Multiple area public high schools-Deerfield, Evanston, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South, Highland Park, New Trier, Niles North, Niles West, and Stevenson-offer Hebrew as a foreign language. One of the longest-standing programs is at Evanston Township High School, where students, parents, faculty, administrators, and community supporters gathered Feb. 9 to celebrate the contributions of teacher Semadar Siegel. Set to retire at the end of the academic year, Siegel was hailed by numerous speakers, including District 202 Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon and ETHS principal Marcus Campbell, as a beloved, dynamic force who has made a broad, positive impact at the diverse high school. During her 17-year career at ETHS, Siegel has instructed some 1,700 students. The Feb. 9 event inaugurated the National Hebrew Honors Society, sponsored by Siegel and run by a board of high school sophomores and juniors. In addition to recognition for her outstanding contributions to Hebrew language education, Siegel also was honored by the Jewish Student Union (JSU) of Chicago for her role in promoting Israeli culture through the Israeli Culture Club. Siegel also was an awardee of the ETHS Parent-Teacher-Student Association’s first Wildkit Grants to help teachers provide additional enrichment activities for ETHS students.
