Collinsville High School senior Danielle Cary and Twin Echo Elementary principal Dr. Julie Haake will be among the individuals and businesses honored during the annual C3 Awards dinner on December 4, 2024.
Collinsville Community Collaboration (C3) is a partnership between the City of Collinsville, Collinsville Chamber of Commerce and Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 to honor those who serve the community and make positive contributions to the quality of life. The first C3 awards were presented in 2018.
Danielle Cary: 2024 Leader of Tomorrow Award Recipient
Collinsville High School senior Danielle Cary was selected as the Leader of Tomorrow by C3. The award honors youth who are “involved in the community of Collinsville in constructive and positive ways that have impacted the lives of others that reside here, and inspired others to make a difference through their actions.”
CHS faculty say Dani was a standout from the moment she entered the campus. It was the Fall of 2020, but the height of the pandemic did not stand in the way of her service work in the community. Despite the limitations presented by COVID-19 restrictions during her first two years of high school, during that time, Dani completed 400 hours of service for local community organizations. Today, as she prepares to graduate, she has amassed countless volunteer hours with the local library, hospital and Disabled Veterans Association.
She has been active in Girl Scouts since the age of five. Through her service, she has come to embody their values of service, personal enrichment and cultural appreciation. She has achieved Girl Scouts’ highest awards: Bronze, Silver and Gold - a feat that in turn earned her their prestigious Trifecta Award.
Dani’s service to the Collinsville community has earned her the Presidential Gold Volunteer Service Medal and The Congressional Award Gold Medal. Her many contributions include developing sensory activities for pediatric therapy patients and creating sensory-friendly events for disabled Veterans.
In addition to volunteering, Dani seeks new opportunities to learn and grow as an individual. She has taken classes to learn to play the ukulele, scuba dive and master Tae Kwon Do. She earned her 3rd degree black belt which requires considerable practice, perseverance and endurance to achieve.
At Collinsville High School, Dani is the historian for the Student Council. Her leadership role includes organizing homecoming week, volunteering to help with school improvement projects, and coordinating the Senior Citizen Prom. She is president of National Honor Society and captain of the Track and Cross Country teams.
Danielle Cary is the daughter of Daniel Cary and Keri Davis Cary of Caseyville, Illinois.
Dr. Julie Haake: 2024 Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award Recipient
Twin Echo principal Dr. Julie Haake was named the 2024 Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award recipient.
The Stan Schaeffer Education Community Leadership Award, named for former Collinsville mayor, the late Stan Schaeffer, honors "Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 educators whose work has furthered education and helped create positive change within the Collinsville community."
Dr. Haake has 30 years of experience as an educator, and has served as principal at Twin Echo Elementary School since 2001. Her long tenure and ability to connect with students and families through the years, have made an undeniable impact on the Collinsville community.
Dr. Haake believes parents and teachers should be partners in educating children. This spirit of cooperation is incontestable due to her school’s designation as a National PTA School of Excellence since 2018. The award is given in support and recognition of “...partnerships between local PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students.”
In 2023, Twin Echo Elementary PTA was one of only two schools nationally to be recognized with the Phoebe Apperson Hearst Family-School Partnership Award of Merit which recognizes and celebrates achievement in building effective family-school partnerships. The award is the highest honor National PTA presents for effective family engagement.
Dr. Haake is a leader and mentor to her fellow elementary school principals in CUSD 10. She is among the first to volunteer to pilot a program in the district, or develop an innovative way to address a challenge.
She and her staff have worked tirelessly to improve chronic absenteeism at their school. Their “Every Day Counts” strategy provides fun incentives for classes to improve attendance. Having perfect attendance in a classroom can result in an impromptu dance party with Dr. Haake.
Under her leadership, Twin Echo’s “Teaming Up Night” initiative was the first of its kind in CUSD 10. Teaming Up invites parents to the school for a night of family fun, but also to learn about their child’s academic progress and discuss ways to partner for success over the school year.
“I believe that every parent wants their child to succeed,” says Dr. Haake, “Our job as educators is to do whatever it takes to make each child's potential a reality.”
Dr. Haake was born and raised in Belleville. She has a Bachelor of Science degree from McKendree University, a master’s degree from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. She is currently a National PTA Fellow with the Center for Family Engagement.
When she’s not working, Dr. Haake likes to spend time with her husband, Alan, and son, Sam.
AWARDS NIGHT INFORMATION
The 2024 C3 Awards will be presented during a dinner at the Gateway Center in Collinsville on December 4. Tickets are $35 each. For more information on the event, tickets, and awards to be presented, visit the C3 Awards page on the City of Collinsville website.
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