LHS Honors January Students Of The Month

LEMONT, IL — Four Lemont High School students were honored with January “Student of the Month” accolades at the district’s Board of Education meeting on Jan. 16. The district said the honorees were senior Nick Swalec (Special Education), junior Neha Kapur (Student Services), sophomore Abigail Belsan (Driver Education) and freshman Ralph Aloya (Health).

According to the district, each month, Lemont High School honors a student from each grade level for hard work and dedication to the school and the community. 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 the C.A.S.T for Kids Foundation to receive the donation, the school said.

This month's students are:

Ralph Aloya, Freshman, Health

Ralph Aloya was tabbed as the Freshman Student of the Month by the Health Department. Aloya notes that his favorite classes thus far have been Integrated Math I Honors and Business & Technology Concepts. Described by his instructors as a nice, respectful student, he works hard at his studies, as evidenced by his high honor roll selection during the first semester. The school said Aloya contributes in class discussions, is willing to help other students, and includes all group members during cooperative activities. He is a member of the football program. Aloya plans to follow in his father’s footsteps and become a physical therapist, someday earning a Ph.D. In his free time, he enjoys playing the guitar, lifting weights and playing video games.

Abigail Belsan, Sophomore, Driver Education
The Driver Education Department selected Abigail Belsan as the Sophomore Student of the Month. A high honor roll student, Belsan’s favorite subject is mathematics, but she also enjoys courses in business, art and physical education. She is involved with a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including Mathletes, Interact, Future Business Leaders of America and the Health Occupations Student Association. She also is a Mu Alpha Theta inductee and a member of the girls’ tennis program. Belsan’s goals include everything from becoming a starter on the varsity tennis team and earning As throughout high school, to having a successful marketing career and winning an archery tournament. In her spare time, she serves as a tutor, plays ice hockey with her family, plays the piano and drums and participates in archery.

Neha Kapur, Junior, Student Services
Neha Kapur was cited as the Junior Student of the Month by the Student Services Department. Kapur is a high honor roll student whose favorite classes include AP U.S. History, Anatomy & Physiology Honors and Integrated Math III Honors. She is a member of the Speech Team, participates in Interact and the Health Occupations Student Association, and is an award-winning member of the school’s Model UN program. A National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta inductee, Kapur features a positive attitude, excellent communication skills and a motivation to get things done. She hopes to attend Northwestern University, with a goal of studying oral and maxillofacial surgery in graduate school. Kapur likes spending time with friends, reading, watching Netflix and working at her mom’s dental office.

Nick Swalec, Senior, Special Education
The Special Education Department named Nick Swalec as the Senior Student of the Month. Swalec is a high honor roll student who enjoys science, history and mathematics. A personable student with a positive outlook, he communicates well, is ready to step in and help and is a student others look to as a leader. Not afraid to try something new, he has been accepted into the Western Springs Cadet Firefighter program, as well as the Joliet Junior College Emergency Medical Responder program. Swalec has served as captain of the school’s bass fishing team for three years and has been a member of the Principal’s Student Advisory group, as well. He has his sights set on becoming a firefighter or paramedic. Swalec enjoys the outdoors, volunteers with Habitat for Humanity and works at Cog Hill Golf Club.

Photos provided by Lemont High School.