Before we know it, the end of the school year will be here for students and staff in Cicero District 99.

But for one group of staff members, the final bell this year marks more than just the completion of a school year, but the end of an era in education. 

Yesterday, the District celebrated this year's retirees at Crystal Sky Banquets in McCook, honoring the hundreds of children, colleagues and families whom they have had a great impact on over their years of service in Cicero. 

From school administrators and teachers to support staff and bus drivers, the 2026 class of retirees have undoubtedly left their mark in town. Though they were sprinkled with well wishes, they will also be sorely missed.

Congratulations to:

Annamarie Banda (second-grade teacher, Wilson)

Maria E. Bejar-Villalobos (bus driver, District)

Lori Changas (reading interventionist, Roosevelt)

Amy DeForrest (media specialist, Goodwin)

Nancy DeLaDesmo (band teacher, District)

Anita Finnegan (program assistant, Columbus West)

Anna Flaws (physical education teacher, Warren Park)

Carmela Genao de Brooks (bus driver, District)

Sharon Gliesmann (Special Education program supervisor, District)

Phyllis Hale (clerk, Sherlock)

Donata Heppner (principal, Columbus East)

Rosario Hernandez (bus driver, District)

Sheila Janis Buenrostro (social worker, Drexel)

Salome Kirimania (Special Education teacher, Wilson)

Sharon Klepacz (kindergarten teacher, Warren Park)

Laura Lapinskas (art teacher, Warren Park)

Rhoda Larson (second-grade teacher, Liberty)

Jaime Martinez (first-grade dual language teacher, Wilson)

Leticia Nuñez (media program assistant, Cicero East)

Dora Ordaz (bus driver, District)

Felisa Ruiz (program assistant, Unity)

Petra Sanchez (program assistant, Columbus West)

Carole Scardina — 4th grade teacher, Lincoln

Norma Serrano — 2nd Grade DL teacher, Lincoln

Maritza Sorensen — 4th grade DL, Goodwin

Mary Stastny Muñoz — Special Ed resource teacher, Liberty

Amy Thoms — reading interventionist, Unity

Deborah Walters — nurse, Lincoln

Cicero District 99 would like to wish all retirees the best of luck on all their new journeys they will discover in the years ahead!