Each year, nominations are accepted for the William and Delight Eloe Award for Inspirational Academic Leadership. Since 2011 the Hamilton Community Foundation has presented an Aurora Public Schools staff with the Eloe Award.
Howard Eloe, son of William and Delight, established this award in appreciation for the support provided to their mother and family by the Aurora Public Schools while their father was ill.
Nominations are submitted from students, parents and colleagues of an Aurora Public Schools staff based on demonstrated excellence in leadership, enhancement of academic programs, and school and community involvement.
The criteria for this award is based on demonstration of excellence in leadership; creation, improvement, or enhancement of academic programs; service on committees or projects for the welfare of the school system; and leadership in service to students, parents, and the district.
Tammy Morris, Hamilton Community Foundation executive director, shared highlights from the nominations submitted on behalf of this year’s recipient.
“This staff member works diligently to provide research-based curricula that is developmentally appropriate for the students, while also working closely with students and parents,” Morris said. “This staff works closely with teachers to provide guidance, and has been instrumental in developing the reading intervention program.”
Morris announced Haley Sigler as the 2023 recipient of the William and Delight Eloe Award for Inspirational Academic Leadership. Sigler was surprised and remarked in her comments that she felt her success was because of the great team that she works with.
“I’m at a loss of words at such a privilege to be nominated by my wonderful co-workers,” Sigler said. “I’m grateful for this family and the Hamilton Community Foundation.”
Morris shared that one of the highlights in the nomination form was, “I am a better teacher because of Haley.”
Sigler has been with Aurora Public Schools since 2010 and is a Title I Teacher at the elementary school. She helps develop academic and behavior plans, coordinates summer reading camps, enters academic data, works with administration on Title Reading Audit, and is a valuable member of the RIP Leadership Team that reviews academic and behavior plans.
“Overall, I’m honored and humbled to be given this award,” Sigler commented.
Each year, Howard Eloe, William and Delight’s son, returns to Aurora with his family to meet the recipient of this award in honor of his parents.
“I started this award because of our parent’s positions in Aurora Public Schools and because of how instrumental the school was in supporting our family when my dad was sick and after he passed,” Howard said.
Howard’s father, William, was the YMCA director in Aurora and coached football, basketball and track. He led Aurora to the first basketball state championship in 1920 and was a founding member of the Aurora Rotary Club.
Delight Eloe, Howard’s mother, started teaching third and fourth grade at South Elementary School in Aurora in 1928 and retired as principal of West Elementary School in 1958. During that time, she cared for her ill husband and raised five children while maintaining her community and church leadership activities.
“Howard and his children are a family who care deeply about the community,” Morris said. “This fund was started to honor their parents and recognize an APS staff who emulates excellence.”
The William C. and Delight M. Eloe Award is presented annually. Nominations for next year will be open Feb.1 to March 15, 2024. Nominations are accepted from community members, parents, students and colleagues.
The list of former recipients can be found at https://hcfne.org/eloe-award. For additional information, please contact the Hamilton Community Foundation.