Summit Award
The summit - the highest point of a hill or mountain - symbolizes those who go a little further, offer a little more, and serve others above self to rise above the challenges and exceed expectations.
Starting with the 2022-23 school year, the Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education will proudly present the Summit Award each month September through May to recognize those who give a little extra to make SHSD161 the very best school district for each and every student.
The award can be given to anyone: Summit Hill staff, students, parents, or community members, but nominations must be submitted by a SHSD161 employee or board member. Winners are listed below.
Summit Award Winners
| 2024-2025 | ||
| Colin Bradley, Principal | Dr. Julian Rogus School | December 2024 |
| Tracy Bulfer, Assistant Principal | Dr. Julian Rogus School | December 2024 |
| Haley Boley, Kindergarten Teacher | Dr. Julian Rogus School | December 2024 |
| Dr. Michelle Wantroba, Coordinator of Instructional Support | Districtwide | November 2024 |
| Tara Boudreau, 5th Grade Teacher | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | October 2024 |
| Laura Goebel, Principal | Summit Hill Junior High | October 2024 |
| Lauren Jurasits, 3rd Grade Teacher | Indian Trail School | September 2024 |
| Tim Wheatley, Parent | September 2024 | |
| 2023-2024 | |
| Support Team: Lisa Drenner, Mary Ellen Graff, Tammy Miller, Christine Page, Kevin Perkins, Marianne Ryan, Becky Schultz, Denise Vaughn, Teri Witt | District Office | June 2024 |
| Erik Donovan, 6th Grade Resource Teacher and Scholastic Bowl Team Coach | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | June 2024 |
| Daniel Morris, School Bus Driver | Safeway | May 2024 |
| Anita Brown, Nurse | Frankfort Square School | May 2024 |
| Dana Wright, Principal | Indian Trail School | April 2024 |
| Karen Doornbos, 8th Grade SI/Resource Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | April 2024 |
| Amy Griffin, Kindergarten Teacher | Dr. Julian Rogus School | April 2024 |
| Aubrey Gallagher, 5th Grade ELA/Social Studies Teacher | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | March 2024 |
| Ken Cronin, 8th Grade Math Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | March 2024 |
| Holiday Giving Committee: Jen Battistoni, Kathy Crick, Aaya Kanan, Caryn Leonard, Kristi Linke | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | February 2024 |
| Sunshine Committee: Alexandra Canino, Maria Hoots, Bianca Madden, Kristen McDonald | Summit Hill Junior High | January 2024 |
| Brian Skibinski, Director of Technology | District Office | December 2023 |
| Meaghan Gallagher, TIP Teacher | Dr. Julian Rogus School | December 2023 |
| Julie Stearns, Director of Business Services | District Office | November 2023 |
| Jackie Rico Dahl, Custodian | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | November 2023 |
| Jonah Schneider, Tech Teacher | Indian Trail School | October 2023 |
| Timothy Schmelzer, Building Technician | Dr. Julian Rogus School | October 2023 |
| Brett Scheuber, Building Technician | Arbury Hills School | October 2023 |
| Eric Rehm, Music Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | September 2023 |
| Keith Milbratz, Bus Driver | Lincoln-Way Area Special Education District 843 | September 2023 |
| 2022-2023 | |
| Yorlyn O'Leary, Spanish Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | May 2023 |
| Vivian Beck, 8th Grade ELA Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | May 2023 |
| Jill Lewkow, Music Teacher | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | April 2023 |
| Christine Coffey, Paraprofessional | Dr. Julian Rogus School | April 2023 |
| Matt Zemke, Assistant Principal | Summit Hill Junior High | March 2023 |
| Amelia Ruiz, Student | Hilda Walker Intermediate School | March 2023 |
| Kelly Robinson, Social Worker | Frankfort Square School | February 2023 |
| Ed Johnstone, Custodian | Indian Trail School | January 2023 |
| Rebecca Smith, Teacher | Summit Hill Junior High | December 2022 |
| Francie Boss, Principal | Arbury Hills School | November 2022 |
| Vivian Botros, ELL Teacher | Dr. Julian Rogus School | October 2022 |
| Kim Zylka, Coordinator of Student Support Services | Districtwide | September 2022 |
| Lauren Neubauer, Special Education Program Coordinator | Districtwide | September 2022 |