New-Lenox-School-122.6

Liberty Musicians and Martino Runners Honored by School Board

February 3, 2026/
Spread the love

New Lenox School District 122 Board Meeting | December 16, 2025

Article Summary: The Board of Education recognized student athletes and musicians for their state-level achievements in cross country and music performance.

Student Recognition Key Points:

  • Martino 7th graders Ava Zartler and Ellie Hoff were honored for earning medals at the IESA State Cross Country Meet.

  • Liberty musicians Dominic Casey and Alaina DeBoer were recognized for their selection to the ILMEA State Festival.

  • The Liberty Jr. High Patriot Chorus and Allegro String Ensemble performed holiday selections.

Talented students took center stage at the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, as trustees honored accomplishments in both athletics and the arts.

The board recognized Martino Jr. High Cross Country team members Ava Zartler and Ellie Hoff for their performance at the IESA State Cross Country Meet held in Normal, Illinois, in October. Competing against runners from across the state, Zartler placed 20th and Hoff placed 22nd. Coaches praised the athletes for their drive, passion, and work ethic.

In the arts, the board honored Liberty Jr. High musicians Dominic Casey (percussion/band) and Alaina DeBoer (bass/orchestra). Both students were selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association (ILMEA) State-Level Band and Orchestra ensemble. They will travel to Peoria in January to participate in the ILMEA State Festival.

“The musicians auditioned alongside thousands of their peers from across Illinois where their performances received top ratings,” said Liberty Band Director Jennifer Clarke.

Prior to the business portion of the meeting, the Liberty Jr. High Patriot Chorus, Voices of Freedom, and Allegro String Ensemble performed holiday selections for the board and audience.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

WATCH: House committee debates D.C. crime after Trump emergency order

By Sarah Roderick-FitchThe Center Square For the first time since President Donald Trump declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C., district leaders squared off with congressional lawmakers regarding the government’s...
Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

Illinois quick hits: Unemployment down; Rivian supplier gets tax incentives

By The Center SquareThe Center Square Unemployment down The unemployment rate in Illinois has dropped to its lowest point since July 2023. The Illinois Department of Employment Security announced the...
Pritzker’s office ‘extremely troubled’ by photo with suspect ‘peacekeeper’

Pritzker’s office ‘extremely troubled’ by photo with suspect ‘peacekeeper’

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Officials from the governor’s office say they were “extremely troubled” to learn that a man that Gov....
Democrats' CR could cost up to $1.4 trillion, add millions to Obamacare plans

Democrats’ CR could cost up to $1.4 trillion, add millions to Obamacare plans

By Thérèse BoudreauxThe Center Square Democrats’ plan to prevent a government shutdown could cost the federal government up to $1.4 trillion and subsidize millions of new Obamacare recipients over the...
Treasury goes after fentanyl-producing Sinaloa Cartel faction

Treasury goes after fentanyl-producing Sinaloa Cartel faction

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Sinaloa Cartel faction Los Mayos, along with the leader of the faction's armed wing on Thursday. The...
Pritzker touts quantum future, state senator urges caution for taxpayers

Pritzker touts quantum future, state senator urges caution for taxpayers

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is touting Illinois as a destination for quantum computing companies, but a state senator...
Supreme Court sets oral arguments in tariff case

Supreme Court sets oral arguments in tariff case

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Supreme Court said Thursday it will hear arguments Nov. 5. in a case critical to a wide swath of President Donald Trump's economic agenda....
WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

WATCH: Pritzker on Kimmel suspension; SNAP error rate alarms; hemp regulations loom

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares Illinois Gov....
Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

Temporary Rockford Courthouse fence sparks debate over security and costs

By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – A temporary fence surrounding the federal courthouse in downtown Rockford, Illinois is drawing sharp criticism and...
Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

Illinois quick hits: Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker; more immigration arrests

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Report: Suspect pictured with Pritzker Less than a week before a smash-and-grab burglary led to a fatal wreck on Chicago’s Magnificent...
Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire

Illinois quick hits: Suspect in custody after state senator’s home struck with gunfire

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Suspect in custody after state senator's home struck with gunfire A suspect is in custody after two homes were damaged by...

WATCH: Governor candidate: Low-cost districts shine while most IL schools spend, fail

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – According to a Republican candidate for Illinois governor, schools in the state can succeed without spending big....

WATCH: Pritzker threatens executive action regulating hemp if legislature won’t act

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) − After previous attempts were unsuccessful, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says he may take executive action to address...

WATCH: Illinois congresswoman OK withholding federal tax funds to change state policy

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – An Illinois congresswoman says she’s OK with plans of withholding federal tax dollars from Illinois if it...
Chicago mayor: 'We do not have a spending problem' as spending, deficit grows

Chicago mayor: ‘We do not have a spending problem’ as spending, deficit grows

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Mayor Brandon Johnson says Chicago does not have a spending problem, even as city government spending soars...