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District 202 has announced the opening of nominations for the 10th annual Cheryl Ricciardi Exceptional Student Service Award. This award is designed to recognize a certified student service worker who shows exceptional dedication to students within the district.
The nomination process is open to parents, community members, students, and district staff. Any certified Student Services employee from any District 202 school can be nominated for this honor. The recipient will be recognized at the Board of Education’s Awards of Excellence ceremony scheduled for April 9.
Nominations must be submitted online by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 10, 2025. No extensions will be granted beyond this deadline.
Cheryl Ricciardi began her career in District 202 as a social worker in 1996 and continued until she passed away in 2012 after battling breast cancer for two years. Cindy Cook, a social worker at Crystal Lawns Elementary School who helped organize the award, noted that while Ricciardi worked across all school levels, her true passion was working with high school students.
Ricciardi's contributions included starting several programs such as an after-school breakdance group for at-risk teens and the Catalyst Program available to all District 202 high schools. She also organized an annual yellow ribbon run aimed at raising funds for Suicide Awareness.
Cook remarked on Ricciardi's professional resilience: "Ricciardi also presented at professional workshops and continued to work after getting ill with dignity, grace, courage and tremendous strength." Cook added that Ricciardi believed every student was extraordinary: “This award honors people who share and demonstrate that belief every day.”
Past recipients of the award include:
- Stacey Harrison (2016), Plainfield North High School
- Kelly Hinthorn (2017), Wesmere Elementary School
- Mary Ellen Miller (2018), Plainfield Academy
- Kim Simpson (2019), Plainfield South High School
- Paula Wrobel (2020), Central Elementary School
- Amanda Lulek (2021), Ridge Elementary School
- Shannon Edmondson (2022), Central Elementary School
- Mariah Zwart (2023), Lakewood Falls Elementary School
- Ashlee Cooper (2024), Plainfield North High School
