Lake County Gazette

The Community Consolidated School District 21 Board of Education has appointed new principals for Holmes Middle School, Longfellow Elementary School, and Twain Elementary School. The board voted on April 24 to approve the appointments.

Ben Neidich will become the principal of Holmes Middle School starting July 1. He succeeds Jenny Lagunas, who resigned after two years in the position. Neidich previously served as an assistant principal at Whittier Elementary School in Waukegan Community Unit School District 60. Before that, he was a dean of students at a middle school in Lake Forest School District 67 and taught social studies at the high school level in Chicago. District administrators praised Neidich as "a very collaborative, student-centered and caring educator." Neidich expressed his enthusiasm by stating, "I am thrilled to be able to call Holmes Middle School my new home."

Emily Gary will take over as principal of Longfellow Elementary School on July 1, succeeding Michelle Friedman. Gary has been the assistant principal at Frost Elementary School for four years and was a bilingual teacher at Whitman Elementary School for six years prior. She was recognized by district administrators as a "collaborative, thoughtful and caring educator." Gary shared her excitement about her new role: "Becoming the principal at Longfellow is a true honor and a chapter I’m really excited to begin."

Lisa Applequist will assume the role of principal at Twain Elementary School on July 1, replacing Winnie Clausell. Applequist has spent four years as assistant principal at Whitman Elementary School. Her previous roles include instructional coach at Wood Dale School District 7 and middle school language arts teacher in Glenview School District 34. According to district administrators, her approach is described as caring, enthusiastic, and collaborative. Applequist commented on her appointment: "After spending four years as an assistant principal in District 21, I am very excited to join the Twain community."

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