Alton Educational Foundation

Cathy Droste was born and raised in the Alton/Godfrey area. She is a 1980 graduate of Alton High School and earned her BS in Special Education and MS in Educational Administration from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. In 2018, Cathy retired from the Alton School District after 33 years in education. In addition to serving on the AEF Board, Cathy is a member of the Alton Community Service League, St. Mary’s School Board, and is active in the St. Mary’s Parish Community. Cathy and her husband, Mark, reside in Godfrey. They have two sons, Alex and Nick, a daughter-in-law, Nick’s wife Maddi, and one grandson, George.

I am a 2020 retired Alton School District teacher, Literary Coach and Assistant Principal. I married my highschool sweetheart, Miles, and we are approaching our 40th wedding anniversary in June 2022! We have 3 daughters. I currently work part time in the College for Life Program at LCCC. I am also proud to work for my church, the Godfrey First United Methodist Church, as the Director of Children and Family Ministries.

Carrie Schildroth was born and raised in the Alton/ Godfrey area. She and her husband Brian both proudly graduated from Alton High School as did their two daughters, Katherine and Rebecca. They currently live in Godfrey and are very active in the community. Carrie received her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Education from Greenville College. Carrie has taught at
most of the elementary schools in the Alton School District and since 2015 has been a Computer Literacy teacher at Alton Middle School. Carrie is an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Alton, currently serving as an Elder. In 2021 Carrie was awarded the YWCA Women of Distinction
Award. Outside of work, Carrie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, reading and
Blues Hockey! Carrie is very excited to join the AEF and serves as the recording secretary.

Teri has over 15 years of experience working in education. She was the bookkeeper for Galesburg High School for nearly five years. After moving to Alton, Teri held an array of roles in the Alton School District before retiring as the Secretary to the Assistant Superintendent. Teri has a vast knowledge of accounting practices and grants management which has been extremely beneficial to the Foundation in her role as board treasurer. She earned an Associate of Arts Degree from Carl Sandburg College in Galesburg, IL and took early childhood education classes at Western Illinois University. Prior to working for schools, Teri enjoyed time as a homemaker and teaching fitness classes. She has and continues to volunteer for many community organizations including working directly with youth at her church. Teri describes her proudest accomplishments as her three wonderful daughters. After retiring from the school district in 2023, Teri enjoys spending time with her husband, Phil, and their four grandchildren. Teri also enjoys traveling in addition to her volunteer efforts. 

Stacey received her education from Alton School District schools and is a proud alumni of the class of ‘86. She furthered her education by earning her BS in Organizational Leadership from Greenville College and she also holds a MA in Gerontology from Lindenwood University. She has been the Director of Operations at Senior Services Plus, Inc. since May of 2021. Prior to this, she held several positions including: Director of Independent Living at the Esquiline, Executive Director at Cedarhurst Assisted Living & Memory Care, Executive Director of Foxes Grove Supportive Living, Marketing & Admissions Coordinator at Saint Clare’s Villa. Through the years, she served on many committees and volunteered with several organizations including: Alton Main Street, RiverBend Growth Association, The RiverBend Community Center, Tidalwaves Swim team, The Alzheimers association, ROAR, Alton Children’s Theatre, Alton Education Foundation, Got Your Six Support Dogs and Pride Beautification Inc. Her greatest accomplishment and joy is her son Ty, who is a 2016  AHS alumni and a 2020 graduate of Bradley University. Ty lives in Peoria with his wife, Catie and works in IT. She is also very proud of her Aussie Doodle – Super Cooper – who serves as a therapy dog visiting folks in hospitals, schools, nursing homes, libraries, etc. spreading love and joy to all who meet him. Cooper also had a staring role in the production of Annie in 2024 at AHS. In her free time, Stacey enjoys time with my friends, playing golf, getting in lots of steps every day, summer, swimming and working in her yard.

I was born in the European country now known as Bosnia and Herzegovina. I graduated from the University of Zagreb in Croatia and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering before moving to the USA in December of 1996. I subsequently attended and graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Management in December of 2001. My wife Jennifer and I live in Alton, and we have one daughter, Nadja. I am employed by Nestle Purina Pet Food Company, located in St. Louis, as a senior mechanical designer. In our free time, we like spending time together, staying physically active, and encouraging our daughter to pursue her dreams. 

Phil Trapani – Is a retired principal of Alton High School. He was responsible for planning and administrating the move from the old Alton High to the new Alton High School building. As Assistant Superintendent he was instrumental in the planning of combining two middle schools into the current Alton Middle School. After over 40 years of experience in education, in four communities, Phil and his wife, Teri, have made Alton their home.

Bio Coming Soon!

Bio Coming Soon!