Dr. Chris Sullens and Rick Johnson are this year’s Honorary Boilermakers at Kewanee High School.
The Honorary Boilermaker award is given to an individual or business that has given countless support to the Kewanee School District community. Often, these individuals or businesses go unnoticed but are vital to the success of the students in the district.
Sullens is a graduate in the KHS class of 1980. While in high school, he played football as a quarterback for two years and wrestled for four years; he won 28 matches his senior year.
He was involved in Key Club and worked at Midland Country Club while attending high school. He had perfect attendance for 13 years.
Sullens attended Northern Illinois University, where he found his interest in industrial education. He received his bachelor’s degree in education in 1984 and his master’s in 1986.
After subbing in the Kewanee School District, he was an industrial arts teacher at Galva High School, where he coached volleyball and wrestling. In 1998, he was hired as principal at Neponset High School and later became the superintendent and principal. During that time, he earned his doctorate in education through the Nova program in Chicago.
During his tenure at Neponset, he was an integral part of the Neponset School District combining with the Kewanee School District through an annexation process.
In 2006, he was hired as the superintendent of Kewanee Community Unit School District 229. In his 18 years as superintendent, he oversaw many initiatives and improvements.
His ultimate goal was and still is to make sure that the students have the best education and that every student has something in the district to be a part of.
Sullens made sure to give all the students opportunities that other students didn’t have in 2005. For example, in 2007 the KHS Stadium restrooms were built. In 2009, KHS got a greenhouse and the KHS Stadium lights.
In 2011-2012 the Golby Student Center was built along with the parking lot by Central Field. In 2014, the KHS science and art rooms Expansion, the Central Steamer Gym and the Lyle School addition were completed.
In 2015, the district bought the former Moose Lodge and remodeled it into the Professional Development and Administration Office.
In 2018, Belle Alexander was expanded to include a new classroom, offices, restrooms, and a new library. In 2019, the KHS biology and fine arts addition, the administration office addition and numerous solar projects were completed.In 2020, the secure entrance at Central was built, the KHS home economics addition was built, and the teachers lounge and AD room were remodeled.
In 2021, he continued improvements and innovations through the KHS cafeteria expansion and the Great Dane Welding Center. In 2022, the district’s major projects were the KHS football and soccer turf, the KHS ag science center, the Belle classroom and gymnasium addition, the Neponset classroom addition, and the Irving secure entrance.
In 2023, his work continued with the addition of the new Cernovich Fieldhouse, the new Lyle physical therapy and speech room addition, the Irving parking lot and the new playground.
Sullens has a total of 38 years in education. He retired on June 30, 2024 and will enjoy his retirement with his wife Kristine and his daughter, Chloe, who is also a KHS graduate.
Although he is now retired, you will still find him running around in the KHS halls giving the class reunion tours.
Rick Johnson’s award recognizes individuals whose support has made a significant difference to the success of Kewanee’s students and programs. Johnson prefers to stay out of the spotlight, quietly contributing in ways that have a lasting impact on the community.
The 1971 Kewanee High School graduate has deep roots in Kewanee. While at KHS, Rick was involved in many activities, including basketball, football, cross country, Key Club, student council, track, and being sophomore class president. Outside of school, Rick worked for his family’s business, helping open a young men’s retail store in 1970.
After high school, he attended Black Hawk East College before transferring to Bradley University, where he earned his degree in business in 1975. His education prepared him to eventually take the reins of his family’s business, Johnson’s Hub Clothing and Formalwear, which is now a 105-year-old, fourth-generation establishment.
Rick and his wife Jackie are parents of two daughters, Amanda Minx (husband Mike) and Valerie Karasek (husband Doug), both KHS graduates. He is also has three grandchildren — Henry, Ralph, and Rory, with another grandchild on the way.
As the owner of Johnson’s Hub, Rick has become a pillar of the community, providing quality clothing for generations. Each year during Homecoming, Rick donates tuxedos to the homecoming court, free of charge, supporting a local tradition. Over the years, he’s also contributed formalwear for school plays and other events.
Rick’s love for Kewanee extends beyond his business. As a father, he took pride watching his daughters play sports at Kewanee High School, always on the sidelines keeping their stats with pride. That same passion for the Boilermakers endures, as Rick continues to follow the local teams, tracking their stats and cheering them on.
He always enjoys when current KHS students stop by Johnson’s Hub, offering them encouragement and sharing in their accomplishments.
Though Rick shies away from recognition, his steady and quiet contributions have been vital to the district’s success. He’s spent years helping young men look their best for dances, dates, proms, and interviews, and he’s thrilled when they return to him for their weddings. His support has influenced countless lives in Kewanee, a true testament to his deep commitment to the community that he has always called home.
