Charles Alikonis

Teacher/Coach Charles Alikonis, was a science instructor at Ottawa Township High School for 38 years. He received his Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees, along with further advanced education attending Illinois Wesleyan University, University of Michigan, Tulane University, Southern Illinois University, Western Washington State College, and Boston College. He served OTHS as the Science Department Chair as well as teaching general science, biology, and advanced biology. His program was known for the annual flower, leaf, and insect collections required of all beginning Biology students, and which were both dreaded and enjoyed. His students that chose to continue their post-secondary education in the sciences routinely and consistently complimented the quality of preparation and instruction that they had received at OTHS. A studentinitiated effort resulted in the tribute of having his former classroom, room 808, named in his honor in 1997. In his early years of employment, Charles Alikonis also coached football at the school. He was instrumental in the decision to include a greenhouse in the Shannon Building addition, unusual and innovative for the time. Charles Alikonis was universally acknowledged by other educators, school administrators, students, and the community at large as epitomizing the ideal of a professional teacher, inspiring and encouraging life-long learning, relating to his students while maintaining high expectations for achievement, and continually enhancing his own skills in order to prepare his students for future success in the sciences, and other fields of endeavor.