The tradition of selecting two high school seniors, Mr. and Ms. J, who best represent the ideals of JT Central, began in 1958. The selection of Mr. and Ms. J begins with a senior who has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. The next step in the selection process is the faculty and staff selection of ten Ms. J finalists and ten Mr. J finalists from a list, using the criteria of appearance/poise, personality, activities, and community service. The twenty finalists are interviewed and selected by a panel of teachers and community members and are judged on the same criteria. The role of Mr. and Ms. J has been expanded this year. The twenty finalists now serve our school as ambassadors to the community as they promote all of the great opportunities Joliet Central provides for its students and its contribution in our community. Dr. Bowers has been the sponsor of Mr. and Ms. J for ten years, and she is grateful and honored to have the opportunity to work with these amazing, caring, and dedicated students. “Some of the work done by the candidates includes tutoring kids on Friday nights, speaking and representing Joliet Central in the community, and even going back to their junior highs to talk about JC and high school in general. Without further ado, Joliet Central’s Mr. and Ms. J title go to Jalen Jones and Tamara Snevely. The Mr. and Ms. J first runner-ups are Julian Silas and Tymerra Coleman; second runner-ups being Luis Villagomez and Emilee Nichols. The rest of the Mr. J finalists include Austin Bernhard, Peter Gerstenkorn, Henry Linehan, Raul Rosendo, Alex Ruettiger, Christopher Trevino and Jalen Williams; while the other Ms. J finalists include Kate Fanning, Ashley Hare, Sara Koziol, Nichole Long, Danielle Morgan, Carol Randolph and Hannah Vercellotti. Congratulations to all finalists!

The winners of Steelman & Steelwoman Award were recently announced at Ivy Night 2016. This award went to Jalen Jones and Tamara Snevely. Steelman and Steelwoman is awarded to one male and one female who demonstrated school pride and spirit and contributed to Central and the community through their extracurricular activities.