With Chief Technology Officer Michael Marassa set to retire, New Trier High School has appointed a new CTO to begin with the 2026-’27 school year.
Lauren Owens, the executive director of technology for a high school district in Arizona, will join New Trier’s administration on July 1 following School Board approval on Jan. 26.
According to a release from New Trier, Owens currently leads districtwide technology systems for more than 10,000 students in six high schools. She serves on the Arizona Governor’s AI Steering Committee and she and her team were recipients of the 2025 District Team Leadership Award from CoSN, a national professional association for K-12 EdTech leaders.
Owens began her education career as a Spanish teacher and softball coach at Clinton Public Schools in Clinton, Illinois.
“Lauren is an innovative and accomplished technology leader who will bring a wealth of experience to our district,” New Trier Deputy Superintendent Chris Johnson said in a statement. “Our hiring committees were impressed with her background in instructional technology, her expertise on the use of AI in schools, her experience with technology integration in facility projects, and her management of complex systems and structures. We are excited to welcome her to New Trier.”
Congressional 9th candidate debate on March 6
The Evanston Youth Advisory Committee is hosting this Friday a student-operated and – led debate with candidates to represent the Congressional 9th District, which covers Skokie, Evanston, Northfield and parts of Wilmette, Chicago and more.
A packed race with more than 15 candidates, the committee reportedly invited the top 10 Democratic fundraisers, and scheduled to attend are: Kat Abughazaleh, Bushra Amiwala, Phil Andrews, Daniel Biss, Jeff Cohen, Hoan Huynh, Sam Polan, Nick Pyati and Mike Simmons.
The event will run from 6-7:30 p.m. March 6 at Evanston Township High School, 1600 Dodge Ave., in the main auditorium.
The public is welcome to attend and you can RSVP online.
For more information, email eyac.candidate.debate@gmail.com.
North Shore Country Day raises nearly $500,000 at annual benefit
North Shore Country Day friends and family gathered Feb. 20 at Michigan Shores Club in Wilmette to support the Winnetka school’s scholarship fund.
The 2026 Benefit for Scholarships, co-chaired by Rachel Cannon and Atour Sargon, focused on generosity, connection and expanding access to education, says a release from NSCD.
The event reportedly raised nearly half a million dollars, making it one of the most successful Benefits in the school’s 107-year history.
“What motivated me to take on the role of co-chair was a deep belief in our school’s mission and in the power of education to change lives,” Sargon said in the release. “The scholarship program ensures that deserving students have access to the opportunities our school provides, regardless of financial circumstances. That’s something I care deeply about.”
Cannon echoed that sense of responsibility.
“NSCD is a jewel on the North Shore,” she said. “It has been a wonderful home away from home for our boys, and I wanted to give back as a way of saying thank you to this extraordinary place.”
The event began with a cocktail reception and a range of raffle opportunities. Guests participated in a wine and whiskey pull, tried their luck at the Labubu spin-to-win, and entered gift basket and golden ticket raffles.
A video featuring scholarship recipient and alumnus Andre Lodree (Class of 1996) was a central part of the program. In it, he reflected on how financial aid made his North Shore experience possible and the long-term impact it had on his path after graduation.
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This article was developed using publicly available information, such as press releases, municipal records and social media posts.
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