Congratulations to the RTHS Speech Team. They competed in the Rockford Jefferson Tournament this past weekend and earned 2nd place in the team competition and had many members earn finalist honors.
National School Counseling Week 2026 (February 2–6), sponsored by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), recognizes the vital role school counselors play in our schools and the tremendous impact they have on student success and career planning.
At RTHS, we are grateful for the dedication, guidance, and support provided every day by Mr. Mike Dale, Mrs. Tasha Bonnell, Mr. Javier Zepeda, and Mr. Colfay Pointer. Their commitment to our students makes a meaningful difference in helping them navigate academics, personal growth, and future goals.
Please take a moment this week to thank our RTHS School Counselors for all they do!
At RTHS, we are grateful for the dedication, guidance, and support provided every day by Mr. Mike Dale, Mrs. Tasha Bonnell, Mr. Javier Zepeda, and Mr. Colfay Pointer. Their commitment to our students makes a meaningful difference in helping them navigate academics, personal growth, and future goals.
Please take a moment this week to thank our RTHS School Counselors for all they do!
February is a short month and the school year is flying by! Below you will find some upcoming events happening in February. Sports schedules can be found by scanning the QR Code below or on https://schools.snap.app/rochelletownshiphs
Friday, February 6th is the deadline to turn in the American Legion Americanism Essay. There is still time to pick up a packet in the Counseling Center if you would like a chance at competing for cash prizes! See Mrs. Harvey in the Counseling Center if you are interested and make sure those essays are turned in by the due date.
If your name is on the Renaissance Card Recipient list outside of the Counseling Center or Main Office, and you have not picked up your new Renaissance Card, PLEASE pick it up in the Counseling Center ASAP!
🎓SENIORS! ! It's scholarship season and scholarship applications are now open!🎓
Start applying NOW as the deadline for many local scholarships is March 13th and you may need to complete essays or have letters of recommendation . You can find a listing of the scholarships available on our RTHS homepage under the Counseling Center tab and Scholarship links or on Schoolinks under "Colleges" and then "Scholarship Matching" . Be sure to check them out and get them completed and submitted. Last year over $185,000 in local scholarships were awarded to the Class of 2025. Please see your counselor or Mrs. Harvey with any questions.
➡️Rochelle Website: https://www.rochelleschools.org/o/rths/page/counseling-center
➡️SchooLinks: https://app.schoolinks.com/dashboard
This week's Hub Award winner is Connor Macklin. Connor's teachers and Speech coaches rave about how helpful Connor is. He reaches out to see how he can help others, he's always positive, and he takes coaching/teaching well. We can't thank Connor enough for all he does to help make RTHS a better place!
Silver Service Volunteer Opportunity starting now or over the summer! Check out the flyer for more info.
⭐RTHS Honors January Rotary Student of the Month: Zachery Smith⭐
Rochelle Township High School is proud to recognize Zachery Smith, a junior at RTHS, as the January Rotary Student of the Month. Zachery exemplifies the Rotary ideals of service, leadership, and community involvement, making him a deserving recipient of this honor.
Throughout his three years at RTHS, Zachery has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service, earning an impressive 325 Silver Service Hours. This remarkable achievement reflects his dedication to helping others while balancing a full schedule of academic and extracurricular activities, including Marching Band, Madrigals, Student Council, and Interact.
Zachery has generously volunteered his time and talents to support a wide range of school and community events. His service includes working at the Rochelle Little League concession stand, assisting with school dances, participating in Make a Difference Day, helping with Thanksgiving turkey distribution, and supporting numerous Interact events. He has also volunteered as a Biology tutor for a classmate.
Those who work alongside Zachery consistently praise his character and work ethic. His church supervisor shared, “We are very thankful for Zachery’s help. He is responsible, respectful, and always quick to jump in wherever he’s needed. We really appreciate him.” Similarly, his supervisor at the Rochelle Little League concession stand stated, “Zach always steps up and takes initiative. He is polite, a self-starter, and rarely needs direction. Zach is a great asset.”
Zachery’s commitment to service extends beyond school and organized activities. He assists at his church by running the live feed and slideshow during services and is also a valued employee at Ralphie’s BBQ and Catering, where he brings the same strong work ethic and positive attitude.
RTHS congratulates Zachery Smith on being named the January Rotary Student of the Month and thanks him for his continued dedication to service and community involvement. We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future.
Rochelle Township High School is proud to recognize Zachery Smith, a junior at RTHS, as the January Rotary Student of the Month. Zachery exemplifies the Rotary ideals of service, leadership, and community involvement, making him a deserving recipient of this honor.
Throughout his three years at RTHS, Zachery has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to service, earning an impressive 325 Silver Service Hours. This remarkable achievement reflects his dedication to helping others while balancing a full schedule of academic and extracurricular activities, including Marching Band, Madrigals, Student Council, and Interact.
Zachery has generously volunteered his time and talents to support a wide range of school and community events. His service includes working at the Rochelle Little League concession stand, assisting with school dances, participating in Make a Difference Day, helping with Thanksgiving turkey distribution, and supporting numerous Interact events. He has also volunteered as a Biology tutor for a classmate.
Those who work alongside Zachery consistently praise his character and work ethic. His church supervisor shared, “We are very thankful for Zachery’s help. He is responsible, respectful, and always quick to jump in wherever he’s needed. We really appreciate him.” Similarly, his supervisor at the Rochelle Little League concession stand stated, “Zach always steps up and takes initiative. He is polite, a self-starter, and rarely needs direction. Zach is a great asset.”
Zachery’s commitment to service extends beyond school and organized activities. He assists at his church by running the live feed and slideshow during services and is also a valued employee at Ralphie’s BBQ and Catering, where he brings the same strong work ethic and positive attitude.
RTHS congratulates Zachery Smith on being named the January Rotary Student of the Month and thanks him for his continued dedication to service and community involvement. We look forward to seeing all that he will accomplish in the future.
Click the link below for an important weather announcement from Rochelle Schools
Haga clic en el siguiente enlace para ver un importante anuncio sobre el tiempo de las Escuelas de Rochelle.
https://bit.ly/Jan23Closure
Haga clic en el siguiente enlace para ver un importante anuncio sobre el tiempo de las Escuelas de Rochelle.
https://bit.ly/Jan23Closure
Culvers in Rochelle is offering a 10% discount for Rochelle students and staff this semester when they show their school ID!
Thank you Culvers!!!
Thank you Culvers!!!
The annual American Legion Americanism Essay Contest is underway. This year's prompt is, "What are the Core American Values?" Cash prizes are available. See Mrs. Harvey in the Counseling Center to pick up a packet or for more information. Deadline to turn in the essay is February 6th.
The National Center for Rural Health Professions is offering a summer camp opportunity for rural and underrepresented high school students. It is a three-day Day Camp being held in Rockford at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford campus from July 22-24. This is a FREE camp thanks to a grant from the Brubaker Foundation. *See the flyer for more info and to apply.
Congrats to this week's Hub Award winner, Alayna Smardo. Whatever she may be doing, Alayna does it with a positive attitude and a good work ethic. She works well with others and frequently presents creative ideas with her group projects. She's truly a positive influence on those around her, and she helps make RTHS a better place. Thank you, Alayna!
Kishwaukee College will be hosting Visit Day on President’s Day, Monday, February 16. This annual event provides an excellent opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn more about our academic programs and student support services.
During the event, guests will learn about:
~Transfer 101 and Next Steps
~Career and Technical Education Programs
~Health Science Programs
~Scholarships and Financial Aid
~Student Involvement and Athletics
Visit Day will also include campus tours, an information fair, FAFSA assistance, and guidance on how to get started at Kish.
*See the flyer with additional details and a QR code for registration.*
During the event, guests will learn about:
~Transfer 101 and Next Steps
~Career and Technical Education Programs
~Health Science Programs
~Scholarships and Financial Aid
~Student Involvement and Athletics
Visit Day will also include campus tours, an information fair, FAFSA assistance, and guidance on how to get started at Kish.
*See the flyer with additional details and a QR code for registration.*
This past Sunday and Monday, RTHS Choir students Brooklyn Hull, Hiliana Martinez, and Vivian Worthington spent two incredible days making music alongside 900 choral students from across the Midwest at the 2026 Dorian Festival at Luther College.
The experience culminated in the Dorian Festival Grand Concert, where they had the honor of performing with Luther College’s renowned Nordic Choir. They did an outstanding job representing RTHS at this music-filled festival.
Way to go, Hubs! 💜🤍
The RTHS speech team finished in 2nd place at the I-8 Conference Meet this past Saturday. The Hubs had several 2nd place finishers: Alayna Smardo in Oratory, Daphne Wise in Humorous Interpretation, Connor Macklin in both Impromptu and Extemp Speaking, and Brooklyn Hull & Derek Swartz in Dramatic Duet Acting. The team also had TWO CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS: Derek Swartz in Humorous Interpretation and Matilda Gonser in Radio Speaking.
Speaker of the week is Connor Macklin.
Speaker of the week is Connor Macklin.
Seniors! Mark your calendars….April 10th is the final deadline to submit Silver Service hours to earn your Silver Cord to wear at graduation. Keep volunteering and entering those hours into SchooLinks. We’re proud of you! 🙌
The National Center for Rural Health Professions' Rural Health Careers Camp is being held again in 2026. This is the 21st year of offering this camp to rural high school students located in northwest IL!
This year's camp will be held again at Northern Illinois University. The camp is scheduled to run from Monday, June 29, 2026 - Wednesday, July 1, 2026. The cost of this year's camp is $150.00.
Attached is a flyer with a QR code to the camp's webpage with application link. Registration is limited to 50 students, so be sure to register early!
https://ncrhp.uic.edu/programs/experiences/rural-health-careers-camp/
The annual American Legion Americanism Essay Contest is underway. This year's prompt is, "What are the Core American Values?" Cash prizes are available. See Mrs. Harvey in the Counseling Center to pick up a packet or for more information. Deadline to turn in the essay is February 6th.
