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

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