Dupage Policy Journal

At its April 12 meeting, the Community Unit 200 School Board recognized several students for their accomplishments. 

The first recognition went to Ana Gomez, a student at Wheaton Warrenville South High School who is a member of the professional cooking, baking, and service program at Technology Center of DuPage. This is a program for aspiring chefs, restaurateurs, bakers, and others seeking culinary career paths. TCD works with the district to offer students classes and experiences in 20 different career paths as part of their high school curriculums. On March 18, Ana and her teammates in her classes at TCD took first place in the Illinois ProStart Culinary Invitational. The team will go on to compete in May at the National Invitational in Washington, DC.

"Through the TCD program, students have the opportunity to earn transferable college credit, prepare for industry, state or national licensing and certification exams, qualify for apprenticeships or earn scholarships and grants towards college," said guidance counselor Kelly Ehrhardt. "District 200 Career Pathways Program aligns with the training and opportunities TCD offers. District 200 students are able to attend TCD during the morning session five days a week throughout the whole school year and learn hands-on job skills for half of their school day. They earn high school and potential college credit while completing their TCD program over one or two years,"

The board also recognized the D200 Flying Tigers Basketball Team for earning a silver medal in the state championship competition. This team, which is based out of the district’s Transition Center, has 15 athletes from across the district. It is the district’s special education basketball team that competes in the Special Olympics. The program also has bowling, and track and field for students to participate in. 

Valerie DiFresco, the director of special education, talked about the program and how the team fared this season. She shared that the team and its coaches worked very hard this year to improve their skills and compete to the best of their abilities. She said she was very proud to see how the students and school district rallied behind the team and supported them at their games and events, all the way up until the state competition. She called up each of the athletes to recognize them and have the board congratulate them on their silver medal.