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Board honors student performers and recognizes retiring Columbus East principal
Summary
The board recognized student achievements in music and robotics, presented certificates to All-State and ILMEA participants, and Superintendent Dr. Calderin publicly thanked Columbus East Principal Donata Heppner, announcing her retirement at the end of the year.
The Cicero School District 99 Board recognized student and staff accomplishments during the March 11 meeting, including All-State and district music festival participants and top finishers at the Michigan SeaPerch regional robotics competition.
Dr. Calderin introduced Columbus East Principal Donata Heppner and Assistant Principal Jeanne Tanaka and invited Band Teacher Joshua Lopez and selected students to perform. After the presentation, Dr. Calderin acknowledged that Heppner will retire at the end of the school year and offered public thanks for her service: "Ms. Heppner is the best principal in the district and she will be immensely missed," he said.
The board presented certificates to four Goodwin School students who participated in the Elementary All-State Chorus in Peoria and to four students who performed at the ILMEA District 1 Festival. Dr. Calderin also announced Unity's Underwater Robotics (SeaPerch) teams placed first and second at the Michigan regional competition on Feb. 28, 2026, and qualified for the 2026 SeaPerch International Challenge at the University of Maryland; Ms. Katherine Mascheri was introduced and students received certificates.
A Columbus East teacher, Marissa McDonald, offered public comment praising Ms. Mascheri's planning and care for students during the trip and asked the audience to give her another round of applause.
