The District 202 CAPE parent organization recognized 95 outstanding parents, community members, teachers and staff members for their dedication to students, their schools and community at the 49th annual CAPE awards night on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at Plainfield North High School.
CAPE is District 202’s committee for the Coordination of Administration and Parent groups for Educational efficiency. It serves as a “bridge” between district leadership and the parent groups for all 31 District 202 schools.
The 2025 CAPE Community Award was presented to Bags of Hope founder and president Lana Howe.
Howe has transformed the landscape of food security for countless District 202 students and surrounding areas. Since its inception in 2016, Bags of Hope has flourished under her steadfast leadership, providing essentials to those who might otherwise go without.
CAPE presented its 2025 CAPE Lifetime Contributor award to District 202 Board of Education vice president Barbara Seiden for her unwavering dedication to education, environmental sustainability, and service to the District 202 community.
Seiden’s commitment to education is profound and long-standing. Before her current role on the District 202 Board of Education, Seiden was deeply involved in her children’s schools as well as serving on CAPE. Her time as a substitute teacher further underscores her dedication to nurturing the minds of our youth. She is also an active board member with Conservation Plainfield and Plainfield Area Interfaith Food Pantry.
2024-25 CAPE AWARD WINNERS
Community Award Winner
Lana Howe
CAPE Lifetime Contributor Award Winner
Barbara Seiden
INDIVIDUAL SCHOOL-LEVEL WINNERS
BLUE HOUSE
Charles Reed Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Jill Sitterly
• Support Staff of the Year: Karen Nissen
• Volunteer of the Year: Lauren Pingul
Meadow View Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Abby Panozzo
• Support Staff of the Year: Dawn Kozar
• Volunteer of the Year: Katie Hoffman
Ridge Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Sarah Mieher
• Support Staff of the Year: Kim Van
• Volunteer of the Year: Mary Buckner
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Jess Wons
• Support Staff of the Year: Dawn Zabelka
• Volunteer of the Year: Erica Spreitzer
Wesmere Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Haley Wilson
• Support Staff of the Year: Diana Romero
• Volunteer of the Year: Jamie Harris
Aux Sable Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Megan Brosman
• Support Staff of the Year: Emily Dawson
• Volunteer of the Year: Bob Wolff
Drauden Point Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Jaclyn Weber
• Support Staff of the Year: Kendal Judge
• Volunteer of the Year: Matthew Riblon
Plainfield South High School
• Teacher of the Year: Ashlie Halverson
• Support Staff of the Year: Elizabeth Raducka
• Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Eischen
GREEN HOUSE
Central Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Laura Meagher
• Support Staff of the Year: Bob Eppenstein
• Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Berg
Crystal Lawns Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Elizabeth Nold
• Support Staff of the Year: Andrea Wrona
• Volunteer of the Year: Laura Pasieta
Grand Prairie Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Susan Krippelz
• Support Staff of the Year: Alyssa Billyard
• Volunteer of the Year: Turner Washington
River View Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Kim Winters
• Support Staff of the Year: Stacy Peto
• Volunteer of the Year: Laura Hayes-Farnes
Indian Trail Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: JJ Fleming
• Support Staff of the Year: Sara Junkrowski
• Volunteer of the Year: Katherine Taylor
Timber Ridge Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Christopher Daniele
• Support Staff of the Year: Sara O’Lone
• Volunteer of the Year: Le Quient White
Plainfield High School -- Central Campus
• Teacher of the Year: Kate Welsh
• Support Staff of the Year: Jennifer Bilotta
• Volunteer of the Year: Barbara Bush
RED HOUSE
Bonnie McBeth Learning Center
• Teacher of the Year: Sarah Drumm
• Support Staff of the Year: Carmesha Holder
• Volunteer of the Year: Mary Vargas
Eagle Pointe Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Amy Barone
• Support Staff of the Year: Michelle Al-Ashkar
• Volunteer of the Year: Jacqueline Rizzo
Freedom Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Takisha Hill
• Support Staff of the Year: Diane Mahoney
• Volunteer of the Year: Nicole Clark
Lincoln Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Beth Bradtke
• Support Staff of the Year: Robert Duncan
• Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Eager
Walker’s Grove Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Miranda Kuchta
• Support Staff of the Year: LaTonya Brewton
• Volunteer of the Year: Desi Kedzior
Wallin Oaks Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Nina Leon
• Support Staff of the Year: Tara Temple
• Volunteer of the Year: Jennifer Oswald
Heritage Grove Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Stephanie Perez
• Support Staff of the Year: Nicole Swanson
• Volunteer of the Year: Pam Schelin
Ira Jones Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Christine Kus
• Support Staff of the Year: Morgan Syfert
• Volunteer of the Year: Melissa Jeszka
Plainfield Academy
• Teacher of the Year: Megan Schlanser
• Support Staff of the Year: Linda Plutz
• Community Contributor of the Year: William Reidy of JJC P-STEP
Plainfield North High School
• Teacher of the Year: Steve Eighner
• Support Staff of the Year: Dan Paymaster
• Volunteer of the Year: Bonnie Pyatt
ORANGE HOUSE
Creekside Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Denise Wilson
• Support Staff of the Year: Erica Ruba
• Volunteer of the Year: Balpreet Kaur
Elizabeth Eichelberger Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Taylor Zaabel
• Support Staff of the Year: Amy Draper
• Volunteer of the Year: Jessica Gutierrez
Lakewood Falls Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Shannon Bella
• Support Staff of the Year: Mecole Parke
• Volunteer of the Year: Amanda Merkes
Liberty Elementary School
• Teacher of the Year: Carla Brinker
• Support Staff of the Year: Ginger Wilk
• Volunteer of the Year: Alisha Irwin
John F. Kennedy Middle School
• Teacher of the Year: Holli Long
• Support Staff of the Year: Sonia Torres
• Volunteer of the Year: Kristie Timbo
Plainfield East High School
• Teacher of the Year: Michael Schmitt
• Support Staff of the Year: William Lewis
• Volunteer of the Year: Meredith Giantsos