Joliet Central students excel at Illinois Design and Educators Association competition

The Joliet Township High School District 204 Board Meeting held on May 20, 2025, featured a series of student recognitions and achievements, highlighting the accomplishments of students in various technical and engineering competitions.

The meeting commenced with the acknowledgment of students who excelled in the Technical Drafting category. Osiel Lara secured second place, while Juan Rosiles followed closely in third. Tyler Rowlands also earned third place in the welding individual category. The audience was invited to applaud these students for their achievements.

Dale West, a teacher at Joliet Central High School, took the stage to recognize students who participated in the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) Drafting and Design Regional Competition held on March 7 at Joliet Junior College. West noted that students competed in multiple divisions, including Intro to CAD and 3D CAD modeling, tackling industry-related problems within a two-hour timeframe. He praised the students for their dedication and hard work, which included extensive practice sessions.

The results from the competition were announced, with Ellen Munoz placing third in 3D CAD modeling, Juan Rosiles also placing third in 2D Machine CAD, and Osiel Lara achieving second place in 3D Machine CAD, qualifying for the state competition. Atlas Ritchie excelled by placing first in Intro to CAD and also advanced to the state level. The state competition took place at Illinois State University on April 12, where Lara again placed second in 3D Machine CAD. West commended Lara for his passion for engineering and leadership within the STEM club.

Further recognition was given to students participating in a safety poster contest organized by the 3 Rivers Manufacturing Association. This competition allowed students of all skill levels to demonstrate their understanding of workplace safety through various media. Winners from both Joliet Central and Joliet West were announced, with Maya Ellis recognized as the grand prize winner, alongside several other students who received awards and prizes.

The meeting concluded with a call for staff members who supported the students in these competitions to come forward for recognition. Certificates and prizes were promised to be distributed during a break, ensuring that students left with tangible acknowledgments of their hard work.

Overall, the meeting underscored the district's commitment to fostering student achievement in technical fields and provided a platform for celebrating their successes.