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By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Preston Brown.

Officer Brown is a School Resource Officer for GCSD9 Elementary schools and a S.A.B.R.E. instructor for eight schools in the Granite City community.

Where did you go to school?
I graduated from Madison High School. After high school, I joined the U.S. Navy. I later graduated from Southwestern Illinois College with an associate degree.

What does a typical day look like for a school resource officer?
After I arrive at school in the morning, I ensure and maintain building safety. Upon students’ arrival, I conduct perimeter checks and ensure all doors are locked from possible trespassers and intruders. I also monitor surveillance cameras to uphold proper school etiquette for students. Once I get a glimpse that all is well, I prepare to present S.A.B.R.E. lessons to 5th graders in the district. This part is one of the biggest joys of my day!

How is working in a school different from roles in law enforcement?
In the school setting, my primary focus is building relationships and early intervention with students rather than a sense of being reactive. My role now is less about enforcing the law and more about shaping outcomes.

How do you build relationships with students and staff?
Being present is key. Students absolutely enjoy seeing the presence of law enforcement in the building. A simple “hi” or fist bump puts a smile on their faces. I’ve learned staff feel that same presence when I’m visible on campus. Collaborating closely with administrators and staff establishes trust and credibility to work toward the common goal of educating students.

What is one moment from your time as a school resource officer that really stands out to you?
A student, earlier in this school year, approached me and told me I was his idol. Having a lasting impression on students is always the goal, and there are times where you don’t see an immediate impact from your efforts. However, I was taken aback when I heard those words from that student.

What are your hobbies?
I’m a sports junkie. Watching sports like basketball, football, baseball, boxing, and track and field has been a part of me since I was a kid. Outside of that, family first. My girlfriend and our three kids love to travel and plan to do more in the future.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net

Granite City, Ill., January 15, 2026 – QuestBridge has announced the results of the 2025 QuestBridge National College Match, recognizing senior Melody Hang of Granite City High School as one of this year’s Match Scholarship Recipients. 

Hang was selected from a competitive pool of high-achieving high school seniors from low-income backgrounds nationwide and earned a full four-year scholarship through QuestBridge’s partnership with 55 of the nation’s top colleges. Her selection reflects both her academic excellence and her readiness to succeed at the college level and beyond.

Hang will attend Washington University in St. Louis in the Fall and major in biology, focusing on molecular biology and biochemistry, with a minor in bioinformatics. The daughter of Steve Hang and Fion Chan hopes to pursue a career in genetic engineering or immunology. 

The Match Scholarship — provided by the University — is made up of a generous financial aid package that covers the full cost of attendance, including tuition, housing and food, books and supplies, and travel expenses. The Match Scholarship does not include loans or a parental contribution.

This year’s Match Scholarship Recipients represent all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, as well as the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Puerto Rico. These students become the first QuestBridge Scholars for the Class of 2030. 

About QuestBridge:
QuestBridge is a national nonprofit organization that connects high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds with a thriving community and transformative educational, career, and life opportunities that help propel them to lives of fulfillment, meaning, and purpose. From QuestBridge’s founding over 30 years ago, the organization has always focused on creating opportunities for students from low-income backgrounds, regardless of race, geography, or academic interest.

By Brayden Cook '26

Every week throughout the 2025-26 school year, Granite City Community School District #9 will be highlighting a staff member for going above and beyond to give students a positive experience.

This week’s staff highlight is Carissa Warfield. 

Warfield has been a social worker for nine years and has been a part of GCSD9 for four. She is also the assistant cheerleading coach at Coolidge Junior High School.

Where did you go to school?
I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Millikin University and my Master’s degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE).

What is the most rewarding part about being a social worker?
Being a school social worker has so many rewarding parts, but some of my favorites have been watching students achieve their highest goal of graduation when they once thought that may have never been possible. Getting a front row seat to see them overcome their hardest struggles is one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a social worker.

What is your favorite part about working at Lake?
Being the smallest school in the district, we have the opportunity to get to know our students on a personal level and really help them transform into who they are trying to become. The staff here are also one of a kind. Our team at Lake supports, encourages, and shows up for each other like family, and that is something I am so grateful to be a part of.

What is your favorite food?
Tacos!

What are some of your favorite hobbies?
Life is busy, so my favorite way to spend any free time is being with my family, especially my husband and kids. We love being outside and spending many of our summer days camping.

If you would like to nominate a deserving staff member, please email: information@gcsd9.net

Granite City, Ill., January 8, 2026 – Scott Credit Union has announced the recipients of its 2025 “With You” Grant Program, recognizing two schools from the Granite City Community Unit School District #9 for their dedication to student success. 

Granite City High School and Grigsby Elementary School were recognized for their commitment to student success. The nominations were submitted by Denise Albrecht, a math teacher at GCHS and Marisela Luna, an ELL teacher at Grigsby and Maryville Elementary School.

• Granite City High School – Upgrades survey equipment to support hands-on geometry and applied math learning. 
• Grigsby Elementary School – Provides translate live devices to strengthen real-time communication with Spanish-speaking families.

This year, the Foundation received 132 With You Grants submissions. The 57 winning  projects were selected by a volunteer committee and evaluated based on project need, student impact, and clarity of the proposal. All applications were kept anonymous during  the review process. 

Since launching in 2020, the Foundation has now invested more than $507,000 in classroom and school initiatives, making the With You Grants Program a key part of its mission to strengthen education and uplift the communities Scott Credit Union serves. 

The With You Grants Program is funded through the Foundation’s annual golf scramble and a percentage of purchases made by members using their SCU debit cards. These dollars are reinvested directly back into local schools to support projects that enhance learning environments, improve inclusion, and meet essential student needs. 

For details on Scott Credit Union, visit: https://www.scu.org