New principal greets Vernon Hills High School students

Students arrived for the first day of classes at Vernon Hills High School on Wednesday - and so did new principal Jon Guillaume.

Guillaume, who's worked in Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 since 1994, said he was anxious but not nervous as students arrived.

"We have spent a lot of time getting this place ready for them," he said. "To have 1,330 kids fill our halls feels good and right."

Guillaume spent the morning wishing teachers well, greeting students and helping freshmen navigate the campus.

"My favorite part of the morning was addressing all seniors in their first meeting as the leaders of our student body," he said. "I encouraged them to make the most of a year that will fly by. It will seem like a minute before we meet again in May and talk about graduation."

Guillaume, 44, replaced Ellen Cwick as principal July 1 after she retired. He most recently served as Vernon Hills' associate principal.