Rockford Public Schools celebrated outstanding student and staff achievements during the September Board of Education meeting, recognizing creativity, leadership, professional excellence and a commitment to students.
Superintendent Dr. Larry Huff kicked off the night by recognizing our 2026-2027 Superintendent's Student Advisory Council.
America 250 Essay and Visual Art Contest Winners
Students from across RPS 205 were recognized for their creativity, patriotism and thoughtful perspectives as part of a community initiative celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.
Former Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and Winnebago County Board Chairman Joe Chiarelli visited schools throughout the district to present winners of the America 250 Essay and Visual Art Contest with certificates and $100 gift cards.
The contest encouraged students to explore our nation’s history, reflect on what America means to them, and share their ideas through writing and art. Students from elementary, middle and high schools participated, showcasing impressive creativity and thoughtful perspectives about the country and its future.
Winning student artwork was also featured during the Rockford Symphony Orchestra’s America 250 Celebration concert at the Coronado Theatre on July 3. The artwork was displayed on a large screen above the stage, with each student artist’s name featured.
Visual Art Contest winners:
Eisenhower:
Noelle Ebens
Kennedy:
Andrea Perez Amaya
Marshall Middle:
Yitzhak Alvarez Aguero, Shloka Nandhikonda, Emily Malavong and Jisa Patel
Montessori:
Zelda Moffitt
West:
Cynthia Cervantes and Alianna Voight
Essay Contest winners:
Auburn:
Eleanor Powell and Kavya Patel
Barbour:
Sofia Herrera
Eisenhower:
Maddison Gibson
Froberg:
Emma Black
Kennedy:
Walter Hall and Jackalyn Diaz
Marshall Middle:
George Porter and Josie Pirrello
RPS 205 thanked Mayor McNamara, Chairman Chiarelli, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra and the Rockford Area Arts Council for creating a meaningful opportunity for students to be recognized and celebrated throughout the community.
Celebrating Future School Leaders
RPS 205 also recognized six educators who completed Cohort 5 of the district’s partnership with Northern Illinois University.
The two-year residency master’s program provides selected RPS educators with the opportunity to learn while leading and prepares them for school administration. RPS 205 covers the full tuition for the program, and graduates agree to remain with the district for three additional years after completing the program.
The Cohort 5 graduates, who are now certified administrators, were:
Bri Davis
– Froberg
Breann Bennett
– Cherry Valley
Mitch Wilson
– Constance Lane
Karina Valdez
– Whitehead
Claudia Zuba
– Rolling Green
Melissa Wolf
– Central Office
Congratulations to all six educators on this important professional accomplishment and their continued commitment to RPS 205 students.
Lisa Jimenez Named Illinois Art Educator of the Year
RPS 205 also celebrated Lisa Jimenez, a middle school art educator at RESA, who was named the 2026 Middle Level Art Educator of the Year by the Illinois Art Education Association.
Each year, the Illinois Art Education Association recognizes outstanding art, design and media educators across Illinois for excellence, service and leadership. The association’s Awards and Scholarship Committee selected Jimenez for her exemplary professional performance, service and leadership in art education.
A Rockford native and artist, Jimenez has spent 23 years teaching art, including the past five years at RESA. Throughout her career, she has focused on helping students discover how the arts can create opportunities and change lives.
Marshall Middle School Success
Marshall Middle School Principal Jessica Powell and some of her students concluded the recognitions with a presentation on their school's success.
