the Illinois State Scholar Breakfast, again, at senior awards. And then they finally get them for good at graduation. So an effort to keep them preserved looking as nice as possible. I'm just going to hold on to them now for this evening. But nonetheless, congratulations to all of our students. We are lucky enough to have nine last year and 15 this year.”

The board noted that the Illinois State Scholars designation is awarded to students for outstanding academic efforts, and the students honored this year include Yosef Abdeh, Kyle Gaidamavice, Julia Giese, Aiden Hamm, Madyson Kibelkis, Connor McCleverty, Michael O’Connor, Bradley Oliver, Jack Stoltman, Mackenzie Strough, Olivia Wagner, Grace Ward, Lauren Werner and Logan Woodcock.

The board also recognized the Peotone Junior High Students of the Month for each grade level, honoring them for good behavior and rising above the call of duty during the school day.

During the meeting, the students honored were Giana Pagliarulo, grade six; Yoselin Acosta, grade seven; and Joshua Delany, grade eight. Delaney was on hand at the board meeting to accept his certificate.