EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION

Mrs. Margaret Finlen-Jenkins, High School Math teacher at Woodland School, was selected as the recipient of the Excellence in Education Award for 2010. Margaret is in her 20th year of teaching at Woodland School.  Margaret graduated from Illinois State University with a BS in Mathematics and obtained her MS in Mathematics from ISU in 2001.  She and her husband Kevin, a 1985 Woodland graduate, have 2 children; Charlie in 6th grade and Tyler in 3rd grade at Woodland School.  Margaret is the daughter of  Anne Finlen, head cook at Woodland School for 13 years, and William Finlen deceased.  Margaret was recognized for her accomplishments with a morning reception in the school library on March 17.  She was formally honored at the annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on March 26 at Capponi's in Toluca.

HALL OF FAME

Three alumni of Woodland School have been selected for induction into the 2010 Hall of Fame.  Steven Zurlinden, Class of 1971; Glenn Cunningham, Class of 1982; and Jesse Ruff, Class of 1983.  The three spoke to the high school student body at an afternoon assembly on March 26.  They were formally honored at a banquet ceremony that evening at Capponi's in Toluca.  

STEVEN ZURLINDEN graduated from Woodland High School in 1971. He is the son of Robert and Phyllis Zurlinden.  He and his wife, Cheryl) have 3 children, Natalie (Ryan) Huish of Bourbonnais; Lindsey, a senior at Trevecca Nazarene University; and Brian a Freshman at Asheville Christian Academy.  Steven earned a BA from Olivet Nazarene College, a Masters degree from Ball State University, and did his Physician/Surgeon Assistant Program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Steven is a cardiac physician assistant at Ashville Heart Care, Inc., Ashville, North Carolina.  He is first assistant on cardiac and thoracic surgery operations and has front line responsibilities for management of patients following open-heart and thoracic surgery. 

GLENN CUNNINGHAM graduated from Woodland High School in 1982.  He is the son of Glenn and Melva Cunningham and John and Linda Wagner.  He and his wife Renee have 2 sons, Scott and Anthony.  Glenn is a 1989 graduate of the Worsham College of Mortuary Science.  Glenn currently owns and operates the Winterrowd-Hagi Funeral Home and the Grand Ridge Funeral Home.  While operating his business he continued to work as a part-time bus driver for Woodland School until 2001.  Along with his business he is currently employed by Illinois Central School Bus as an Assistant Contract Manager.  Glenn is a member of St. Anthony's Church, the Streator Elks #645, Streator Moose #327, Streator Knights of Columbus, Streator Elks #591 and the Marshall County Sportsman Club.

JESSE RUFF graduated from Woodland High School in 1983.  He is the son of Jerry and Janice Ruff.  He and his wife Melissa have 3 children who attend Woodland School; Olivia in 7th grade, Alexandra in 3rd grade, and Carter who will enter Kindergten in the Fall.  Jesse graduated from Illinois State University with a BS degree in Agri-Business.  Jesse is president of Ruff Bros. Grain.  The original family owned company began in 1957.  With Jesse's vision and leadership Ruff Bros. Grain has grown from one grain elevator in Long Point to a multi-million dollar company with ten locations.  In 2004 Ruff Bros. opened a 110 car rail loading station outside of Toluca. In August of 2009 ground was broken at Polo, Illinois for a second rail car loading facility which is expected to be operational by the end of this year.

  WEF FUNDRAISERS

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Larry Martell, Chairman;  Rick Knuffman, V. Chairman; Vicki Walter, Secretary; Heather Perhach, Treasurer; (Trustees) Margaret Finlen-Jenkins, Doug Foster, Lynn Kimpling, Lori Miller, Susan Taylor, Jill Wicks

MISSION STATEMENT

It shall be the mission of the Woodland Education Foundation to acquire and distribute financial and other resources to the Woodland School District.  These resources shall be used for programs and projects designed to enhance or supplement Woodland educational programs and provide extended educational opportunities.

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