Meet A Future Leader In Elgin: Trista Skelnik

The future of Elgin is looking bright, thanks to the incredible young people working to strengthen our community. In partnership with T-Mobile, Patch is proud to spotlight future leaders like Trista Skelnik, who are making a positive impact in and around Elgin.

Trista Skelnik is an outstanding young leader in Elgin whose dedication to education and community service sets her apart. A graduate of Streamwood High School and Elgin Community College (ECC), Trista is continuing to pursue her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher at Northern Illinois University. She is passionate about forming meaningful connections with students and wants to be someone they can rely on, saying, "I want to be able to change the lives of kids around me," in an article by The Observer.

Trista has gained invaluable experience working at the Elgin Boys & Girls Club, where she helped children from kindergarten to sixth grade with social-emotional learning, current events and homework. Her commitment to the next generation of students is evident in her work and aspirations.

In recognition of her potential as an educator, Trista was selected for the prestigious Golden Apple Scholars Program, a competitive program that supports aspiring teachers with mentorship, classroom experience and financial assistance. This recognition is a testament to her dedication and talent, further solidified by her participation in ECC's Partnering to Lead and Empower District-Grown Educators (PLEDGE) program.

Congratulations, Trista Skelnik!

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