School News

Fifteen District 155 students earned over $2.1 million in scholarships from various colleges and institutions through the 9th Annual Illinois High School Art Exhibition (IHSAE). Six Cary-Grove students were awarded just over $1,000,000 in scholarships, three Crystal Lake Central students received $396,000, and five Prairie Ridge students earned $748,000. Several District 155 students also had their work displayed at the General Illinois High school Art Exhibition, which featured the best student artists from more than 100 Illinois high schools. 

Collectively, these students across the district earned scholarships to multiple institutions, including Northern Illinois University, the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, the Art Academy of Cincinnati and more. They also had their artwork displayed online through the Senior Scholarship Exhibition which recognized 350 senior artworks and scholarship offers totaling over $60 million dollars. The following students were honored at the event: Nicki Carpatiuc, Andrea Holden, Jay Miller, Sophia Rosene, Kelsey Seibert and Charlie Wojdyla from Cary-Grove High School; Erin Ruddy, Liam Prendergast and Samuel Schauer from Crystal Lake Central High School; Natalie Eubanks, Katherine Godfrey-Mikkelson, Morgan Johnson, Kaitlin Martin and Morgan Quinn from Prairie Ridge High School.

Several students also had their artwork selected for the General Exhibition and Northern Regional Exhibition, featuring over 800 works of art in 8 categories of design. Artwork from the following student artists was featured: Addisyn Donfris, Bianca LaFin, Casey Olsen and Christina Pierce from Cary-Grove High School; Adam Bengston, Kaitlyn Ellison, Mackenzie Opal, Angel Phan and Ashley Whittington from Crystal Lake Central High School; Savana Claxton, Victoria Daszynski, Ashley Niesen, Molly Devine and Emma Kay from Prairie Ridge High School

Molly Devine, a junior at Prairie Ridge, was also awarded an early college scholarship to the Cleveland Institute of Art. Samuel Schauer, a senior at Crystal Lake Central, was awarded the IHSAE Visionary Award for his work.

Approximately four thousand students, teachers, college representatives and school district administrators virtually attended the state's largest high school student art exhibition which is presented by Art ConnectEd.

The Illinois High School Art Exhibition is a not-for-profit corporation with a mission to advance visual arts education through exhibition. It was developed by teachers for students in 2014 and the organization is run by full-time art educators who collaborate with corporate sponsors, art colleges and universities and high school students.

Dear Seniors,

As we prepare to celebrate the Class of 2021 at this year’s graduation ceremony, we are asking for some feedback from you and your families to plan for a safe and appropriately distanced commencement. This year, graduation will be split into two outdoor ceremonies in our football stadium on Saturday, May 15:

• Morning ceremony: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Afternoon ceremony: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Please complete this survey: https://forms.gle/BZYcsHMQZRqZY6f19 indicating your plans to attend graduation in-person and your preferred ceremony time. Please discuss your selection(s) with your parents/guardians and complete this survey by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, April 18. We will use this information to ensure safe physical distancing in our stadium for all graduates and guests in attendance.

We will do our best to accommodate your selection, but please know that due to strict capacity limitations and space restrictions in our stadium, not all students will be able to attend their preferred ceremony. If space does not allow us to schedule you for graduation during your preferred session, you will be scheduled for the alternate session. You will receive an email verifying your scheduled ceremony time on Wednesday, April 21. 

Thank you for your cooperation as we plan to commemorate your time at Prairie Ridge High School together!
 

Sincerely,
 

Steve Koch
Principal

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Estimados estudiantes de cuarto año (Seniors):

Mientras nos preparamos para celebrar la Clase Graduanda del 2021 en la ceremonia de graduación de este año, les pedimos a ustedes y sus familias que nos brinden sus comentarios para planificar una ceremonia de graduación segura y con una distancia adecuada. Este año la graduación se dividirá en dos ceremonias al aire libre en nuestro estadio de fútbol el sábado 15 de mayo.  

• Ceremonia de la mañana: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

• Ceremonia de la tarde:  12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Por favor complete esta encuesta: https://forms.gle/BZYcsHMQZRqZY6f19 indicando sus planes para asistir a la graduación en persona y su horario preferido para la ceremonia. Por favor, discuta su (s) selección (es) con sus padres/tutores y complete esta encuesta antes de las 11:59 p.m. el domingo 18 de abril. Usaremos esta información para asegurar un distanciamiento físico seguro en nuestro estadio para todos los graduandos e invitados que asistan. 

Haremos todo lo posible para adaptarnos a su selección, pero tenga en cuenta que debido a las estrictas limitaciones de capacidad y las restricciones de espacio en nuestro estadio, no todos los estudiantes podrían asistir a su ceremonia preferida. Si el espacio no nos permite programar su graduación durante su sesión preferida, se le programará para la sesión alternativa. Recibirá un correo electrónico verificando la hora programada para la ceremonia el miércoles 21 de abril. 

¡Gracias por su cooperación mientras planeamos conmemorar su tiempo en la Escuela Secundaria Prairie Ridge juntos!
 

Sinceramente,

Steve Koch

Seven students enrolled in Autos Seminar at Prairie Ridge High School have successfully earned Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certifications. This certification program is meant for professionals in the automotive industry to demonstrate their training in service and repair skills. 

After passing the maintenance and light repair test, Austin Reimer, Rylie Halpert, Donald Dalton, Brennan Backe, Christian Elliott, Patrick Weiler and John Martino now hold the G-1 ASE Entry Level Certification.  

Stiljan Agolli, an autos teacher at Prairie Ridge who holds his own industry-level ASE certifications, became aware of a student certification program and applied to become a testing center for the ASE Entry Level Program.

“ASE is the highest and most respected certification in this field. Shops and individuals that are ASE certified show that they are up to date on industry standard training and qualified for service and repair,” said Agolli. 

These certifications require a lot of study time and dedication to the industry. The Autos curriculum at Prairie Ridge is focused on the skills and knowledge that will prepare students for the various tests offered by the ASE program. There will be more opportunities for students to earn more certifications this school year. 

“This year, I wanted to start out with Autos Seminar, a third level autos class, and get those students certified as they are or will be working in the field at some point in time,” said Agolli.

Prairie Ridge will be streaming a recording of its 2021 Musical "Curtains" on March 19, 20, and 21 at 7:00 p.m. 

Stream passes will go on sale on Friday, February 26. Click the link below to purchase stream passes:

Purchase Tickets Here

Once you have your stream passes, you can use the code to stream the musical here.

It’s the brassy, bright, and promising year of 1959. Boston’s Colonial Theatre is host to the opening night performance of a new musical. When the leading lady mysteriously dies on stage the entire cast & crew are suspects. Enter a local detective, who just happens to be a musical theatre fan! Packed with glorious tunes and a witty, charming script filled with delightful characters, CURTAINS is a hilarious journey for both performers and the audience. The Broadway production garnered 8 nominations at the 2007 Tony Awards® including Best Musical.