Friday Focus

Recognition

Perfect AP Scores

The College Board has announced that two Mundelein High School students earned perfect scores on its Advanced Placement (AP) Exam in spring 2021.

Steffen Brown

Hannah Cho, who graduated in May, and Steffen Brown, now a MHS senior, were among a select number of students worldwide to earn every point possible on the AP Exam in a particular subject. Hannah was one of 46 students to earn a perfect score in 3-D Art and Design. Steffen was one of 335 students to earn a perfect score in Computer Science Principles.

These extraordinary academic accomplishments are a direct reflection of the top-quality education being offered at Mundelein High School, the College Board stated. MHS Principal Anthony Kroll echoed that statement.

“This is not just a source of pride for these two extraordinary students, but to our teaching staff as well,” said MHS Principal Anthony Kroll. “We’re so happy that both Hannah and Steffen achieved this honor.

Hannah Cho

“These students were well-prepared and they put in a lot of hard work and effort to earn this distinction. They exemplify the potential for academic success of every student who walks through the doors of Mundelein High School.”

The Advanced Placement Program is committed to ensuring that students have access to the opportunities they have earned. Students who succeed in AP are not only more likely to succeed in college, but have the chance to save a significant amount of time and money by earning college credit or placement.

Colleges and universities around the world receive AP scores for college credit, advanced placement, and/or consideration in the admission process.

Activities

Winter Wellness

Please join the MHS in celebrating the Winter Wellness Boost: a spirit week dedicated to mental health and wellbeing. Each day in the week of November 29 will consist of two major components: spirit wear and activities in the Commons during lunch. Many thanks to the student groups who will be sponsoring this event and leading the activities, so come join the fun! During this week please remember to be kind and to care for yourself and others as the winter may bring about certain challenges. Reach out to any trusted adult, including your counselor, social worker, or psychologist, for more information or support.

Dias Festivos

The Puertas Latino Culture Club students are gearing up for the 2nd annual Dias Festivos event on Friday, Dec. 10th! This is a free bilingual open house style event aimed at bringing all our families together 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. Admission is free.

Announcements

Athletics

Girls Swimming

Coaches Corner: Rahul Sethna

Riley Routledge placed 26 in the 100 breaststroke at the IHSA state meet. She moved up in place and dropped time! Congratulations Riley, we are proud of you.

Riley Routledge

Boys Bowling

Coaches Corner: Chris Sweno

Bowling in his first varsity tournament, junior Myles Kugler bowled a 602 series, 198-236-168. Congratulations!

Football

Congratulations Omari Rhinehart who has been named to the IHSFCA 7A All-State Football Team. This award consists of only 18 players in the state who are nominated and voted on by a panel of football coaches across the state. Coach DeFrancesco, who nominated Omari, was thrilled to hear Omari received this prestigious award. Mundelein has not had an All-State football player since 2005.Mundelein is proud of you Omari!

Omari Rhinehart

Girls Basketball

Coaches Corner: Greg Dorgan

11/13/21 at our scrimmage we were able to give our student-athletes the recognition they deserve in front of their families…Congrats to our 20/21 squad for earning IBCA All-State Academic Team (1st in Division 2)!

20-21 Girls Basketball IBCA All-State Academic Team (1st in Division 2)

Our JV & F/S teams started their seasons with a tournament at Lakes. JV started strong with a record of 2-1. Varsity hosts the Mundelein Thanksgiving Tournament this week. After dropping the first game against a strong Glenbrook South team, the Mustangs bounced back with a 40-33 victory over Highland Park. Tournament action continues Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday.

We also started our fundraiser (please see link below). Please consider donating, with our biggest expenses are summer college camps, hotels for tournaments, experiences like Battle-Tested, and program gear. Thank you for your support!

Girls Basketball Fundraiser: https://wefund4u.com/fundraiser/mundl21gb/c/7563

Athletic Directors Corner: Troy Parola

Todd Parola

Congratulations to our former Head Coach Todd Parola on this recognition from the IHSBCA! Coach P led the Mustangs to 603 wins during his 22 seasons as HC, including an appearance in the State Championship game in ‘16

Girls Gymnastics

Coaches Corner: Bridget Erickson

Great first week. It was Abby Kaugman’s birthday, and we did some partner conditioning and kickboxing! Everyone’s working hard and learning new skills.

Alumni Corner

Cross Country

It's a great day to be a Mustang XC Alumnus! The collegiate season is nearly over, and I can say with great pride that our Mustangs have contributed strongly to their programs' success. We are blessed to have 6 Mustangs competing at the collegiate level- 4 in DIII, and 2 in DI. If that seems like a large number, it's because it is, and they are all making their presence felt. We also have one alumni giving back to our community by coaching middle schoolers.

At the NCAA DIII Regionals this past weekend, Kaleb Carlson of Greenville University and Carl Schoenfield of Augustana faced off in the Midwest Region. Carl, who has been battling an injury all season, was Augie's 6th man, placing 117th with a time of 27:29, and helping his team to a 9th place finish. Kaleb, who has been enjoying his best season by far, was his team's 3rd man, taking 94th and running 27:02 for his 14th place team.

At the North Region, MSOE took 12th as a team, due in no small part to Michael Keegan's efforts. Michael was his team's 4th man, taking 98th with a big PR of 26:36.

Over at the Great Lakes Region, Robert St Clair helped his team to a 3rd place finish, and NCAA Championship bid, taking 20th as the team's 3rd man, running 25:24. Robert will run with his team at Nationals for the 2nd time in his collegiate career.

We also have 2 runners competing at the DI level. Dillon Blake, runs for the University of Minnesota, and Carter Schorr runs for Butler University. Both are just beginning their competitive careers and have red-shirted for the season, but both programs have qualified for the DI Cross Country Championships, and we look forward to their future contributions.

We also have a professional runner representing us. Bryce Richards, training in Arizona, continues to excel. This past summer Bryce broke 4 minutes for the full mile several times. Bryce recently ran a spectacular 10 mile race, running 49:10 and placing high among the pros.

Lastly, we also have an alumni runner who has started his coaching career this past season. In addition to studying to be an electrician, Dario Carrillo joined the CSMS coaching staff where he contributed his expertise and experience in mentoring those runners to a state appearance this year.

We are proud of each and every one of our Mustangs, they are representing Mundelein High School and our program with pride.

Carl Schoenfield and Kaleb Carlson both class of 2018. Carl attends Augustana College and Kaleb attends Greenville College.

Michael Keegan Class of 2020 attends the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

Robert St. Clair Class of 2019 attends Case Western Reserve University

Alumni Corner

Football

Alex Wing

Alex Wing (FY Punter, Wauconda, IL/Mundelein-Mundelein High School): Punted over the last nine games, booting 43 balls for 1,672 yards (38.9 average) with five fair catches, one touchback, three punts of 50+ yards and 15 balls inside the 20 yard line… Named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week for games on November 6. He punted seven times vs. Hartwick in a 42-28 victory. He had a 42.3-yard average with a long of 49 yards and four punts inside the 20. His season long goal came in his first game – 59 yards vs. Alfred State… Best punting average since 2016 (Paul Mokrzycki 39.1 average on 42 punts)… Longest punt (59 yds.) since 2004 when Brad DiPietro had a 63-yarder.

Photos from the Week

During strength class on Wednesday, Nov. 17, Alexis Bellecomo ´22 is spotting Millicent Rehm ´22 while benching.- Keely Murphy ‘22

Playing the role of dinosaur and tour guide, emcees Anjeli Modi '22 and Marco Gilardi '22 share their closing remarks during the 2021 Talent Show: a Night in Jurassic Park on Wednesday, Nov. 17 in the auditorium.-Avery Refka ‘22

With the recent change in lunch permissions, freshman students enjoy eating together at China Court on Wednesday, Nov. 17.- Addison Klein ‘25

During the Girls Varsity Basketball Thanksgiving Tournament hosted at MHS, the Mustangs warm up for their game against the Grayslake North Knights on Nov. 17.- Jenna Santos ‘23

During the "Wicked Christmas Carol" performance, Grace DeMilio '25, playing the witch, scares Alexander Benassi '25 into listening to her when he confronts her with ideas on Tuesday, Nov. 9 in the Auditorium.- Ashley Wolverton ‘23