Education Matters: Belleville students explore their futures, more shoutouts

Welcome back to the latest edition of our biweekly column, Education Matters.

This week, we have many students and educators to congratulate in our Honor Roll section, as well as several opportunities to give back in the spirit of Thanksgiving.

But first, let’s highlight a unique event that took place yesterday: Belleville Township High School’s third Career Expo at the CAVE. The main level, basement and new annex were packed with professionals showcasing their career fields for students and parents.

It wasn’t a typical career fair. Students and their families had the chance to experience what it’s actually like in the featured professions, with interactive activities, demonstrations and more.

One of the vendors was Ideal Aviation, a flight school based in Cahokia. The Expo provided the school the opportunity to reach high schoolers who have not yet decided on a career path, Ideal Aviation Director of Administration Kimberly Nagel said.

“It would have been nice to know at a younger age when you’re planning your future how attainable (a career in) aviation is,” Nagel said, noting she didn’t know all the field’s possibilities until adulthood.

Belleville West senior Deiona Lewis said she’s trying to decide what she wants to do after graduation. She knows she wants to pursue something in STEM and said she particularly enjoyed the health care section of the Expo.

“There’s more to medical than I thought,” Lewis said, explaining she learned about more health care careers besides nursing.

Superintendent Marshaun Warren said the Expo is typically held every other year, so if you missed this one, be sure to keep an eye out in 2027.

Honor Roll

• At Monday evening’s board meeting, Belleville Township High School District 201 recognized Belleville East Senior Jonathan “Juice” Rullo. Rullo is currently no. 1 in state wrestling and just completed another successful football season. He’ll be playing football at the University of Cincinnati in the fall. Belleville East Principal Joe Rujawitz called Rullo, who was also this year’s homecoming king, “one of the most genuine students you’ll ever meet.” 
• District 201 also recognized Belleville East Assistant Principal Alphonso (Al) Daniel, whose journey at the school actually started as a student-athlete. Daniel, who Rujawitz called “the definition of hard work, kindness and leadership,” will retire at the end of this school year. 
• Belleville’s Franklin Elementary gave a special shoutout to Jamal Billups, who placed second at the school’s spelling bee.
• Congrats to Collinsville High School Athletic Director Clay Smith, who was named the 2025-26 Class 1A and 2A Division 7 Athletic Director of the Year by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association. “Mr. Smith always ensures that Collinsville athletics is promoting character, positive team culture and overall sportsmanship with our student athletes,” CHS Principal Bobby Wright said in a district-wide announcement. “His unwavering dedication to our programs and school community are an inspiration for students and faculty alike.”
• Several East St. Louis Senior High School track and field alumni were inducted into the Western Illinois University Athletic Hall of Fame. All were members of the 1978 WIU mens track and field team. The honorees are: Marvin Edmonds, Keith Bond, David Harden, Tyron Taylor, Al Barrett, Marvin Townsend and the late Stanley Braggs.
• Also in East St. Louis, seniors Vernon Lowery received first place and Veronica Buckley received second place in the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. National Essay Contest. Long-time ESTL Coach Nino Fennoy was named Citizen of the Year by the fraternity’s Mighty Nu Chi Chapter at their 70th Founders Day Banquet.
• Shout out to O’Fallon Township High School students Nathan McBride, Zachary Rosborg, Alexander Bradley and Kaya Kassenbaum for being National Merit Scholarship Commended Students.
• Belleville’s Jefferson Elementary School’s latest students of the month are Cali Chapman and Georgia White, who were selected from Character Award winners. At Washington Elementary, little Kailee Schmidt is student of the month.
• Granite City’s Coolidge Junior High School recently announced its October students of the month. The math department’s students are Ivy Milton, Trevor Brooks, DeShawn Bush and Dayra Morales. Marci Shaw, Dorian Gardner, Karly Pejakovich and Jaiden Edwards are the English department’s students of the month. The science department’s students of the month are Aaralynn Gurule, Joshua Shellenbarger, Camden Eads and Nevaeh Dowell, while the social studies department’s students of the month are Aberdeen Siegel, Peyton Dietz, Mesa Miller and Javier Gabriel. Last but not least, the p.e. department’s students of the month are Kiovanni Brown, Taron McCulley, Hugo Martinez and Aliyah Green.
• At Coolidge Junior High in Granite City, student Lilian Hobbs received a positive office referral. “Lilian is always positive, respectful and kind. Way to go Lilian for being a smile ambassador at CJHS!” Assistant Principal Kristen Novacich-Koberna wrote.
• Freeburg FFA, Red Bud FFA and Waterloo FFA and Highland FFA are all 2025 National 3 Star Chapters. According to a Freeburg FFA social media post, only 3% of chapters in the nation can say this! In other FFA news, Lebanon FFA’s agronomy team placed 1st out of 14 schools at the Section 22 Agronomy contest last week in Valmeyer. Individually, Ericka Bonjour placed second, Collin Adams placed 4th and Savanah Pontious placed fifth.
• Collinsville Middle School announced 2025-26 Student Council leaders: 8th grade president Natalie Schlipman, 7th grade vice president Winter Montgomery and Trailblazer Troop members 8th grader Lillian Gottschalk, 8th grader Rashya Horne, 8th grader Cash Barnett, 8th grader Dani Espinoza, 8th grader Adiya Bailey and 7th grader Aiyana Thigpen. CMS also celebrated students who have read 250,000 to 1 million words so far this year: Kylie Zippel, Juliana Woodell, Elisa Sanchez-Alvarado, Evan Turner and Lee Wuebbels.

Mark your calendars

• The Collinsville High School Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 643 present the high school edition of “Airness,” a comedic adventure into the world of air guitar competition. Shows run from Thursday, Nov. 20 through Sunday, Nov. 23; see the district’s Facebook post for more ticket information.
• If you need something to do on a Tuesday afternoon from 4-7 p.m., the Granite City Six Mile Regional Library District 2001 Delmar Ave. location hosts Lego build days every Tuesday.
• Belleville 201’s 9th grade student registration for the Class of 2030 is now online, and the deadline is Friday, Nov. 21.
• Speaking of incoming 9th graders, Collinsville High School is hosting an open house for these students from 8 a.m. - noon and 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22. Students and their families can tour the high school and meet their counselors.
• Fairview Heights fams, should Pontiac William Holliday District 105 build a new pre-K through 8th grade school? Let your voice be heard by taking the community survey available at pwh105survey.com soon!

Lend a Hand

It’s the season of giving, and metro-east schools and surrounding communities are stepping up to ensure everybody has what they need.

• Collinsville High School’s Multicultural and Key Clubs are hosting a coat drive (scarfs, hats, hoodies, gloves, mittens and blankets are also needed) until Wednesday, Nov. 25. Donations are being collected outside the main office, in the school library, and in rooms 206 and 134.
• Belle Valley School District is using the 6-7 craze for a good cause. On the 67th day of school – Friday, Nov. 21 – they aim to collect at least 67 non-perishable food items for those in need. Drop off donations by the middle school principals’ offices.
• Throughout the week and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, Grant Middle School’s National Junior Honor Society is collecting food donations for the Fairview Heights Food Pantry. Drop off donations at the middle school.
• Central School District 104 in O’Fallon is hosting a grab-and-go Thanksgiving food distribution on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Central 104 families can pick up supplies at 7-8 a.m. or 2-6 p.m. at Joseph Arthur Middle School, 160 Saint Ellen Mine Rd, or from 7-10 a.m. at the Central 104 Store at Dawn Elser Elementary School, 309 Hartman Lane.

In case you missed it (ICYMI)

• Is your family looking at colleges? It may help in your decision-making process to know the University of Chicago and Northwestern University made the top 10 in the U.S. News & World Report’s recent ranking of the nation’s best universities for 2026, the BND’s very own Meredith Howard reported. Washington University in St. Louis made the top 20.
• The BND has been combing through new 2024-25 Illinois Report Card teacher salary data. We reported the top-paying school districts in St. Clair County, and will soon take a look at Madison County.
• Many local school districts are approving estimated, or tentative, tax levies at their meetings this month. Keep up with your school board’s agendas to see when they are holding hearings, which is your chance to voice your opinions before their final levy adoption.

This story was originally published November 20, 2025 at 5:15 AM.