"207's Best" honored for Academic Achievement

Three seniors selected by Maine Township High School District 207 as "207's Best” for December have been recognized by the Board of Education.  All three – Austin Bryniarski of Maine South, Alvin George of Maine West and Nicholas Harloff of Maine East – were recognized for Academic Achievement.

Alvin ranks second in West’s senior class of 519 with a Grade Point Average of 4.94.  In addition to excelling in an academic load that currently includes six Advanced Placement courses, Alvin has been involved in many school activities, including Ambassadors, COACH tutoring, Pi Sigma Pi, Science Olympiad, Scholastic Bowl, Spanish National Honor Society and tennis.  In her introductory letter to the Board, West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan quoted Science teacher Phil Sumida of stating that Alvin “puts in as much work as necessary to reinforce his learning, asks meaningful questions, and is relentless in his quest to understand.” Alvin told Board members that he plans to pursue a career in medicine and has applied to Northwestern University and Washington University in St. Louis.

Nicholas has earned a GPA of 4.71, which puts him in the top 1 percent of East’s senior class.  He is a member of the school’s Gifted Lyceum program and his schedule includes four AP courses.  He previously has taken numerous AP courses.  Nicholas is a member of the National Honor Society and Math team, plays baseball and played basketball and soccer for two years.  He serves as a Senior Leader in Physical Education.  Among the laudatory comments from teachers in an introductory letter from Dr. Mike Pressler, East’s Principal, was Social Science teacher Debra Spiegel’s observation hat “Nick truly embraces his learning and enjoys the academic environment to its fullest potential. He is constantly full of questions and in search of opportunities to learn.”  Nick said he is considering a major in computer software engineering at Carnegie Mellon University or the University of Nebraska.

Austin is in the top 1 percent of South’s senior class, with a 4.84 GPA earned through rigorous schedules including several AP courses.  In introducing Austin, South Principal Shawn Messmer said, “If you don’t know Austin at Maine South, you’re not paying attention, because Austin is everywhere.” Indeed, Austin’s leadership talents are in evidence through his membership in National Honor Society and by his serving as Scholastic Bowl Captain, Speech Team Captain, Managing Editor of Southwords, the student newspaper, and Editor-in-Chief of Reaching, the school’s foreign language magazine.  He is Senior Class Council Secretary and a member of the Constitution and Math teams.  Austin also volunteers at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital and has volunteered in a U.S. Senate campaign.  Austin told the Board he plans to pursue Environmental Studies and has applied to Yale University.

The "207's Best" program recognizes outstanding students monthly throughout the school year.  Academic achievement awards are given in four months.  Extracurricular achievement, community service, improved performance and electives/performing arts are given one month each.  Teachers nominate students, and an executive committee makes final decisions.  Honorees are then recognized by the Board of Education, which instituted the program.