6 from Lake Co. in running for principal of the year award

Six school administrators from Lake County are in the running to be named principal of the year in Illinois.

The Lakes Region of the Illinois Principal's Association announced the local winners during its annual summer banquet June 19.

The local winners are: Jason Lind, of Millburn Central Middle School, who won elementary principal of the year honors; Chris Willeford, of West Oak Middle School, was middle school principal of the year; John Ahlgrim, of Mundelein High School, was named high school principal of the year.

Also on the list are: Stanton School's Jeff Sefcik, who was named assistant principal of the year; Stanton School principal Bill Lomas, who was awarded the Herman Graves Award for his years of service and loyalty to the principal's association; Antioch High School's Mike Nekritz won the Innovative Education Award for the "Seminar for Scholars Program."

Illinois Principal Association Lake Region Director Jeff Knapp, who is principal of Woodview Elementary School in Grayslake, said all are excellent administrators and should do well in the state competition.

"We are very happy for all the winners," Knapp said. "These six were nominated for the award by their peers and now, their applications will be sent to the state competition."

The Illinois Principal's Association is expected to make decisions on the principal of the year in December, Knapp said.