In September of 1983, the Board of Education established the Outstanding Contribution Award for service to the district. This award recognizes a full-time employee who has demonstrated a sustained and/or significant contribution to the educational program and students of the district. This employee also has significantly gone beyond the normal duties of his/her particular job and has made significant contributions to the community within the District.
This year’s winner has been described As “dependable in all aspects of the word”. They are calm and caring; a team player and a cheerleader.
This person “has given themselves to this school, the students/student-athletes, and this community at a level that is truly rivaled by few”. This person has made lasting impressions on students, colleagues, and the community. They are the one to call when you need a fact about PCHS, a last minute supply for a lesson, or a word of advice. This person “values grit and determination and is dedicated to making connections between courses and content while challenging students”.
This person has been described as a “backbone” of PCHS. From intervention work to graduation planning to intramurals, and everything in between it is hard to even figure out when he even had time to also have a storied coaching career.
From 1993 to the present, there hasn’t been a year that he hasn’t spent coaching one if not two sports each and every year in addition to his day job and all of his other pursuits. The girls’ basketball program as well as both the girls’ and boys’ golf programs have benefited from his tireless commitment and positive influence.
As the Girls’ Golf Coach he won the first Regional in school history as well as a number of Conference Championships. He was even recognized as a golf coach when, in 2015, he was inducted to the Illinois Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
But perhaps his proudest accomplishment of late is passing Larry Davis for the most miles on a PCHS elliptical machine. As a retiring 33-year old Dragon, there is no one more deserving of this honor: Please join me in congratulating the 2024 Pekin Community High School Outstanding Contributor, Mr. Chris Neville.
Dr. Danielle Owens