Zach Freeman ’07 was named principal at Bloomington District 87’s Washington Elementary School in March 2021. Zach served as a fifth-grade teacher at Washington from 2010-21. He most recently served as an instructional coach at Stevenson Elementary, another district school. He will succeed Jeff Lockenvitz ’84, who is retiring as Washington’s principal after a 37-year career in education.
Kate Tombaugh ’07 will join the Illinois Symphony Chamber Orchestra and the IWU Collegiate Choir for a concert of John Coriglano’s Fern Hill at Bloomington’s Second Presbyterian Church. The concert is Saturday, February 19th, 2022.
Adam Dickens ’07 is the owner of Dickens Candles, a company he founded in 2016 that produces sustainable, handmade candles. Founded while Adam was working full-time as a marketing manager, the company grew and Adam made the leap from his marketing job to become a full-time entrepreneur, candle maker and dad. Based in Elmhurst, Illinois, Dickens Candles are hand-poured candles in upcycled bottles. With an emphasis on sustainability, the candles are made with 100% renewable American-grown soy wax and cotton wicks, and then shipped in reused packaging paper with biodegradable packing peanuts and plant-based tape. Dickens Candles, which are sold in independent shops and in an online storefront (DickensCandles.com), were featured recently on Chicago’s WGN Radio. You can find the interview and video here.
Congratulations to Brianna Baker for being inducted into Rantoul’s athletic Hall of Fame class. She was one of 4 inducted into the 38th Hall of Fame class. You can read more about it here.
Kate Tombaugh ’07, Founder & Executive Director of Poco a Poco, coordinates the organization’s annual Summer Music Fest and training program for Young Artists. 2021 marks their fifth year with several planned events to take place both virtually and in her hometown Streator’s City Park in June. Check it out here!