Sophia Manera, a senior at Crystal Lake South High School, was selected as a National Horatio Alger Scholar and will receive $25,000 towards college tuition. The award is part of one of the largest college financial aid programs in the country and focuses on character, perseverance, and applicants’ experience with overcoming adversity. Only 106 high school students were selected nationwide.

Students at Haber Oaks Campus in Anne Tubridy’s Adult Living class have debuted the Haber Mart, an in-school store that makes necessary items such as food and hygiene products available to all students who attend Haber Oaks.

A senior at Cary-Grove High School, Abigail Williams, was awarded $1,000 in the annual Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) PAYBACK Challenge Scholarship contest. Williams was one of 45 students across the country who received Honorable Mention and one of just two selected in Illinois.

For the past four years, Crystal Lake South High School has established a tradition of sending handwritten notes of inspiration from staff members to students in their junior year. This year, teachers and staff at South wrote and delivered over 340 individualized cards. Students enrolled in hybrid learning received their messages at school, while administrators hand delivered notes to students in full-time remote learning.