RVC-Students-Peyton-Fitchie-and-Isabelle-Schadle-Named-to-All-Illinois-Academic-Team.php

RVC Students Peyton Fitchie and Isabelle Schadle Named to All-Illinois Academic Team

• Students
• 05/02/2025

Peyton Fitchie and Isabelle Schadle were recognized as members of the All-Illinois Academic Team at a banquet in Springfield on April 24, 2025.

Each community college in Illinois nominates two students for this recognition, and the students are selected based on their academic, leadership, and extracurricular accomplishments.  

Peyton graduated from Rockford East High School in 2019 and began her journey at Rock Valley College in the Fall of 2023, initially uncertain about her area of study. Since February 2024, she has worked as a student employee in the Student Life department. Peyton has achieved notable academic success, including placements on both the Dean's and President's lists. On October 18, 2024, she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa. Peyton plans to continue her education at Northern Illinois University in Fall 2025, where she has received a merit scholarship and acceptance into the Honors Program. At NIU, she will major in Sociology and minor in Criminology. Her goal is to attend graduate school to earn a master's degree, with the intention of teaching Sociology at the college level. Ultimately, Peyton aspires to achieve a Ph.D. in Sociology. 

“Peyton says that her interest in sociology comes from being nosy, but it's really a reflection of her curiosity about human affairs,” said Tim Spielman, Director of Academic, Career and Transfer Advising. “Her willingness to get involved in Phi Theta Kappa reflects her commitment to being engaged in society rather than just observing and studying it. Her leadership on campus, both in Phi Theta Kappa and her efforts as a student worker in the Student Life department, has left an indelible mark on RVC this year.

Isabelle Schadle is a senior at Belvidere North High School and a sophomore at RVC as part of the Running Start program. Isabelle was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa in October 2024 and became an active member while also remaining engaged in athletics and drama at her high school. She plans to transfer to Judson University in the fall where she will study psychology. Her long-term goal is to earn a master’s in counseling and becoming a licensed mental health counselor. 

Tim Spielman also serves as advisor to RVC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter and sees Isabelle’s leadership abilities. “Isabelle is a compassionate person who is committed to helping others. As a high school student and member of our Running Start program, she appears to effortlessly balance the demands of high school and college, as well as extracurricular activities.  Her leadership abilities and caring personality are obvious when you meet her.” 

The All-Illinois Academic Team is sponsored by Phi Theta Kappa, the Illinois Community College Board, and the Coca-Cola Foundation.  

About the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation

The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation celebrates and empowers visionary leaders who are refreshing the world. Supporting more than 1,400 exceptional college students each year, it awards $3.55 million in scholarships annually through three nationally recognized programs. Learn more at coca-colascholarsfoundation.org.

About Phi Theta Kappa

Phi Theta Kappa is the premier honor society recognizing the academic achievement of students at associate degree-granting colleges and helping them to grow as scholars and leaders. The Society is made up of more than 3.8 million members and nearly 1,300 chapters in 11 countries, with approximately 240,000 active members in the nation’s colleges. Learn more at ptk.org.