2025 Excellence in Education Banquet Held April 25

Our 2025 Excellence in Education banquet was Friday, April 25, at Tebala Event Center, where more than 400 supporters of education dined, drank, danced, laughed, cried, applauded, bid, donated and celebrated.

Thank you to all our sponsors, including presenting sponsors, Collins Aerospace and Bergstrom Inc.

Additional major sponsors included Grove sponsors Blazer Foundation, Meg & Rob Hodge, Rockford Register Star, Rockford University and WTVO 17/ Fox 39. Branch sponsors were Frank Walter and Wendy’s. Apple Barrel Sponsors included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Entre Computer Solutions, Field, First Mid, GrahamSpencer, McDonald’s, Members Alliance Credit Union, OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony Medical Center, Schnuck Markets, Stenstrom, UW Health and Betty Zimmerman.

We also thank Hard Rock Casino Rockford for shuttling our recipients to the red carpet, our committee, LEDMarqueeRockford for the signage, auction donors and bidders, young paparazzi (and their parents!) and all attendees for making this such a beautiful event.