The District 202 CAPE parent organization recognized 95 outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community at the 47^th annual CAPE awards night on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Plainfield South High School.

 

CAPE is District 202’s committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency. It serves as a “bridge” between district leadership and the parent groups for all 31 District 202 schools.

 

The 2023 CAPE Community Award was presented to Wallin Oaks Elementary School special education paraprofessional and District 202 parent Amy Rauen.

 

The honor recognized Rauen’s extraordinary multifaceted work at the school and her community volunteerism with numerous organizations including Give Kids the World, which supports children battling cancer. Rauen’s colleagues refer to as “an angel” because she says “yes” to all things in helping with students, animal shelters and charities.

 

CAPE presented its 2023 CAPE Lifetime Contributor award to District 202 Board Member Heather Roach for her service to the District 202 community.

 

Roach has been involved in various District 202 organizations for 20 years including the Parent Teacher Organization at Eagle Pointe Elementary School and Heritage Grove Middle School, CAPE board member, and superintendent search committees.

 

2022-2023 CAPE AWARD WINNERS

Community Award Winner

Amy Rauen

 

CAPE Lifetime Contributor Award Winner

Heather Roach

 

INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL-LEVEL WINNERS

BLUE HOUSE

Charles Reed Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Colleen Robey 
• Support Staff of the Year: Cynthia Perez      
• Volunteer of the Year: Sierra Armstrong

 

Meadow View Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Nicole Szaler   
• Support Staff of the Year: Sheri Gunderson  
• Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Dabbas

 

Ridge Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Kimpay Sesta   
• Support Staff of the Year: Angela Briseno   
• Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Hopson

 

Thomas Jefferson Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Karen Killian   
• Support Staff of the Year: Hilda Lara
• Volunteer of the Year: Adrianna Aurich

Wesmere Elementary School 

• Teacher of the Year: Robyn Anderson          
• Support Staff of the Year: Nick Block          
• Volunteer of the Year: Jackie Hernandez

 

Aux Sable Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Karen Bedore   
• Support Staff of the Year: LaTonya Brewton
• Volunteer of the Year: Renee Connors

 

Drauden Point Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Melissa Graves
• Support Staff of the Year: Daniel Torrijos-Ugalde
• Volunteer of the Year: Candace Moore

 

Plainfield South High School

• Teacher of the Year: Sevgi Acik
• Support Staff of the Year: Osvaldo "Ozzie" Morin
• Volunteer of the Year: Candace Moore

 

GREEN HOUSE

Central Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Lisa Shackley  
• Support Staff of the Year: Patti Bachman     
• Volunteer of the Year: Meghan Greztich

 

Crystal Lawns Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Michael Galati 
• Support Staff of the Year: Cindy Cook
• Volunteer of the Year: Rita Sevik

 

Grand Prairie Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Gabriella Shepherd      
• Support Staff of the Year: Clarydyan Gray-Frausto 
• Volunteer of the Year: Brian Erhardts

 

River View Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Jenna Myers     
• Support Staff of the Year: Linda Flynn         
• Volunteer of the Year: Becky Walters

 

Indian Trail Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Michelle Paczynski     
• Support Staff of the Year: Mary Grace Braccio        
• Volunteer of the Year: Gretchen Ibrahim

  

Timber Ridge Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Margaret McCarthy     
• Support Staff of the Year: Jessica Jaszczak  
• Volunteer of the Year: Kristie Hanna

 

Plainfield High School -- Central Campus 

• Teacher of the Year: Sarah Russell   
• Support Staff of the Year: Ruth Brick           
• Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Pennuto

 

RED HOUSE

Bonnie McBeth Learning Center

• Teacher of the Year: Gabriella Olson            
• Support Staff of the Year: Tina Vasquez
• Volunteer of the Year: Trista Countryman

Eagle Pointe Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Hayley Elwell  
• Support Staff of the Year: Mariangela Scardullo      
• Volunteer of the Year: Lindsey Parker

 

Freedom Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Christy Teare   
• Support Staff of the Year: Elizabeth Connors           
• Volunteer of the Year: Jacki Block

Lincoln Elementary School 

• Teacher of the Year: Shari Phelps     
• Support Staff of the Year: Shannon Abbatacola       
• Volunteer of the Year: Kandice LaGiglia

 

Walker’s Grove Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Karen Kalicki  
• Support Staff of the Year: Nikki Lien           
• Volunteer of the Year: Meggan Florell

Wallin Oaks Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Lee Parrott       
• Support Staff of the Year: Alex Gonzalez    
• Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Bell

 

Heritage Grove Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Deb Countryman         
• Support Staff of the Year: Amy Camarata    
• Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Gailey

 

Ira Jones Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Erica Swanson 
• Support Staff of the Year: John Conteh        
• Volunteer of the Year: Blair Kramer

 

Plainfield Academy

• Teacher of the Year: Richard Roy     
• Support Staff of the Year: Cherish Knight    
• Volunteer of the Year: Rebecca Bernal

 

Plainfield North High School

• Teacher of the Year: Robert Krahulik           
• Support Staff of the Year: Celia Cavada       
• Volunteer of the Year: Carmen Ladd-Koch

 

ORANGE HOUSE

Creekside Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Piper Garcia     
• Support Staff of the Year: Julie Tarnowski   
• Volunteer of the Year: Kelly Cassidy

 

Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Carrie Thurn    
• Support Staff of the Year: Mario Nieslushowski      
• Volunteer of the Year: Jackie Passarelli

 

Lakewood Falls Elementary School 

• Teacher of the Year: Sara Hickman  
• Support Staff of the Year: Lisa Kuziel          
• Volunteer of the Year: Elizabeth Hespell

 

Liberty Elementary School

• Teacher of the Year: Kelly Liberatore          
• Support Staff of the Year: Kim Ruetsche      
• Volunteer of the Year: Adolfo Venegas

John F. Kennedy Middle School

• Teacher of the Year: Anthony Carlson          
• Support Staff of the Year: Eric Mack
• Volunteer of the Year: Dianeth Cordic

Plainfield East High School

• Teacher of the Year: Anthony Waznonis      
• Support Staff of the Year: Denise Newtoff   
• Volunteer of the Year: Danielle McGraw