Lemont High School Honors December Students Of The Month

LEMONT, IL — Four Lemont High School students were honored with December Student of the Month accolades at the district’s Board of Education meeting on Dec. 17. The district said the honorees were senior Abigail Griffin (Social Studies), junior Kaitlyn Catalano (CITGO Innovation Academy), sophomore Kendall Barndollar (English) and freshman Jacob TerMaat (Industrial Technology).

Each month, Lemont High School honors a student from each grade level for hard work and dedication to the school and the community. The school said 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 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. The school said this month’s winners selected Hope & Friendship Foundation and the West Suburban Community Pantry to receive donations.

Jacob TerMaat, Freshman, Industrial Technology

Jacob TerMaat was cited as the Freshman Student of the Month by the Industrial Technology
Department. The school said TerMaat lists Integrated Math II Honors, Biology Honors and Orientation to Industrial Technology as his favorite classes. Regardless of the task, TerMaat creates fantastic work that goes above what is required. He is helpful to other students and displays an impressive work ethic. A member of the Mathletes team, TerMaat is involved both with travel baseball and club volleyball. He was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society in middle school. TerMaat hopes to attend college and plans to pursue a career in computer engineering. In his free time, he enjoys recreational sports, volunteering, and spending time with his friends.

Kendall Barndollar, Sophomore, English

The English Department tabbed Kendall Barndollar as the Sophomore Student of the Month. A high honor roll performer, Barndollar lists English II Honors and Food Prep as her favorite courses, but says she is looking forward to taking more business classes. The school said she is described as a hard worker in and out of the classroom, and she shows leadership within both small and large groups and demonstrates a solid work ethic. Barndollar is captain of the junior varsity dance team, and serves as the historian on the Student Council. She plans on attending college and studying marketing or another facet of business; her dream school is Indiana University, where she would hope to be part of the Kelley School of Business. Barndollar enjoys baking and spending time with her siblings, and also serves as a tutor.

Kaitlyn Catalano, Junior, CITGO Innovation Academy

Kaitlyn Catalano was selected as the Junior Student of the Month by the CITGO Innovation Academy. Catalano most enjoys history classes, including Human Rights & World Affairs, which she took last year. An avid library user, the school said she shares her strong opinions on what she reads with staff and consistently is looking for recommendations on what to read next. Catalano recently was inducted into the National Honor Society, is a member of the Speech Team, National English Honor Society and American Sign Language Club, serves as Vice President of the school’s chapter of the Junior Illinois Association of the Deaf, and is a member of the Principal’s Advisory Committee. She plans on attending college and earning a masters degree in deaf education. Catalano enjoys photography, baking, cooking, reading, writing, acting and performing.

Abigail Griffin, Senior, Social Studies

The Social Studies Department picked Abigail Griffin as the Senior Student of the Month. Griffin is a high honor roll student whose favorite classes include American Government, AP Microeconomics, Sociology, AP Spanish Language and English IV. The school said she is described as a natural classroom leader, she participates in thoughtful and meaningful ways with a positive, infectious attitude. She sets herself apart with her sense of humor and compassion for others. Griffin is a member of Model UN and the Drama Club, has been part of the spring musical, and serves as a gymnastics coach with the Lemont Park District. She may pursue studies in either political science or film in college. In her free time, Griffin enjoys film, babysitting and spending time with friends.

Photos provided by Lemont High School.