Schools

Student Leadership Conference Planned in Memory of Algonquin Teen

Christian Stilwell, an outgoing junior class president at Dundee-Crown High School, died unexpectedly last April from a brain lesion.

Donations are being welcomed to support the Building Bridges teen leadership conference that is being held in the memory of an Algonquin teen that died unexpectedly last year.

from a brain lesion.  While he was very active with tutoring, theater, church, and music, one of his strongest passions was to help develop future community leaders. 

A few months before his death, he had attended a leadership conference at the University of California, Los Angeles, and returned to Dundee-Crown with a vision to provide others with a similar experience, according to a news release from District 300.

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He got to work on a plan for a local leadership conference.  With his passing, these plans sat idle in a thick binder until the time that his peers, led by Dundee-Crown Senior Ali Sanders, stepped up to carry forward his plans. 

Now chairing the district-wide conference, Sanders said his detailed plans provided hope and a legacy for her and hundreds of other D300 students.

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"He was a true leader, and in his words, 'Actions and passion stay with us'," Sanders said. "Through this conference, Christian will not be forgotten, and his leadership will impact D300 kids for years to come.”

The first Christian Stilwell Building Bridges Leadership Conference will take place on Saturday, March 17 at Hampshire High School. About 175 students who demonstrate leadership qualities and show the potential to become better leaders will participate.

The conference will include team-building breakout sessions as well as a group-collaboration hour when participants will have an opportunity to discuss how they can improve their schools and communities. Christian even hand-picked these national speakers for this event, who have all agreed to make presentations: 

  • Kathy Armstrong- A personality trainer from California, she will speak on "understanding others."
  • Jill Esplin - This nationally renowned motivational speaker is with Leading For Life out of California.  She will be the keynote speaker at the D300 conference and will speak on "going big and making a difference."
  • Bryan Jones - He is a staff member at Willow Creek Community Church and will speak on "360-degree leadership." 

D300 School Board Member Steve Fiorentino, who has helped to guide some of the conference leaders, said he decided to get involved after he learned what an inspiration Christian was upon meeting him at a school board meeting last March.

This conference is being made possible by volunteer efforts, fundraising, and grant money from the Christian Stilwell Memorial. The one-day event, which includes materials, food and beverages and t-shirts, will cost $3,000-$4,000 to put on, Fiorentino said.

Reflecting on all of the efforts that are now being poured into making Christian's vision a reality, his father, Larry Stilwell, was deeply moved.

"Christian dreamed that one day hundreds of District 300 students would have the opportunity to improve their leadership skills," Stilwell said.  "That dream is now coming true."

Those interested in donating should contact Lynn McCarthy, principal of Dundee-Crown High School at 224-484-5000 or Steve Fiorentino at 847-226-5237. Checks can be made out to the DCHS Stilwell Leadership Conference.


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