Happy belated Valentine’s Day! This month, we celebrate love in all its forms, including the lasting connections formed at Crete-Monee School District 201-U. From classmates to teammates to lifelong friends and partners, our alumni carry those bonds well beyond graduation.

We’re celebrating the friendships that began in the halls of Crete-Monee Schools and grew into lifelong connections, and in some cases, lifelong romances. Check out a few alumni stories below that remind us just how powerful those connections can be.

Jill Williamson, '03, Amy Laipple Gehrt, '03, & Jennifer Laipple Smith, '03

The three amigos would have never existed if it weren’t for Crete-Monee. Their story began at Talala Elementary (#TalalaKids), where their moms were registering their older sisters for kindergarten. Jill’s mom noticed the last name—Laipple—and, surprisingly, pronounced it correctly. That’s when she realized she had Jennifer and Amy's grandpa, George Laipple, as her teacher years earlier at Rich East High School. A simple moment turned into a lifelong connection, and from that day on, their friendship was set in motion.

Not many people can say they’ve had the same best friend for over 30 years. It takes a special person to be the best friend of twins, but Jill stepped into that role effortlessly. They all grew up side by side—playing together at recess during their Talala days, attending homecoming dances, and navigating all the milestones that come with growing up. Through every phase of life, their bond only grew stronger.

Today, Jill lives in Texas, but distance has never weakened their friendship. They stay in close contact and still make time to be together whenever they can—most recently celebrating her mom’s birthday together in December. Of course, her mom retold the story of the day they all met at kindergarten registration, reminding them just how special their Crete-Monee roots truly are.

Though miles may separate them, their hearts remain close. Crete-Monee didn’t just shape their education—it gave them a friendship that has lasted a lifetime.

Kourtney Taylor, '05, & Franckie Ryba, '08

Kourtney and Franckie met through friends during high school and have been together ever since. Now, they are proud to celebrate their daughter as she prepares to graduate with the CMHS Class of 2026.

Lavall McNulty Jr., '16 & Vanessa Caldwell-McNulty, '16

Lavall and Vanessa's incredible love story began on October 18, 2013, in the very halls of CMHS. Thirteen years later, they are happily married and recently exchanged vows this past December.

Kathy Siefert, '04 & Breanna Korzen-Sylvester, '04

Kathy and Bre met on the school bus on the very first day of sixth grade at what was then Crete-Monee Intermediate Center (now Balmoral Elementary). From the start, Bre helped introduce Kathy to new friends, and the two quickly formed a bond that carried them through the awkward middle school years of braces, acne, crushes, and everything in between—and all the way through high school.

Some of their favorite memories include Spanish class with Señor Salinas and his famous “Fiesta Fridays.” Both Bre and Kathy shared a passion for education and knew early on that they wanted to become teachers. That interest led them to enroll in the Teacher Internship Program at Crete-Monee High School, where they gained hands-on classroom experience throughout the district.

After college, both returned to Crete-Monee to begin their teaching careers. Kathy started at the Sixth Grade Center, later taught at Crete-Monee Middle School, and later served as the district’s Technology Integration Coordinator. During her time in the district, she also coached soccer and football. She now works as an IT Business Analyst for Purdue IT. Bre began her career at Talala Elementary, where she currently teaches kindergarten. Over the years, she has taught third and fifth grades and is now in her 18th year as an educator.

Today, they remain grateful for the lifelong friendship and professional foundation that began at Crete-Monee, a place that not only shaped their careers but also their enduring connection to one another.