Amazing to think we have already passed the halfway mark of the 2009-10 school year. I hope we can
look back at the fi rst semester, holidays, and our experiences to help us succeed this semester. We will
continue to encourage our students to strive for greatness and promote good citizenship. We already have
many excellent examples of this throughout the year for us to build upon. Please join us in encouraging
this behavior and model what is the best about our society, our ability to treat each other extremely well. I
hope 2010 brings everyone in our community happiness. Enjoy this summary of great things from ACHS
over the past few months.
ACADEMIC NEWS:
The following students have been named Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission for their impressive grades, high ACT scores, and class rank: Megan Abramson, Alyssa Alvarez, Brittyn
Anderson, Alexandria Anttila, Sabrina Babik, Randi Beyer, Nicholas Brinker, Sarah Bruno, Kevin Collings, James Costello, Eric Dahms, Teodora Diaconescu, Cody England, Kailey Formella, Samuel Goral, Courtney Hope, Cameron Jerina, Daniel Jovanov, Erica Lubkeman, Katherine McNeill, Zachary Moser, Caitlin Mrowiec, Robert Nogle, Meghan Opolka, Samantha Paddock, Samuel Pimpo, Erin Poss, Allison Quarrato, John Richmond, Solange Simpson, Alyssa Trudell, Jamie Urbanik, John Wallner, Trevor Wiles, Aaron Wimer and Nicole Worswick.
The ACHS Science Department earned a NASA grant unveiling mural size pictures of our galaxy in celebration of International Year of Astronomy. Come check out these pictures in our main entrance hallway. The ceremony included talks from Department Chair Kevin Collins and Dr. Ken Daniels from Lake
County Astronomical Society.
Meghan Opolka has been selected as the ACHS Daughters of the Revolution representative for her outstanding citizenship and Kevin Collings has received a Comcast Leadership Scholarship for his impressive high school career. Three outstanding seniors have given up their free time to assist freshmen with their
transition to high school by offering math tutoring all semester. Thanks to Paul Dejong, Kendall Padgett, and Cassie Mills for their outstanding efforts helping others. Physics teacher Sarah Fay and students Zach Widder, Tracy Mapaye, and Cassandra Herman are building a hand-made machine to enter the Rube Goldberg state competition held in March.
Thirteen Reasons Why author Jay Asher visited Audrey Nagel’ Creative Writing class where he shared his process for writing and answered questions
about his craft. Ms. Nagel, Ms. Teddy, and some students collaborated to write the script of this best selling young adult novel.
The annual Math Fair brought over 300 sender school students to ACHS to play math games for fun and prizes. ACHS students ran the games and
booths.
Algebra and Physics First content teams meet weekly to help both courses create a more global presentation of course content. Common terminology
and skill sequencing have been developed. In these courses, test scores are higher than last year.
The following students have been selected to be student ambassadors for the Lake County Tech Campus. Congratulations to Vianesse Lopez (Certifi ed Nursing), Shannon Cahill (Cosmetology), Krystal Velez (Early Childhood), Daniel Wilgenbusch (Automotive), and Emily Harrison (Culinary I). These students are selected for their talents, maturity, and commitment to their education.
Judges representing Kettle Moraine Press Association were impressed enough with the ACHS yearbook and newspaper to award each of them All-KEMPA status for the 2008-09 school year. Earlier this fall the yearbook was rated First Class by the National Scholastic Press Association receiving special distinction for its theme concept. The Tom Tom staff
also brought home KEMPA’ top rating for its 2009 editions citing the paper’ strong news writing and coverage of school events.
The Social Studies Department, in cooperation with the VFW, participated in the Voice of Democracy competition with Dominique Bessette, Scott Healy, and Tracy Mapaye earning top honors. Tracy will move on to the regional competition.
Many of our classes at ACHS have incorporated Moodle, an online technology to integrate modern technology with course content. Students have enjoyed this new opportunity to learn.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ATHLETICS, ACTIVITIES, AND THE ARTS
All-state performers during the fall included Dominique Bessette, Erin Poss, and Steve Lorenzini. Dominique qualifi ed for her third
straight all-state performance for the ACHS Swimming Team competing in the backstroke and individual medley. Erin became the fi rst athlete in
school history to medal in three consecutive IHSA State Meets in a sport (Cross Country) with a sixth place fi nish in State. The last two years
she fi nished seventh and seventeenth respectively. Steve Lorenzinni was named to the all-state team as an honorable mention for his outstanding
rushing career on our Sequoit Football Team.
Nicole Giorgi and Robert Kay were selected to have their art prominently displayed at the Olson Gallary at Northern Illinois
University.
The combined Choir and Band winter performance left the standing room only crowd wanting to hear more holiday classics. Patrick Hayes
and Tim Hildner displayed faculty talent while impressive performances from all of our singers and musicians fi lled the air.
Brandon Schneider earned prestigious IMEA All-State honors. In addition Stephanie Kowalczyk, Madison Crosby, Noelle Bruce,
Katie Bentel, Romelle Taday, and Samantha Nuccio were selected to continue to compete for the Diva Quest at the IMEA competition.
Two hundred and fi fty nine student-athletes have been drug tested this year with all but one testing negative for drugs. We are proud of our Sequoits for demonstrating a
healthy life style. Also, the academic success of our athletes improved with more earning higher grades and fewer on the D/F list despite increasing our eligibility requirements.
The Boys Soccer Team won its second consecutive IHSA Regional Championship. Seniors Robert Nogle, and Andre Sippy captained this impressive group with tremendous play from Oscar Segura and goalie Alex Grimm.
Girls Volleyball captured their THIRD straight Divisional Championship. Seniors Erica Lubkeman, Solange Simpson, Kendall Padgett and all
conference players Lauren and Brianna Grant led the way during the successful season.
The forty members of the new Civilizations Club meets weekly to plan new societies based on computer simulation.
PHILANTHROPY
Open Arms Mission was the recipient of contributions. Families were adopted by the main office, World Languages Department, Spanish Club, German Club, PE Department, and other student groups. Approximately 100 winter coats were collected by the baseball team in December. Coach Paul Petty said
the drive will benefi t Open Arms Mission and function as a service project for team members.
Well over 900 students received free EKG tests this fall through the Max Schewitz Foundation. Scores of ACHS parents helped lead our student body through the test that checked for heart problems. We hope to continue this program in the upcoming years, modeling healthy lifestyles and proactive health care. FThe annual Fall Blood Drive at ACHS collected a record setting 339 pints putting Antioch well on its way to repeating as one of the top three organizations in all of Northern Illinois.
Students in our Social Studies courses participated in a food drive for our troops stationed in Afghanistan. Nearly forty sacks of
goodies were collected with student Kellen Kay leading the way.
Several clubs, FCCLA and Snowball, each held separate food drives to gather nonperishable items for families in need.
National Honor Society was recognized by the Antioch Village Board for its fi rst ‘xtreme Makeover Antioch Edition.’NHS spent time cleaning up the town. The executive board of NHS includes Meghan Opolka, Katherine McNeill, Julianne Fine, Kevin Collings, and Zach Moser. NHS also collected hats and mittens during the holiday season.
The ACHS business club, under the direction of Donna Corcoran, participated with the Marine Corp in the ‘Toys for Tots’campaign collecting hundreds of toys for the needy during the holiday season.
Antioch Community High School 1133 Main Street
Antioch, IL 60002-1899
Phone (847) 4395-1421
Fax (847) 395-2435
Any questions or comments, please call (847) 838-7620
