4-WARD Newsletter

As a District, we love hearing about all of the extraordinary achievements our graduates have accomplished over the years, and D123 4-WARD gives us the opportunity to share these amazing alumni success stories with our community. This E-newsletter will be sent semiannually in May and December, and the 4-WARD submission form will remain open all year for D123 graduates to share their journeys post middle school graduation.

Thank you to all who submitted your stories to D123 4-WARD. It was a pleasure to read all the submissions. We are so proud of our alumni and the variety of paths they have taken to success. From becoming a zookeeper to graduating with a Nursing degree, D123 alumni are prepared to take on tomorrow's world.

Elementary School: Covington Elementary School

Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

High School: Oak Lawn Community High School

College: Ball State University

After graduating from Oak Lawn Community High School, Kristyn Oliver studied biology at Ball State University, where she learned all the different career options for someone with a degree in biology. She knew she wanted to go the animal route because of her deep love for wildlife. This led Oliver to her current career as a zookeeper. She is making a difference in her community by educating the public on the world's vanishing species and showing them what they can do to help. She has worked with lions, tigers, bears, giraffes, and many more species, a large handful of which are endangered or critically endangered. She provides the day-to-day care for these animals and ensures their physical and mental needs are met.

“There is nothing more satisfying in my life than being able to see the bond I make with the animals I work with and teaching the public something new and what they can do to help save the animals on our planet.”

-Kristyn Oliver

One of her favorite OLHMS memories is the 6th-grade field trip to the Brookfield Zoo, which sparked her love for animals and inspired her career choice.

Elementary School: Sward Elementary School

Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

High School: Marist High School

College: UW-Platteville, Bradley University, University of Illinois Chicago

Throughout his college career, Henry Keller proudly improved his GPA from a 2.5 after his second year to completing his undergraduate degree with a 3.5 and then finishing graduate school with a 4.0. After graduating with a Master’s, Keller received a job offer from one of his dream employers and is currently working with Hartgrove Behavioral Health Hospital as an Emergency Services Counselor. He conducts level-of-care assessments on all patients entering the hospitals and provides a clinical summary to the on-call psychiatrist. Keller was inspired to pursue a career in Social Work after being cared for by a former District 123 social worker during his cancer treatment in 2012.

“My favorite memory from D123 was how the entire district rallied around me after my cancer diagnosis to do everything they could and more to support not only me but my family as well.”

-Henry Keller

After her membership in the SADD club at OLHMS, Medina became the Social Media Manager of the SADD Club at Oak Lawn Community High School. While at OLHMS, she met lifelong friends and will never forget the amazing teachers she had at District 123. Specifically, she remembers Mrs. Ogean from 6th-grade math and advisory.

“I never considered myself to be good at math and struggled at first, but Mrs. Ogean took the time to explain the concepts in a way that made sense to me. I have definitely used my math skills every day as a nurse!”

-Mia Medina

Elementary School: Hannum Elementary School

Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

High School: Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School

College: Trinity Christian College

At Mother McAuley, Kera Hampton was a part of many clubs and organizations such as Student Ambassadors, Science Club, Cross Country, National Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society. She loved being a part of the National Art Honor Society because she created artwork for others to see and brought smiles to people’s faces. One proud moment was when she showcased her talent in the Mother McAuley Artapalooza. As a Student Ambassador, she welcomed new students to Mother McAuley, enhancing her communication skills in a leadership role. Hampton was also on the A and B Honor Roll each year of high school. At Trinity Christian College, she is building friendships and furthering her goal of becoming a Food Scientist. Science and art are a huge part of Hampton’s life and she’s excited to share that with the world.

Reflecting on her time at D123, she remembers running as a big part of her early years at Hannum Elementary, and eventually joining the Cross Country team at OLHMS. She carried a love for the hobby in high school as part of the Cross Country team at Mother McAuley.

Elementary School: Sward Elementary School

Middle School: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School

High School: Hamilton High School in Arizona

Jasper Koll was in the band program at District 123 and has continued with the band program at Hamilton High School in Arizona. Koll is most proud of being able to experience multiple different perspectives and views from people around the world. Koll plans to attend Arizona State University after high school graduation.

“I was able to join a band program and better myself, having a background in a unique instrument due to the amazing teachers and being able to turn it into a loving hobby.”

-Jasper Koll

Koll’s favorite memory from District 123 was competing and performing alongside others in the band program and making friends.

Share your journey with us by completing this form for your chance to be featured in the next D123 4-WARD E-newsletter. Don't forget to submit a photo to 4ward@d123.org.