Local student wins state award

Mike Viles honored by the Illinois Council of Exceptional Children.

Mike Viles, of Jacksonville, has been chosen the student of the year by the Illinois Council of Exceptional Children.

Viles accepted the Dean S. Hage Student of the Year Award Nov. 5 during the Council’s fall convention in Chicago. The award is presented to a student in the state who has “demonstrated outstanding service and leadership to this association, the Federation and/or local chapter and to the exceptional children of Illinois,” according to the Council’s Web site.

The award was presented by Bev Johns, an adjunct instructor in the Special Education Department at MacMurray and a board member of the Council. Previously, she was the longtime program supervisor of the Garrison Alternative School in Jacksonville.

“The Council selected Viles for his service on the board of MacMurray's campus chapter of CEC, as well as his ongoing service to local CEC Chapter 99 as a board member and publicity chairman,” Johns said while presenting the award. “Additionally, Mr. Viles displays a continuous dedication to exceptional children by faithfully attending conferences and workshops and by tutoring children on the autism spectrum.”

Viles, a senior with a double major in special education and psychology, is a Jacksonville native and is married to Esther Viles. He is scheduled to begin his student teaching in January and graduate in May.