More than 900 Lincoln-Way North High School students were honored Monday for their academic achievements.
“We are enjoying great successes here at Lincoln-Way North High School,” Principal Michael Gardner told students and their families during an Academic Awards ceremony at the school. “All of you should be proud of your academic achievements.”
Parents, teachers and administrators gathered in the school auditorium Monday to pay tribute to the students with the 10 highest grade point averages from each class as well as the school’s Illinois State Scholars, PSAE All-Stars, National Merit Commended Scholars, Honor Roll students and High Honor Roll students.
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They also recognized a Student of the Year from each academic department. Teachers selected the students based on their talents, leadership and positive attitudes throughout their years at Lincoln-Way.
The keynote speaker was Dr. Sharon Michalak, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Lincoln-Way High School District 210. She encouraged students to empower themselves by telling themselves “I can,” “I want to,” “I will” and “I am.”
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“Your brain is like a computer,” she added. “It doesn’t always know what is right or real until you tell it.”
Abraham Lincoln, for example, never would have become President of the United States if he had told himself “I can’t” after being defeated in the legislature at age 23, Congress at age 34, Senate at ages 45 and 48, and the office of Vice President at age 46.
“President Lincoln did not listen to the naysayers; he listened to his own voice,” said Michalak. “He believed in himself.”
Among those honored Monday night were the Top 10 students from the Class of 2011. They are: Emily Seyforth, Carolyn Duong, Mitchell Knapp, Jason Kircher, Joseph Romero, Orlando Castaneda, Jessica Beringer, Victoria Zaplatosch, Elizabeth Paschka and Courtney Gerk.
Also honored were the Top 10 students from the Class of 2012. They are: Raymond Michuda, Nileema Patel, Taylor Driscoll, Nathan Kemp, Mitchell Esposito, Dena Waldier, Gregory Ruzich, Joshua Kemp, Christopher Harvey and Colleen Laughlin.
The Top 10 students from the Class of 2013 are: Christian Gorski, Lauren Sajewich, Caitlin Broderick, Jennifer Zobak, Nicholas Bielanski, Matthew Murray, Rachel Lahr, Samantha Klosak, Rachel Anderson and Joshua Kim.
The Top 10 students from the Class of 2014 are: Jack Quirk, Erin Creedon, Katherine Reynolds, Michael Balcerzak, Nicole Suhm, John Scott, Savanna Steck, Breanne Peacock, Samantha Fowler and Kyle Stanuch.
The school’s Illinois State Scholars are: Brooke Alba, Sarah Anderson, Anthony Battaglin, Jordan Bell, Jessica Beringer, Steven Booth, Desiree Botica, Alyssa Breidigan, Max Brekke, Tyler Burke, Leann Buzzard, Jill Candos, Orlando Castaneda, Ryan Castrogiovanni, Alexander Choi, Jonathan Daly, Serene Darwish, Veronica Dembosz, Amy Dennis, Julianne Dennis, Carolyn Duong, Brett Edwardson, Alexa Eggert, Molly Fitzgerald, Courtney Gerk, Jake Gratkowski, Kelly Gutrich, Ian Haehnlein, Haleigh Hanson, Deirdre Harrington, Courtney Hoekstra, Jack Holder, and Emily Jurgerson.
Illinois State Scholars also include: Daniel Kim, Jessica King, Jason Kircher, Mitchell Knapp, Kaylene Kolpak, Kimberly Krzebiot, Gabrielle Labriola, Zachary Lindsey, Amanda Littleton, Christopher Liva, Clairemarie LoCicero, Amanda Magee, Natassja Medez, Teyana Morgan, LeChae Mottley, Elizabeth Paschka, Megan Pender, Rory Pognant, Monica Randall, Mary Reber, Joseph Romero, Patrick Schlomas, Kristopher Schmidt, Erynn Schuh, Emily Seyforth, Sarah Sheehan, Matthew Smith, Jaimie Tebo, Jacob Thorns, Cody Van Etten, Lyndsay Vlosak, Luke Waldier, Madelyn Waleski, Victoria Zaplatosch and Carly Zimmerman.
The school’s National Merit Commended Scholars are: Orlando Castaneda, Serene Darwish, Jason Kircher, Mitchell Knapp, Kimberly Krzebiot, Teyana Morgan, Joseph Romero and Cody Van Etten.
The school’s PSAE All-Stars are: Jordan Bell, Jessica Beringer, Allison Buckley, Serene Darwish, Veronica Dembosz, Carolyn Duong, Haleigh Hanson, Jessica King, Jason Kircher, Mitchell Knapp, Kimberly Krzebiot, Gabrielle Labriola, Megan Maze, Rory Pognant, Monica Randall, Patrick Schlomas, Kristopher Schmidt, Emily Seyforth and Jacob Thorns.
Student of the Year awards were presented to:
- Peter Bertucci, art
- Alexander Souri, agriculture
- Cody Knazze, business
- Richard Cheatle, industrial technology
- Victoria Zaplatosch, English
- Samantha Higgins, family and consumer sciences
- Matthew Smith, math
- Elizabeth Paschka, music
- Bo Beniac, physical education/health/driver’s ed
- Kyle Novak, reading
- Joseph Romero, science
- Kyle Levin, social science
- Emily Chathas, special services
- Jessica Beringer, world languages
“All of your hard work, determination and attention to detail has paid off,” Deputy Supt. Tom Eddy told students. “Congratulations.”
“Academic excellence is not an end to itself but a continuous journey that requires your continuous attention and perseverance,” added Gardner. “Don’t ever, ever give up or let down.”
