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Granite City, Ill., February 5, 2026 – Granite City Elks Lodge #1063 recognized Granite City High School seniors Santiago Huerta and Katelynn Strubelt as Students of the Month for January.

The Elks Student of the Month Program is designed to recognize outstanding young men and women for achievements in school and community life-fine arts, hobbies, athletics, church, school, club and community service, industry and farming.

Nominees are judged on multiple achievements including leadership skills, good moral character, community involvement, extracurricular activities, honors and award and scholastic ability.

Each student receives a $100 U.S. savings bond and an Elks certificate of achievement.

SANTIAGO HUERTA
Student Council … Foreign Language Club Vice President … Volleyball … Thespian Society … National Honor Society … Renaissance … Speech Team … Varsity Club … Science Club … Saturday Scholars … Son of Octavio Huerta.

KATELYNN STRUBELT
Science Club … Renaissance … Photography Club President … National Honor Society … Foreign Language Club … Job Shadow … Saturday Scholars … Renaissance Top Ten … Secondary Honors … High Honor Roll … Daughter of Scott Strubelt and Wendy Denson.

For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net.

Granite City, Ill., February 3, 2026 – The Rotary Club of Granite City recognized juniors Alexa Clark and Baylee Fischer as Students of the Month for January.

Students were nominated by teachers, and were chosen on the basis of academics, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and civic honors and awards, and organization membership and leadership.

Each honoree will receive a framed certificate and a gift card, and will be recognized at the Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast on March 24, 2026.

ALEXA CLARK
Secondary Honors … Renaissance Top Ten … Saturday Scholars … JV Girl’s Volleyball MVP … Renaissance Club … Student Council … Relleke Farm Volunteer … Youth Volleyball Camp Volunteer … Thanksgiving/Christmas baskets … Daughter of Robert and Welie Clark. 

BAYLEE FISCHER
Secondary Honors … Honor Roll …  Varsity Club … Thespian Society … Renaissance Club … Band Awards … Youth group Volunteer … Summer reading event volunteer … Working Warriors … Daughter of Corey and Alyson Fischer.

For more information about Granite City School District #9, visit www.gcsd9.net.

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Marsela Luna!

Ms. Luna is an ELL teacher at Grigsby and Maryville Elementary Schools. She has been part of the Granite City School District for five years and previously served students at Coolidge Junior High School and Frohardt Elementary School.

Where did you go to school?
I received my bachelor’s degree in History at Eastern Illinois University. Then I went back to get my Elementary teacher certificate at SIUE. Lastly, I earned my ESL endorsement at Aurora University. I will be working on my master’s soon.

What inspired you to become an ESL teacher?
I actually had no plans of becoming an ESL teacher when I first started college. It wasn’t until I was given the opportunity to be a long-term sub as an ESL teacher that I knew this type of position even existed. The moment I knew I needed to be an ESL teacher was when I gave a 4th-grade Spanish-speaking student from Mexico a piece of Mexican candy and a Spanish book. It brought tears to the student’s eyes.

What’s your favorite part of teaching in two languages?
When I am using the little bit of Spanish I know, it is fun to have the students teach me more Spanish. It becomes this two-way street of I’ll teach you English and you’ll teach me Spanish. The students love it.

Why is bilingual education important today?
Definitely in today’s world, being a multilingual teacher is muy importante (very important). Not only is there a rise in the population of students who are multilingual, but there is also a demand for students’ culture to be known. My job is more than teaching students English. I also prioritize making students’ culture present throughout the school.

What is your favorite memory while working in GCSD9?
There is no such thing as one favorite memory—any memory that makes one of my students smile. My annual Uno Championship, watching the World Cup between classes, Peanut Butter and Jelly writing, and having Bengie Molina and Polo Ascencio, the Spanish broadcasters for the Cardinals, are all fun activities that always create great memories.

Hobbies?
Doing fun things with my son, Lorenzo. I love to travel, mostly to the beaches in Florida. I also love spending time with family and friends.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net

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Cada semana, durante el año escolar 2025-26, el Distrito Escolar GCSD9 destacará a un miembro del personal que se esfuerza al máximo para brindar a los estudiantes una experiencia positiva.

¡ La Sra. Luna es profesora de inglés como segundo idioma en las escuelas primarias Grigsby y Maryville. Ha formado parte del Distrito Escolar de Granite City durante cinco años y anteriormente trabajó con estudiantes en la escuela secundaria Coolidge Junior High School y en la escuela primaria Frohardt.

Cuánto tiempo llevas trabajando en GCSD9?
5 años, empecé en Coolidge y Frohardt en 2021.

Dónde estudiaste y qué títulos tienes?
Obtuve mi licenciatura en Historia en la Universidad Eastern Illinois. Luego regresé para obtener mi certificado de maestra de primaria en SIUE. Finalmente, obtuve mi certificación de ESL en la Universidad de Aurora. Pronto empezaré mi maestría.

Qué te inspiró a convertirte en maestra de ESL?
En realidad, no tenía planes de convertirme en maestra de ESL cuando empecé la universidad. No fue hasta que tuve la oportunidad de ser sustituta de larga duración como maestra de ESL que supe que este tipo de puesto existía. El momento en que supe que necesitaba ser profesora de ESL fue cuando le di a un estudiante hispanohablante de cuarto grado de México un dulce mexicano y un libro en español. Le hizo llorar de emoción.

Qué es lo que más te gusta de enseñar en dos idiomas?
No sé mucho español. Cuando uso el poco que sé, es divertido que los estudiantes me enseñen más español. Se convierte en un intercambio: yo les enseño inglés y ellos me enseñan español. A los estudiantes les encanta.

Por qué es importante la educación bilingüe hoy en día?
Definitivamente, en el mundo actual, ser un maestro multilingüe es muy importante. No solo hay un aumento en la población de estudiantes multilingües, sino que también hay una demanda de que se conozca la cultura de los estudiantes. Mi trabajo es más que enseñar inglés a los estudiantes. También priorizo que la cultura de los estudiantes esté presente en toda la escuela.

Cuál es tu recuerdo favorito trabajando en el distrito escolar?
No hay un solo recuerdo favorito, cualquier recuerdo que haga sonreír a uno de mis estudiantes. Mi campeonato anual de Uno, ver la Copa del Mundo entre clases, escribir sobre sándwiches de mantequilla de maní y mermelada, y tener a Bengie Molina y Polo Ascencio, los comentaristas en español de los Cardinals, son actividades divertidas que siempre crean grandes recuerdos.

Aficiones?
Hacer cosas divertidas con mi hijo, Lorenzo. Me encanta viajar, sobre todo a las playas de Florida. Pasar tiempo con la familia y los amigos.

Comida favorita?
No tengo una comida favorita. Toda la comida es mi favorita.

Si desea nominar a un miembro del personal que lo merezca, envíe un correo electrónico a: information@gcsd9.net

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Ann Birdsong.

Birdsong is a nurse at Mitchell Elementary School and has worked in the Granite City School District for 18 years. She has previously worked at Granite City High School, Grigsby and Prather.

Where did you go to school?
I have my Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and I received my School Nurse Certification from SIUE.

What inspired you to become a school nurse?
Becoming a school nurse just felt like a natural way to combine my passion for nursing with my desire to make positive impacts on children’s lives. I enjoy promoting wellness and being someone students can rely on during the day. The hours are great, too!

What is the funniest/sweetest moment you’ve had while working in the nurse’s office?
Some of the sweetest moments I experience are the daily hugs from my students. Also, hearing from former students share how much of a positive impact I had on their lives. Knowing I made them feel safe, cared for, and supported reminds me of why I chose this role and makes it incredibly rewarding.

What does a typical day look like in a nurse’s office?
Every day is different, but always consists of seeing children, assessing and treating injuries and illnesses, administering medication, monitoring students with chronic health conditions. I also communicate with parents and staff, complete documentation, manage health plans, and respond to unexpected needs throughout the day.

What is one piece of health advice you’d give to students?
I have always been big on a good night’s sleep. I've seen the way students struggle when they have been up too late and not getting the rest their bodies need. So, I tell them how important sleep is to their health and school success. I tell them it helps their body grow, their brain learns, their mood stays balanced, and helps keep their immune system strong.

Hobbies?
For the last 20 years, my life has revolved around my children’s sporting events, which I LOVE to attend! I also enjoy being outside, taking walks, gardening, and spending time with family.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net