DGS_CTE

[DGS Athletics @DGSSports]

🏆 HONORING A DGS LEGEND: COACH DOUG PLUNKETT 🏆

Last night was nothing short of magical as DGS hosted the West Suburban Conference Championships. Not only did our Mustangs compete fiercely, but Head Coach Doug Plunkett captured his 47th WSC title!

Following the meet, we took a special moment to honor a true Downers Grove South legend who will be retiring at the end of this school year alongside the Class of 2026. The atmosphere was incredible, with the stands filled with his family—including his mother who traveled in from out of state—along with returning alumni, All-State athletes, and even one of his former Olympic athletes!

After an incredible 37-year coaching career, including the last 25 years pouring his heart into the Mustangs, Coach Plunkett’s resume is quite simply staggering:
🥇 47 West Suburban Conference Titles
🥇 8 IHSA Sectional Titles
🥇 14 State Meet Appearances (Seven Top-5 finishes!)
🥇 62 All-State Athletes
🥇 5 IHSA State Champions
🥇 2 Olympians
But beyond the banners and the medals, Coach Plunkett is defined by the culture he built. He is revered for his ability to develop leaders, build lifelong relationships, and foster a true sense of pride and belonging. His athletes leave his programs not just as better runners, but as confident, resilient young women equipped for life. His peers recognize this too, naming him to the All-Century WSC Honor Roll and inducting him into the 2024 ITCCCA Hall of Fame.
When asked what he will miss most about DGS, Coach Plunkett didn't talk about the championships. He said, “The people.” He noted his love for the teachers, the support staff, his dedicated assistant coaches, and the way DGS coaches support one another. But most of all, his greatest joy has been working with the thousands of athletes who have come through his programs over the decades.
As we always say, it takes a village. We know the immense sacrifice it takes from a coach’s family to support the time and passion Coach Plunkett has given us. A massive thank you to his family, and a special shoutout to the Running Booster parents who went above and beyond behind the scenes to make sure Coach’s last race at home was unforgettable.
Last night, we presented Coach Plunkett with an award to commemorate his legacy. The inscription reads:
"Girls Cross Country & Girls Track & Field — Doug Plunkett — Dedication Beyond Measure: In Gratitude to a Teacher and Coach of 25 Remarkable Years. Your impact lasts a lifetime, shaping Minds, Forging Champions, and Inspiring Excellence. Your Legacy Lives on. Mustangs Forever!"
Drop your favorite memories and congratulations in the comments below to make some noise for a Hall of Famer, a mentor, and a forever Mustang... Coach Doug Plunkett! 👏👏🐎
@dgsgtf @DGSCC @DGS_CTE
#MustangPride #DGS_Mustangs #ThankYouCoach #DGSTrackAndField #DGSXC #Legend #MustangsForever

[DGS Boys Volleyball @DgsBoysVB]

Good luck to Juniors Isiah Marquez & Colin Graveen who are competing at #SkillUSA today in Peoria!

📐 Isiah is competing in Architectural Drafting

🧑‍🚒Colin is competing in Firefighting

Best of luck boys!

#StangUp

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Good luck to our Architecture, Engineering, & 3D Animation students who are competing at the SkillsUSA Illinois Championships!

#DGSPride

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

DGS Architecture students swept the top 3 spots in 3D Architectural Design at the Illinois Drafting Educator’s Association Regional competition at C.OD.

🥇 - Will Jaeger
🥈 - Michael Gentile
🥉- Aidan Vano

Congrats to Mr. Molinari & his students! #SouthStrong #HitHard #DGSPride

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Thank you to Chef Jonathan Zaragoza and his team for visiting our Advanced culinary classes today!

Chef Zaragoza demonstrated how to make delicious chilaquiles which will be available in the lunchroom Tuesday!
#99Learns

[Ryan Altenburg @Altenburg_DGS]

Sending a big THANK YOU to David Cotterell at @downersgrovecpr for getting our #DGSStudentInterns Basic Life Support (BLS) certified this week!

These students will pursue various careers in the medical field & now have a BLS certification added to their resumes!
#99Learns 🏥🩺

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Mr. Krick’s Incubator class presented to various professionals from the community today during their Mentor Match day!

Thanks to the various business owners and business professionals who will be mentoring our student entrepreneurs this school year! #Incubator #99Learns

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

DGS DECA had a great turnout for their first club meeting of the year this week!

Any student interested in future careers in the field of business, consider join long DECA to network with like minded classmates & bolster your resume!
#DECA #99Learns #YouBelongHere

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

DGS Mustangs from our 3D Animation, Architecture, & Engineering courses are in Peoria for the @SkillsUSAIL Championships!

Opening ceremonies tonight and competitions start tomorrow! #DGSPride

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Good luck to Mrs. Forrest and our FCCLA student competitors at FCCLA State this week! 👩‍🍳 📐✏️ 🍪

#DGSPride

[Arwen Pokorny Lyp @ArwenLyp]

Thank you @DGS_CTE for hosting a great job fair today! I loved watching our students interact with our community leaders as they explore their future options. Thank you to all participants!

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Mark your calendars for next week’s DGS Career Fair!

Meet with professionals from 20+ companies to learn about different career paths & opportunities.

⬇️ Event information ⬇️
🗓️ Tuesday 1/14/25
⏰ Periods 4, 5, & 6
📍 DGS Library

See you all there!
#College&CareerReady

[Ryan Altenburg @Altenburg_DGS]

⭐️ #DGSStudentIntern Spotlight ⭐️

Joel Pulinat, intern w/Code Ninjas in Westmont.

In this role, Joel tutors younger students on various coding languages & programming applications. Joel aspires to pursue a career in computer science after graduation.
#99Learns #DGSPride

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

Sending a big THANK YOU to current @ChicagoBears employees & District 99 alumni, Anna Scarlati & Angela Veverka, for coming out to speak with students from our sports marketing & intro to business classes last week!

#DGSPride #BearDown 🐻⬇️

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

This week is COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK at DGS!

We offer a number of computer science and programming courses at DGS, be sure to ask your counselors for more information during your course selection meetings this winter!

#99Learns

[DGS Football @DGS_Football]

MUSTANGS WIN 31-27! #HITHARD

[DGS Football @DGS_Football]

Conference Champs 6-0! Put a number on the wall.
#HitHard #DGSPride

[Ryan Altenburg @Altenburg_DGS]

Internship Spotlight:
⭐️ Junior: Sofia Job ⭐️

Sofia is interning w/ Podiatrist, Dr. Parrilli at the Foot & Ankle Institute.

Planning to pursue a career in nursing, Sofia is providing treatments & supporting both patients & doctors in this role.
Great work, Sofia!
#99Learns

[DGS_CTE @DGS_CTE]

DGS DECA Students are attending the DECA Fall Leadership Conference today.

We love seeing our DECA students engaging in work that helps prepare them to become the next generation of leaders in the world of business!

#99Learns #DGSDECA #DGSPride

[Ryan Altenburg @Altenburg_DGS]

Internship Spotlight:
⭐️ Senior, Everett Lynde ⭐️

Everett is interning w/ Mr. John Twitty & his team at State Farm this fall.

This weekend, he ran their marketing booth at the Westmont Fire Department’s open house. Keep up the great work, Everett! #DGSStudentIntern #99Learns