Lewistown Community Unit School District #97

Happy National Girls and Women in Sports Day!

Athletics and competition are proven to enhance the lives of our student-athletes. Studies show that 94% of women in C-suite positions played sports when they were younger. 91% of women in leadership positions believe their activity in sports was crucial to their professional success.

Parents of Lewistown students:
Please consider providing the district with your feedback by taking the survey found at the link provided. Survey data is included on the Illinois School Report Card. Your feedback helps drive our educational decision making, and allows us to provide the best possible education for our students. The survey is open until March 13th, 2026.

http://survey.5-essentials.org/illinois/survey/parent/

Carter Sours and Joley McLaughlin were recently selected to the Illinois Athletic Directors Association All State Team. To be selected, team members must be seniors, participate in at least two IHSA activities, and must exemplify excellence not only athletics, but also leadership, academics, and community service.

These two will be recognized at the General Session of the IADA Conference in March where they will be presented with medals for their achievements.

Congratulations, Carter and Joley

In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize Lewistown CUSD #97 School Board President Dale Shaeffer who has served on the board since 2013. Dale is a 1985 graduate of Lewistown Community High School and works as Assistant Operations Manager at Fulton FS. He lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Lori. Dale’s two daughters, Courtney and Sydney, are both graduates of Lewistown High School and he has one grandson, Leo, who attends Lewistown Elementary. In his spare time Dale enjoys helping coach & referee volleyball, lazy days around the house, spending time with family, and he is a member of Temple Baptist Church. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

The HS BBB team pulled out a gutsy OT win in Cuba tonight to bring the Coal Trophy back where it belongs!

Scott Shaeffer was elected to serve on the Lewistown Community Unit School District #97 Board of Education in April 2025. Scott is a 2007 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He resides in rural Lewistown with his wife, Kacie, and their two children, Kredin and Klaudie. Scott is employed at Sister Creek Farms, where he has been farming for 17 years. He has been actively involved in youth athletics for several years, including serving as a coach for 5th and 6th grade boys’ basketball at Lewistown Elementary for three years. In addition, he has coached biddy basketball and currently coaches the 10U LVC travel baseball team. Scott also serves as a board member for the LVC JFL football program and is a member of Temple Baptist Church. He has participated in the St. Jude Lewistown to Peoria Run for five years. In his free time, Scott enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, and practicing sports with his children. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

The Elementary Star Students for January were recognized for their outstanding behavior, positive attitudes, and compassionate hearts. These students have consistently demonstrated kindness towards fellow students and staff. We also honored our amazing school nurse, Angie Downing, for her unwavering kindness toward our school community. Congratulations to all who were recognized! Pictured left to right: Boe Frese, Trinity Spotloe, Hansen Howerter, Julianna Snider, Nurse Angie Downing, Eleanor Hines, and Lilli Edward’s.

On Friday, January 30th, Central School proudly recognized our January Star Students for their outstanding behavior, positive attitudes, and compassionate hearts. These students have consistently demonstrated kindness towards fellow students and staff at Lewistown Central throughout the school year. We also honored our amazing school nurse, Angie Downing, for her unwavering kindness toward our school community. Congratulations to all who were recognized!

Pictured left to right: Knox Braun, Xavier Crosetto, Paisley Garber, Angie Downing, Karsen Palmer, Cooper Gilmore, Amelia Reyes

The HS BBB team travels to Cuba tonight to take on the North Fulton Wildcats in a battle for the Coal Trophy. Checkout the extra action at tonight's game including Build You Own Taco Bowl.

If you cannot make it you can find the live stream here- https://youtube.com/live/Do5WZpfM9Bo?feature=share

WEAR YOUR CAMO TOMORROW!!!

In honor of School Board Recognition Month, we are proud to recognize Mark Smith for his 11 years of dedicated service to our school board. Mark was a member of the 1993 State Champion Baseball team and is a 1994 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He went on to become an All-American baseball player in junior college before transferring to Eastern Illinois University and earning his BS from Western Illinois University.
Mark lives in Lewistown with his wife, Dawn, and their daughters, Avery and Landry. He has more than 20 years of experience in healthcare and currently serves as U.S. General Manager overseeing urology, oncology, and men’s health.
A committed community leader with deep local roots, Mark brings both professional expertise and passion for service to the board. In his free time, he enjoys time with his family, sporting events, and concerts. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

The Lewistown HS GBB team takes on Canton tonight with the JV starting at 6:00pm. There are a variety of things going on at the game. Tonight is Teacher Appreciation Night. Varsity girls and their teachers will be introduced between games. The team is still collecting donations for the Crisis Center. There will be a table to drop off items at the entrance. The book Illustrious featuring Lewistown and Canton will be for sale as well. Only $30 while supplies last. We only have 20 copies left.

In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize Lewistown School Board Secretary Scott Cripe who has served on the board for 13 years. Scott is a graduate of Astoria High School and Western Illinois University. Scott lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Amanda. His three children, Lydia, Charlie, and Adah all graduated from Lewistown Community High School. Involved in the agriculture industry his whole life, Scott works as a Market Advisor for Western Grain Marketing. Scott enjoys hunting & fishing in his spare time and is a die-hard fan of the St Louis Cardinals, Chicago Bears and the Fighting Illini. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize board member Josh Miller who has served on the board since April of 2025. Josh is a 1996 graduate of Lewistown Community High School. He lives in rural Lewistown with his wife Candi and their son Zack. Josh is employed as the Director of Field Operations at Aupperle Construction in Morton, Illinois. Josh has over 30 years of experience in the construction industry directing on site operations, ensuring safety compliance, and maintaining high quality standards. In his free time, Josh enjoys hunting and assists his wife with 4-H activities for the Busy Bee Club. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

The HS GBB team got a 42-33 win over Illini West last night. The girls are now 12-10 on the year. Stats follow-

Carsyn Braun 9pt 6rb 3ast
Vanessa Yurkovich 7pt2rb 1ast
Grace Bonney 7pt 4rb 2ast 3st
Addison Roddis 7pt 6rb 1ast
Joley McLaughlin 7pt 6rb 1ast 1st
Sam Bonney 5pt 2rb 3ast 4st
Jade Belless 6rb 1st

The JH VB teams played in Rushville last night. The 7th lost in 3 sets while the 8th lost in 2. 7th grade is currently 5-2. The 8th grade is currently 4-4. Stats follow-

7th-
Kills- Nicole Ross 5, Addie Butler 4
Digs- Butler 6, Ross 5
Aces- Hadley Shelby 3
Assists- Lynlee Miller 6, Shelby 4
Blocks- Hope Tarvin, Ross, Miller- 1
Service Points- Butler 10, Brooklyn Nebergall 4

8th-
Kills Graceland Flaharty 3, Makayla Keime 3
Digs- Keime 5, Jenna Miller 3
Ace- Jianna Porter 2
Assists- Shelby 5, Porter 2
Service Points- Keime 7, Porter 4

In honor of School Board Recognition month, we would like to recognize the dedicated individuals who tirelessly serve our community as board members. Elaine Stone is Vice President of the Lewistown CUSD #97 Board of Education and has served on the board for 9 years. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Agriculture, and a native of Litchfield, IL Elaine has lived in Lewistown since 1992. She is married to Jeff Stone, a parent of Justin (Cassie) and Tysin Stone, and grandparent to Cameron and Regan Stone. Elaine is the Executive Director of the Fulton County Farm Bureau. She currently serves the community as secretary of the Spoon River Partnership for Economic Development, and secretary of the Fulton County 911 Board. Elaine serves as Trustee for the Fulton County Housing Authority and is a member of St Mary’s Catholic Church. In her spare time Elaine enjoys camping and horseback riding. Thank you for your dedication and service to the students, staff, and community of Lewistown Schools.

This is a reminder that Lewistown Schools will dismiss early on Friday, January 30th for school improvement planning and staff training. All high school students and early bus riders will dismiss at 11:15am, Central/Elementary walking and pick-up students will be dismissed at 11:20am, and the Central/Elementary buses will dismiss at 11:30am.

The HS GBB team played Brimfield on Thursday night. They came away with a 56-23 victory which pushed their record to 11-10 overall and 3-0 in the Prairieland North Conference. The team is back in action tonight against Illini West in Lewistown. Stats from Brimfield follow-

Carsyn Braun 26pt 3rb 2ast 3st
Grace Bonney 7pt 3rb 2ast 3st
Joley McLaughlin 5pt 10rb 4st
Addison Roddis 5pt 6rb 3ast 2st
Ireland Lowrance 4pt 3rb 1ast
Jade Belless 3pt 3rb 1st
Sam Bonney 2pt 2ast 2st
Vanessa Yurkovich 2pt 2rb 1st
Cora Connolly 1rb
Faith Tarvin 3rb 1ast