Jane Addams Principal Named National Distinguished Principal

BOLINGBROOK, IL — Jane Addams Middle School Principal Sonia Ruiz is the National Association of Elementary Schools Illinois Representative on the NAESP’s 2025 list of National Distinguished Principals, according to a news release from the District.

Ruiz is among 43 state representatives selected for this honor and will attend this year’s National
Distinguished Principal Program this fall in Washington, D.C., where she will be honored for her dedication and accomplishments, the District said. Principal honorees are selected by NAESP state
affiliates and by committees representing private and overseas schools.

“I’m incredibly grateful for this honor,” Ruiz said in a release. “I truly see it as a reflection of the amazing work happening every day at Jane Addams and the support I’ve received from our District leadership.”

“The importance of principal leadership has never been more important as schools and communities continue to recover from the challenges of the past few years,” said Dr. L. Earl Franks, CAE, NAESP’s executive director. “That is why we are so proud to recognize the outstanding leadership of the 2025 class of NAESP National Distinguished Principals; these principals lead highly successful learning communities and serve as examples of excellence for all school leaders.”

The District said Ruiz began her service to the VVSD community as Principal of Jane Addams Middle School at the beginning of the 2022-23 school year. Sonia is the current Illinois Principals Association Middle School Principal of the Year, and the 2025 IPA Three Rivers Region Middle School
Principal of the Year.

In addition to being the leader of the Jane Addams MS learning community, Sonia also serves as the Illinois Principal Association Diversity and Equity Chair for the state of Illinois, and on a national scale, is a member of National Association of Elementary School Principals National Task Force on Race and Equity.