Lemont High School Honors April Students Of The Month

LEMONT, IL — Four Lemont High School students were honored with April Student of the Month accolades at the district’s Board of Education meeting on April 16. The school said the honorees were senior Anthony Bottini (English), junior Gabe Ptaszek (Industrial Technology), sophomore Ema Kaunas (Social Studies) and freshman Emily Reigle (Learning Resource Center).

Each month, Lemont High School honors a student from each grade level for hard work and dedication to the school and the community. According to the school, selections rotate among the school’s various departments from month to month. Only 32 students earn “Student of the Month” accolades each school year, with four individuals honored each month from October through May. Students may be selected for this prestigious honor only once in their careers at Lemont High School.

Local businessman Brad Grcevic, of Edward Jones, Inc., contributes a donation each month to a charity selected by the Student of the Month award winners. This month’s winners selected Habitat for Humanity to receive the donation.

Emily Reigle, Freshman, Learning Resource Center

Emily Reigle was selected by the Learning Resource Center as the Freshman Student of the Month. Reigle lists Business & Technology Concepts as her favorite class this year. She hopes to become involved in the school’s extra-curricular program next year. An avid reader who has shown interest in the young adult and fiction genres, Reigle often can be found combing the Learning Resource Center for her next great read. She has checked out more books from the LRC than any student this year, and is eager to discuss works she has read and share her critiques of books with others. Reigle states that she hopes to work in the technology industry, possibly becoming a computer engineer. In her free time, Reigle enjoys art, drawing, and working with technology.

Ema Kaunas, Sophomore, Social Studies

The Social Studies Department tabbed Ema Kaunas as the Sophomore Student of the Month. A high honor roll student, Kaunas’ most enjoyable classes include AP World History, English II Honors and Drawing & Painting II. A member of the girls’ tennis program, she also participates in Lithuanian School. Her teachers note that her leadership and character truly stand out both in and out of the classroom. Kaunas collaborates well with others, fostering success and a culture of learning. She is willing to share study strategies with her classmates while also providing feedback for improvement. Winner of multiple awards as a middle schooler, Kaunas has her sights set on becoming the first in her family to graduate from college. In her free time, she likes reading and drawing.

Gabe Ptaszek, Junior, Industrial Technology

Gabe Ptaszek was cited by the Industrial Technology Department as the Junior Student of the Month. Ptaszek is a high honor roll student whose favorite classes include Woods Technology II and Advanced CAD II Honors. An outstanding student across different disciplines in Industrial Technology, he has excelled with board drawings, computer aided drafting, and woodworking. Described as patient and observant, Ptaszek creates first-rate projects. He also collaborates well with classmates and demonstrates a determined work ethic. Ptaszek plans to pursue a career involving architecture, and also would like to become a mechanic so that he can fix his own cars. In his spare time, he works at a ski resort in the winter and for a family friend in the summer, and enjoys snowboarding and motocross racing.

Anthony Bottini, Senior, English

The English Department picked Anthony Bottini as the Senior Student of the Month. Bottini is an honor roll performer whose favorite class is English IV. He appreciates learning valuable information in an environment that also makes learning fun. His teachers note that he has demonstrated an increased intellectual maturity and fully accepts responsibility for his learning. He has high expectations for himself, and his continued investment in improving his writing skills has been noteworthy. Bottini has been a member of the boys’ soccer program and the Bass Fishing Club. He plans on attending the University of Kansas after earning his high school diploma. In his spare time, Bottini serves as a crew trainer at That Burger Joint, and enjoys fishing and playing soccer.

Photos provided by Lemont High School.