Mustang News - May 13, 2022

 Recognition

MHS Robotics Competed at World Competition

This past weekend on of our robotics teams (499S - Noisy Boys) traveled to Dallas, Texas to compete in the 2022 VEX Worlds Championships - the largest robotics competition in the world.  This is the first time for our school and our students (Ray Hogea '22, Eddy Hogea '22, Peter Zakariya '22, Matthew Chen '22, and Michael Chen '25) to compete in-person at this level of the competition.

With over 800 teams in attendance, ten divisions were created to randomly group teams.  For three days our students competed against top teams not only from across the nation but also teams from Canada, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, Puerto Rice, New Zealand, Colombia, Singapore, Mexico, and Paraguay to name a few.

After 10 qualifying matches, our team finished with a 7-3-0 record and moved on to be the captain of the 15th seed in the divisional playoffs.  Unfortunately, their partner's robot slipped in the last few seconds of the first round of elimination and we lost to the second seed with a score of 233-193.  If you would like to see more photos, please view the folder here. 

It has been my honor to watch this team grow over the years! When I first started at Mundelein I was tasked with revamping the robotics program at the school and I am very grateful for our students to make it so much easier.  The talent, motivation, and perseverance that our students show really earns them my greatest respect as a coach.  We are also endlessly grateful to those that have supported us through the years and we hope that you will continue to support us!  

Mundelein High School sends five candidates to Boys and Girls State

Robles

Willis

Five Mundelein High School students were selected to attend American Legion Boys State and
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. Boys State candidates include John Chambers, senior, and juniors Ronan Robles and Matthew Willis. Girls State attendees are Alicia Brak and Leila Moon, both juniors. Both programs will be held in June at Eastern Illinois University.

Boys and Girls State provides an immersive experience in the democratic process. Students run for elected positions at the local, regional and state levels during a mock legislative session.  Candidates meet peers with strong interests in politics and craft slates that promise improvements for our democracy. By portraying government representatives, students grow in their understanding of the complexities of politics, which is a goal for MHS student Leila Moon, “My motivation to participate comes from my interest in what policy making actually looks like. Congress is often portrayed as a dramatic ideological battleground, and I would like to see to what extent ideology affects the process.” Attendees gain opportunities for  personal development, as Ronan Robles commented, “I hope it will enhance my leadership skills.”

While students have engaged in an academic understanding of legislation in class, Boys and Girls State is a trial ground for engaging in the political process. Matthew Willis plans to put this

new knowledge
to the test by addressing voting participation, “Voting rights and sustainability are two issues that are important to me, so if I present any legislation it would involve one of those two issues. The United States has the lowest voter turnout of any democracy in the world, so creating incentives is a change I’d like to make.” A topic that Alicia Brak hopes to find support for is fixing the educational gap in understanding budgeting, “I would like to promote legislation that supports financial literacy.”

 The MHS students are looking forward to the upcoming Boys and Girls State events which have been either on hiatus or run virtually for the past two years. The Boys and Girls State programs were established in 1935 to help students gain a thorough

understanding of the functions of government.  Illinois was the first state to offer Boys State. Doing business as the mythical 51st state, students will join hundreds of representatives from across Illinois in this annual summer experience. In addition to politically-related activities, there are social and sports events and guest speakers including state and national political figures. Attendance at these events can lead to participation in Boys and Girls Nation in Washington, DC. which invites two “senators” from each state to attend a mock Congress in our nation’s capital and often includes an in-person Rose Garden greeting from the U.S. President. It can also lead to scholarship opportunities.

Chambers

Moon

Brak

The Mundelein American Legion Post 867 sponsors and provides all funding for the male students to attend American Legion Boys State. Mundelein Community Bank and Libertyville-based Wm. Meyer & Sons provide funding for the MHS female participants in American Legion Auxiliary Girls State. Girls State is sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 867 of Mundelein, which also sponsors the Oratorical Contest.

Activities

Special Offer for MHS Students - Learn & Earn Opportunities!

I'm pleased to invite your students, grades 9 -12 (including, the class of '22 grads), to participate in one or more of the "learn and earn" programs we are offering during June and July. They are open to all students who have interest or wish to learn about employer use of apprenticeships and the CLC academic programs related to them. Space is limited for each program so early registration in May is encouraged! 

Flyers are attached that you can use for each of the three programs to alert your faculty and students to these opportunities. Also attached the application forms for students to complete for one or more of the programs they wish to attend. When we receive the completed and signed applications we will follow up with the students on specific dates and times for these events. (Note: A parent or guardian must sign the application form.) We will provide transportation to the employer sites either in Lake County or Chicago.

Note: FYI, the employer visits dates will be the weeks of June 13th and 20th and be held generally from 9:00 AM - 1:00PM which includes lunch.

The Shadow Days programs will be held on the CLC Grayslake campus the week of July 11th.

All events include a $100 gift card for students who attend and complete the session. Students will receive their gift card at the conclusion of the session.

College & Career

Dear Seniors, 

Congratulations! You are graduating high school this weekend. We couldn’t be more proud of you! Whether you're heading straight into the workforce, going to community college, enlisting in the military, or attending a 4-year university, we know your future is bright. We will miss seeing you at the CCRC!

Sincerely, 

Mrs. Rusk, Ms. Bogseth, Mr. Castillo, and Mrs. Fiore

Athletics 

Boys Gymnastics

Coaches corner: Jesse Piland

The Boys' Gymnastics team finished their seasons strongly as the Frosh/soph team competed at the Conference Championships at Glenbard East High School on Saturday, 4/23.  The Freshman team this year consisted of Elijah Meister, Winston Petri, and Reese Miller.  JV member Elijah Raymond finished in 11th place in the conference in the all-around competition.  Congratulations guys!

Varsity team member and Junior Holden Allsbury finished in the top 5 in the all around competition at the Varsity conference meet on Wednesday, April 20th.  He placed 2nd on Floor and 4th on Vault.  He followed his effort up May 4th by placing 1st on Floor exercise at the Sectional championships at Palatine High School.  He also qualified well enough to qualify to the IHSA State Championships on 5/13 & 5/14 on all events and the All-around competition.  Good Luck to Holden, and thanks for a great season Mustangs!

Winston Petri

 L to R Elijah Raymond, Winston Petri and Elijah Meister

 Holden Allsbury getting ready for floor routine

Girls Soccer

Coaches corner: Seong Ha

Thank you so much MHS teachers for attending the inaugural MHS Girls' Soccer Teacher Appreciation Night soccer match.  Your attendance propelled us to a 2-0 victory over Zion-Benton in our final North Suburban Conference (NSC) match of the season to move us to 9-12-1 for the spring campaign. Junior Phoebe Almora's amazing goal with 7.8 seconds left in the 1st half on an exceptional cross and assist from sophomore Ashley Strachn jump started the Mustangs against a very challenging wind.  In the 2nd half, sophomore Nayeli Abrego had a world class finishing strike on another helper from Strachn to give the Mustangs a 2-0 victory!  Goalkeepers junior Jill Kennicott and senior Jamie Ketchum shared the shutout with three (3) saves total. 

It was my pleasure to meet so many of you!  For this Glenbrook South teacher who many times is lost in your building, it was tremendously my honor to get introduced and it will be nice to see some friendly faces going forward within the walls of Mundelein High School.  Thank you again for all that you do for my student-athletes.  GO MUSTANGS!

MHS GSOC Teacher Appreciation (2022)

girls freshmen soccer staying cool before their game

Frosh soccer Jolette Jimenez kicking vs Lake Forest

Frosh soccer Raegan Irwin vs Lake Forest

Boys Volleyball

Coaches corner: Dressen & Willis

Last week’s wins over Warren and Evanston bring the Varsity record to 20-7. This past weekend, the Freshman team continued their winning streak at the Zion-Benton Quad defeating Waukegan, Zion-Benton, and Lake Zurich. This has been a wonderful season for Mustang volleyball at all levels! Mark your calendars for Staff Appreciation Night on Monday the 16th when our Mustangs play against Highland Park. Then we play our final conference match at home on Wednesday the 18th against Zion-Benton. And then Friday, May 20 is Senior Night when we play at home against Grayslake Central. All home games start at 5:00 & 6:00 pm.  Come out and support your Mustangs!  Finally, we would like to send a big congratulations to our senior volleyball players who graduate on Sunday: Paolo Escobar, August Holsman, Ryan McElligott, Julien Murillo, Martin Sahagun, Jordan Schneckloth, Tyler Vrska, Quentin Wright, and our managers Arly Arcos and Micah Holly. Thank you for your years of dedication to Mundelein volleyball! We are so proud of you all.

Volleyball managers - Back to Front Josilyn Wadas, Michah Holly, Maggie O'Brien, Arly Arcos (not pictured Syd Cox)

F/S Volleyball

The Frosh/Soph Boys volleyball team finished the month of April with a record of 12-1 and is currently 16-1 overall. They have only had one loss to Stevenson. Upcoming matches are: Lake Forest and Grant.

Frosh Volleyball

Here are some pics for our Quad on Saturday! The freshman started out the season really struggling but have won 5 in a row!

Girls Track & Field

Coaches Corner: Nate Sweet

In recent weeks the girls track & field team has worked through their championship season of the Lake County and the NSC Conference meet.  At County the Mustangs finished in 6th place as a team 3 points behind 4th with County Champions in Jordyn Miller (400m), Sharron Kagan (Discus) and the 4x400m Relay (Praise Oyebanji, Vivi Gonzalez, Jocelyn Gomez, and Jordyn Miller).  Other All County performers are Miller (800m - 2nd), Oyebanji (1600m - 6th), and Kagan (Shot Put - 3rd). 

 The day after the County meet the Mustangs, tired and still groggy from a late and competitive meet participated in the 89th Palatine Relays on a cool and rainy Saturday.  Despite tired and fatigued the Mustangs placed in several of the events. Jordyn Miller (800m), Abigail Shifley (100m hurdles), 4x400m relay (Praise Oyebanji, Vivi Gonzalez, Jocelyn Gomez, and Jordyn Miller), 4x800m relay (Amber Dean, Jocelyn Gomez, Shannon Ouimet, and Vivi Gonzalez), and Sharron Kagan (Discus).

 At the NSC Conference meet the Mustangs finished 4th overall with surprising performances and exciting finishes.  Scoring members are Jordyn Miller (400m - 1st, 800m - 3rd), Abigail Shifley (100m hurdles - 3rd), Addison Klein (JV 100m hurdles - 6th, JV 300m hurdles - 6th), 4x400m Relay was 2nd (Praise Oyebanji, Vivi Gonzalez, Jocelyn Gomez, Jordyn Miller) in a season best time, the 4x800m relay was 2nd (Praise Oyebanji, Vivi Gonzalez, Jocelyn Gomez, Jordyn Miller), Sharron Kagan (Shot Put - 6th, and Discus - 1st), Rosa Bonilla (JV Shot - 5th, JV Discus - 6th), Sariah Hutchinson (High Jump - 5th) and Ella Bradshaw (JV Triple Jump - 5th).  The Mustangs now look forward to this week's IHSA Sectional meet at Buffalo Grove with hopes of qualifying multiple events to the IHSA State Meet.

Girls Track Jordyn Miller, Sharron Kagan, Jocelyn and Viv Gonzalez

Softball

Coaches Corner: Kat McCreery

Mundelein softball moved to 7-5 in the NSC with remaining games against Lake Forest and Zion-Benton scheduled for next week. We will celebrate our varsity senior softball players this Saturday with games versus Grant (10am start at the Varsity Softball Field).  Please come out and support our Mustangs!

Softball home run clubs new member

Boys Tennis 

Coaches corner: Greg Cohen

Boys Tennis is closing in on the end of the season.  The team is currently 9 + 9 on the season.  We are led by Kevin Edquiban who raised his record to 20 + 2 on the season.  Kurt Dumblauskas is second on the team with 13 wins.  Kurt might be the most improved player in the North Suburban Conference.  Congratulations to Kevin Edquiban, Marco Anselmi, Logan Green, Brandon Hinkle, Matthew Franzen, Logan Ashworth, and Caleb Beversdorf for being honored with the IHSA Academic Recognition Award.

Kurt Dumblauskas ripping a forehand

Brandon Hinkle serving up another winner

Come join Ein Gwon - one of our most improved players

 FREE LESSONS BEING OFFERED FOR BOYS CURRENTLY IN 3RD - 10TH GRADE

If you are interested in trying the lifetime sport of tennis - just contact Coach Cohen (gcohen@d120.org) for a free lesson.  It is a great way to see if you might succeed at this sport. Are you an athlete that was bored this spring without playing a sport? Are you a great student that never thought about a sport but thinks this might be possible? Any boy is welcome to try and see if they like this sport!  

Contact Coach Cohen: gcohen@d120.org

Football

Mustang Football will be hosting a freshman (class of 2026) football welcome party on Sunday, June 5th at 5pm. This is a great opportunity to meet the players, coaches, alumni, and learn about MHS football. Any incoming 9th grader interested in playing Mustang football is encouraged to attend. Students should enter at the MHS main entrance. Go Mustangs!