Victor Anderson, class of 1993

Victor Anderson, class of 1993, is the Director of Bands at West Aurora High School in School District 129. Prior to joining West Aurora, he served as Music Division Chair and Instrumental Music Teacher in Yorkville Community Unit School District 115, Community Unit School District 300, Galesburg Community Unit School District 205, and Aledo Community Unit School District 201, impacting thousands of students and families throughout Illinois.

Anderson holds degrees from Illinois Wesleyan University and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Aurora University. His professional honors include School Band & Orchestra’s “50 Directors Who Make a Difference,” the Quinlan & Fabish Chicagoland Outstanding Music Educator Award, Yorkville Education Foundation Educator of the Year (2022), and Yorkville High School Teacher of the Year (2024). He was also a Quarterfinalist for the Music Educator Grammy Award in 2018.

Anderson serves as Illinois State Chairperson for the American School Band Directors Association and conducts the Yorkville Big Band and Fox Valley Brass Band. In addition, Anderson has worked with the Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra, Steve Scherer Big Band, Vern Spevak Big Band, the Batavia and Yorkville Community Band. He resides in North Aurora with his wife, Alison, and their three children: Emilia (18), Michael (15), and Benjamin (13).

Mike Burke, class of 1985

Mike Burke is the youngest of seven children born to Ivan and Betty Kirk and a lifelong Batavia resident. For nearly 60 years, Mike has been proud to call Batavia home. The community has shaped who she is and continues to be at the heart of her life.  

Mike graduated from Batavia High School in 1985, growing up in the era of MTV, cafeteria pizza, Funway, and summers at the Quarry. During high school, she ran track, played volleyball, and developed a deep appreciation for her school and the community around it.

Mike and her husband, Chris, chose to build their lives in Batavia, where they raised their two sons, Joe and Packey, both proud graduates of Batavia High School. Mike also owns and operates a small home-based business in Batavia.

Giving back to the community has always been important to Mike. She is actively involved with several local organizations, including the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, the Fireworks Committee, and the Batavia Women’s Club. Through these roles, she has become known as a community connector and liaison, helping bring people together and supporting the organizations that make Batavia such a special place.

What Mike loves most about Batavia is its people—a community filled with kindness, generosity, and hometown spirit. She is proud to be a lifelong resident and grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the town that has given so much to her.

Kristin Hoffman, class of 2008

Kristin Hoffman grew up on the East side of Batavia and is grateful for her childhood in

tight-knit Batavia.  Kristin played varsity volleyball at Batavia High School from 2005–2007 under Coach Lori Trippi-Payne. A versatile and dependable player, she helped lead the Bulldogs to the program's first regional championship and conference title while earning multiple All-Conference honors. Beyond athletics, she served as editor of The Spectator, completed internships at a local law firm and the Kane County Law Library, and graduated in 2008. She earned an athletic scholarship to Northern Illinois University (“NIU”). In her senior season, NIU played in the NCAA tournament where Kristin led Division 1 women’s volleyball in assists and was named the Mid-American Conference (“MAC”) Setter of the Year. During her career, she earned All-American and Academic All-American honors and competed with the USA Volleyball A2 Junior National Team.

Kristin studied sports law at Marquette Law School (Class of 2015) and clerked in the NCAA’s Office of Legal Affairs. In 2015, the MARQUETTE SPORTS LAW REVIEW published her Comment on the need for labor protections for elite child gymnasts and figure skaters.

After law school, Kristin returned to Batavia and worked for an Aurora firm. She spent

the early days of her career in the Kane County Courthouse. She later worked for a Chicago firm, Adler Murphy and McQuillen, and today, Kristin is a partner at Hinshaw & Culbertson where she practices aviation defense litigation.

Mary Jensen, class of 1996

A graduate of Batavia High School, Mary Jensen continued her studies at Millikin University, earning a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a vocal emphasis. She later earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Aurora University.  

Mary is an elementary music teacher whose passion for music, performance, and working with children has shaped a career spanning more than 25 years. Since 2001, she has taught music at Alice Gustafson School in Batavia School District 101, where she has spent her career creating joyful, creative, and meaningful musical experiences for thousands of students.

Music and performance have always been an important part of Mary’s life. She participated in choirs, vocal jazz, theater productions, church music groups, studio recordings, and live performances throughout high school and college, including performances at the National Cathedral and on Good Morning America. Those experiences helped shape the enthusiasm and creativity she brings to her students every day.  

Known for her warmth, enthusiasm, and ability to connect with children, Mary continues to believe that music education is about far more than performances. It is about helping students feel seen, valued, inspired, and capable of making beautiful things together.

John D. Kennedy, Jr.,  class of 1987

John David Kennedy was a 1987 graduate of Batavia High School, where he was regarded as a hardworking student who was strongly opinionated yet deeply respectful of others. He began his lifelong service to the community early on by volunteering with the Lions Club, where his father, John Kennedy Sr., was a member. 

John began working for the City of Batavia in 1996 in the Public Works department, launching a dedicated career that would span 26 years. Beyond his official duties, if he encountered someone struggling in the community, he would frequently assist them after hours—often using his own money to fix issues they could not address themselves. He did all of this quietly, without any desire for accolades or recognition.

John’s children were his ultimate pride and joy, and nothing came before them. If you ever spoke with John, his kids were his singular focus, and he loved them more than life itself.

After his sudden passing in 2022, the south end of Raddant Road was dedicated as “John Kennedy Memorial Way.”

Ron Link, class of 1978

Ron Link graduated from Batavia High School with the Class of 1978. After graduation, he began his career working at VanDee Manufacturing and later at M.A.B. Electric.

Throughout his life, Ron has been deeply committed to education and community service. He volunteered with the Alice Gustafson School PTO before serving on the Batavia Board of Education, where he was elected board president and helped guide the district through important periods of growth and change.

His commitment to preserving and strengthening the Batavia community has extended beyond education. Ron has served on the boards of the Batavia Historical Society and the Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence. Today, he continues to give back through his involvement with the Batavia Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Ron and his wife Bridget have three children and five grandchildren.

John Walker, BPS101 Employee

John Walker was born in Mobile, Alabama, and attended Mobile County Training School, where he played baseball, football, and basketball. He graduated from Jackson State University in 1967, receiving a bachelor’s degree in Health and Science

After being drafted by the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons, his goal was to play about 12 years, retire, and then start a business.  His plans changed after he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1968.  For two years, John was a combat specialist and served in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970.

John taught for a few years in Mobile, Alabama, becoming the first African-American teacher at Batavia High School in 1971.  During his time at Batavia, he was an assistant varsity football coach (1971-1977); coached freshman and varsity basketball, varsity softball, and varsity bowling.

John retired from Batavia after 34 years.  Among his accomplishments are the Illinois Education Association’s Human Service Award, Civil Rights Award, Jackson State Sport Hall of Fame Award in 2018, and Gayles M.B. Church Sunday School superintendent, trustee board member, kitchen ministry, and men’s ministry.

John continues helping others and playing golf with his friends.

George H. Scheetz, Friend of BPS101

George Henry Scheetz is a Batavian by choice. He turned his professional expertise in library science into a gift of storytelling and service to the Batavia community. While George dedicated his 46-year career to community service, his impact on Batavia extends far beyond the library. As its first-ever Executive Director Emeritus, George spent 18½ years not just leading the Batavia Public Library but serving as a tireless champion for Batavia’s unique heritage and spirit.

Whether editing The Batavia Historian or updating “The Biggest Game of the Year,” his annual chronicle of the legendary Batavia – Geneva football rivalry, George ensures that the stories of the past remain vibrant for future generations. His love of Batavia is visible in Bulldogs Unleashed, which he proposed, a wildly successful, award-winning fundraising and community arts initiative.

A quintessential member of Bulldog Nation, George’s loyalty to Batavia is matched only by his civic leadership. A recipient of the Dallesasse Award, he is a catalyst for local connection. He founded the Batavia Arts Council; serves as Club Historian and past president of the Rotary Club of Batavia; organized PechaKucha Batavia, a series of informal, fun community gatherings; and, a life member of the Batavia Historical Society serves as its Historian.