For the first time since the Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards (IHSMTA) began in 2012, all four Community High School District 155 high schools have been nominated in at least one category.

This year, three District 155 students earned nominations in individual performance categories:

• Corey Atkinson (Crystal Lake Central) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actor Role for his portrayal of Harold Hill in The Music Man.
   
• Lydia Jensen (Prairie Ridge) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actress Role for her role as Katherine Howard in SIX: Teen Edition.
   
• Aaron Yaccino (Cary-Grove) was nominated for Best Performer in an Actor Role for his role as Jack in Into the Woods.

In addition, two District 155 school productions received recognition:

• Crystal Lake Central’s production of The Music Man was nominated for Best Ensemble and Best Production.
   
• Crystal Lake South’s theatre director, Ben Stoner, was nominated for Best Direction for The SpongeBob Musical.

Ashley Winikates, a senior at Cary-Grove, is the first student in District 155 to earn a College and Career Pathway Endorsement. To achieve this, she completed Dual Credit Intro to Education and additional college-level coursework, fulfilled over 60 internship hours through her Micro-Internship class, and tackled two team-based challenges: Bridging the Gap, supporting students transitioning from 8th to 9th grade and Combating the Teacher Shortage.

Ashley is headed to the University of Wisconsin Madison to study elementary and special education.

“Ashley is such a driven and dedicated student, and I know she will be the best teacher!” said Rachael Fischer, teacher.

Crystal Lake math teacher Sarah Murmann, is leading efforts to ensure the safe and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in Illinois classrooms. As a Teach Plus fellow, Murmann collaborates with educators statewide to address challenges in education and advocate for policy changes. Teach Plus, a national nonprofit, trains teachers to use their classroom expertise to influence education policy and improve student outcomes.

Murmann co-authored a recent Teach Plus report that surveyed 205 educators across Illinois, highlighting widespread belief in AI's potential to be helpful in the classroom. The survey found that 92% of respondents see AI as helpful for instruction, but only half have access to training on how to use it effectively.

“With the rapid expansion of AI, we’re not sure which apps are SOPPA-compliant and which aren’t,” Murmann explained, referring to the Student Online Personal Protection Act. “Without clear guidance, teachers are hesitant to use AI, which could limit valuable learning opportunities.”

The Teach Plus fellows are calling on Illinois lawmakers and the Illinois State Board of Education to establish statewide AI guidelines and provide ongoing professional development for educators. Their recommendations also emphasize closing the digital divide that affects underserved communities, ensuring equitable access to AI tools for all students.

Murmann and her fellow Teach Plus educators plan to meet with lawmakers when the General Assembly reconvenes next year, advocating for proactive policies that enable teachers and students to fully benefit from AI in education.

Rules and Tools for AI-Powered Learning Report

Crystal Lake South student Jayden Dean is on a clear path toward his dream of becoming a police officer.