March 20, 2023

The U-46 Board of Education will honor Bartlett High School sophomore Emma Engels on Monday for being named champion at the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) girls wrestling finals.

Emma won the 100-pound championship match of the girls wrestling state meet in Bloomington on Feb. 25. She had only one defeat against a female wrestler all season — and that was the student-athlete she beat to become the state champion. Emma also wrestled with Bartlett High School’s boys team this season. 

Emma started wrestling in the 4th grade, and she also plays softball.

“I enjoy the hard work and the challenge of wrestling,” said Emma, adding that her victory didn’t really sink in until she returned home. The night of her win, she had a police escort to Bartlett High School where a cheering crowd was waiting for her. 

Also Monday, the Board will honor seven educators who have recently renewed their National Board Certification. 

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards oversees the process for National Board Certification, the highest credential in the teaching profession. The initial certification can take a teacher one to three years to complete; a teacher must go through a process to maintain their certificate every five years to keep it active. 

The seven educators maintaining their certification are: 

Meagen Balzer - English and Academy Teacher at Streamwood High School 

Christine Bowen - Math Teacher at South Elgin High School 

Nicole Fernstrom - English Teacher at Streamwood High School 

Caridad Garcia - Assistant Principal at Creekside Elementary School 

Dr. Anna McEvilly - Social Studies and AVID Teacher at Canton Middle School 

Laura Ocampo - ELL - Language Arts Teacher at Ellis Middle School 

Kim Stancl- School of Rigor & Equity Instructional Coach at Creekside Elementary School 

The Board of Education will recognize Emma and the educators with “Accent on Achievement” certificates at 7 p.m. Monday, March 20, in room 140 at the Educational Services Center. The U-46 Board of Education meeting will also be streamed live on the District’s YouTube channel.