For More Than 20 Years, a Communicator for Public Agencies
Beginning as a unit public affairs representative in 2005, Patrick J. DeGeorge has served as a communicator and story teller, first in the United States Army and later for the largest high school district in Illinois.
Photography
Over the course of more than two decades, I have covered events ranging from multi-national exercises and military pageantry to classroom opportunities and school events.
Palatine High School
PHS Marching Band Neighborhood Parade.
U.S. Army
U.S. M-1 tanks participate in a mult-national exercise.
Jordan
2018
Hoffman Estates High School
An automotive teacher conducts a lesson on tires.
William Fremd High School
FHS Writer’s Week XXV.
McHenry High School
A mother holds music for her daughter.
U.S. Army
33rd IBCT Commander meets with Polish President.
James B. Conant High School
A student studies the teeth in a T-Rex skull.
U.S. Army
Benny the Bull conducts the 144th Army Band.
Schaumburg High School
A culinary arts student prepares soup.
Palatine, IL
2019
Palatine, IL
2024
McHenry, IL
2024
Hoffman Estates, IL
2026
Poland
2014
Schaumburg, IL
2025
Schaumburg High School
The Principal takes a selfie with a senior.
Hoffman Estates, IL
2025
Chicago, IL
2019
Schaumburg, IL
2022
Videography
As digital storytelling has advanced, I have continued to improve my skills as a videographer
Writing
At the heart of what we do in public relations and communications is story-telling. Throughout my career I have had the privilege to tell so many stories.
From the Roof to the Final Frontier
When Todd Stashwick was in junior high, he attended a Hoffman Estates High School production of The Music Man because his sister Dana was part of the backstage crew. The visit inspired him.
“I was like, ‘That what I want to do in high school,’” Stashwick said. “After that, I auditioned for and was cast in the musical ‘Oliver.’ That pretty much lit the fireworks. I just kept doing it.”
He’s done it all the way to a dream gig on the final frontier: the Hoffman Estates graduate is now acting in Star Trek Picard as Captain Liam Shaw, commanding officer of the U.S.S. Titan NCC 80102-A.
Ahead of Casting First Votes, CHS Seniors Meet Candidates
More than 500 seniors gathered in the Conant High School auditorium this month for a unique opportunity to become educated voters while learning more about the election process. Over the course of two hours, the students, many of whom will turn 18 before the general election – and therefore visit the polls for the first time – heard from seven of the 8th Congressional District candidates representing both political parties.
“Our objective is to create an authentic experience and get students excited about the election process,” Conant Social Studies Department Chair Jeff Stewart said of the nonpartisan event. “Many of our students are first-time voters.”
Students Explore the Future of Medicine
To help students better prepare for their futures beyond high school, career counselors arrange career treks where they can experience aspects of potential future careers. Recently, about 50 students from across the District had the opportunity to explore the future of the medical field during a trek to AMITA Health St. Alexius Medical Center in Hoffman Estates.
During the nearly two-hour visit, students heard a brief history of surgical practices from Dr. Susan Scanlon, MD, MCMP of Midwest Center for Women’s Healthcare, followed by a demonstration of the DaVinci Surgical System by Dr. Stephen Grabowski, MD, Director of Robotics at St. Alexius Hospital. After the demonstration, students were given the opportunity to try a variety of simulators, as well as learn how to suture and tie one-handed knots.
Celebrating Black History Month in the Era of Hybrid Learning
As District 211 schools enter February in continued hybrid learning, teachers, students, and service organizations are adapting and creating ways to celebrate Black History Month in new ways.
Preparation for this year’s celebration began last month when students from organizations like Cultural Awareness Club, Student Councils, and Student Service Clubs, among others, made inspirational and informational posters which they used to decorate hallways.
Longtime Partners Illinois National Guard and Poland Complete Exercise
ORZYSZ, Poland - Soldiers from the Illinois Army National Guard's 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (33rd IBCT) in Urbana, Illinois, and the 244th Digital Liaison Detachment in Chicago, participated in the largest multi-national military training exercise in Polish history, Sept. 24 to Oct. 4.
Anaconda 14 involved nearly 13,000 Soldiers from nine nations throughout the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and was conducted at various sites throughout Poland. The 33rd IBCT participated in the event through a tactical operation center exercise from the Orzysz training area. The brigade worked closely with the 12th Mechanized Division from the Polish Army, as well as brigades from Lithuania and the Czech Republic.
Social Media
As more of our world receives its news from social media, I have built a strong understanding of the medium.
Mixed Media
Sometimes the photo just can’t tell the story fast enough. To that end, I have worked to create a skill in photoshop, illustrator and Canva to create graphics capable of quickly pushing information.
About Patrick J. DeGeorge
Patrick J. DeGeorge first entered the world of public relations and communications when he was assigned as the unit public affairs representative in Troop B, 2nd Squadron 106th Cavalry. When injuries forced him out of the field of reconnaissance, Patrick chose to pursue public affairs full time. In 2013, he attended the Defense Informational School (DINFOS) at Fort George G. Meade, MD, completing the Basic Public Affairs Specialist Course.
Following graduation from DINFOS, Patrick was assigned to Headquarters, 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team as the brigade’s Public Affairs Non-Commisioned Officer in Charge. In that role, he oversaw the public affairs office for a brigade of nearly 3,000 Soldiers. During his time in the 33rd IBCT, he traveled with the brigade command to participate in Operation Anakonda 14 in Poland. While there, he served as the direct public affairs advisor to the brigade commander.
In 2015, Patrick would be promoted and reassigned as a senior public affairs non-commissioned officer with the 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. Immediately after this promotion, Patrick was deployed with the unit to Joint Task Force Guantanamo. While at Guantanamo Bay, Patrick would serve as the media relations NCOIC.
After returning from Guantanamo, Patrick would be briefly assigned to Joint Forces Headquarters - Illinois, where he covered events throughout the state of Illinois, while managing the social media for the entire Illinois National Guard.
In 2017, as Patrick was nearing retirement from the Illinois National Guard, Patrick began working in school communications when he was named public relations specialist for Township High School District 211. For nearly a decade, Patrick has provided photo, video, and written coverage of events across a district of more than 12,000 students. As the world of communications expanded, Patrick has continued to expand his skills base.
Patrick is a proud graduate of Amboy High School in Amboy, IL, and Northern Illinois University.
Outside of his work in public relations, Patrick is a member of the McHenry Elementary District 15 Board of Education and serves as both a post and district level officer in the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He resides in McHenry with his wife, Katie, daughters and great dane.
