Board of Ed Honors Service, Student Achievement and Excellence

Elwood's Jan. 15 Board of Education meeting drew a standing-room-only crowd as students, families and staff gathered to celebrate outstanding service and achievement across the district. The evening featured recognitions honoring community commitment, student creativity and exceptional academic and athletic accomplishment.

Elwood Middle School food pantry coordinator Christina Kerensky-DeSimone was honored for her extraordinary dedication and unwavering commitment to combating food insecurity within the community. The math teacher launched the pantry over five years ago, making a significant impact on the lives of many Elwood families.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Kerensky-DeSimone for embodying the spirit of service and for profoundly strengthening the welfare of our students and families,” Elwood Middle School Principal Dr. Christina Moran said. “Her legacy of compassion will continue to feed our community for years to come.”

Next, the Board recognized a remarkable total of 28 winners in the 2025-2026 PTA Reflections contest: Elizabeth Benavides, Ava Frank, Walidaad Malhi and Gianna Rosa from Elwood-John H. Glenn High School; Victoria Agrawal, Omar Asadullah, Erika Assimilalo, Cole Catbagan, Saachi Gandhi, Mia Giacalone, Lena Kougemitros, Harper-Sage Moran, Aria Pineda, Shayna Rand, Abby Zbytniewski and Ezra Zwang from Elwood Middle School; Kaia Abdulkhaleak, Jason Cabasso, Olivia Choi, Kyle Clancy, Isabella Dennis, Theresa Dorval, Charlotte Guild, Sadie Hasher, Stefano Larrauri, Logan Moran and Anna Scarola from James H. Boyd Intermediate School; and Island Abdulkhaleak from Harley Avenue Primary School.

Lastly, senior and ex officio student board member Peter Bell was honored for being named a News 12 Scholar-Athlete, a prestigious recognition that highlights students who excel both in the classroom and in athletics. A true leader in the John Glenn school community, Bell also serves as All-School president and maintains an outstanding 96.4 grade point average, a testament to his discipline and academic ability. On the field and on the mat, Bell is a cornerstone of John Glenn athletics, serving as captain of both the varsity soccer and wrestling teams, and a dedicated member of the varsity tennis team. His commitment to the Elwood community is further evidenced by his participation in the Teen Advisory Committee, marching band and clubs such as Natural Helpers and Freshman Buddies.

“This recognition is reserved for students who represent the balance between academic rigor, athletic dedication and community service,” Superintendent Dr. Gayle Steele said. “Peter’s impact on our district has been outstanding. He provides an essential voice to our district’s governance, representing his peers with maturity and insight. We congratulate Peter and the entire Bell family on his well-deserved honor.”

The News 12 segment on Bell is tentatively scheduled to air on Tuesday, Jan. 27.