02/25/2025

Indian Prairie School District 204 is proud to announce the winners of its first annual School Safety Contest, themed “Safe Schools Start with Us.” The contest aimed to raise awareness about the importance of school safety by encouraging students to submit posters, digital designs, and public service announcements (PSAs) that highlight ways to prevent threats, report concerns, and foster a safe learning environment.

The district received submissions from over 200 students ranging from preschool through grade 12. A panel of judges evaluated submissions based on creativity, message clarity, and impact.

The winners of the School Safety Contest are:

Elementary School and Early Childhood

First Place: Aria Ortega – Grade 1, Cowlishaw Elementary (View Entry Here)
Second Place: Arnav Kathuria – Grade 5, Owen Elementary (View Entry Here)
Third Place: Rajat Thakur – Grade 2, Brookdale Elementary (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Sriyan Kantamneni – Grade 3, Brookdale Elementary (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Ananya Shaoo – Grade 3, Watts Elementary (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Medhansh Nair – Kindergarten, Peterson Elementary (View Entry Here)

Middle School

First Place: Dillan Wind and Caden Siears – Grade 8, Hill Middle School (View Entry Here)
Second Place: Evalynn Colin – Grade 7, Fischer Middle School (View Entry Here)
Third Place: Isabella Boynton – Grade 6, Hill Middle School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Aditya Ranjan, Daksh Srivastava, Maksym Samoiliuk, Dylan Gargas, Rushil Sarda – Grade 8, Hill Middle School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Girivar Mundhra – Grade 6, Granger Middle School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Abigail Kommu – Grade 6, Hill Middle School (View Entry Here)

High School and STEPS

First Place: Michelle Cano, Jackson Denius, William Bannon – Grade 11, Waubonsie Valley High School (View Entry Here)
Second Place: Aleeza Fawad – Grade 9, Neuqua Valley High School (View Entry Here)
Third Place: Sam Stecklein – Grade 12, Neuqua Valley High School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Keira Cowan – Grade 12, Neuqua Valley High School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Maria Argueta Gonzalez – Grade 11, Waubonsie Valley High School (View Entry Here)
Honorable Mention: Andrea Davalos – Grade 12, Waubonsie Valley High School (View Entry Here)

Winners were recognized at the Board of Education Meeting on Monday, February 24, 2025, where they received prizes for their outstanding safety contest submissions. Rival5 sponsored the contest and their CEO, Tony Brncich, gave away $3,000 in prizes to the winners. First-place winners at each level were awarded a $500 Amazon gift card, with additional prizes distributed to finalists.

Winning entries will be featured on the district’s website and social media channels to help spread awareness about school safety and the impact students can make.

View the Safety Contest Award Presentation here.

For more information about the School Safety Contest, visit www.ipsd.org/safetycontest.