Students, staff and community partners highlight hands‑on learning at Wheaton Warrenville South

Wheaton Warrenville South High School students and staff used a board meeting hosted at their building to show how local partnerships and in‑school programs support career pathways and student belonging.

Principal Lori Campos welcomed the board and framed the school's work around the motto “belong, believe, achieve,” then introduced student ambassadors who detailed internships, volunteer service and extracurricular success. Taylor Leslie, a junior who completed a film internship arranged through the district and Axiom Media Group, described hands‑on media work that led to photography, videography and social‑media experience she said helped connect students with CEOs and industry mentors. Emily Ferman, representing the Tiger Paws booster organization, said Tiger Paws funded “nearly $75,000” in wish‑list items for 2025–26 and awards 10 scholarships of $1,000 each to seniors.

Students also described service learning and extracurricular results: Service Club reported 176 active members who completed about 1,790 hours in the first semester, and speech and debate competitors earned state‑level placements, including two students who qualified for nationals. Student presenters credited teachers and mentors with creating internship and volunteer opportunities connecting classrooms to local businesses, churches and the Warrenville Park District. Principal Campos and Dr. Schuler thanked the Student Excellence Foundation and community partners for supporting students’ professional growth.

Teachers and staff described classroom innovations aimed at career skills and applied learning. Special‑education teacher Eric Stage explained a nine‑year ‘‘tower garden’’ effort that grows herbs and vegetables inside classrooms; Stage noted students turned basil harvests into a branded product, “Southside Pesto,” as a real‑world entrepreneurship project.

Faith Covenant Church and the Warrenville Park District were recognized as community partners. Principal Campos said Faith Covenant volunteers prepare breakfast each late‑start Wednesday for more than 100 students and provide volunteer opportunities that yield service hours. Warrenville Park District Superintendent of Recreation Sherry Potter was recognized for providing work‑based learning and an internship for a student in the district’s career pathways program.

The student showcase concluded with board recognition of state and national award winners and brief remarks from district leaders about the connection between extracurricular engagement and academic growth.