Just steps from Sterling High School and Challand Middle School, Whiteside Area Career Center students are earning certifications, college credits and real-world experience through hands-on training in a variety of fields, such as healthcare, construction and culinary arts.

A Rock Falls High School athlete who suffered a broken neck that left him partially paralyzed during a March 15 track meet has filed a lawsuit against Sterling’s park district, the Sterling School District and Rock Falls High School District in connection with the injury.

Here's a list of students named to the honor roll.

Southside Elementary School of Morrison is hosting a drive-thru fundraiser to support Dylan Wescott, a Rock Falls High School student-athlete who was left partially paralyzed after suffering a broken neck during a track and field meet March 15.

The Illinois College & Career Pathway Endorsement Program allows students to earn a formal endorsement on their high school diploma or transcript by completing a series of structured requirements designed to prepare them for life after high school in their chosen career path.

The five were recognized as students of the month for April.

Scholarships and student achievement awards have been given to students in the Rock Falls High School Class of 2025.

Friends and family cheered their graduating loved ones Sunday, May 18, 2025, during Rock Falls High School’s 146th commencement ceremony.

RFHS commenced 131 students Sunday, May 18, 2025, during the school's 146th graduation.

Amy Heffelfinger and Heidi Ripley, who run Rock Falls High School's Family and Consumer Sciences Department, are helping students learn practical life skills that go beyond the classroom.

A federal program is working behind the scenes to ensure students experiencing homelessness, including those in the Sauk Valley, do not fall between the cracks.

Marissa Bliefnick plans to attend Western Illinois University to major in pre-med biology and to pursue a career as a doctor.

The traveling museum, which will not be open to the public, will be stationed at RFHS, 101 12th Ave., from Monday, May 5, through Thursday, May 8. The museum will also visit the Rock Falls Middle School, 1701 12th Ave., on Friday, May 9.

The school will receive funds to replace its existing desks with 12 new whiteboard tables for teaching and necessary supplies, including markers and erasers.

Culver’s of Rock Falls will host a share night from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, when a percentage of sales and all cash donations will be donated by the Rock Falls senior class to Dylan Wescott and his family as he recovers from a sports accident.

Zoey Near plans to attend Michigan Technological University to major in aerospace engineering.

The show brought in 55 high school students submitting 88 pieces of work with mediums ranging from charcoal to ceramic and paint to pen.

The Next Picture Show in Dixon held its first student art show with an awards ceremony Friday, March 28, 2025, at the downtown gallery. Fifty-five high school students submitted works for the show.

Mike Ely plans to go into broadcasting and journalism and also earn a teaching degree.

More than 50 booths from schools, businesses and other post-school opportunities were set up Thursday, March 6, 2025, to inform students about their options during Rock Falls High School's 10th college and career fair.

The Augustana College Film Program and the Film Club is hosting actor, writer and director Frank Harts from 1-2 p.m. Monday, March 10.

Kaylee Johnson plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the Illinois Institute of Technology.

Here is a snapshot of how a federal funding freeze could affect schools in the Sauk Valley area.

Sydnie Flaningam wants to be an early childhood educator mainly focusing on preschool and kindergarten. She plans to attend Sauk Valley Community College after high school.

This month’s speaker will be Janel Stahr, who is running for office in the upcoming school board elections.

Rock Falls High School recently released its first-semester honor roll for the 2024-25 school year.

The SVACC awards scholarships to students pursuing a college degree in a variety of fields.

Student lunch debt at Dixon Public Schools, which totals about $9,625, is rapidly being paid off after a donation campaign was launched by the mother of a third-grade Jefferson Elementary student.

Lucas Hacker will attend Illinois State University, where he will study business administration. He hopes to then get a job as a financial adviser.

A look at opening night games at the 50th Annual Colmone Classic, featuring Princeton, Bureau Valley, Hall, St. Bede, L-P and Putnam County.

McKenzie Woodard plans to attend a four-year college and major in middle-level teacher education.

Third-grade students from Montmorency school in Rock Falls presented thank-you letters Thursday to local veterans during their monthly breakfast at the Whiteside County Senior Center in Sterling.

According to the Illinois Report Card, 42.2% of students were chronically absent during the 2023-24 school year.

Frank Harts was recently awarded “Best Narrative Short” for his film, “Be True to Your School,” at the Raindance Film Festival in New York. Harts graduated from Rock Falls High School in 1998, where he was later inducted into the school’s Performing Arts Hall of Fame in 2022.

As students across Illinois are starting to bounce back from pandemic disruptions in 2020, Rock Falls’ elementary and secondary school districts are standing out, with students showing the highest increase in English language arts proficiency.

Addison Watts plans to attend a university and major in rehabilitation sciences.

Rock Falls High School celebrated homecoming Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, with a parade through the city. The Rockets will take on the Oregon Hawks in football Friday night.

Carolyn Masini plans to earn a degree in business administration.

Newman High School Director of Marketing Gehrig Koerner made special mention of the Rock Falls School District, which donated 35,000 items to the program.

Sterling High School is trying something new when it comes to deciding the date for next spring's graduation – asking students what they want.

Here is a photo gallery from the Rock Falls boys golf invite on Saturday, Aug. 24, 2024, at Deer Valley Country Club.

Rock Falls High School’s Class of 2024 graduated Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Tabor Gym at Rock Falls High School.

Rock Falls High School's Class of 2024 graduated Sunday, May 26, 2024, at Tabor Gym at Rock Falls High School.

Signing day, more traditionally reserved for student athletes, was reimagined as a way to recognize the graduates who are going straight to work rather than pursuing higher education.

The trade show was held Wednesday and Thursday nights, with 31 student-run businesses selling everything from jewelry and video promotions to made-to-order grilled cheese sandwiches.

Akshar Barot plans to attend either Purdue University or the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to major in aerospace engineering with a potential minor in computer science and music.

Freshmen from 11 area high schools attended a teen leadership summit hosted by the Regional Office of Education on Friday, March 15, 2024, at the McCormick Event Center in Rock Falls. Keynote speaker Dr. Alonzo Kelly led students through exercises meant to explore critical thinking on a deeper level.

Root, a senior, plans on becoming an athletic trainer or physical therapist. His two favorite extracurricular activities are cross country and track.

Ahhhh, the snow day: A day that begins when students crowd around the TV, or nowadays check social media sites, to see if falling snow, drifting or extremely cold temperatures will let them stay home for the day.

Rock Falls High School has released its first-semester honor roll for the 2023-2024 school year.