The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education on April 24 voted in favor of appointing new principals for Holmes Middle School and Longfellow and Twain Elementary Schools.
Ben Neidich will join Holmes as of July 1, succeeding Jenny Lagunas, who stepped down from the position after two years. Neidich has spent the past year serving as an assistant principal of Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60. Prior to that, he served as a dean of students at a middle school in Lake Forest School District 67, and taught social studies at the high school level in Chicago.
In recommending his approval, district administrators said Neidich distinguished himself as “a very collaborative, student-centered and caring educator.”
“I am thrilled to be able to call Holmes Middle School my new home,” Neidich said. “It is an honor to be able to serve the District 21 and Holmes communities.”
Emily Gary is set to assume the principal role at Longfellow as of July 1, succeeding Michelle Friedman. Gary has spent the past four years as the assistant principal of Frost Elementary School, and prior to that was a bilingual teacher at Whitman Elementary School for six years.
District administrators credited Gary as a “collaborative, thoughtful and caring educator,” noting that her commitment to meeting the needs of students was evident throughout the interview process.
“Becoming the principal at Longfellow is a true honor and a chapter I’m really excited to begin,” Gary said. “Since I began as a bilingual teacher at Whitman ten years ago, I’ve always looked for ways to connect with students and their families. I’m always focused on finding ways to support all our District 21 students and families, and I hope this new role at Longfellow will be a great chance to keep making a difference and helping every student succeed.”
Twain will look to its neighbor, Whitman, to fill the leadership role left by departing Principal Winnie Clausell. Beginning July 1, Lisa Applequist will officially join the Eagles as their new principal.
Applequist has served as assistant principal of Whitman for the past four years. Prior to that, she served as an instructional coach at Wood Dale School District 7 and a middle school language arts teacher in Glenview School District 34.
Her caring, enthusiastic and collaborative approach to teaching will make her a tremendous asset, according to district administrators.
“After spending four years as an assistant principal in District 21, I am very excited to join the Twain community and to begin building strong relationships with the students, staff and families,” Applequist said. “It is my hope that together, we can foster an inclusive community of learners who support and encourage one another to reach their full potential.”
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