2026 Inspire Awards
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Indian Prairie School District 204 Presents the 2026 Inspire Awards
The mission of Indian Prairie School District is to inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential. In alignment with that goal, the District 204 Board of Education recently presented its annual awards to honor four recipients who make a lasting, meaningful impact on our community.
The evening began with the Illuminate Award, which recognizes community members or organizations dedicated to supporting our schools. This year’s honor went to Rommel Bon, an IT professional for Indian Prairie whose impact on the Waubonsie Valley community goes far beyond his daily job. For over a decade, he has volunteered his free time to take photos of athletes, performers, and seniors completely free of charge. Spending hours on the sidelines and traveling to away games at his own expense, Rommel ensures that every student feels seen, valued, and included.
Next, the Impact Award was presented to a staff member who has made a significant difference in the lives of our students. The 2026 recipient is Jennifer Campen, the Student Services Coordinator at Longwood Elementary. She launched the "Longwood Walking Bus," a program where staff members meet students in the neighborhood to walk them safely to school. This simple initiative cut student absences by 50% and reduced late arrivals by a staggering 75%. Jennifer also created "Stay and Play" Fridays, bringing more than 100 parents into classrooms each month to strengthen the bond between school and home.
The Ignite Award was given to Neuqua Valley senior Kylie Tran. After moving from Mississippi in the eighth grade, Kylie showed incredible resilience and quickly adapted to a rigorous academic environment. Today, she serves as a Student Council officer, coordinates local outreach for the Interact club, plays varsity tennis, and actively participates in the Red Cross Club and PE Leaders. Her thoughtful compassion and integrity have made her a steady leader her peers naturally look up to.
The evening concluded with the district's most prestigious honor, the Inspire Award, given for exemplary service over a sustained period. This year’s recipient is the P3/PILAR Coalition, a partnership of African American and Black parent groups including PATHS (est. 2010), PAGES (est. 2013), and PACES (est. 2016). Together, they champion educational equity and empower families by sharing academic resources. Their incredible work includes Waubonsie Valley’s "Limitless Learning Lounge” which provides bi-monthly tutoring and free meals, monthly college-prep workshops, and an annual MLK Jr. Day of Service that brought together over 150 volunteers this year to support local shelters and hospitals.
Indian Prairie School District 204 extends its deepest gratitude to Rommel, Jennifer, Kylie, and the P3/PILAR Coalition. Their dedication is a true inspiration to us all.