By: Dr. Jeff Feucht, Superintendent
On Wednesday, June 24, 2026, four of Community High School District 117’s talented Python coding students stepped out of the classroom and into the world of financial technology. Thanks to an exciting new partnership with Morningstar Financial Services, these students participated in a day-long Career Pathway Exposure Program at Morningstar’s headquarters in Chicago, Illinois.
This program was designed to give our students a firsthand look at how their classroom coding skills translate into real-world technology and investment careers. Additionally, the experience aimed to help our students hear about others' educational and career journeys as they consider their own future career paths.
The immersive experience kicked off with a facility tour, giving students a glimpse into the collaborative and innovative environment at Morningstar. Following the tour, students spent the afternoon engaging in face-to-face meetings and lunch with top industry professionals.
Our students had the incredible opportunity to learn from and network with an elite panel of Morningstar leaders:
Elinor Lee - Director of Implementation
Adrian Garcia – Senior Software Engineer and Mentor
Cynthia Pekron – Head of Investment Services
Anna Sherwood – Director of Software Engineering
Amy Voegeli – Director of Security
Uthiraa Manikandan – Senior Quantitative Analyst
Through these interactions, students gained deep insights into a variety of high-demand career paths. They explored how Python programming powers modern Finance, the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the critical importance of Data Privacy, and the use of Cyber Security as a shield.
The students representing District 117 left a fantastic impression and walked away with invaluable advice on navigating their future career paths. A special congratulations to our attending students for representing our district so well:
Alexander Aguirre, ACHS, 2026 Graduate
Ravianne Edran, ACHS, Rising Junior
David (DJ) Heinz, LCHS, Rising Senior
Nico Ryan, ACHS, Rising Junior
We are incredibly grateful to the entire team at Morningstar Financial Services for opening their doors, sharing their knowledge, and showing such immense generosity to our students.
Additionally, the exposure Dr. Wahlert and I received to the setting, culture, and expectations at an international Fortune 500 company in 2026 was invaluable as we seek to stay current with what the “real world” looks like for our graduates after ACHS and LCHS!
Partnerships like this are exactly what make District 117 a launching pad for future success. By connecting classroom learning with industry giants, we are opening doors for our students before they even graduate.
Are you a company that wants to inspire the next generation of tech leaders? We have a four-year sequence in AI and Coding in Python in which students earn their PCEP certification and are always looking to expand our Career Pathway Exposure Program! We want to partner with you! Contact me at jeff.feucht@chsd117.org !