CLASS OF 2023 INDUCTEE Bob Prusator, TISKILWA

At Putnam County, Delvallee said that she often collaborates with her fellow first and second grade teachers as they come together in attempts to provide what is best for the individual student. Her experiences in the classroom also helped her become more flexible and organized.

“You have to be flexible and be able to learn and move with the kids,” Delvallee said. “We have to get to know them in order to know what they really need. I just think collaboration is huge.”

For Delvallee, the teamwork between teachers, administration and parents all come together to define the education of an individual student.

That collaboration also has led to Delvallee taking part in committees in Putnam County as well as serving in training and leadership roles.

She has served as a junior high and freshman volleyball coach, participated as a mentor teacher, been the teacher for a number of students serving clinical hours and student teaching and assisted a number of high school helpers.

While she continues to enjoy her work with current and prospective teachers, for Delvallee the reason she is in the classroom comes right back to her beginnings: the kids.

“It’s fun and every day is different. You never know what you are going to get,” Delvallee said. “Every year is different and you have to change from year to year and adjust based on the needs that they have.”

• Legendary basketball coach at Tiskilwa, where he compiled a 531-199 record from 1958-86

• During his 27 seasons at Tiskilwa, his teams won 14 conference titles, seven IHSA Regionals, one Sectional, and one IHSA Super-sectional

• Coached 1982-83 squad to Class A State Tournament

• Also coached football for nine seasons, was school’s AD; Member of the IBCA, Bureau County Sports HOF

• One of three area boys basketball coaches with more than 500 career wins at one school

The Class of 2023 Induction Ceremony will be held on June 8 at the Auditorium Ballroom in La Salle. Scan the QR code for tickets or go to: www.shawmediaevents.com/e/2023-shaw-media-illinois-valley-sports-hall-of-fam

To be considered for the NewsTribune’s Illinois Valley Sports Hall of Fame, an athlete or coach must have lived in the area during his or her accomplishments or have attended an area high school and must be five years removed from high school. The inductees will be announced in a random order.

Sponsored by:

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Village of DePue

DePue Men’s Club Mendota High School Booster Club

Bronze Sponsors

Happ Family Foundation | Hall High School | La Salle-Peru High School

McDonald’s - Spring Valley Mendota & Princeton | State Farm - Kurt Bruno Marquette Academy

Maze Lumber | Grassers Plumbing & Heating | Ottawa High School | Sullivan’s Foods

Princeton High School/Princeton Tiger Athletic Booster Club | Ohio Community Schools

SM-LA2068870

Eureka Savings Bank | St. Bede Academy | Judd Construction | The Locker Room

1961 Undefeated Tiskilwa Football Team | Prescott Brothers

• RYNKEWICZ

“The love for animals is definitely still there but not the love of science” – and had been accepted into Illinois State University, her first and only choice.

Rynkewicz earned a bachelor’s degree in 2011 in English education with a minor in Spanish from ISU, where she also earned a master’s in teaching and learning (formerly Curriculum and Instruction) in 2016, she said.

She taught English at La Salle-Peru High School (she transferred to St. Bede in 2015), where she immediately adopted Marilee Applebee’s credo of challenging and encouraging her students. Rynkewicz still is remembered warmly at L-P.

“Brittany was funny and often fearless as a teacher at L-P. She loved to laugh and share stories of students learning and surprising her,” English teacher Tracy Boylan said. “Her students adored her and she adored them.”

Retired English teacher Jill Hoelzer recalled Rynkewicz served as an assistant debate team coach who was equally encouraging and demanding as in the classroom.

“She encouraged her team to try new things, work hard, and develop life-long skills they would use in the future,” Hoelzer said.

Rynkewicz might have stayed on at L-P but St. Bede was closer to home and enabled her to attend her children’s games, shows and activities after school.

“On a good day, my classroom is lively, and every kid learns something,” she said. “Ideally, the kids are working together with energy and intention or we’re having a meaningful discussion about literature and its application to their lives.

“I also like having kids pop back in my room even when they aren’t in my class that year, but I think that’s more so for the Lifesaver mints on my desk than to see me.”

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DEVERT