Collinsville High School honors Barb Kusmierczak as 2026 Alumni Achievement recipient
Kusmierczak shares some inspiring words with Collinsville High School’s Class of 2026 during her commencement speech. (Ray Popkess photo)
By Tribune Staff – Collinsville High School is proud to announce Barbara Kusmierczak, a 1977 graduate of Collinsville High School, as the recipient of this year’s Alumni Achievement Award.
Kusmierczak is being recognized for her decades of dedicated volunteerism and her profound impact on the Kahok community.
She was honored and served as one of the commencement speakers during the Class of 2026 graduation on Saturday, May 16 in Fletcher Gymnasium.
Kusmierczak has devoted her life to making the Collinsville community a better place to live, work and raise a family. Her countless volunteer hours and projects have made a lasting impact on those who she has served throughout her distinguished career of volunteerism.
A lifelong resident of the district, Kusmierczak earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Her history of local involvement began as PTA president while her children attended CUSD 10 schools. In 2002, the Illinois State Board of Education honored her with the Award of Excellence in the community volunteer category of its “Those Who Excel” program.
Kusmierczak has been a member of the Junior Service Club of Collinsville since 2003, serving as past president. She was an Italian Fest committee chairman for 21 years. Her leadership extends to several local nonprofits; she currently serves as vice president of the Collinsville Food Pantry governing board and chairs the Collinsville Empty Bowl and S.O.S. Soup Kitchen initiatives.
Her contributions have earned numerous accolades, including the 2015 C3 Spirit of Excellence Award and the Kimmel Community Service Award from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She received the 2023 Heartbeat of the Month Award from the Collinsville Daily News and a Community Service Award from the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In addition to her primary board roles, Kusmierczak supports the St. John United Church of Christ Community Care Board, the “Tote Me Home” program and various youth summer camps.
As a 1977 CHS alumna, Kusmierczak says next year will be her class’ 50-year reunion. Her high school memories include things students today will not find familiar.
“I think our graduating class was like 700. I just asked a couple of friends. They thought it started out around 700, but by the time we graduated it was around 650,” says Kusmierczak. “The classes from that period of time were all very big compared to today.
“Our graduation ceremony was in the football stadium on Vandalia Street across from the ‘old’ high school,” she recalls, “As a matter of fact, our freshman year we were at the ‘old’ high school. Then sophomore year, a few classes were there and some classes were at the ‘new’ high school.
“I also remember when we were at the ‘new’ high school, we had open campus during lunch hour and we could drive to the McDonald’s on [State Route] 157 for lunch. McDonald’s was at the current site of Mike and Sarah’s Produce.
Kusmierczak resides in Collinsville and remains an active member of the community she has served for more than 40 years. She and her late husband, Scott (CHS ’76), raised two children, Scotty and Ashley, who are also graduates of Collinsville High School.
“Mrs. Kusmierczak is extremely humble and gracious,” said Collinsville School Board President Gary Peccola. “Her outstanding volunteer service exemplifies what it means to live ‘The Kahok Way,’ and our community is definitely a better place because she is in it.”
