CLINTON — Clinton Elementary School (CES) students recently were recognized during the Unit 15 school board meeting for a variety of achievements.

“While not all of these are school-sanctioned activities, it’s part of what they do, it’s part of the community,” said superintendent Curt Nettles.  “So, we thought we would recognize them tonight.

CES teacher Mrs. DeLeon introduced students involved in the annual Arbor Day poster contest. 

“The Arbor Day Foundation reaches out to the 5^th graders, has them all do a science poster contest and every year has a different theme,” DeLeon said.

This year’s poster theme was “I Love Trees Because …”

“They do some research, use some fun pictures, and we had some really good drawings this year.”

Addy Morgan and Kaitlyn Benz were two of the top poster artist this year.  Cora Goff was another top poster artist this year as well.

The students will attend the Clinton Arbor Day tree-planting ceremony on Saturday morning at the city’s Carol McFeeters Thompson Arboretum.

DeLeon also introduced the CES state YMCA swimmers.  Forty-two Y swimmers competed this year in the YMCA Illinois State Championships.  Fourteen were CES students.

Results were published previously in the Clinton Journal.

Wrestling coach Ryan Black presented CES student wrestlers of the Kids Club Wrestling Team who performed well this year. 

“We had 77 kids out for the program this year,” Black said.  “Fifty-five were under 10.”

Six qualified for the State Wrestling Meet, all CES students.

In other student-related business, band director Nathan Wheeler announced the band would resume its regular trips to Walt Disney World beginning in June 2025.  Student band members have the opportunity to march through the Magic Kingdom and record a CD with Disney professionals while on the trip.