Highland School was a sea of blue on Dec. 8, as the school hosted a high-energy celebration of its designation as a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School.

A group of parents were out bright and early that morning, tying blue ribbons around the throughway trees on the portion of Highland Avenue leading up to the school. Blue ribbons also decorated the front of the school, and signs lined the driveway proudly proclaiming students’ thoughts as to why Highland is a Blue Ribbon School.

“Everybody’s contribution to this school has paid off,” said one fourth-grader. “Whoever goes here can succeed at any goal,” wrote a fifth-grader. “Every day I see students helping each other out,” said another fifth-grader.

The school’s foyer was covered with letters written by residents, parents and retirees, as well as by local, state and federal dignitaries, congratulating Highland on its accomplishment.

Prior to the Blue Ribbon celebration, student council officers gave tours of the school to visitors, including Sen. Ron Sandack, Sen. Kirk Dillard, Rep. Patti Bellock, and Downers Grove Mayor Martin Tully, whose siblings had attended Highland.

Students filed into the gymnasium holding blue construction paper streamers to wave during the assembly, and got high-fives from PTA President Page Orfanos as they walked through the door.

Followed by a presentation of the colors by the Boy Scouts, the assembly kicked off with a special surprise introduction of the staff, Chicago Bulls-style, by a very exuberant third-grader named T.J., who had done a stand-up comedy routine at last year’s variety show.

During the assembly, Sen. Sandack read a state resolution about Highland’s Blue Ribbon status and presented a copy of the certificate to Principal Dr. Judy Kmak; Tully shared a village proclamation regarding the Blue Ribbon honor. District 58 Superintendent Paul Zaander congratulated the school and presented the Blue Ribbon flag.

The choir led the students, staff and guests in singing “Never Stop Learning,” and Kmak unveiled the Blue Ribbon banner and plaque she had been presented for the school while at the awards ceremony and seminar in Washington, D.C. in November. The assembly closed with a rousing rendition of the school song.