Reavis Students, Staff Surprise Iraq Veteran
Students and staff at Reavis High School in Burbank threw a surprise “hero’s welcome” on Friday for Jamie Conley, the head cross-country coach and physical education teacher who recently returned from a 10-month tour of duty with the Illinois Army National Guard in Iraq and Kuwait.
Conley, a first lieutenant commander in the National Guard, is a 1999 graduate of Reavis who joined the staff four years ago.
HERO IS WELCOMED BACK — Jamie Conley (above) speaks to a crowd at Reavis High School Friday and holds her plaque (below) later after being welcomed back from her recent 10-month tour of duty in Iraq and Kuwait. Conley was with the Illinois Army National Guard. She is a graduate of Reavis and is currently the cross country coach. She was told there would be a small gathering of teachers and staff members but the ceremony featured faculty, staff, students and local officials. She said at the ceremony she was surprised. Everyone at the school was wearing special T-shirts with her name on them and waving flags. Speakers thanked her for her courage and said she was a role model for all students. (News-Herald Photos by Chuck Salvatore)
But she was on military leave for the past year when her battalion was called to active duty.
On Friday morning, she came back to Reavis for what she thought would be a quiet meeting with a few teachers, but when she arrived in the gymnasium of the school at 6034 W. 77th St. in Burbank, she was greeted by family and friends, TV news crews, and about 2,000 flag-waving students and teachers filling the bleachers and balcony.
“It’s a special day at Reavis. We are welcoming back, safe and sound, one of our own. A hero in our midst,” said Principal Daniel Riordan.
“I would like to thank her for her leadership. She has proven to be someone we all look up to. She represents what is good and right about our country,” said Riordan.
He said he has known Conley since she was a student in a business class he taught before becoming principal.
“We were nervous when she left knowing what she was going to be facing, but I swore if everything worked out right and she came back that we would so something special like this for her,” said Riordan.
District 220 Supt. James Steyskal, Ed.D., sporting a camouflage-style T-shirt in Reavis blue like many cross country athletes and staff members, also spoke at the gathering.
“In such a difficult situation in a strange world, she rose to the occasion and became a role model for us all,” said Steyskal.
He said that while Conley was overseas he watched the nightly news with some trepidation and listened “a little more closely to the reports on Iraq,” hoping for no bad news about local servicemen and women.
Cong. Dan Lipinski (D-3rd) and state Sen. Louis Viverito (D-11th) were among the well-wishers at the celebration.
“I think anyone who is a teacher is a hero to begin with. But some people have to risk it all, and we thank you for that,” said Lipinski, who presented Conley with an American flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.
“We are so proud of you for this community. I am so proud for you, as is everyone here, for bringing glory to the city of Burbank,” said Viverito, who is also Stickney Township supervisor.
“I can actually say this is the biggest surprise of my life,” said Conley when she was called to the podium. “I am very excited to be back.
“It has been a very long year. I enjoyed my job (in Iraq). It’s been wonderful. But I’ve enjoyed coming back to where I belong, Reavis.”
She thanked her friends and family for standing by her, and Reavis “for making me who I am today.”
The Reavis Ram mascot then delivered another surprise, showering her with confetti from the balcony.
Conley said later that she felt “overwhelmed and touched,” when she saw the crowd in the gym, which included her mother, sisters and fiance.
“My family didn’t even tell me so I could prepare a speech,” she joked.
As a headquarters commander based in Kuwait, she led a unit that would make daily trips into Iraq, bringing supplies.
“I was just doing my job. Everyone wants to do their job and come back,” she said, when asked what it felt like to be called a hero.
Responding to a question about what Americans should know about our troops in Iraq, she said simply that “we’re making a difference.”
The rapport she has with the students she teaches and coaches was evident at the ceremony.
Among the speakers was John Flores, a recent Reavis graduate who was on the cross-country team Conley led to a conference championship in her first year as coach.
“It wasn’t too long ago that this small individual with the strong voice was coaching us, continuously telling us, ‘you can do it,’” said Flores. “I personally would like you to know that we are all very proud of you.”
“She never lets you fail at anything,” said senior Daniel Szewczyk, adding that he was was sorry to be leaving, but “I’m sure all the underclassmen will appreciate having her back.”
Jessica Watychowicz, a junior on the girls cross- country team, agreed.
“I’m going to be excited to come back to school next year,” she said, adding that Conley had been her PE teacher as well as head coach.
“I always pay attention to the news, but I really listened closer when she was away. I’m just overwhelmed to have her come back,” she said.
Before Conley resumes her coaching duties in August, she has something to plan besides lessons — her wedding.
She is marrying her fiancee, Scott Johnson, in July.