Thursday, December 19, 2019

Mustang News - December 20, 2019

Announcements


MHS Students and Alumni! 
Just in time for Christmas!
The MHS Foundation "Warm Your Hands With Mundy Pride" is selling gloves for MHS Scholarships for $10 per pair.

Orders will be mailed to your address or you can pick up at ASSOCIATED GRAPHICS, 525 N Lake Street.

To place your order go to MundyPride.com

Recognition

MHS Robotics Team going to Nationals!
This past weekend the Robotics team at MHS won another VEX Robotics Competition - this time at Huntley, IL! The winning robot finished with a 5-2 record (6th seed, 8th overall) against 30 other teams from 14 schools. This championship qualifies another robot to compete in the state championship in March.

After the accomplishments made by the team this season, they also received an invitation to compete in a nation-wide invitational at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Virginia! Words can't express the admiration I have for the hours of work that our students have put in, and as sophomore Eddy Hogea said: "Winning the first one was so good, we had to do it again."



Mundelein Theatre chosen to perform at State Festival
When the 45th Annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival kicks off at Illinois State University in January, students from Mundelein Theatre will be front and center. Their fall production, The Elephant Man, was selected to perform at the festival. Additionally, two students, Colin Nacion and Becca Panos, were selected as part of the company of the All-State production of the musical Aida.
The Illinois High School Theatre Festival is the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival in the nation, and is produced by the Illinois Theatre Association. More than 4,500 students, teachers, university representatives, exhibitors, and volunteers come together to put on theatrical workshops and various high school productions that are selected to perform each year. The All-State cast, crew, and pit orchestra are comprised of top student performers, musicians, and technicians from Illinois.

Nacion was selected for the cast of Aida, performing in the ensemble and understudying the role of Mereb. Panos was selected as part of the costume crew. “It is a huge honor to be chosen for both the cast and crew for the All-State show,” said Jonathan Meier, theatre director at MHS. “A couple of hundred kids from throughout the state audition and interview for a coveted spot in the company.”
Three representatives from the Illinois Theatre Association attended the opening night performance of The Elephant Man back in November. They met with the company after the performance to offer them feedback. “We are thrilled to be able to perform our show at the festival,” Meier continued. “Performing a show in a different location is a challenge, but we designed the show to tour, in hopes that we would be selected.”


Activities

Dias Festivos 2019
Dias Festivos 
On Dec. 14th, MHS kicked off a new annual event, Dias Festivos, hosted by the Puertas Latino Culture Club in the MHS Cafeteria!  In keeping with the spirit of the season, students of the club organized a variety of events highlighting some of the traditions of Latin American countries celebrating the Christmas holidays including luminaria making, holiday-themed Loteria, Spanish story time, poinsettia/nochebuena ornament making, and more, along with traditional winter refreshments like ponche and champurrado.  To encourage families of all backgrounds to attend, all activities were offered in both Spanish and English. “Puertas is a club focused on providing opportunities for all students to experience and learn about the many traditions and customs of Latin American culture,” sponsor Laura Garcia stated. “We wanted to create Dias Festivos in order to reach out beyond the school to give back to our community members and families during this season of generosity and kindness.”

Dias Festivos 2019

Love Letters Performance to Benefit Mundelein Theatre
Love Letters, a play by A.R. Gurney, will be performed for one night only at Mundelein High School on Saturday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is a benefit for Mundelein Theatre, which was recently selected to perform their production of The Elephant Man at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. Proceeds from the benefit will help cover the expenses of remounting the production for the festival. Admission for the event is a donation to Mundelein Theatre. There will be a reception at the school following the performance.

Mundelein Theatre director Jonathan Meier and his wife, Jill Reznick Meier, will perform the play. Love Letters explores a life-long relationship between Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, carried on primarily through the letters they write to each other. They carry on their loving friendship across 50 years of letters written to each other in Christmas cards, at camp, boarding school, college, travel and career, as well as through several relationships and their own short-lived affair.

“The evening will be a celebration of the success of Mundelein Theatre,” said Jonathan Meier. “We are extremely proud of the work our students have done over the years. We want to invite alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and community members to join us for a performance of this funny and moving play, followed by a chance to catch up with friends and swap some stories.”
The Meier’s met while working as actors in Chicago in the mid 1980’s. They have been married for thirty years and have three children. This is the second time the couple has performed Love Letters together, having done it 12 years ago in a benefit performance.

Further information can be found at www.mundeleintheatre.org.



College & Career Center


MHS First Gen Group!  Come Join Us, All Are Welcome!


Scholarships Are Open!
Scholarship opportunities, can be accessed through the Scholarship Link found under Colleges Home in Naviance.  Additionally, we strongly encourage students to continue checking the MHS Specific Scholarship document to view which additional scholarships that are guaranteed to go to MHS graduates may be opening soon and begin preparing for these.

MHS College Planning Guide
The MHS College Planning Guide is a comprehensive guide through the college planning process. It covers where to get started, financial aid options, timelines, college athletics, summer opportunities, the college planning workbook, and more! Check it out at: http://www.livebinders.com/b/2151227#

Connect with us!
Website: https://www.d120.org/resources/student-success-resources/ccrc/
Instagram: mhsccrc
Twitter: @mundycollege

Athletics


Basketball Hall of Fame
Congratulations to Ben Brust for being inducted into the Mundelein Mustangs Basketball Hall of Fame.


MHS Class of 2015 Erin Falconer
Lake County Hall of Fame inductee Erin Falconer will be here Saturday 12/21/19. Erin is getting inducted into the Lake County Hall of Fame.


Athletic Pictures of the Week









Thursday, December 12, 2019

Mustang News - December 13, 2019

Enjoy the last Mustang News OF THE DECADE!  Mustang News will resume in the new year.  Until then, on behalf of the MHS staff, have a wonderful break!

Friday Focus

Announcements


Puertas Latino Culture Club to host Dias Festivos Dec. 14
Mundelein High School’s Puertas Latino Culture Club will host a free, new event called Dias Festivos on Saturday, Dec. 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. This bilingual open house style event is aimed at bringing area Spanish-speaking families into the school to celebrate the spirit of the season with their children and to take part in family-friendly activities that highlight some of the holiday and seasonal traditions of Latinos and Latin Americans.

“Due to the heavy Catholicism of the region, the Christmas holidays are an important part of many Latin American cultures and often start near the beginning of December,” said Laura Garcia, Puertas Club advisor. Garcia explained that different Latin American countries celebrate the holidays in different ways throughout Central and South America so this event will highlight a variety of customs for families to learn about those traditions. Some of the events will include Holiday Themed Loteria (board game), Liminaria/Farolito making, Nacimiento coloring, Nochebuena/Poinsettia ornament making, Letters to Santa (PapaNoel)/Los Reyes Magos, Cookie decorating, traditional Mexican Ponche and more.

All area families are welcome to attend any time between 5 and 8 p.m. Activities will run in both Spanish and English.

“Stay for a little while, or stay for a long while!,” Garcia said. “The Puertas students are excited to welcome you and your families during this time of year.



Recognition

December Mustang Pride
On Thursday, December 12, nine students were honored by MHS staff members for being the best example of Mustang Pride!  Mustang Pride may have looked like
  • doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do
  • taking the time to help out another student
  • living by the motto "winners never quit...quitters never win"
  • Not being satisfied with just doing a job but constantly trying to do the job better
  • Representing MHS in a positive way everywhere you go
  • Going above and beyond
  • Demonstrating the ability to overcome obstacles
Award winners were recognized at a breakfast with their parents and nominating staff member.  Congratulations to a wonderful group of Mustangs!  (See more photos below!)

December Mustang Pride Students (L to R) Juvenal Abarca, Luke DeBord, Zoe Rafalson, Dillon Blake, Nicole Nowicki, Samantha Hockett, Adry Kasemets, Ahmad Koya, and Dylan DeBord
 








Mundelein Theatre chosen to perform at State Festival
When the 45th Annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival kicks off at Illinois State University in January, students from Mundelein Theatre will be front and center. Their fall production, The Elephant Man, was selected to perform at the festival. Additionally, two students, Colin Nacion and Becca Panos, were selected as part of the company of the All-State production of the musical Aida.
The Illinois High School Theatre Festival is the largest and oldest non-competitive high school theatre festival in the nation, and is produced by the Illinois Theatre Association. More than 4,500 students, teachers, university representatives, exhibitors, and volunteers come together to put on theatrical workshops and various high school productions that are selected to perform each year. The All-State cast, crew, and pit orchestra are comprised of top student performers, musicians, and technicians from Illinois.

Nacion was selected for the cast of Aida, performing in the ensemble and understudying the role of Mereb. Panos was selected as part of the costume crew. “It is a huge honor to be chosen for both the cast and crew for the All-State show,” said Jonathan Meier, theatre director at MHS. “A couple of hundred kids from throughout the state audition and interview for a coveted spot in the company.”
Three representatives from the Illinois Theatre Association attended the opening night performance of The Elephant Man back in November. They met with the company after the performance to offer them feedback. “We are thrilled to be able to perform our show at the festival,” Meier continued. “Performing a show in a different location is a challenge, but we designed the show to tour, in hopes that we would be selected.”

Activities


Orchesis to present Winter Show
Mundelein High School’s Orchesis Group will present its Winter Show Monday, Dec. 16 beginning at 7 p.m. in the MHS Auditorium. Tickets are $4 for adults and $3 for students with ID.

The Winter Show will include a variety of different forms of dance. It will include ballet, Jazz, hip hop, belly dancing, bachata and Mexican folk dancing. The show will also feature children from the community who have learned a dance created by one of the Orchesis members.

Love Letters Performance to Benefit Mundelein Theatre
Love Letters, a play by A.R. Gurney, will be performed for one night only at Mundelein High School on Saturday, December 28 at 7:30 p.m. The performance is a benefit for Mundelein Theatre, which was recently selected to perform their production of The Elephant Man at the Illinois High School Theatre Festival. Proceeds from the benefit will help cover the expenses of remounting the production for the festival. Admission for the event is a donation to Mundelein Theatre. There will be a reception at the school following the performance.

Mundelein Theatre director Jonathan Meier and his wife, Jill Reznick Meier, will perform the play. Love Letters explores a life-long relationship between Andrew Makepeace Ladd III and Melissa Gardner, carried on primarily through the letters they write to each other. They carry on their loving friendship across 50 years of letters written to each other in Christmas cards, at camp, boarding school, college, travel and career, as well as through several relationships and their own short-lived affair.

“The evening will be a celebration of the success of Mundelein Theatre,” said Jonathan Meier. “We are extremely proud of the work our students have done over the years. We want to invite alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff and community members to join us for a performance of this funny and moving play, followed by a chance to catch up with friends and swap some stories.”
The Meier’s met while working as actors in Chicago in the mid 1980’s. They have been married for thirty years and have three children. This is the second time the couple has performed Love Letters together, having done it 12 years ago in a benefit performance.
Further information can be found at www.mundeleintheatre.org.



College & Career Center

MHS First Gen Group!  Come Join Us, All Are Welcome!




Scholarships Are Open!
Scholarship opportunities, can be accessed through the Scholarship Link found under Colleges Home in Naviance.  Additionally, we strongly encourage students to continue checking the MHS Specific Scholarships  document to view which additional scholarships that are guaranteed to go to MHS graduates may be opening soon and begin preparing for these.

MHS College Planning Guide
The MHS College Planning Guide is a comprehensive guide through the college planning process. It covers where to get started, financial aid options, timelines, college athletics, summer opportunities, the college planning workbook, and more! Click HERE to check it out!

Connect with us!
Website: https://www.d120.org/resources/student-success-resources/ccrc/
Instagram: mhsccrc
Twitter: @mundycollege

Athletics

Special Olympics
On Saturday December 7th, Mundelein High School made history by hosting their first ever Special Olympics basketball game on their home court, beating the District 300 Eagles 47-25! The Mustangs played hard and showed great teamwork passing the ball and communicating with each other. The Special Olympics Mustangs have a full season of competition as they prepare for the regional tournament in January. Special thanks to all of the fans and student athletes that cheered on the team as they earned their first win of the season.



Brust to be inducted into MHS Boys Basketball Hall of Fame
Mundelein High School’s Athletic Department will induct 2010 graduate and University of Wisconsin basketball standout Ben Brust into the MHS Boys Basketball Hall of Fame at halftime of the Mundelein vs. Waukegan home basketball game Friday, Dec. 13. The game will begin at 7 p.m. He will also do his ESPN Radio Show live at MHS from 3 pm to 5 pm.
Ben Brust Action by Steve Lundy DH

Brust attended John Hersey High School his freshman year in 2006-2007 before transferring to MHS for his remaining three years. As a senior, he averaged 24.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.1 steals per game during his senior season, topping the 40-point mark on four occasions. He originally committed to the University of Iowa, but after a coaching change he revisited his options about where to play and ultimately chose the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

At Wisconsin he started all of the Badgers’ games. In his junior year he led the team in minutes and assist-to-turnover ratio with a 2.0 and led the team in scoring for the Big Ten Conference games. In his senior year, 2013-2014, he averaged 13 points per game, 4.5 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 89 total three-pointers through the team’s first 35 games. He also had the second-most three-pointers in a career at Wisconsin.

His senior year at Wisconsin was a big season for Brust. Prior to making it into the Final Four in 2014 the team finished the season 30-8, 12-6 in Big Ten play, and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament as a Number 2 Seed in the West region, their 16th straight trip to the tournament. The Badgers defeated American and Oregon to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. There, they defeated Baylor and Arizona to advance to the Final Four where they were eliminated by Kentucky.
After graduating from Wisconsin Brust joined the Milwaukee Bucks for the 2014 NBA Summer League. In October of that year he signed a one-year deal with Pieno žvaigždės of the Lithuanian Basketball League.In 39 Lithuanian League games, Brust averaged 6.0 points and 2.5 rebounds per game. He also averaged 8.1 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 14 Baltic League games.
Currently, Brust is a sportscaster for the Big Ten Network. He also has a radio show on ESPN Madison.







Photos from the Week

With final exams approaching, our photos from the week are from the staff!  Staff have created and celebrated a Holiday Spirit Week.  





Thursday, December 5, 2019

Mustang News - December 6, 2019

Announcements

MHS announces 69 students named Illinois State Scholars
Mundelein High School Principal Anthony Kroll has announced that 69 students from the MHS graduating class of 2020 have been recognized as Illinois State Scholars.

The Illinois Student Assistance Commission [ISAC], the state agency committed to helping to make college accessible and affordable for Illinois families, confers this recognition to top Illinois high school students annually. This year, more than 17,500 honorees join the other top students who have been honored for their academic achievements since the designation was first introduced in 1958.
Representing MHS as Illinois State Scholars are the following students:
Jonathan Aube, Jocie Bank, Elise Bernett, Dillon Blake, Angela Bowes, Kira Buckner, Vu Bui, Ryan Burns, Maximus Castillon, Sarah Chambers, Kelsey Cooper, Jake Cumberland, Samantha Dedominicis, Michael Dodge, Joshua Fordham, Madigan Franzen, Cole Fritz, Parker Geary, Tyler Green, Samuel Hartman, Sofia Hessevick, Alexandra Hevko, Colin Hogan, Bryan Horvat, Alyssa James, Samuel Jeon, Diya Joshy, Ahmad Koya-Oyefuwa, Katherine Kreis, Derek Lee, Jacob Leong, Brandon Linane, Jaeden Lovett, Caitlyn Mathews, Elyna Mellen, Justin Mjoen, Caitlin Morey, Garrett Munz, Alexis Naddy, Sydney Naddy.

Other honorees include Jessica Nayden, Hailey Negley, Nicole Nowicki, Ander Nuttall, Justin O’Connor, Sarah Parduhn, Justin Park, Brady Parks, Benjamin Patel, Sahil Patel, Yael Pena, Jacob Perraud, Michael Pipinis, Francisco Rodriguez Bobadilla, Bradley Rossbach, Luke Roswick, Joseph Scheuer, Claire Schoenfield, Adam Seskiewicz, Nishi Shah, Teagan Sheffer, Maya Skowronski, Aleksandra Skutnik, Mackenzie Stewart, Taneesha Tavkar, Brooke Testin, Colin Wade, Trevor Werner, Andrew Zogby.

While the State Scholar recognition does not include a monetary prize, honorees will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC and a personalized Certificate of Achievement. Honorees may also download a digital Illinois State Scholar badge that can be displayed on their online profiles and social media platforms and shared with high school counselors, prospective colleges, employers, family members and others.

“We’re very proud of our 2020 Illinois State Scholars,” Kroll said. “This honor is a testament to the hard work these students have put into their MHS education.”



Mundelein schools join to collect toys for children
Mundelein school districts 75, 76 and 120 have joined together to collect new toys for children in the area. Donations are being accepted at the following locations:
Lincoln School, Washington School, Mechanics Grove School, Carl Sandburg Middle School, Mundelein High School and the District 120 District Office.
“We greatly appreciate your helping to support our students and families this holiday season and we are so thankful for all that you do,” said MHS English Teacher Ryan Buck, coordinator of the drive.
The last day to drop off items is Wednesday, December 11.

2019-2020 Parking Permits
2nd semester lottery will be open December 13 at 9:00 am through December 18 at 11:59 pm
https://www.d120.org/activities/on-campus-parking-security/

Just in time for Christmas and the Holidays. On sale Friday evening Dec 13th. First pair $10.  More than one pair just $8.00 for each additional pair.


Activities


Show Choirs to host Spotlight Event Dec. 6
The Mundelein High School show choirs will perform as part of their Spotlight Event to take place Friday, Dec. 6 beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the MHS Cafeteria.  Dinner will be provided by Olive Garden Restaurant.

The Concert, featuring the MHS show choirs Sound, Lights and SoundFX, will begin in the auditorium at 7:30 p.m. This is the largest fundraiser for the music groups each year. Cory Thompson and Stevee Bellas direct the program.

Tickets for the events include $10 for dinner and $15 for the concert. Several other options available include raffle tickets, lawn signs, etc. Payment for all options are available on the MHS website at this address:  https://mundelein.revtrak.net/

Dessert will be served following the concert at approximately 8:45 p.m.


College & Career Center


Mustangs Return Home!
We welcomed back 15 MHS alumni who serve as College Ambassadors.  They started the morning off with Round-Table discussions about choosing a school, academics and transitioning to college.  Afterwards, ambassadors visited classrooms throughout the building talking to our students about all of college!  It was a great day to be a Mustang!










Will you be the first in your family to college?  Learn what the First Generation Group is ALL about!





Scholarships Are Open!
Scholarship opportunities, can be accessed through the Scholarship Link found under Colleges Home in Naviance.  Additionally, we strongly encourage students to continue checking the MHS Specific Scholarships document to view which additional scholarships that are guaranteed to go to MHS graduates may be opening soon and begin preparing for these.


Military Recruiter Visits
Interested in joining the military? Stop by the table in the cafeteria hallway during lunch periods to speak with recruiters from different branches on the dates featured above.



MHS College Planning Guide
The MHS College Planning Guide is a comprehensive guide through the college planning process. It covers where to get started, financial aid options, timelines, college athletics, summer opportunities, the college planning workbook, and more! Check it out HERE .

Connect with us!
Website: https://www.d120.org/resources/student-success-resources/ccrc/
Instagram: mhsccrc
Twitter: @mundycollege


Athletics

Swimming - IHSA State Meet
By JON J. KERR
NOV 23, 2019 | 11:20 PM

Adry Kasemets had a strategy going into the finals of the 100-yard breaststroke at the girls swimming state meet Saturday in Winnetka. The Mundelein junior wanted to avoid thinking too much. She knew she had to swim and let the results fall as they may. “Whenever I race, I get everything out of my mind and go out there and have fun,” Kasemets said.

She had fun and took home a state medal. Kasemets finished second in the 100 breast by touching the wall in 1 minute, 2.95 seconds. Kasemets qualified for the state meet a season ago in the 200 individual medley but did not make the finals. She trained with the Patriot Aquatic Club over the summer and was ready for the high school season. One of Kasemets’ coaches is her brother, Ayrton Kasemets, a former state qualifier for Mundelein and now an assistant coach at Stevenson.“He always tells me what I can do better and is extra motivation to help me push harder,” Adry Kasemets said. “He’s been through it and knows what I’m actually going through.”

Kasemets had the fastest time in the 100 breaststroke at any sectional meet in the state. Her second-place state finish in that event is the best in program history. Mundelein senior MacKenzie Strong swam in all four events for athletes with disabilities. She earned a pair of third-place and fourth-place medals.

Featured Mustang 
Kellie Shanahan
Golf
November 20, 2019
I am currently a sophomore and play both varsity golf and softball at MHS, travel softball, summer golf, and travel hockey. I have been playing sports for as long as I can remember. I love the competitiveness of each sport and the commitment it takes because I like to keep myself busy. Most importantly, I love the friendships I’ve made through each sport I play. My parents and three older sisters are my biggest supporters and are always there to cheer me on. When I am not playing sports, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family, boating and snowboarding.



  • The biggest challenge about being a student-athlete is: Juggling all the commands such as school work, practice/game, and social life 
  • I’m deathly afraid of:  Snakes
  • Worst habit: Taking my sisters clothes without asking
  • Language I’d like to learn: Italian 
  • One word your family would use to describe you: Competitive 
  • Favorite sports figure: Lexi Thomson, Monique and Joclyne Lamoroux 
  • My greatest moment in sports was: Scoring the winning shootout goal in the championship game
  • The best player I ever faced was: Lexi Shulman during golf sectionals this past season. Although she is very talented, she taught me how to become a great golfer and how to stay focused the full 18 holes
  • Worst dresser on my team:  None
  • Person I would love to have dinner with: 2 of my grandparents passed away before I was born and I would love to meet them 
  • Favorite food:  Pizza and Ranch
  • Vegetable I won’t eat: Brussel Sprouts
  • Pepsi or Coke? Coke
  • Favorite TV show: Parks and Recreation 
  • Favorite musical group: Train
  • Favorite movie: The Benchwarmers 
  • If a movie were made of my life, I would like the following person to play me:  Jennifer Lawernce 
  • If my life were on TV as a reality show, I’d call it: On the road again
  • The person in history I would most like to meet is:  Amelia Earhart
  • My dream job would be:  Professional Athlete 
  • Place I’d most like to live:  Arizona
  • If you come back in another life, what would you like to return as:  My dog
  • Two things that are tops on my “bucket list”:  Playing golf in another country and going on a cruise 
  • My possession that would fetch the most on eBay:  Sport equipment 
  • Who is the luckiest person in the world? 
  • What I miss most about being in the third grade: Chicago Field Trip 

Boys basketball wins tournament

Wrestlers



Photos From the Week



During the Mundelein vs. North Chicago Varsity basketball game, Trey Baker '21, makes his way down the court, on Wednesday Dec. 4. The Mustangs beat North Chicago 66-32. - by Paige Corrigan

Performing a scene from A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare, Steven Weiss '20 and Mira Guiritan '21 rehearse for the Chicago Shakespeare Slam. For the fourth year in a row, the team has advanced to the final bout at Navy Pier along with nine other schools in the Chicagoland area. - by Katelyn Staroszczyk

While lounging in the library, Victoria Coleman '21 and Hannah Cho '21 chat while waiting for school to commence on Thursday, Dec. 5th. - by Nicole Nowicki