EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Sue Sortino, Class Of 1988

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — Finding consistency in the workplace may be a challenge for some, but not for Sue Sortino. She’s coming up on a quarter-century in her role as the Youth Commission Director for Worth Township.

Sortino has actually worked for Worth Township in some capacity at all times since graduating from Evergreen Park Community High School in 1988.

“The summer after graduating I began working at the Worth Township office in the clinic, scheduling appointments for sport physicals and dental appointments,” Sortino said. “I worked during the day and then started working at Evergreen Park Youth Commission (EPYC) in the evenings as a Youth Supervisor- where we had a drop-in center a couple of times a week along with an open gym.”

Sortino worked for the EPYC for 11 years, while doubling as an assistant for the Worth Township’s preschool program. In 1997, she became the township’s Youth Commission Director and has loved the job ever since.

“The Worth Township Youth Commission has many great programs for the youth,” Sortino said. “We run a summer day camp program, a 4th – 8thgrade girls’ volleyball league, American Red Cross babysitting classes, game nights a couple times a week, special craft days along with a lego club.”

“We also have many special events like the Trunk or Treat, pictures with the Bunny and pictures with Santa and hold the annual Township Wide Lenon Wisdom Memorial Spelling Bee.”

Working with children is “extremely rewarding and a lot of fun,” she adds. “The best part, for me, is watching children participate in our programs for many years and then come back as teenagers and apply to work as staff.”

Sortino’s working career actually started at EPCHS, where she was a lifeguard and taught swimming lessons at the pool during all four years of school.

“My junior and senior year of high school I also worked the early bird swim, where the superintendent at the time - Dr. Renfrow - would come and swim from 7 a.m. – 8 a.m. every weekday along with the general public,” she remembers.

Swimming was one of four sports Sortino was involved in at EPCHS, with her favorite memory also taking place in the pool.

Her freshman year, the Evergreen Park girls water polo team she was on went 10-0 and won a state championship.

“We had such impressive teammates and had a blast at all the practices and games,” Sortino said. “We mostly had upperclassmen on the team - but nonetheless it was an amazing experience, especially for the few freshmen who were on the team.”

Sortino describes her time at EPCHS as “an amazing high school experience.”

“We had the most amazing teachers and support staff,” she said.

She’s extremely proud that the EPCHS National Honor Society has been collecting items at Christmas time for Worth Township over the past 25 years.

The donation drive is part of the youth commission’s Christmas Care program that helps people get Christmas presents for their children. Another staple of the youth commission is the Apple Tree program, which helps families with financial difficulties get new school supplies.

“The biggest compliment for me is when an adult, who had enjoyed their time at the township, then sends their own child(ren) through our programs wanting them to experience the fun and friendships they had developed.,” Sortino said.