Click here to live stream the Jersey Retirement Ceremony for Niles West Alumni, Rashard Mendenhall.
Jersey Retirement Ceremony will begin at 2:25pm.
Varsity Football Kickoff vs. Niles North @ 7:30 PM (Niles West Football Stadium)
Featured – West
Three Niles West Students Named National Merit Semifinalists!
Congratulations to the Niles West students who are in the running for National Merit college scholarships.
3 NW students made the list:
- Jonathan Lou, Niles West High School
- Asma A. Patel, Niles West High School
- Will C. Rousseau, Niles West High School
See this link for the full story.
West Alumni, Rashard Mendenhall Jersey Retirement 9/22/23!
RASHARD MENDENHALL’S NUMBER “5” TO BE RETIRED
Niles West Alum, University of Illinois Football Hall of Famer, & Super Bowl Champion to Be Honored on Friday, September 22, 2023
For more information:
April Stallworth, D219 Executive Director of Communications & Partnerships
Phone: (847) 626-3958
Email: [email protected]
District Website: https://www.niles-hs.k12.il.us/
Skokie, IL – Rashard Mendenhall, returns to his roots at Niles West High School for a special ceremony in his honor where he will be recognized for his high school, college, and professional football accomplishments. Mendenhall will also have his Number “5” Niles West Jersey retired, the first one in the football program’s history. This ceremony will take place one week after he will be entered into the University of Illinois – Illini Hall of Fame Class of 2023.
It was at Niles West that Mendenhall started his career as a football, basketball, and track athlete. Rashard excelled on the football field as a running back averaging 9.1 yards per carry, rushing for 1,453 yards on 160 attempts and 14 touchdowns during his senior year. He went on to attend the University of Illinois and was named the 2007 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year. In 2008, the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Rashard as a first-round pick. During his rookie season, he led his team to a Superbowl victory against the Arizona Cardinals. He also played for the Steelers in the 2010 Super Bowl vs. the Green Bay Packers. Rashard retired from football while on the Arizona Cardinals team. Upon his retirement from the NFL, Rashard became a writer and story editor for the HBO sports comedy, Ballers. In 2015, he was inducted into the Niles West Athletic Hall of Fame.
“The Niles West Athletic Department is proud to welcome home our decorated alum, Rashard Mendenhall! Throughout his time at West, Rashard was a tremendous multi-sport student-athlete and member of our school community. He continues to astound us with each and every new accomplishment he has achieved since his graduation from Niles West. Rashard’s hard work on and off the field continues to make his Niles West Family proud. We cannot wait to honor and celebrate him as he is truly an inspiration to us all”, said Dr. Dana Krilich, Niles West Athletic Director.
The afternoon ceremony will be held on Friday, September 22nd, 2023, 2:20 pm CT, at the Niles West High School Gymnasium, 5701 W Oakton Street, Skokie, IL. The event will be attended by district staff, students, administration, Mendenhall’s family members, and previous coaches. Due to it occurring during school time, this event is by invitation only.
Rashard will also be recognized at the Varsity Football game that evening vs. Niles North. Varsity kick-off is at 7:30 PM and the game is open to the public. Admission will be charged.
Members of the press who plan to attend should contact April Stallworth, D219 Executive Director of Communications & Partnerships, at [email protected] or 847-626-3958.
Come Out and See Our FALL SPORTS Teams!
Hello D219,
Welcome back students, families, and staff. The 2023-24 school year is here and our student athletes have already started working hard to prepare for their seasons. Please try to come out and support our fall sport participants this season as much as you can. You can click the links below to find out more information about your favorite District 219 sports programs:
Our Niles West Wolves take on our Niles North Vikings in our Crosstown Football Game at Niles West High School on Friday, 9/22. (Frosh-Soph @ 5:00pm ; Varsity @ 7:30pm)
Here are some notable varsity home openers to look out for:
Niles North:
- Boys’ Soccer – Thursday, 8/24 vs. Prosser @ 7:00pm
- Girls’ Tennis – Tuesday, 8/22 vs. Elk Grove @ 4:30pm
- Girls’ Volleyball – Thursday, 8/24 vs. Lane Tech @ 6:00pm
- Boys’ Football – Friday, 9/1 vs. Leyden @ 7:00pm
- Boys’ Golf – Monday, 8/29 vs. Northridge Prep @ 3:45pm
- Girls’ Swimming & Diving – Friday 10/6 vs. Maine East @ 5:00pm
- Girls’ Cross Country – Saturday, 8/26 vs. Niles West @ 8:30am
- Boys’ Cross Country – Saturday, 8/26 vs. Niles West @ 8:30am
Niles West:
- Girls’ Golf – Thursday, 8/24 vs. Regina @ 4:04pm
- Girls’ Tennis – Thursday, 8/17 vs. Prospect @ 4:30pm
- Girls’ Volleyball – Wednesday, 8/23 vs. Loyola Academy @ 6:00pm
- Boys’ Soccer – Thursday, 8/24 vs. Waukegan @ 7:00pm
- Boys’ Golf – Tuesday, 9/12 vs. Carmel @ 4:20pm
- Girls’ Swimming & Diving – Saturday, 9/2 vs. Niles North @ 8:00am
- Girls’ Cross Country – Saturday, 8/26 vs. Niles North @ 8:30 am
- Boys’ Cross Country – Saturday, 8/26 vs. Niles North @ 8:30 am
- Boys’ Football – Friday, 8/25 vs. Thorntons @ 7:30pm
#AttendanceEqualsSuccess
Let’s make sure we’re doing all that we can as a district to keep our students and staff present in school and in the classrooms!
Fall Sports Tryouts Start Monday, August 7th!
Hello Wolves!
We cannot wait to have you get involved in one or many of our sports this upcoming school year! We offer 29 sports across 3 seasons (Fall, Winter, & Spring).
Not sure what sports you might like to try? Be sure to check out our 23-24 NW Sport Brochure to meet our head coaches and see all of the sports we have to offer! Check out our Athletics Website.
* Fall Sports Start on Monday August 7th *
Fall Sports 2023 Tryout Information
Fall Sports are:
🏈 Football
⚽ Boys Soccer
👟 Boys and Girls Cross Country
⛳ Boys and Girls Golf
🏊 Girls Swim & Dive
🏐 Girls Volleyball
🎾 Girls Tennis
📣 Sideline Cheer
👯 Sideline Dance
In order to tryout for any sport, all athletes must do the following:
- All athletes must be registered on 8 to 18 and have a current physical on file in order to try out. Link for physical form: IHSA Physical Form. Completed forms can be emailed to AAD Cejovic [email protected] or faxed to our office @ 847-626-3840.
2. Registration is now open on our website; West Athletics Website *You must register for all sports you are interested in and can use the same login info.
If you attended summer camp for a sport, you are already registered for tryouts. Keep an eye on your email as head coaches will send out tryout information before they begin. We will also post tryout information a few weeks before a sport starts on the front of our website.
3. If you have any issues registering, check out this for help: Registering for a West Sport. For visual help – Picture Instructions for 8to18 Athletic Website
We hope you will join us for a sport this upcoming school year! If you have any questions, please email one of the AD’s (contact info listed below). *For sport specific questions, please contact the Head Coach listed on this document: 23-24 NW Sport Brochure.
GO WOLVES!
Dr. Dana Krilich – Athletic Director
Mr. Milo Cejovic – Assistant Athletic Director
Follow us on Social Media:
Instagram @nileswestathletics or Twitter @WolvesD219
Congratulations to Jeremy Christian, the New Principal of Niles West!
Jeremy Christian has been named Principal of Niles West High School
Jeremy Christian has been approved as Principal of Niles West High School at the May 23, 2023 Special Board of Education meeting. Jeremy will be replacing Dr. Karen Ritter who has been named the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction at Antioch Community High School District 117 for the 2023-2024 school year. Jeremy has served as a Principal for the past seven years. Four of those years are at Oak Park, School District 97. Jeremy has also served as Assistant Principal in Naperville Community School District 203. Additional previous assignments include Dean of Students at Proviso East High School in Maywood, teacher and team leader at Bolingbrook High School.
Being in the Educational field for the past 17 years, and in administration for the past 10 years, Jeremy has a host of accomplishments and credits to his name. Most recently, he has reduced the student discipline referrals at his current school by 33%.
Jeremy created the “BIOP” (Black in Oak Park) initiative whose mission is to engage students, families and the community in students’ academic and social emotional experience.
In partnership with parents in Naperville, he created the “SUCCESS” program (School Using Coordinated Community Efforts to Strengthen Schools), which focuses on enhancing learning outcomes and the sense of belonging for African-American students and their families.
Additionally, Jeremy created a family outreach program called “Parent and Administrator Conversations” (PAC) to ensure parent voice and develop partnerships for student success. Another program titled, “Bridging the Gap”, helped middle school students with their transition to high school.
Jeremy has a Bachelor’s degree in English from Elmhurst College, a Master’s degree in secondary education from Concordia University Chicago, and a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Benedictine University. He is currently working on his PH.D from Illinois State University.
Jeremy is the proud husband to Latoiya and a boastful father of two children, Joi, 13 and Javari, 20. He enjoys playing basketball in his free time.
Join us in welcoming Jeremy to the District 219 family!
Congratulations to Niles West Student, Maria Tudose, on her Award Winning Art!
Maria Tudose’s Gold Key Visions award winning photograph, “Home Sweet Home” will be on display in the 5th floor of the Belin-Blank Center in Iowa City for the next year. She will also be receiving her Gold Medal award for “George” this upcoming summer at Carnegie Hall in New York City through the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.
Home Sweet Home
On May 8th, senior Maria Tudose was awarded the “Best Photography Award” from the 95th Congressional Show at the Skokie Public Library. Her piece was chosen by Rep Jan Schakowsky.
Maria Tudose also won the “Faigie Tanner Best Female Artist Award” at the Perspective Gallery Show in Evanston, Illinois. Ms. Tanner was a founding member of Perspective Gallery and the recipient is chosen by Bob Tanner, another founding member of Perspective in memory of his wife. Maria will receive a monetary award for this recognition.
Niles West Science Student is One of Four to Win the Illinois EPA Award!
Illinois EPA Recognizes Four Science Students for Environmental Excellence Awards
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (Illinois EPA) presented Environmental Excellence Awards to four Illinois students at the Illinois Junior Academy of Science (IJAS) State Science Exposition. The competition was hosted by Southern Illinois University Carbondale and IJAS on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Criteria for the Environmental Excellence Award include addressing the prevention of pollution, the remediation of air, land, or water, analyzing the effect of pollution on our environment, or innovative ways to prevent or address contamination in the environment. The four projects were chosen to receive a medal, certificate, and a science kit to further their research. The winners are:
Zahra Nathani from Niles West High School in Skokie
Project Title: Synthesis and Testing of ZIF-8 as a CO2 Capturing Agent
Project Category: Chemistry