Thursday, May 17, 2018

Mustang News - May 18, 2018





Recognition


Graduation
Class of 2018 bids farewell to MHS
The Mundelein High School Class of 2018 bid farewell to MHS after graduating Sunday, May 13. A packed house at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates offered their support for the graduates throughout the ceremony.


Following opening remarks by Superintendent Kevin Myers, Principal Anthony Kroll and School-wide President Ricky Rodriguez, students who have committed to military service after graduation were recognized. Those students include Ethan Varney, US Army; Elizabeth Maldonado, Army National Guard; David Eagar, Carlos Marchan and Justin Tigley, US Marine Corps; Dennis Sample, US Navy; Eubin Kim, US Naval Academy; and Andrew Owens, ROTC.



The MHS Master Singers, Concert Choir and 2018 Choir graduates performed the National Anthem and a vocal selection while the MHS Combined Honors Band played the processional and recessional as well as an instrumental selection.

Speakers included Valedictorian Abigail Lukas, Salutatorian Kristen Lay, Senior Speaker Hannah Adams, Rodriguez and Senior Class President Sabrina Lee.

Diplomas were distributed by the members of the District 120 Board of Education.


MHS juniors score top summer internships
MHS AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination] students Daniel Nieto and Erik Costello have been selected to participate in competitive summer college programs. Nieto is heading to Hyde Park for the University of Chicago’s week-long residential FloChicago community leadership program, and Costello will travel to Lafayette, Indiana, for Purdue University’s STEP program-- Seminar for Top Engineering Prospects.


Future Leaders of Chicago invites prominent civic and business leaders to share experiences and challenges and introduces students to the complexities of societal concerns within an urban context. Students tackle such complex issues as public education, gentrification and poverty. “We had nearly 200 students interested in the program this year,” said Katie Hytros, executive director of the program. Only 30 are selected for the program. “Our goal is to help forge Chicago's next generation of leaders. To do so, we bring together diverse student leaders from across the Chicago area. By investing in these future leaders, we believe we will help to ensure a better Chicago in the future,”Hytros said.

Nieto is interested in expanding his understanding of how psychology can be applied to serve communities, and hopes to return to MHS with a new toolbox of leadership ideas. He was influential in bringing a cultural dance, El Baille, to the school, and hopes to find other ways to make appreciating other cultures a part of the everyday lifestyle at MHS. “Each FloChicago student is assigned a mentor and we’ll meet with that person throughout the school year,” Nieto explained. “I’m excited to find out what the future brings.”

Costello will join students from around the country at Purdue University which is nationally-ranked for its engineering programs.  While attending STEP, students will learn fundamental engineering design skills using the job-based model of creating teams to compete in a multi-faceted design challenge.

Both students are enrolled in the AVID  which offers a four-year study skills curriculum while informing students about all aspects of the college admissions journey.  AVID site coordinator and MHS faculty member Melissa Schaefer explained the program’s emphasis on students’ holistic development.  “As part of our goal to make sure AVID students are not just college eligible, but college ready, AVID students are introduced to programs at colleges and universities.  These summer experiences not only increase their leadership capacity, but help them form lasting relationships with professionals who can help mentor them as they continue on to college.”


Three AVID students chosen for summer leadership programs
Three Mundelein High School juniors will spend part of their summer vacations participating in leadership programs. All three are enrolled in the AVID [Advancement Via Individual Determination] program at MHS.



Leslye Rodriguez will take part in the Marquette University Leadership Institute July 16-18. The three-day Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) is a free opportunity for rising high school seniors who wish to gain a better understanding of leadership within the various contexts of the college experience. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own leadership abilities and the role leaders play in groups. Students will also learn about what it means to act as a leader in service to others in the community. Finally, we will discuss how to convey leadership experiences in college applications.

This program is designed for students who are the first in their family to go to college or who come from a multicultural background. Students who are selected for the program are invited to spend two nights in one of the Marquette University Residence Halls.

Daisy Lorenzano and Diego Cisneros were selected to attend Girls and Boys State respectively. Illinois Girls State will take place June 17 to 23 while Illinois Boys State will run from June 9 to 16, both at Eastern Illinois University. Both programs teach students about leadership and civic responsibilities. Students are encouraged to create governments, hold elections and manage governmental programs. The American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary sponsor these programs.

Activities



MHS Summer Reading
https://www.d120.org/academics/departments/english/

Jazz Band to kick off Mundelein Summer Concert Series
Mundelein High School’s Jazz Ensemble will kick-off this year’s Mundelein Summer Concert Series sponsored by the Mundelein Community Days, Mundelein Park District, and Village of Mundelein.  The concert will take place at Kracklauer Park in Mundelein.  If there is rain, the concert will be relocated to the MHS Gymnasium. This will be the final performance of the 2017-18 Mundelein HS Jazz Ensemble.




The student musicians will perform some of their favorite selections from throughout the year and will feature the six graduated seniors from the ensemble:  Ben Holly, Karl Kirkpatrick, Kelsey Kroening, Carter Pacis, Anuj Pawar, & Hannah Speer.

Jerald Shelato and Andrew Sturgeon direct the instrumental music program at MHS.

Need to Improve your Peer Tutor Skills?
Know someone who would be a great Peer Tutor?

Peer Tutor Boot Camp EMPOWERS students with communication, leadership, and peer tutoring skills for the upcoming school year.  Week-long training will feature active team bonding, deep self-reflection, and educational strategies tutors can use to support students at all grade levels and reinforce their own knowledge. Peer Tutor Boot Camp is free.  All are welcome.

July 16th-20th, 2018
9AM-11AM
https://mundelein.revtrak.net/Camps-Clinics-Menu/RW-Athletic-Camps-Summer

Six Flags Jobs Available
Six Flags still has a lot of job opening left for this summer! See the attached a flyer for the upcoming hiring event on May 30th.



College and Career Resource Center





Attention Rising Seniors
Nervous about the college application process? Don’t sweat it! The CCRC will host two College Application Jumpstart workshops to help you get a strong start for the fall. In addition to CCRC, you will also have the opportunity to get insight from 2018 MHS grads.



Registration on Naviance is required and space is limited! View details below:

Common Application Workshop
Wednesday, August 8
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
District Meeting Room (DMR)      

College Essay Workshop
Thursday, August 9
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
District Meeting Room (DMR)

Athletics

Boys Gymnastics
Congratulations to the Varsity boys gymnastics team for finishing 5th place at the IHSA state meet held at Hoffman Estates this past weekend.

Tyler Collins performs at the state meet

Kurt Lawrence performs at state



Boys Track/Field NSC Conference Meet
Senior Bobby Nuzzo of Mundelein won three individual events. Nuzzo captured the long jump (21-8.25), 100 (11.04) and 400 (51.28). As he neared the finish line in the 400, Nuzzo looked back repeatedly as his competitors, including Stevenson's Vincent (second, 52.18) and Canegan (third, 52.20).

"I did it because all we needed to do was score the points, so I was saving it for the 200," Nuzzo said. "I got a good competitor in the 200 from Zion. I want to be a little more fresh for that."

Seeking his first 40-point performance in a varsity competition as large as conference, Nuzzo settled for 38 points for the second year in a row, as Zion-Benton's Cortez Sawyer captured the 200. Sawyer ran 22.43 to Nuzzo's runner-up clocking of 22.86.

Nuzzo

Girls Water Polo
Congratulations to the following girls for making the All Sectional team

Girls Water Polo finishes their season at Sectionals

First Team - Abbie Lukas
First Team - Carolyn Westgate

Second Team - Ella Krauss 

Softball
Check out the Daily Herald article about the “Under the Lights Softball Showdown”
http://www.dailyherald.com/sports/20180511/softball-mundelein-outshines-carmel

Softball vs Carmel Lindsey Shifley of Mundelein, left, and Amanda Elert of Carmel hug after throwing out the first pitch during a special game under the lights -photo from Steve Lundy staff photographer






Post-season play-offs (Regionals/Sectionals/State)
Girls Soccer @ Mundelein 5/18
Boys Lacrosse @ Mundelein 5/19
Girls Lacrosse @ Carmel 5/21
Boys Volleyball @ Rockford Auburn 5/21
Softball @ Mundelein 5/22 & 5/26
Baseball @ Mundelein 5/23, 5/24 & 5/26
Please view times for above events at http://as3.rschooltoday.com/public/genie/632/school/632/




NSC Sportsmanship Winners 2017-18
Each of the NSC schools selected one student-athlete from each sport that represents the true meaning of sportsmanship.

The nominees from each sport were selected by the coach/AD by utilizing the following criteria:

The athlete accepts and understands the seriousness of their responsibility, and the privilege of representing their school and community.
The athlete treats opponents the way they would like to be treated as a guest or friend.
The athlete never directs remarks at opponents in a taunting manner.
The athlete wishes opponents good luck before the game and congratulates them in a sincere manner following either victory or defeat.
The athlete respects the integrity and judgment of the game officials.
The athlete plays unselfishly in such a way as to build up their team, without drawing unnecessary attention to him/her.
The athlete yields to the authority and direction of all floor officials, bench officials, school personnel and coaches.

Fall
Boys Cross Country – Kevin Garcia
Football – Nicholas Pawlicki
Boys Golf – Colin Geary
Boys Soccer – Jorge Mendoza
Girls Cross Country – Elizabeth Clow
Girls Golf – Ryan Wilson
Girls Swim & Dive – Carolyn Westgate
Girls Tennis – Breanna Park
Girls Volleyball – Taylor Heath

Winter
Boys Basketball – James Willman
Boys Swim & Dive – Shane Stanley
Wrestling – Angel Pacheco
Girls Basketball – Ellie Maldonado
Girls Gymnastics – Amanda Muench
Cheerleading – Heather Avis
Dance – Allison Nick

Spring
Baseball – Mason Shaller
Softball – Annie Morelli
Girls Soccer – Jacqueline Tyma
Boys Track & Field – Kevin Garcia
Girls Track & Field – Kelly Delgado
Boys Tennis – Powell McCarthy
Boys Volleyball – Ben Arebalo
Boys Water Polo – Eubin Kim
Girls Water Polo – Carolyn Westgate

Congrats to Mundelein Mustang, Ben Arebalo _ Lake Zurich’s Bartosz Wielgos for being named North Suburban Conference Sportsmanship Award winners for Volleyball

Boys JV Lacrosse after their victory over Batavia

Congratulations to Annie Morelli _ Lake Forest’s Shannon Stowe on their NSC Sportsmanship Award for Softball

Congratulations to the North Suburban Conference Sportsmanship award winners Mason Schaller and Lake Zurich_s Bryan Rasbid

Boys Volleyball celebrates senior night. Congratulations to all the seniors.

Friday, May 11, 2018

Congratulations Class of 2018!

Congratulations to the Mundelein High School Class of 2018!

As our seniors end their high school careers this week, the staff of Mundelein High School wishes each student the best in the future.  It has been an honor to watch each student grow and mature into young men and women who will be leaders of their generation.

Congratulations to the Valedictorian Abigail Lukas who graduates with a weighted GPA of 4.55.  Abbie has been recognized as Academic All American Water Polo athlete, all time leading goal
scorer for MHS, top 10 goal scorer in IHSA season and individual game, MHS female scholar athlete of the year, MHS most outstanding female senior athlete and many more athletic accomplishments.  Abbie has been a member of the Student Athletic Leadership Team, Math Team, and National Honor Society.   Abbie will be attending George Washington University and will study Biomedical Chemical Engineering.

Valedictorian Abigail Lukas and Salutatorian Kristin Lay
Salutatorian Kristin Lay graduates with a weighted GPA of 4.398.  Kristin has been involved in marching band and concert band all four years at MHS.  Kristin was a member of the Honors-level Band for 3 years, switched from playing the clarinet to playing the bass clarinet during senior year to help fill instrumentation needs of Honors Wind Ensemble, and served as the Band Librarian this year.  She is a member of National Honor Society,  Linkcrew, Asian Culture Club, and has volunteered at Condell.   Kristin will be attending Case Western Reserve University and will study Biochemistry and Political Science.

Both seniors will give formal speeches during the MHS Graduation Ceremony to be held Sunday, May 13 at 3 p.m. at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Hannah Adams was chosen through an audition process to be the senior class speaker at the event. Four hundred fifty-four MHS seniors are slated to graduate on Sunday.

We’re very proud of our valedictorian and salutatorian as they set their personal bars very high and worked very hard during their four years to achieve that. Congratulations to them both.



Mundelein High School to graduate 454 on May 13
Mundelein High School will hold its Graduation Ceremony Sunday, May 13, beginning at 3 p.m. at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. Four hundred fifty-four seniors are slated to receive their high school diplomas at that time.

Following opening remarks by Superintendent Kevin Myers and Principal Anthony Kroll, the audience will hear from Ricky Rodriguez, school-wide president. The event will include musical selections from the Combined Honors Band and a combination of Master Singers, Concert Choir and 2018 Choir graduates.

Key speakers will include Valedictorian Abigail Lukas, Salutatorian Kristin Lay and Hannah Adams who earned the Senior Speaker honor through an audition process. Senior Class President Sabrina Lee will offer closing comments and direct the Class of 2018 in the “moving of the tassels.”



The MHS Class of 2018 has been offered millions of dollars in scholarship opportunities and military appointments.

Graduation is always an enjoyable event for educators who have spent the past four years working with these young people. It is a time for us all to celebrate the accomplishments of the past and also look forward to the many new adventures these students will experience. Congratulations to the MHS Class of 2018!

Recognition


MHS junior earns perfect ACT score
John Lay, a Mundelein High School junior, recently received word that he scored a perfect score of 36 on the ACT Test. He took the test on April 14 this year.
John Lay

“I didn’t really study a lot for the test,” Lay explained. “I did a few practice tests beforehand and that was about it. I had taken it once before, a few months earlier and scored a 34 but didn’t finish every section. I figured I’d probably do better the second time!,” he said.

After graduation Lay hopes to major in computer science at the University of Illinois where his father graduated from. His current course load at MHS includes Advanced Placement [AP] Government and Politics, AP Calculus, AP Computer Science Principles, AP English Language, Honors Spanish 4, Honors Physics and Honors Wind Ensemble.

Lay plays the bassoon in Honors Wind Ensemble and he is a member of a computer and byte club.
“Now that I don’t have to worry about the ACT test anymore I plan to be involved in more extracurriculars during my senior year,” he concluded.

MHS student journalists earn multiple IJEA awards
Mundelein High School’s student newspaper, The Mustang, recently received nine awards for materials entered in the Illinois Journalism
Education Association’s [IJEA] 2018 News and Digital Media Contest. Michelle Didzbalis is The Mustang staff advisor.
Students earned the following awards:
Best News Story: First place to Madison Parola
Best Sports News Story:  Honorable Mention to Tyler Yakimisky
Best Sports Feature Story:  Second place to Paige Novander
Best Sports Commentary:  Third Place to Isaiah Wellman
Best Review:  First place to Allison Nick
Best Sports Photo:  Third Place to Maggie O’Donnell
Best Alternative Storytelling:  Second Place to Maggie O’Donnell
Best Photo Story:  First Place to Gianna Scibetta, Madison Parola, Tyler Yakimisky, Sydney Blackmer, Kendall Job and Kyle Ehemann
Best Hybrid Publication:  Honorable Mention

MHS to honor employees for reaching milestones of service
Mundelein High School will hold its annual Staff Recognition Ceremony Tuesday, May 15 at the Hawthorn Woods Country Club. A social hour will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by the ceremony at 6:30 p.m. Dr. Kevin Myers, superintendent and Dr. Anthony Kroll, principal will host the event.
Joan Hornby - 40 yrs service to MHS
The award ceremony will begin with the “Mustang Star Awards” which are given annually to recognize staff members who have made a significant difference in MHS life. These awards are usually not announced in advance of the program.

Listed below are the milestones and those staff members who have earned their places in them:
Granted tenure:  Julie Block, Michelle Billone, Valerie Riley, Janette Swanston
Ten Years of Service:  Ernie Billittier, Jamie Brongiel, Stephen Douglas, Rosalina Esmez, Samantha Fehrman, Ryan Heidner, Cynthia Henrichs, Melissa Schaefer, Melissa Sethna
Fifteen Years of Service:  Kent Meister, Julie Wheeler
Twenty Years of Service:  Victoria Alex-Howard, Jean Davis, James Doyle, Alexander Kapotas, Diane Risdon
Twenty-five Years of Service:  Diane Covert, Stacey Darcy, Jennifer Franco, Anthony Kroll
Thirty Years of Service:  Lynn Dowell, Christine O’Toole
Forty Years of Service:  Joan Hornby

MHS grad lands job with ESPN
Gabriella Scibetta, a 2014 Mundelein High School graduate who worked as a sports editor on the MHS student newspaper The Mustang, will graduate this weekend from Southern Illinois University and is looking forward to her new career.  She will be a member of the ESPN Production Department.  She studied journalism at SIU and was a member of The Daily Egyptian sports news staff.

This past fall, she spoke to the MHS newspaper class about her journalism experiences in college and how working on the high school newspaper prepared her for her chosen career path.

“Gabriella knew exactly what she wanted to do job-wise as a sophomore in high school when she first took Introduction to Journalism. It’s been amazing to see her pursue that goal so passionately and to watch all her hard work pay off with a dream job,” The Mustang Adviser Michelle Didzbalis said.
Scibetta’s sister Gianna is the current editor-in-chief of The Mustang and will also graduate this weekend.

World War II Veteran Visit to MHS
Jim Drier’s English Honors 1 student book club choice of “Nazi Hunters” inspired a visit from World War II veteran Don Carter, who served from 1944 through 1945 in the Army’s 44th Field Artillery Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. Carter detailed his combat experiences including landing at Normandy beach. When his tank maneuvered into the town square in Cherbourg, France, Carter set his sites on the Burgermeister’s headquarters which was decorated with a sizable Nazi flag. Carter seized the flag and sent it to his hometown of Hormel, New York, where it was proudly displayed in a department store window. Here Carter shows the flag to students.




Activities




Text-A-Tip
The summer offers a break from routine, but also can increase teenagers’ feelings of disconnection. That is why today, we sent a reminder email to students about Text-A-Tip. We also want to make sure that you, as parents, know that Text-A-Tip is a resource that is available to everyone in the community, 24/7, all year round.

With Text-A-Tip, teens can use their preferred method of communication - text messaging - to reach out for help for themselves or friends. The resource allows teens to find anonymous, immediate help for themselves if they are struggling with drug or alcohol abuse, depression, difficult family situations, bullying, or any of the many challenges they face today. The service is available 24/7, is completely anonymous, and is staffed with local counselors to support teenagers (and others) who have a concern or a crisis.

How It Works: Anyone who sends a text message “LAKECO” to 1-844-823-5323 will receive an immediate text response from a trained, professional counselor.  Counselors are provided by LEAD (Linking Efforts Against Drugs), a non-profit organization focused on promoting healthy family relationships and preventing alcohol and drug use and other risky behaviors by youth. The response team consists of licensed/certified mental health professionals from The Child, Adolescent, and Family Recovery Center in Lake Bluff. They are local clinicians who already understand the needs of our communities.

Thanks to a system that routes calls through a cloaking server, texters are completely anonymous, allowing teens freedom to reach out for help without fear. In the case of a life-threatening condition, emergency responders will be notified and be given as much information as is available to help the person in need.

Who Should Use Text-A-Tip?  Text-A-Tip is available for communication of any kind of concern, though it is primarily intended for community members to use when they need immediate mental health assistance or have a drug/alcohol abuse concern for themselves or a friend. Adults can use the service as well to report concerns.

As this is a true community partnership, you will see Text-A-Tip posters and signs in public spaces and businesses.

Athletics

Baseball
Congratulations to Ryan Patel who has committed to Saint Louis University to continue his academic and athletic career.

Congratulations to Mason Schaller who has committed to Triton College to continue his academic and athletic career.





Girls Soccer
Congratulations to the varsity soccer team for winning the Conference! First time in history. We are all very proud of you



Volleyball fundraiser for MHS family members
The Mundelein High School Boys Volleyball Program will play Wheeling Thursday, May 10 at 5 p.m. in the North Gym dedicated to the memory of Patrick Zepeda, father of freshman Nate Zepeda, who is a member of the MHS freshman volleyball team.

Patrick Zepeda leaves behind his wife Noemi, an MHS graduate, and four children. “This close-knit family is involved in the Mundelein community and local sports organizations,” said George Dressen, head volleyball coach. “The oldest, Lucas, played football for MHS and is finishing his freshman year playing football and earning a degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.”

The Zepeda Family Fund was created to help with expenses and the future education of his children. It has raised more than $24,000 to date.

A 50/50 raffle will take place during the game and donations will also be accepted to raise funds for the family.

Donations will also be accepted on the gofundme page at www.gofundme.com/patrickzepedafamily.

Congratulations to the Freshman B volleyball team for taking 1st place at the Zion Benton tourney.

Kelly Delgado sportsmanship winner for Girls Track


Congratulations girls track _ field

Boys Lacrosse sportsmanship winner Nathan Carland with Coach Moony

Girls Lacrosse sportsmanship winner Kelsy Austwick



Post-season play-offs (Regionals/Sectionals/State)
Boys Water Polo @ Buffalo Grove 5/9, 5/11 & 5/12
Girls Water Polo @ Buffalo Grove 5/10, 5/11 & 5/12
Girls Track/Field @ Palatine 5/10
Boys Gymnastics @ Hoffman Estates 5/11
Tennis @ Lake Forest & VHAC 5/10, 511 & 5/12
Girls Soccer @ Mundelein 5/15 & 5/18
Boys Track/Field @ Grayslake North 5/17
Boys Lacrosse @ Mundelein 5/19
Girls Lacrosse @ Carmel 5/21
Boys Volleyball @ TBA 5/21
Softball @ Mundelein 5/22 & 5/26
Baseball @ Mundelein 5/23, 5/24 & 5/26
Please view times for above events at http://as3.rschooltoday.com/public/genie/632/school/632/


Photos from the Week

On Tuesday May 8, Julia Anderson '18, paints a water-colored owl. Julia is working to complete her portfolio of 24 pieces for her Ap Art class. Photo taken by Myah Strokosch

Waiting for the next serve, Senior Nathaniel Morris and his partner Alexander Golebiowki compete on a very damp evening against Jakob's High School losing 4-8. Golebioski admits that if they were to play the team again they would play with more focus and possibly return to beat them. Photo taken by Diana Orozco

Sharing laughs, Khari Thompkins '19 and Brianna Martin '21 attend one of the last meetings for Black Student Union on May 10, 2018. During this meeting, the members discussed their thoughts and ideas on a new influential music video. Photo taken by Katie Staroszczyk