We are proud to announce that 6 of our seniors have received awards from College Board's National Recognition Program!
The program is designed to shine a light on high-achieving students nationwide across all backgrounds. By claiming a National Recognition Program award(s), eligible students have a tangible way to stand out to colleges and celebrate their academic achievements with their communities. The program also serves as a valuable tool for higher education members seeking to connect with remarkable students across the country, including students from lesser-known high schools.
With that, we are ecstatic to recognize Jackson Messenger, Evelyn Mullen, Leland Howard, Caleb Ehrler, Aralin McLain, and Lux Tran for their hard work and achievement.
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Nole Campos
Due to being short staffed OJSHS students who ride the Rabbit bus home on Wednesdays will be riding the Bear bus home tonight. We appreciate your patience and apologize for any confusion this may cause.
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Post Created by OCUSD Communication Intern Virginia Sowl
What's Up Wednesday: The Wonderful World of WACC
Oregon High School students have an amazing opportunity to partner with WACC (The Whiteside Area Career Center) to be able to make themselves extremely marketable in the workplace. Juniors & Seniors can participate in programs such as:
Allied Health
Potential Phlebotomy Certification
Automotive Technology
Building & Construction Trades
CEO (Creating Entrepreneurial Opportunities)
Computer Technology
Cosmetology
Criminal Justice
Culinary Arts
Digital Media Arts
Early Childhood Education
Health Occupations-CNA
Welding, Machining and Manufacturing Technology
These students are really set up for success in these careers and are able to get a jumpstart on their lives as they are attending schooling. We as a transportation department get to partner with these students and to take them to and form Whiteside each day of the school week. We are very proud of these students and look forward to seeing them into their successful futures!
Come check out your Hawks this week!
Oregon Junior/Senior High School is thrilled to announce Coach Abby Baker as our next Head Varsity Softball Coach. We are excited for Coach Baker to join our team and for the continued development of our softball program.
A message from Coach Baker: My name is Abby Baker, and I am excited to be the Varsity Softball Coach at OJSHS. I have been a part of Oregon Softball for the past three years, helping as an assistant coach at both the JV and Varsity levels. I am a life-long Mt. Morris/Oregon resident and attended Oregon schools, where I played varsity softball all four years, as well as travel softball in the summer. When I am not coaching, I work as a speech-language pathologist for the Ogle County Educational Cooperative (OCEC) in Rochelle. In my free time, I enjoy hiking, camping, working in my yard, and playing with my two cats, Willow and Olive. I am looking forward to the start of the season and appreciate all the coaches and athletes who have come before me and built Oregon Softball into a strong program!
An introduction to our staff and discover fun facts!
Anna Van Dyck is the Administrative Assistant and Transportation Secretary, where she plays a vital role in supporting the transportation department. Her responsibilities include assisting administration, answering calls, routing students, and creating ID cards for both district students and employees.
With 1.5 years in transportation and a total of 4.5 years within the district, Anna has worked in three different departments, noting that transportation is the most fast-paced due to constantly changing routes and schedules.
While she doesn’t go on trips as a secretary, she deeply appreciates the hard work and dedication of the drivers—the first to arrive and the last to leave, working weekends, holiday weeks, and even when they’re unwell. She also expresses gratitude for the patience shown by parents.
One of the challenges she faces includes dealing with unclaimed lost-and-found items. Outside of work, Anna enjoys crafting, building a dollhouse, and singing. She has even taken a memorable road trip from Fairbanks, Alaska to Byron, Illinois.
Her favorite movies are Christmas-themed, and she enjoys a wide variety of music, though she admits she doesn’t read enough to name a favorite book.
Anna’s pride and joy though are her grandchildren. She makes sure to spoil them at every opportunity she gets.
Holiday(s) Today: National Homemaker Day / National Sandwich Day
Daily Fact: The Ancient Romans used to drop a piece of toast into their wine for good health. Hence why we "raise a toast."
What Went On?
10/21 - Kindergarten to Pinecrest
Our kindergarten students have the fantastic chance to bond and get to know some of our retired neighbors in the area when they visit Pinecrest. We aren’t sure who enjoys these trips more - the kids or the residents they visit with
10/22/2025 - Trunk or Treat
The transportation was able to participate in the schools’ Trunk or Treat and they relay knocked it out with a fun game for the kids to play and sporting costumes of custom made t-shirts with many of the Toy Story characters you know and love. The game allowed the students to win a full sized candy bar each time the game was played (think a super cool candy driven cake walk).
10/24 - 2nd Grade to Illinois Railway Museum
We had the opportunity to transport and escort our 2nd grade classes to the Illinois Railway Museum. I can promise you some of us had even more fun than some of the kids (we are all looking at you Jeff)!
What’s Coming Up?
Basketball season is under way, IHSA Regionals Girls Volleyball, IHSA Sectionals for Cross Country, & IHSA playoffs for Football!
Holiday(s) Today: Freaky Friday / Halloween!
Daily Fact: The record for most pumpkins smashed in one minute is 52 (Billy Corgin would be proud).
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Virginia Sowl
An introduction to our staff and discover fun facts!
Zach VanVelzer is the Co-Transportation Director and a mechanic, responsible for the overall management, operation, and coordination of the school district’s transportation department.
In addition to overseeing daily transportation logistics, he ensures the proper maintenance and care of the school fleet.
With 15 years of experience in the field, Zach brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to his role. Outside of work, he is a car enthusiast who enjoys attending car shows, exploring various forms of art, and has a wide range of other interests that are simply too many to list.
Though Zach is too humble himself to want to admit it he is a marvelous mechanic who has spent countless hours pursuing his passion of working on, modifying, and beautifying his vehicles. Two of Zach’s Babies (‘Both As of Yet UnNamed’ a 2009 White Hot Pontiac G8-Gt with Carbon Fiber Cowl Induction Hood & a 2000 Chevy S10 Xtreme with Air Ride Suspension) are presented below.
Holiday(s) Today: National Mentoring Day
Daily Fact: It's illegal to own just one guinea pig in Switzerland.
Zach Van Velzer
FuNKY Friday: (Fun New Knowledge for You)
What Went On?
10/17 - Concessions at Friday Night Football
The transportation team took over the concession stand at the football game. We raised money for families in need in this service opportunity (this was done without pay and a joyful experience).
10/18 - Cross Country Big Northern Conference Meet
We were able to take the Cross Country team to the Big Northern Conference Meet for a really tough course and hard running. This weekend we took a focus often forgotten - the fantastic support of our coaches to our athletes. It was wonderful to see Coach Gabe Poser really get into the race and encourage his runners onto fantastic achievements.
10/21 - Oregon Teacher Joins Teach Plus Illinois Fellowship to Advocate for Early Education
From My Stateline:
A statewide fellowship has given an Oregon elementary teacher the chance to advocate for early education across the state.
“I knew I wanted to teach kindergarten. I bring in these little five-year-olds that can barely stand in a line, and by the end of the year, they are reading and doing math facts,” said Cynthia Kilmer.
Kilmer has taught at Oregon Elementary School for the last eight years. In April, she applied for a state-level leadership following in the summer. By fall, she started her Teach Plus Illinois Early Educator Policy Fellowship, a program that allows teachers working to improve Illinois education.
“I didn’t realize until it’s all typed out, I didn’t realize how much I’ve done over the years. I was really excited that I got chosen for this year because that told me this is my time. This is my time to speak up. This is my time to use my voice and to be a representative,” explained Kilmer.
Congratulations to Cynthia Kilmer!!!
What’s Coming Up?
Cheerleading, Trains, & Marching!
Holiday(s) Today: National Bologna Day
Daily Fact: Mellifluous' is a sound that is pleasingly smooth and musical to hear.
(i.e. The marching band will make a mellifluous melody managing to master the musical arts in Macomb.)
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Nole Campos
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Emma Eckerd
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and appreciate your patience while our vendor worked to resolve the issue.
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Coen Schafer
The Hawks pulled in a win against Winnebago last Friday. Go Hawks!
Post originated by OCUSD Communications Intern Virginia Sowl
Check out This Week in Hawk Sports!
Post originated by OCUSD Communication Intern Virginia Sowl
