EPCHS Names Class of 2023 Valedictorian, Co-Salutatorians

EVERGREEN PARK, IL – The 2023 valedictorian and co-salutatorians at Evergreen Park
Community High School were recognized during the Illinois Principals Association South Cook
region’s annual Student Recognition Breakfast on May 4 at the Odyssey Country Club in Tinley
Park. The event recognizes the best and the brightest students in the south suburbs.

EPCHS students recognized at the event were seniors Helen Joyce (valedictorian), Leo Cassidy
(co-salutatorian) and Nicole Reynolds (co-salutatorian).

“I’m extremely proud of all three students and how they have represented our high school the
past four years,” EPCHS Principal Bill Sanderson said in a news release. “It has also been an honor and privilege to work with Helen and Nicole for the past six years as they were both part of our math skippers program in 7th and 8th grade.”

Helen Joyce, the 2023 EPCHS valedictorian, has received the Illinois Council of Teachers
Mathematics award, the Evergreen Park American Legion Auxiliary #854 award and the Illini
Girls State Award. She is an AP scholar with honor and an Illinois State Scholar.
Joyce serves as the student ambassador to the Evergreen Park Community High School District
231 Board of Education and is the National Honor Society (NHS) president, Student
Government president, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) secretary and Scholastic
Bowl captain. She is also a group facilitator for Operation Snowball and a member of
Professional ABC, Mathletes, the Principals Advisory Committee and Student Leadership.
Joyce will attend the University of North Carolina this fall and major in business marketing.

Leo Cassidy, one of two co-salutatorians, recently earned the prestigious Chick Evans
scholarship. He has also competed in golf at EPCHS, winning individual conference titles his
junior and senior years, the team MVP award his sophomore, junior and senior years and was
the team captain his junior and senior seasons.

He has been the FBLA president his junior and senior years, the NHS vice president his senior
year, a Snowball retreat small group leader, the creator and founder of the EPTV club, an Illinois
State Scholar and an AP scholar in addition to his involvement in the Service Club.
Cassidy will attend the University of Illinois on the full-ride Chick Evans scholarship and major in
sports agency.

Nicole Reynolds, another 2023 EPCHS co-salutatorian, is a softball player who earned All-
Conference her junior year. She is a Mathlete and has earned several accolades in regional and
state Mathletes competitions. She has also been involved in FBLA and NHS, and is an Illinois
State Scholar as well. Reynolds will attend Roosevelt University in Chicago and major in accounting.

“You and the other recipients will play a large part in shaping your communities,” the Illinois
Principals Association said in a statement to all students honored at the breakfast. “This
morning we honor each of you, as you have demonstrated the attributes and characteristics of
outstanding students. In some way, academically, socially, physically, you have contributed to
the excellence of your school community.”