The spotlight shone brightly on Lincoln Middle School as 6th grader Mahad Rafi was named a recipient of the Student Star Award by the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC), Northern Region IV.
Mahad was recognized at the 4th annual Student Star Awards Ceremony, an event dedicated to celebrating the outstanding growth and achievements of students across Cook, Lake, and McHenry counties.
While the ICEC recognizes growth in many areas, including academics and self-advocacy, Mahad stood out specifically for his artistic abilities. His creative vision and dedication to his craft earned him the nomination, a testament to his hard work and the vibrant talent he brings to the Lincoln classrooms. Lee Deines, the art teacher at Lincoln, and Mary Chapman, a teacher at the Lincoln Structured Learning Community, nominated Mahad.
The award was presented on April 14 in a ceremony filled with pride and community spirit. Mahad accepted his award with his family cheering him on from the audience. What a fun night to cap off a great start to middle school for Mahad!
"Congratulations to Mahad on this exciting accomplishment!” shared Alicia Schmeisser, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services. "I feel so privileged to work with amazing, inclusive educators. A special thank you to Mr. Deines and Ms. Chapman for their incredible dedication to our students. Their support helps our stars like Mahad truly shine."
The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional association of educators dedicated to advancing the success of children with exceptionalities. The Northern Region IV Student Star Awards serves as a regional platform to showcase students who have demonstrated remarkable progress and to honor the educators who advocate for their success every day.