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Final Eagle Pride of the year honors outstanding students
 Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of May. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Nathaniel Leu, Jessica David, Sarah Beckman, Callie Bretthauer, Samantha Wojnicki, Tyler Callese, Andrew Tubek, Jessica Quinn, Andrew Seketa, Hannah Wittman, Emma Madura, Kelsey Neff, Sadie Herrick, Jessica Hedrick, Rosie Metallo, Kaleigh, Sprague, Abra Andelson, Ashley Bates, Brittany Johnson, Ally Galat, Wisa Terhune-Praphruettam, Jennie Archil, Alysia Felipez, Ashley Waring, Charles McChristian, Ricky Pearson, Liz Madrzyk, Jessica Bruggen, Jack Gottmann, Jocelyn Coney, Cotey Speaks, Andrew Flick, Scott Boersman, Tyler Swindle, Mike Beckman, John Pfeiffer, Matt Duff, Meghan Milewski, Alyssa Baker, Sarah Bartlett, Brittany Mooney, Alex Neal, Kristina Umlauf, Michelle Kosmen, Ashley Chernich, and Felicia Fisher. |
Post, McGill named Class of 2010 Outstanding Seniors
Bretthauer, Cawthorn will address their classmates as student speakers at graduation
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Commencement is less than a month away and organizers are busy making preparations for the event on Sunday, May 23. At least two of the major end-of-the-year tasks have been finalized: selecting the Outstanding Seniors as well as faculty and student graduation speakers.
Erin McGill and Mitchell Post, this year's Outstanding Seniors, will emcee the ceremony, which begins at 5 p.m. on Polley Field, weather permitting. Post and McGill were selected as finalists for the award for having a grade point average of at least 3.5. The two were named the winners after receiving the most votes from faculty members and students in the Class of 2010. In addition to emceeing graduation, McGill and Post will receive a plaque and recognition at Honors Night in May. The award is sponsored by the Antioch Women's Club each year.
After auditioning for a spot behind the podium at graduation, Callie Bretthauer and Rachel Cawthorn were named this year’s student speakers. The seniors, both who have been involved in Student Government and other activities throughout their careers at LCHS, auditioned for the role in front of a panel of two seniors, two teachers, and one administrator. Six seniors applied for the opportunity.
Seniors also voted for the two faculty speakers: Jamie Collins and Kurt Rowells. Collins, an English teacher, also advises the literary magazine and is a former dance coach. Rowells teaches in the Social Studies Department and also coaches football and track. |
NHS welcomes 60 new members at candle lighting ceremony
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The LCHS chapter of the National Honor Society held its induction ceremony on April 28. Sixty juniors and sophomores were inducted during the candle lighting ceremony. Ben Kalb, social studies teacher, was the faculty guest speaker where he gave a moving speech based on generational differences and what it means to succeed. Sandy Jacobs congratulated the inductees on behalf of the Community High School District 117 School Board.
Jessica David, president of the chapter, welcomed the crowd, giving a brief history of NHS at Lakes and explaining the activities the society participates in, such as Eagle Relay to Give Kids Hope. The executive board, including Sarah Beckman, vice president, Callie Bretthauer, communications secretary, Tyler Callese, director of service, and Samantha Wojnicki, director of fundraising, introduced each inductee by reading a short biography or quote the candidate submitted. Click here to view a complete list of inductees.
Sophomore and junior candidates receive invitations to apply based on their grade point average (3.5). From there, they need to fill out an extensive application consisting of school, community and leadership involvement, which includes sports, clubs, and volunteer service. Faculty members also rate each applicant based on character. The candidates are then selected by the Faculty Council based on the information they have provided along with faculty ratings.
NHS is advised by teachers Jeff Gutke and Pat Goodrich. |
March, April Eagle Pride recognizes exceptional students
Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the months of March and April. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients for March included Rachel Cawthorn, Angelo Tomasello, Dominic Tomasello, Cassie Naylor, Julija Vinckeviciute, Josef Miller, Matthew Tucker, Michael Dexheimer, Anthony Paoli, Evan Hahn, Daniel Le, Dakota Wirtala, Sadie Herrick, Kara Hennenfent, Alex Mainiero, Sarah Horner, Hayley Green, Antonio Lee, Chloe Schaar, Alexis Holbach, and Daniel Le.
Recipients for April included Candice Kosanke, Nicole Kosanke, Conary Meyer, Laura Gorski, Colin Vancrey, Quintilia Sfrengeu, Lauren Haylock, Jessica Tilli, Sadie Herrick, Megan Lemke, Victoria Buchholz, Kelsey Neff, April Tosado, Danny Duncan, Ben Mol, Mark Molloy, Sarah Webster, Patrick Chen, Eric Gillum, Sarah Beckman, Callie Bretthauer, Hilde Nelson, Iris Schweier, Paul Twarowski, Tyler McChristian, Alex Nicolae, August Beetschen, Zachary Belcher, Morgan Burdette, Fairth Dermott, Mary Doupis, Chelsey Dugger, Alexander Layoff, Samantha Lohrmann, Erica Ortega, Sarah Page, Brandon Paul, Jennifer Shea, Jared Hedges, Megan Permer, Erin McGill, Sarah Toporek, Luke Martin, Brett Hill, Nicole Buchholz, Colby Brooks, Ryan Neubeck, Tim Henderson, Justin Mink, Hilde Nelson, Joann Epifanio, Arturo Hernandez, Samantha Jenkins, Liz Madryzk, Taylor Gallardo, James Synowicz, Ryan Prais, Kaitlyn Mulloy, Shannon Cooley, Mark Molloy, and Nick Hibbing. |
McKay is region's High School Principal of the Year
Jim McKay is finishing up his principalship at LCHS with a top regional honor. He recently was named the High School Principal of the Year by the Lake Region of the Illinois Principals Association. Assistant Principal Dave Newberry, who has worked alongside McKay for the past four years, nominated him for the award.
The honor acknowledges that McKay is "willing to take risks to improve student learning, moves actively to implement the goals and objectives of the school, anticipates emerging problems and acts effectively to resolve them, and involves the community in the life of the school and uses community resources for students," among other criteria, according to the IPA website.
McKay attributed his successes as a principal to the faculty and staff.
"A lot of hard work has gone into this place," he said, adding that he is proud to lead a group of individuals that is so responsive to kids. "That's what it's all about."
McKay will be recognized by the IPA Lake Region at its annual golf outing and awards dinner in June, said Jeff Sefcik, Region Director for the Lake Region. His name also will be forwarded to the state level of the High School Principal of the Year competition, along with other regional recipients.
Next year, McKay will continue to serve District 117 as co-superintendent alongside ACHS principal Mike Nekritz. Steve Plank, currently the Fine Arts Department Chair at Adlai E. Stevenson High School, was hired in mid-December as LCHS' third principal. |
Hilde Nelson scores perfect 36 on ACT twice
Junior Hilde Nelson accomplished something that less than one-tenth of one percent of students accomplish on the ACT each year — she scored a perfect 36, twice. And unlike many juniors who opt to take the test two or three times with the goal of attaining a higher score, Nelson only needed one try.
The college entrance exam covers reading, English, mathematics, and science; there also is an optional writing portion. LCHS offers many opportunities for students to perform well on the exam, because their score helps them to get accepted into their choice college. Nelson is the first student in LCHS history ever to achieve a perfect score on the ACT.
Nelson recalls feeling confident after she finished the test, particularly considering she had focused most of her energy on preparing for a different college entrance exam, the SAT. Nelson likely will attend college in New England, she says. In fact, she spent her spring break visiting several colleges in the area: Williams College, Amherst College, Brown University, and Yale University. She hopes to study English and history.
While Nelson recognizes that her 36 sets her apart from other college applicants, it does not guarantee her an acceptance letter. That's why she continues to be motivated to build her resume by participating in extracurricular activities, including field hockey, National Honor Society, and Youth Summit as well as dance outside of school. |
Kosanke becomes LCHS' fifth National Merit Finalist
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This month, senior Nicole Kosanke became the fifth Eagle in history to be named a finalist in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation contest. This means that she is one of 15,000 students from across the country who might earn scholarship money as a result of her top scores on the Preliminary SAT, among other accomplishments.
Approximately 1.5 million U.S. students enter the National Merit competition every year by taking the PSAT in October of their junior year. Of the finalists, 8,200 will be notified through mid-June if they have been selected for scholarship money. Recipients are selected based on their academic history, extracurricular involvement, a recommendation from the school, and an essay written by the student.
Kosanke is highly involved at LCHS. She is a member of the National Honor Society and two-time editor of the literary magazine, Mosaic. She plans to attend Lake Forest College to major in English and education.
Other students who have earned finalist standings in the contest include Josh Beckman from the Class of 2008 and Rebecca Helgeson, Raven Jackson-Stone, and Mike Scott from the Class of 2009. Their senior portraits now hang outside of the main office alongside other students who qualified for National Merit recognition as Commended Students or Semifinalists.
Also honored as Commended Students this year were Candice Kosanke and Julija Vinckeviciute. |
Free Prom tickets awarded to students with perfect attendance
Thirty-one juniors and seniors with perfect attendance, including zero tardies, were awarded with free Prom tickets for their efforts to be at school every day. This is nearly double the number of students who earned the award last year, said Assistant Principal Dave Newberry. Each ticket is worth $65.
Encouraging high attendance among students is part of the school's Response to Intervention plan. In addition to the free Prom tickets, students with perfect attendance within each progress period have been awarded with ice cream during their lunch periods throughout the year. |
Varsity football player earns national recognition
Senior Andrew Tubek was named a runner up in the national Hammer Strength High School Football Player of the Year contest. The award acknowledges that Tubek has strong work ethic, outstanding leadership, consistency of effort, and high academic standing. Head Coach Luke Mertens, who nominated Tubek for the award, described in a 500-word essay how his running back exemplifies those qualities. According to the contest website, the student-athletes honored "are not defined by size or speed but rather the drive, determination, and uncommon commitment it takes to become a fierce competitor."
As one of five runners up, Tubek will receive a plaque and a Hammer Strength t-shirt; he also will be mentioned in the April 2010 issue of American Football Monthly. Representatives from the magazine selected the winner and runners up for the contest alongside Hammer Strength. |
Athletes continue competing at the Division I level next year
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Four Eagles have signed to compete in Division I athletics next year.
Kecia Morway and Alex Neal have committed to the University of Notre Dame and George Washington University, respectively, for soccer. Morway has played for Eclipse Select for nine years in the position of left outside back. Neal has played for the Eagles varsity team as left midfielder since her freshman year. She has the most assists of any player in LCHS history, among many other accomplishments. Neal also plays for Eclipse Select.
Abbie Horan signed to play golf at Iowa State University, after leading the Eagles since she was a freshman. She has earned two fourth place medals at the state finals throughout her high school career, among other accomplishments.
Left-handed pitcher D.J. Snelton is bound for the University of Minnesota, a top 25 Division I baseball program. Snelton earned Honorable Mention All-Conference and All-Area Player last season, and he already has been eyed by some professional teams. |
February Eagle Pride recognizes several exceptional students
Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of February. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Andrew Seketa, Taylor Pooley, Deondre Hudson, Lynn Twarowski, Elizabeth Prein, Carrie Breum, John Salisbury, Kelly Dean, Andrew Polfliet, Anne Safron, Roland Luke, Gianmarco Bondi, Miguel Borrero, Jared Hedges, Zack Kimmel, Evan Welsh, Joe Ames, Alexis Holbach, Nicholas Lucy, Erin McGill, Kelly Dean, Sarah Beckman, Emma Howard, Tyler McChristian, Callie Bretthauer, Megan Permer, Abbie Horan, Sarah Toporek, Carrie Breum, Alyssa Mol, Allie Laubenstein, Marcell KirkmanBey, John Androus, Yegor Duma, John Mooney, Anderew Tubek, Ryan Noon, Anthony Szuhay, Megan Frisby, Kyle Gibson, Grant Franson, Alyson Ring, Tyler Swindle, Ashley Parmly, Jordyn Hey, Josh Ptasienski, Rachel Cawthorn, Eric Gillum, Brian McPherson, and Zach Dubow. |
Students' achievements honored during January Eagle Pride
Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of January. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Mary Doupis, Chelsey Dugger, Walter Edwards, Josh Green, Brandon Paul, Kristina Elberling, Faith Dermott, Samantha Lohrmann, Shannon Grant, Kaitlyn Larson, Katherine Suopys, Cody Plusa, David Sapiega, Juan Perez, Zach Zannini, chloe King, Jazmine Garcia, Ramon Garcia, Nicole Kruckeberg, Corbin Buege, Stephen Smith, Chloe Carl, Emily Burke, Brody Griffin, Angelo Tomasello, Matthew Tucker, Mark Beadle, Emma Schutz, Tom Knowles, Steve Smith, Gianmarco Bondi, Patrick Chen, Rachel Cawthorn, Daniel Jackson, Garrett VanDellen, and Aaron Sauerland. |
Students recognized during December Eagle Pride ceremony
Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of December. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Illinois Scholars and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Mike Bartlett, Danny Edwards, Matt Hoffman, Michele Lewis, Rosalind Werchek, Daniel Abbinanti, Courtney Adlam, Joseph Antony, Sarah Bartlett, Sarah Beckman, Lauren Bernard, Kelsey Blackwell, Callie Bretthauer, Nicole Buchholz, Michael Burchard, Tyler Callese, Daniel Carlsen, Kyle Coia, Jessica David, Amanda Fischer, Benjamin Goforth, Laura Gorski, Bridget Hebbard, Alex Higgins, Danielle Hill, Emma Howard, Kathryn Konopka, Carrie Kooistra, Candice Kosanke, Nicle Kosanke, Nicholas Lucy, Kaitlin Macanowicz, Elizabeth Madryzyk, William Massie, Charles McChristian, Erin McGill, Michele Moes, Alyssa Mol, Mark Molloy, Kecia Morway, Alexandria Neal, Alexandru Nicolae, Justin Okamoto, Mitchell Post, Caroline Prendergast, Jason Reuse, Megan Schlaeger, Andrew Seketa, John Sieracke, Sarah Steffen, Sarah Toporek, Paul Twarowski, Alex VanCamp, Evan Vandermeer, Vedant Vasavda, Julija Vinckeviciute, Carly Wade, Hannah Ward, Sarah Warren, Elysia Whipple, Samantha Wojinicki, John Androus, Phil Cappitelli, Devin Ksioszk, Jennifer Totten, Ryan Prais, Mike Beckman, Steve Korosis, Abbie Horan, Jamie Dykstra, and Rachel Sieracke. |
Kosanke earns semifinalist spot in National Merit competition
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Nicole Kosanke has jumped the first hurdle in the National Merit Scholarship competition: she's one of 16,000 semifinalists. Now, the senior is waiting for February to come around to learn whether or not she will be one of 15,000 finalists in the country.
"I was really surprised and excited," Kosanke said of her reaction to being named a semifinalist. "I knew that you needed to score really high [on the Preliminary SAT], and I didn't really think I would."
To enter the contest, students must take the PSAT in October of their junior year. About 1.5 million students across the country take the test each year.
To continue in the competition, Kosanke had to complete an application detailing her extra curricular activities and her plans for the future, which are to major in English and education, hopefully at Lake Forest College. She also had to submit an essay. For her essay, she wrote about what it is like to be an identical twin to her sister Candice Kosanke. Earning a finalist spot opens up the opportunity for her to qualify for scholarship money. |
Students recognized during November Eagle Pride ceremony
Several students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of November. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Eileen Grace, Kyle Hill, Megan Antony, Shannon Wibright,
Lucas Tressler, Matt Jones, Caleb Gorsuch, Carrie Breum, Arturo Hernandez, Samantha Potenza, Isaac Soto, Marcus Clearwater-Clark, Baldomero Juarez, Ramon Marin, and April Tosado Pagan. |
| Graduate nominates social studies teacher for Stanford honor
Eric Vichnick, social studies teacher, earned recognition from Stanford University for being an inspiration to one of the university's freshman — Raven Jackson-Stone, a 2009 LCHS graduate. Jackson-Stone, who was a student in Vichnick's International Relations class, nominated him for the award, which he received during a surprise announcement at a faculty meeting on Nov. 4.
Vichnick said he is especially "blown away" by the honor because Jackson-Stone's academic focus was more in the maths and sciences.
"This validates to me what I've been trying to do — to hook students into current and important world topics and to get them to think on their own," said Vichnick, who has taught International Relations for four years. |
| Media specialist, social studies teacher team up for presentation
Faculty members Katie Plese and Jaclyn Shapiro presented at the Illinois School Library Media Association Conference on Oct. 30. Their presentation, entitled “Stop, Collaborate, and Listen!,” focused on the collaborative process for the technology-based projects that they have created as library media specialist and social studies teacher.
Their projects for Shapiro’s U.S. History and AP Government classes have utilized technologies such as wikis, digital storytelling, and podcasting. For more information about the presentation and related projects, check out their website.
Plese and Shapiro are looking forward to developing more collaborative projects in the future. |
October Eagle Pride recipients honored at morning ceremony
Approximately 50 students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of October. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Arturo Hernandez, Ramon Garcia, Alex Mihailovic, Steve Maluenda, Patrick Jennrich, Tyler Menheer, Paul Twarowski, Matt Now, Jamie Dykstra, Ty Summers, Brandon Cencula, Chuck Troy, Tracie Musich, Cassandra Naylor, Stephanie Hegland, April Tosado, Shannon Ure, Candice Kosanke, Nicole Kosanke, Julija Vinckeviciute, Christine Osuma, Mitchell Post, Nathan Leu, John Pfeiffer, Shanna Hertz, Jessica David, Maria Karstedt, Abbie Horan, Sara Berry, Lacey Olson, Jessica David, Callie Bretthauer, Sarah Beckman, Tyler Callese, Samantha Wojnicki, Jonathon Zeeb, Tyler McChristian, Andrew Seketa, Marissa Sigler, Liz Madrzyk, Jessica Quinn, Jackie Julkowski, Iris Schweier, Ben Venturi, and Christian Higginbottom. |
Nearly 300 students earn academic honors at awards night
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Nearly 300 students were invited to attend Academic Awards Night, sponsored by the Guidance Department, on Sept. 30 for achieving and maintaining at least a 3.6 cumulative grade point average. Students earned either their academic letter, pin, or numerals and also received a certificate and a handshake from Principal Jim McKay in recognition of their efforts in the classroom. A line or two about each student's involvement at LCHS and his or her future plans also was shared with the audience.
Social studies teacher Jaclyn Shapiro and science teacher Elizabeth Nelson presented speeches to the students. Shapiro shared her experience of attending a conference in Colonial Williamsburg over the summer to enhance her teaching. She used this story to encourage students to find ways to further their own education outside of the classroom and to be life-long learners. Nelson referred to her challenging experience of working on a research project at Northwestern University, and explained to students that they can use their skills and knowledge to overcome any difficulties in life.
Rebecca Bowen sang the National Anthem at Academic Awards Night, and Lucas Tressler and Hayley Sherwood were the emcees.
Click here to view a list of students who were recognized.
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Students earn recognition for high achievement on AP exams
Twenty-three Eagles earned the designation of AP Scholar by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level Advanced Placement Program exams.
This program offers students the opportunity to take challenging college-level courses while still in high school, and to receive college credit, advanced placement, or both for successful performance on the AP exams, which are given in May. About 18 percent of high school students who took the AP Exams performed at a sufficiently high level to merit the recognition of AP Scholar.
Students who qualified for the AP Scholar with Distinction by earning an average grade of 3.5 or higher are Mariah Donner, Michael Donner, Justin Hotle, Hunter McKenzie, Allison Reding, Kaela Talley, Julija Vinckeviciute, and Anthony Ward.
Students who qualified for the AP Scholar with Honor by earning an average grade of 3.25 or higher are Forrest Clements, Ryan Hill, Caryle Kliesner, Naomi Tesar, and George Wilson.
Students who qualified for the AP Scholar by earning an average grade of 3 or higher are Rachel Boglarsky, Sarah Brown, Melissa Buehler, Rebecca Helgeson, Lauren Hennelly, Jesse Lundgren, Kali Miller, Kristopher Posedel, Mitchell Post, and Benjamin Schnurbusch.
Most of the nation’s colleges and universities award credit, advanced placement, or both based on successful performance on the AP exams.
Story by Cheryl Cox, Director of Guidance and Instruction
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First Eagle Pride recognizes achieving students
More than sixty students earned Eagle Pride recognition for the month of September. These students were nominated by staff members for various reasons, including outstanding achievements and helpful contributions. Each received a certificate during a breakfast this month. Students of the Month and Athletes of the Month also were recognized.
Recipients included Nicole Buchholz, Kyle Coia, Emily Denman, Kenny Kliesner, Hilde Nelson, Jessica Quinn, Iris Schweier, Taylor Dare, Colin Vancrey, Gabe Ptasienski, Jennifer Archil, Kira Bockwinkel, Reilly Gliva, Dylan Griffin, Emma Howard, Maria Karstedt, Nicole Kosanke, Allie Laubenstein, Brittany Mooney, Katy Stoughtenger, Mike Burchard, Ashley Chernich, Lexi Holbach, Kaity Mulloy, Sarah Nelson, Caroline Prendegast, Tyler Swindle, Sarah Toporek, Andrew Flick, Alyssa Baker, Chelsea Gallagher, Colin Gillespie, Bridget Hebbard, Melissa Lewis, Karen Rocha, Chloe Schaar, Lara Williams, Rachel Robertson, Paul Polelle, Paul Kukulka, Blake Seifert, Shawn Parsons, Ashley VanSlochteren, Lauren Bernard, Curtis Sanderson, Erik Anderson, Mandy Fischer, Ashley Rosales, Andrew Tubek, and David Riedel. |
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