Last week she had an unbelievable performance against Polo:
26 Pts
16 Reb
5 Steals
5 Assists
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Vote here: https://saukvalley.secondstreetapp.com/Sauk-Valley-Athlete-of-the-Week-Week-15-2025-26/gallery/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_SaukValleyMedia&fbclid=IwQ0xDSwOj9MZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEeZyrdQp5EHCXDE_6jwI_mCs1-ZM9tTXN6cUTeCN1P0FqRpm4ExN93dtQIJNw_aem_pOstFPY8GYhrxT8jDZwPvw
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Nole Campos.
1st Team
• Keaton Salsbury
• Tristan Smith Van Cura
2nd Team
• Ethan Reed
• Jakob Moser
• Ethan Peeling
• Jakobi Donegan
• Dawson Alcala
• Zayden Vandesand
Honorable Mention
• Zandyr Withers
• Jayden Berry
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Nole Campos.
Senior RJ Keene broke the Oregon High School dual match series all-time bowling record with a 795 series (247,290,258).
Congrats to him as he continues his great season!
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Nole Campos.
A huge congratulations to OJSHS Assistant Principal Shannon Cremeens for her nomination as Illinois Principals Association Northwest Region Assistant Principal of the Year! Shannon was selected among a pool of nominees throughout the entire Northwest Region of Lee, Ogle, Whiteside, Jo Davies, Stephenson, and Carroll Counties. We are grateful for Ms. Cremeens commitment to our students and staff. Please join is congratulating her on this tremendous accomplishment.
We want to thank our students, parents, and community members for helping create a positive environment at our school. We hope you enjoy a happy and relaxing holiday with your loved ones.
To Parents:
Thank you for your partnership and support. Your involvement truly makes a difference, and we deeply appreciate your dedication. Wishing you a joyful holiday with your loved ones.
To Students:
Your hard work and dedication make our school a better place. We appreciate your energy and the community you help create. Enjoy a restful and happy Thanksgiving break.
To Our Community:
Thank you to everyone who supports our school, whether by volunteering or cheering on our students. Your contributions are appreciated. We wish you a happy Thanksgiving!
FuNKY Friday
What Went On?
11/11- Basketball vs Byron
Our Junior High Boys Basketball ball team faced off against Byron on their home court. Here we have an image of the early action before game time.
FFA is out at the Christams tree farm gearing up for tree sales
Various Dates - One of our staff has a fantastic eye and captured some beautiful shots of the moon cresting the sky.
What's Coming Up?
Thanksgiving break next week! We each have so much to be thankful for. Without each of you we would not be here and are very thankful for the opportunity to serve whether it is our students, the teachers, the administration, the parents, or the community. We wanted to share a message from Ralph Waldo Emerson regarding Thanksgiving that expresses our thankfulness this year. .
Rest And Shelter
For each new morning with its light,
for rest and shelter of the night,
for health and food,
for love and friends,
for everything Thy goodness sends.
— Ralph Waldo Emerson
Our bowling and wrestling teams are going to be competing over the break and we wish them both luck in their competitions.
Holiday(s) Today: World Television Day
Daily Fact: Venus is the only planet to spin clockwise.
A big thank you to Ken and Brandon for adding extra coat hooks to accommodate the student needs at OES.
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Coen Schafer.
When do you need to stop for a school bus
You must stop for a school bus that is stopped and has its red flashing lights activated and the stop-arm (sign) extended.
You must stop before meeting or overtaking (passing) the bus.
Do not proceed until: the bus turns off its flashing lights, or the stop-arm is retracted
This recognition is a huge achievement — and our students were the only students in attendance at the event. Their talent, media skills, and hard work continue to shine!
Post originated by OCUSD Communcation Interns.
OJSHS is incredibly proud to recognize this year’s Illinois State Scholars—students who have demonstrated exceptional academic achievement and dedication throughout their high school careers. Your hard work, leadership, and commitment to excellence reflect the very best of OJSHS. This honor is a testament to countless hours of effort both inside and outside the classroom.
Please join us in celebrating our outstanding scholars! 🌟
Way to go, Hawks! 🦅📚
Meet Brandon Lands!
As a bus driver, I have the pleasure and responsibility of being both the first and last face many of our students see each school day. My primary goal is always safety—getting every student to their destination securely and on time. But beyond that, I see my role as part of something larger: helping students grow, creating a culture of improvement, and fostering a positive start and finish to their day.
Although I’ve only been in this role for one year, it’s already been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. I’ll never forget my “driver moment” during my first year. We were returning from a long day at a band and choral event when Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer” came on the bus radio. Just like the famous scene from Almost Famous, the students started singing along. Before long, everyone was belting out the lyrics together—laughing, smiling, and creating a memory that perfectly captured the sense of connection and joy that makes this job special. It was truly epic.
I like to stay involved in as many school activities and events as I can. Having been a wrestler, football player, and gymnast, I have a deep appreciation for a wide variety of sports and extracurriculars. I believe that these shared experiences—on the field, in the gym, or on the bus—help strengthen our community.
To our students, I want to say: Your life has a miraculous amount of potential, limited only by what you are willing to do today. And to our parents: Thank you for trusting us with your children and for partnering with us to provide the best environment possible for them to learn, grow, and thrive.
Of course, no one is perfect. A few things that test my patience are selfishness, the sound of people scraping silverware on their teeth, and chewing with one’s mouth open. But I try to approach every challenge with patience and humor.
Long before becoming a bus driver, I conducted research in nuclear medicine at Northwestern University—a project that was published and endorsed by the Society of Nuclear Medicine. You might not expect that background from meeting me, but as Donkey once said in Shrek, “You’ve got layers… like a cake.”
Outside of work, I’m a proud (and not-so-secret) nerd. I write and run a living Star Wars tabletop campaign that’s been going strong for nearly 30 years. I even own a full-sized set of Stormtrooper armor! I also have loved the experience of creating and running the men’s ministry on Tuesday nights from 7:00-9:00 each Tuesday night - Tuesday Night Tune Up (TnT) at Riverstone Christian Church. My biggest source of pride and joy though are definitely my sons Titus & Evander. They have developed into amazing young men and I look forward to the bright futures that they are building. Whether it’s gaming, hosting events, or spending time with loved ones, I love building worlds—real or imagined—that bring people together.
If I had to name a few favorites: my favorite movie is The Godfather, my favorite musicians are Jimi Hendrix, Frank Sinatra, and Marvin Gaye, and my favorite book is the Bible.
In the end, I strive to bring enthusiasm, curiosity, and care to everything I do—whether it’s behind the wheel, around the game table, or in the community. Driving a bus isn’t just about transportation—it’s about connection, growth, and being a small but meaningful part of something much bigger.
Holiday(s) Today: Marine Corps Birthday
Daily Fact: The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.
Wake Up World - Sunrises
As bus drivers and aides, we get a unique perspective on the world around us. Our days start early and often end late, and in between we handle everything from energetic toddlers to moody teenagers, from the excitement of big team wins to the heartbreak of tough losses.
We have the privilege of watching those little ones grow into young men and women. We’re there for the milestones the school dances, the good grades and the not-so-good ones, the friendships that form, grow, and sometimes drift apart. These experiences leave a lasting mark on us, reminding us how connected we are to the lives we help carry each day.
And through it all, we’re greeted most mornings with something special the beautiful sunrises that start our day. We wanted to share some of these moments with you, as a small way to give back for all the moments you share with us.
Holiday(s): Nurse Practitioner Day / National Pickle Day is tomorrow!
Fact of the Day: Baby rabbits are called kits.
The transportation department wants to take the opportunity to thank all of our military veterans on this auspicious day. In particular we want to thank a very valuable member of our team for his service to our country. Jeff Needham is the head of our training team here in transportation. He utilizes his experience in the military working with personnel to make sure our drivers and aides are set up for success.
Jeff Needham served in the United States Army for four years. His service time included time during Desert Storm. Throughout his service, he was stationed at many locations including Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, as well as Nuremberg, Germany, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma. His military specialty was in personnel, where he played an important role in managing and supporting fellow service members.
We are eternally grateful everyday for the sacrifices that every veteran has made to ensure our freedom and stability in this country. Jeff, we want to thank you in particular today for that service and honor you for your continued service to us, your students, and the community at large in your roles here.
The Heart of Transportation: A Journey with Liz Ludwig
For nearly a decade, Liz Ludwig has served as the Transportation Director for her school district, ensuring that every student arrives safely and on time each day. Her role, while often behind the scenes, is vital to the heartbeat of the school system. Liz manages the complex web of buses, routes, and staff that make student transportation possible—work that requires constant vigilance, adaptability, and compassion.
Liz’s journey with the district began nine years ago, first as a custodian for half a year and then as a bus driver for another year and a half before taking on her current role. These early experiences gave her a firsthand understanding of the hard work and dedication required in every position within the department. “The dedication and hard work of the drivers, aides, and secretary in this department is something I could never have fully appreciated until I became part of it,” she says.
Over the years, Liz has collected countless memorable moments—watching students grow, seeing the department evolve, and witnessing the daily teamwork that keeps the buses running. “No two days in transportation are ever the same,” she reflects. “That’s what keeps the work exciting and always keeps you on your toes.” The transportation department, she explains, is fast-paced and ever-changing. “Changes occur multiple times a day, and the flexibility required to keep everything running smoothly is unmatched.” Liz approaches it all with enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for her team.
Liz’s sense of adventure and adaptability stem from her unique upbringing. During her junior high years, she was homeschooled on the road, traveling across the United States with her family. Together, they explored national parks, volunteered with wildlife, and visited every state except Maine and Hawaii before she turned eighteen. Born in Florida, Liz later moved to Illinois at age twenty-three, where she met and married her husband, Jared. Today, they live in Oregon, raising their children and enjoying life’s many adventures together.
Outside of work, Liz finds joy in photography and riding motorcycles with her husband—activities that reflect her appreciation for both creativity and exploration.
From her early travels to her current leadership role, Liz Ludwig’s story is one of growth, commitment, and passion. Whether she’s managing routes or photographing a sunset, her journey reminds us that flexibility, teamwork, and heart are what truly keep things moving—both on the road and in life.
One thing her students hear every day? GRIT. She loves watching those “ah-ha” moments when hard work pays off.
Her favorite part of Oregon? The pride.
“In the nine years I’ve been here, the amount of pride has increased in every department. The community is more involved, and our school culture keeps getting better.”
If she could change one thing, it would be strengthening students’ confidence—academically and athletically. She wants Oregon kids to see that they can compete with anyone: “I’d love for our kids to see themselves as being just as strong in and out of the classroom as all the surrounding districts.”
Outside of school, she’s a “Passionate” mom of five and has spent years at sporting events and now likes to travel more with her family. Also, she strives to leave enough of an impact that former students come back to share what they’ve accomplished.
As she looks ahead, Mrs. Groharing is proud to keep building a culture of pride, GRIT, and community in Oregon. “This district is my second home—I will end my career here and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. ”
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Interns Coen Schafer and Nole Campos.
