Distinguished Service Celebration

We recognize those individuals and groups throughout the state who partner with their school communications office to serve as ambassadors for public education and champions of students and staff. INSPRA’s annual Distinguished Service Celebration honors the impactful work of these school community members.

2025 WINNERS: Our honorees and categories are listed below, congratulations to all who were recognized! To learn more about these winners, check out the DSC Program Book.

Administrator:
  • Patricia Del Santo, Kane County Regional Office of Education
  • Debby Klein, Community Unit School District 200
  • Stacy Lenihan, Glenview School District 34
  • Nate Jarot, St. Charles Community Unit School District 303
  • Dr. Jeff McHugh, Glen Ellyn School District 41
  • Dr. Kelly Tess, Winnetka School District 36
Board of Education Member:
  • Donna Craft Cain, DuPage High School District 88
  • Bryan Ogrizovich, Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C
  • Brad Paulsen, Community Unit School District 200
  • Terry Pavesich, Community High School District 99
  • Tony Quagliano, Huntley Community School District 158
Community Member:
  • Marc Horner, Lake Park Community High School District 108
  • Officer Chris Schwytzer, Lake Park Community High School District 108
  • Officer Kristiana Stolzman, Crystal Lake Elementary District 47
Faculty & Staff:
  • Natasha Rosenak, Community High School District 128
  • Julius Pascual, Schaumburg School District 54
Support Staff:
  • Evelyn Bevins, School District U-46
  • Kate Isabelli, Community High School District 128
  • Stella Mitsuno, Schaumburg School District 54
  • Nancy Mogk, Glen Ellyn School District 41
Students:
  • CUSD 200 Student Ambassadors: Carla Fonseca Gonzalez, Abigail Williams, Luke Bellini, Lauren Dedio, Katelyn Groves, and Max Dudick, Community Unit School District 200
Teams:
  • Royal Revolution Community Newspaper Team: Silvana Schar and Lauren Sparano, River Grove School District 85.5
  • The District 146 Family Support Specialist Team: Janeth Bueno, Brooke Dundas, and Elham Shareef, Community Consolidated School District 146
  • Woodland Parent Mentors: Tanya Abbey, Lavonna Garner, Dr. Michael Karner and Dr. Robert Machak, Woodland School District 50
  • Citizen’s Finance Advisory Committee: Amy Kahhat, Nanette Ross-Meridith, Eric Miller, Dr. Dane Delli, Marvin Lutz, Rita Esho, Margarite Cole, Mike Weeks, Alex Kamilewicz, and Gina Milanesio, Glenview School District 34
  • Shorewood-Troy Public Library Children's Services, Troy Community Consolidated School District 30-C
  • Kindergarten Enrollment Team: Maribel Claudio and Jennifer Elkins, Schaumburg School District 54
Check out photos from this year's celebration and join us next year for the 2026 Distinguished Service Celebration!

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CATEGORIES

Each district may submit one nomination in each of the eight categories listed below:

  • Administrator: superintendents, associate/assistant superintendents, principals, assistant principals, directors, coordinators, and other licensed or non-licensed staff members who function in an administrative role
  • Board of Education Member
  • Community Member
  • Faculty/Certified/Licensed Staff: teachers, counselors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and other licensed school service personnel
  • Parent
  • Student (one individual)
  • Support Staff: aides, bus drivers, crossing guards, maintenance/custodial personnel, food-service staff, paraprofessionals, administrative assistants, or other support staff

  • Team: two or more individuals (including a group of students), who worked together to complete a single project or activity

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CRITERIA

Distinguished service recognition places an emphasis on celebrating and honoring communication excellence, rather than a tiered system of awards. All entries will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

  • Actions of the nominee strengthen overall support for public education by stakeholders.
  • Actions of the nominee support the efforts, work, and mission of the school district’s communications/community relations department.
  • Actions of the nominee have made a positive and lasting impact on public education, amplify student voice, and benefit families.

Nominations should include a 600-word (or less) write-up and a 250-word (or less) summary.