SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Association of School Administrators honored 21 superintendents across the state and were recognized as Superintendents of Distinction.
A reception was held on Thursday to honor the selected superintendents. Two of them were chosen from the southern Illinois area.
The two honored from southern Illinois were Melanie Andrews, superintendent of Mt. Vernon Township High School District #201 in the Egyptian Region and Edwin Shoemate, superintendent of Cobden USD #17 in the Shawnee Region.
鈥淚t is an honor to be chosen as a Superintendent of Distinction and represent the Egyptian Region,鈥� said Andrews, who has been an educator for 24 years and superintendent of Mt. Vernon Twp HSD #201 for four years. 鈥淩ecognition at this level happens because I have an excellent team at MVTHS who go above and beyond for our students. It has truly been a privilege to lead a district that I have loved my entire life 鈥� once a Ram, always a Ram!鈥�
The Egyptian Region is comprised of Washington, Jefferson, Wayne, Perry, Franklin, Hamilton and White counties.
鈥淚 am honored to receive this award, but it really belongs to our students, faculty, support staff and Board of Education,鈥� said Shoemate, who has been an educator for 24 years and superintendent of Cobden USD #17 for nine years. 鈥淭he passion and commitment displayed by everyone in our district on a daily basis truly makes Cobden a special place.鈥�
The Shawnee Region is comprised of Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Union, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Alexander, Pulaski and Massac counties.
Superintendents of Distinction were selected by peers in their region based on their commitment, dedication and leadership, according to the Illinois Association of School Administrators.
鈥淚t is an honor to stand out among distinguished educators in your region and be selected for this honor,鈥� said IASA Executive Director Dr. Brent Clark.聽
Clark said he applauds both Melanie and Edwin for everything they've done to enhance the learning environment for students and propel their district forward. He also noted their leadership has been a difference maker in the Mount Vernon and Cobden communities.
The 10th annual luncheon on Thursday was sponsored by Stifel, which is the country鈥檚 leading underwriter of K-12 school bonds.
鈥淭he superintendents honored today exemplify the depth of leadership and personal commitment that exceptional superintendents bring to their districts to serve students and staff to be the best they can be,鈥� said Anne Noble, Managing Director of Stifel. 鈥淪tifel鈥檚 longtime commitment to IASA culminates in honoring these amazing superintendents and thanking them for all they do for the students of Illinois.鈥�
Here is the full list of honored Superintendents of Distinction...
- Abe Lincoln: Dr. Travis Roundcount, Mt. Zion CUSD #3
- Blackhawk: Dr. Terri VandeWiele, Silvis SD #34
- Central Illinois Valley: Dr. Scott Dearman, Dunlap CUSD #323
- Cook North: Dr. Lori Bein, Arlington Heights SD #25
- Cook South: Dr. Jeannie Stachowiak, North Palos SD #117
- Cook West: Dr. Kimberly Boryszewski, Schiller Park SD #81
- Corn Belt: Dr. Laura O'Donnell, Olympia CUSD #16
- DuPage: Dr. Kevin Russell, Downers Grove GSD #58
- Egyptian: Melanie Andrews, Mt. Vernon Twp HSD #201
- Illini: Scott Watson, Bismarck-Henning CUSD #1
- Kaskaskia: Melissa Ritter, Ramsey CUSD #204
- Kishwaukee: Dr. Corey Tafoya, Harvard CUSD #50
- Lake: Heather Friziellie, Fox Lake GSD #114
- Northwest: Tim Schurman, Chadwick-Milledgeville CUSD #399
- Shawnee: Edwin Shoemate, Cobden USD #17
- Southwestern: Dr. Brian Mentzer, Belleville Twp HSD #201
- Starved Rock: Jamie Craven, Peru ESD #124
- Three Rivers: Joe Simpkins, Richland School District #88A
- Two Rivers: Dr. Kelle Bunch, Liberty CUSD #2
- Wabash Valley: Dr. Joel Hackney, Flora CUSD #35
- Western: Chris Janssen, Spoon River Valley CUSD #4
