Lincoln-Way East Receives the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Award
Last night at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield, Lincoln-Way East High School was honored with the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Award, recognizing our school’s dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and student success.
Representing Lincoln-Way East at the event were Principal Toriano Griggs, Science Department Chair Maria Wilson, and Math Department Chair Julie Flitcraft, who proudly accepted the award from Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders and Governor JB Pritzker.
Principal Griggs shared, “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and pride shown every day by our incredible students, staff, families, and community. Together, they make Lincoln-Way East a place where excellence continues to thrive.”
Congratulations to the entire Griffin family on this outstanding honor!
Go East! Go Griffins! Go Blue!
Last night at a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in Springfield, Lincoln-Way East High School was honored with the Governor’s Blue-Ribbon Award, recognizing our school’s dedication to academic excellence, innovation, and student success.
Representing Lincoln-Way East at the event were Principal Toriano Griggs, Science Department Chair Maria Wilson, and Math Department Chair Julie Flitcraft, who proudly accepted the award from Illinois State Superintendent Dr. Tony Sanders and Governor JB Pritzker.
Principal Griggs shared, “This achievement reflects the hard work, dedication, and pride shown every day by our incredible students, staff, families, and community. Together, they make Lincoln-Way East a place where excellence continues to thrive.”
Congratulations to the entire Griffin family on this outstanding honor!
Go East! Go Griffins! Go Blue!
Today the SWSC Band Festival was held at Olivet Nazarene University, bringing together bands from across the conference schools. During the event, clinicians listened to each group perform and provided valuable feedback. Students also had the opportunity to watch performances from other schools and learn from one another.
Congratulations to Brayden Sears, our LW East/Kiwanis Student of the Month for March!
Best Buddies had a record breaking number of signatures today as students pledged kindness on our banner! During the month of March, Best Buddies continues to promote inclusion, friendship, and leadership throughout our school
Do you know someone who is battling cancer? Fellowship of Christian Athletes wants to help. We are collecting items for Phil's Friends, an organization that provides care boxes for those battling cancers. We are looking for new donations of fleece blankets, pocket size tissues, travel toothbrushes, gloves, fuzzy socks, hats, lip balm, puzzle books, and journals. We will be collecting items March 2nd - March 6th in the main office. Thank You for your support!
Today Mr. Cooley, Mr. Voliva, Mrs. Wilson, and Mr. Victor attended the Argonne National Laboratory AI STEM Education Jam - Empowering Educators to Shape the Future: AI Accelerating Scientific Discovery and Innovation. It was an amazing experience.
From March 1-7, 2026, LWE celebrates National School Social Work Week!
This week, we celebrate the quiet champions in our school community, our LWE School Social Workers.
They are the steady presence students turn to when emotions run high, the bridge families lean on when they need guidance, and the voice reminding every child that they are seen, valued, and never defined by a single story.
Their work is compassionate, intentional, and deeply human.
And our school is stronger because of them.
Happy National School Social Work Week.
Thank you for everything you do.
This week, we celebrate the quiet champions in our school community, our LWE School Social Workers.
They are the steady presence students turn to when emotions run high, the bridge families lean on when they need guidance, and the voice reminding every child that they are seen, valued, and never defined by a single story.
Their work is compassionate, intentional, and deeply human.
And our school is stronger because of them.
Happy National School Social Work Week.
Thank you for everything you do.
The East Mathletes captured their 6th consecutive regional championship Saturday at Crete-Monee. The Griffins put up a final score of 710, 200 points ahead of second place, 100 points ahead of their score last year, and set a new program record by 50 points!
Cordelia Toolis and Adrian Beri broke the Algebra 1 record and tied for first in the region with 38/40 points. Jaxson Plutz broke the Algebra II record with a 36/40 and first in the region. Senior Captain Kaitlyn Poidomani broke the Pre-Calculus record with a 32/40 and first in the region.
The Fresh/Soph 2 person team of Cordelia Toolis and Logan Vargas set a new record of 52 for first in the region, while the Jr/Sr 2 person team of Kaitlyn Poidomani and Alec Gartelman took first place with a 24.
The Algebra 1 team set a new program record of 134/160. The Griffins also took first place in Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculator, Fresh/Soph 8 and Jr/Sr 8. A truly great performance by the entire team!!
Congratulations Mathletes!! They will look to continue their success at the State Contest at ISU on April 18.”
Cordelia Toolis and Adrian Beri broke the Algebra 1 record and tied for first in the region with 38/40 points. Jaxson Plutz broke the Algebra II record with a 36/40 and first in the region. Senior Captain Kaitlyn Poidomani broke the Pre-Calculus record with a 32/40 and first in the region.
The Fresh/Soph 2 person team of Cordelia Toolis and Logan Vargas set a new record of 52 for first in the region, while the Jr/Sr 2 person team of Kaitlyn Poidomani and Alec Gartelman took first place with a 24.
The Algebra 1 team set a new program record of 134/160. The Griffins also took first place in Geometry, Algebra 2, Pre-Calculus, Calculator, Fresh/Soph 8 and Jr/Sr 8. A truly great performance by the entire team!!
Congratulations Mathletes!! They will look to continue their success at the State Contest at ISU on April 18.”
Congratulations to Monroe Jones, Ava Onyschuk, and Olyvia Hunt for winning Honorable Mention Awards at this year’s University of St. Francis High School Art Exhibition.
Students in LatinX engaged in small-group creating colored flags representing various Latin countries to contribute to a time capsule project.
On Saturday, LWE Scholastic Bowl went undefeated and won their Masonic Sectional, making us one of only 10 Teams to go the 3A Masonic State Championship in Bloomington on Saturday, March 7. This is only the 2nd time in LWE school history they have accomplished this. Go East! Go Griffins! Go Blue!
Stem Sprouts completed a terrarium display at the Frankfort Library. They have several examples of terrariums and created pamphlets so visitors can learn how to make one at home. A big thanks to Mr. Fletcher for helping with this display.
Congratulations to our 2026 winners!
Talent Show: Nathan Rhee
Mr. Griffin: Logan Arroyo
Miss Griffin Amaya Johnston
Everyone did an amazing job tonight!
The annual Mr. & Miss Griffin/Talent Show Night is almost here! Purchase your tickets now before we sell out.
Click here to purchase:
https://omella.com/rtg3w
📅 Saturday, February 21, 2026
📍 Lincoln-Way East Fine Arts Auditorium
🎟️ $10.00 per ticket
⏰ We will begin promptly at 7:00pm
We hope you can attend!
What a fantastic season for our Speech Team!
A huge congratulations to Eleni Xenidis (JR) for competing in Original Comedy and Humorous Duet Acting, showcasing her creativity and comedic talent all season long.
Shoutout as well to Jenna Neakarse (SR) for her outstanding performance in Humorous Duet Acting. Your dedication, hard work, and stage presence made us so proud at sectionals!
The Lincoln-Way East Music Boosters are excited to share our Friday Fish Fries with our community on February 27, March 6 and March 20 from 5-8pm in the LWE Cafeteria! Hear performances from a number of our high school and area junior high music programs, have a delicious meal, enter a raffle for some amazing baskets, and enjoy good company all for a good cause. Tickets are available at the door- we'll see you there!
Today the Lincoln-Way East theater company brought their spring play "Aesop's (Oh So Slightly Updated) Fables" to some local schools. It was a big hit!
You can catch this show at the Frankfort library this weekend on Sunday February 22nd at 3pm. Register using the QR code on the poster attached. Registration required!
You can catch this show at the Frankfort library this weekend on Sunday February 22nd at 3pm. Register using the QR code on the poster attached. Registration required!
Today our Biology students successfully extracted and isolated DNA from fruit, then observed it under microscopes! A hands on way to explore the building blocks of life. Science in action!
What a season! The LWE Chess Team competed at the IHSA State Finals in Peoria and brought home a 12th place finish in the 6A division! Thank you to our players, coaches, and supporters for an unforgettable year.
LWE & LWC had their first ever end-of-season Speech Showcase! Students, teachers & families had food and performances by the Seniors!
All students were honored for their hard work and excellence throughout the season.
