Lyons Township High School juniors will lose nine days of instruction in the spring to take new standardized state tests, compared to two days required for the old test.

Preparations to take Advanced Placement tests and LT finals also will be impacted by the test developed by the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Career consortium. Part of the test must be given at the end of the school year, and prescribed dates are either right before students take AP tests to earn college credit, or just before final exams are scheduled.

Though not happy with the loss of instructional time, LT officials said they were pleased they will be allowed to administer PARCC on paper just for this year, rather than on computers.

Thirty-eight class days would have been disrupted had the high school been required to administer nearly 1,900 tests by computer for both the language arts and math portions. The timeframe was based on holding two test sessions per day at the school’s two campuses for about 900 students, mostly juniors.

“There’s not a test in the world that gives that much information to make the loss of 38 school days bearable,” said Scott Eggerding, director of curriculum and instruction.

Superintendent Tim Kilrea said he’s already received a number of requests from parents asking their child be allowed to opt out of the test, but state officials have said no.

Eggerding said school administrators are studying how best to schedule the test so it is least disruptive. Options include nine days of late starts, or nine days of pulling juniors out of their classes.

Under the previous Prairie State Achievement test, juniors took the ACT exam used for college admissions on one day and two WorkKeys assessments in applied mathematics and reading for information on the other day. Students also could take an additional WorkKeys test on locating information, and with a qualifying score, receive a National Career Readiness Certificate useful for job hunting.

The Illinois State Board of Education selected PARCC to measure student performance based on the new Illinois Learning Standards, which incorporate the national Common Core benchmarks, in English and math.

“It’s a much more problem-based assessment, a thinking assessment,” Eggerding said. “It’s a better assessment on how you tackle a challenge vs. how much you know or memorize.”

But a number of states have found fault with PARCC and opted out. Initially, 24 states embraced it. Now, only eight states, including Illinois, and Washington, D.C. still are using PARCC, Eggerding said.

LT joined numerous high school districts across Illinois in complaining about the loss of the ACT. Taking the test helps some students consider applying for college admission, who otherwise might not do so, school leaders contend. State officials have agreed to administer the ACT, at least for 2015, on March 3.

The PARCC test also will be required for all third- through eighth-graders in Illinois in the spring. Elementary schools with more flexibility in their schedules aren’t expected to experience as much disruption as at the high school level, Eggerding said.

Interest is high among prospective candidates for four seats on the La Grange Elementary Board in the April 7 election.

At least eight candidates are seeking endorsements from the Delegate Assembly, including three of four incumbents, said Caroline Dillon, secretary of the nonpartisan group that interviews and slates candidates.

Dillon said the organization isn’t releasing names of the applicants. The group may consider scheduling two interview sessions to accommodate candidates seeking an interview for endorsement.

Sessions to slate candidates haven’t been determined, Dillon said.

Voters will choose board members in April to fill the seats of Dave May, serving since 2003 and Joyce Fitch, Dawn Aubert and Matthew Scotty, who were elected in 2007.

Candidates may choose to run as independents by submitting nominating petitions between Dec. 15 and 22 at the Cook County Clerk Election Department in downtown Chicago.

Lyons Township High School first-year and second-year Speech Team members recently competed in the Prospect Speechapalooza Novice/JV tournament, with more than one dozen students returning home with medals. In total, 31 Lyons Township team members competed; for many, Speechapalooza was their very first speech tournament.

Congratulations to the following 14 individual Lyons Township Speech Team medal winners. Novice level means the student is new to speech; JV indicates the student is in a second-year speech team member.
Juniors
Anna Mlynski — 1 Informative Speaking (Novice)
Gita Golonzka — 1 Original Oratory (Novice)
Isaac Smith — 1 Poetry Reading (Novice)
Ryan Byrne — 1 Humorous Interpretation (Novice)
Melissa Fuentes — 2 Informative Speaking JV and — 3 Special Occasion Speaking JV
Emily Bielski — 4 Oratorical Declamation (Novice)
Danielle Sievers — 5 Poetry Reading JV
Jacob Collier — 6 Impromptu Speaking (Novice)

Sophomores
Katie Westrick — 1 Humorous Interpretation JV
Antonia Mendez — 1 Poetry Reading (Novice)
Nathan Lezon — 4 Impromptu Speaking (Novice)

Freshmen
Charlotte Trecartin — 3 Special Occasion Speaking (Novice)
Hope Chamberlin — 5 Humorous Interpretation (Novice)
Danny Kilrea — 6 Original Oratory (Novice)

Austin Brown ’15 – Westchester

Senior Austin Brown has embraced life at Nazareth Academy. The Honors and AP student, four-year Cross Country runner, Band Section Leader and Service Team Co-President has certainly made the most of his four years at Naz.

He has been a member of almost a dozen school activities and sports, including current positions as National Honor Society President, Roadrunner Club Board of Governors and Vice President of the Health Careers Club. And, he has no regrets about investing so much time and energy in high school.

“I have grown so much in four years,” he says. “My involvement before, during and after school over the last four years has allowed me to develop my own definition of leadership and identify my own strengths and weaknesses.”

1. What are your post-high school plans?

I plan on attending college and eventually going to medical school with the hope of becoming a surgeon, or business school with the hope of becoming a top executive in finance, human resources or consulting.

2. What do you like to do on the weekends?

I practice with the Cross Country team, catch up (or get ahead) on homework and spend time with my family.

3. What is your favorite class or favorite subject? Favorite teacher?

My favorite teacher is Mr. Boland, the Band Director. My favorite class is AP Biology with Mrs. Emmett.

4. What is your favorite social media?

I love tumblr because I love the variety of pictures I can see on my dashboard.

5. What is one thing someone wouldn’t expect to know about you?

I enjoy reading for fun; I’ve read four books outside of school reading this year.

6. What is your favorite thing about Nazareth Academy?

I love having the opportunity to be challenged mentally, spiritually and physically through the academics and athletics at Naz, while still growing as a person outside the classroom.

7. What is your favorite sports team?

Chicago Bulls

8. What is the one website you that you must visit every day?

YouTube because I use it to watch videos of all sorts of things – from tough biology subjects to
documentaries to music.

9. What is your favorite TV show?

“The Big Bang Theory”

10. What other activities do you do at Nazareth?

In addition to the activities above, I’m a member of World Languages Club, FISH Service and the Boys Volleyball Team. I was a Freshman Orientation leader and am a Sunday School leader at my church.

Elementary school students have sent video game systems to troops and honored veterans and plan to ship blankets to Tanzania and raise funds for Alzheimer’s research with help from the District 181 Foundation.

The Kids Initiating a Difference in Society grants are for up to $150 and allow students to make their ideas into reality for the local or world community.

“They recognize needs around the world and in their own community, and that they can make a difference,” said Meg Cooper, executive director of the foundation.

The foundation supported 24 grants during the 2013-14 school year and has awarded 11 grants so far this school year, with the support of sponsor Hinsdale Bank and Trust Company.

Most recently, students Noah and Luke Issa used funds to purchase U.S. flags on sticks to line the front entrances of their schools, Oak School and Hinsdale Middle School, on Veterans Day. They also purchased Xbox games to send to a troop in Afghanistan.

“We have been writing letters and sending care packages for this troop since June,” said their mother, Sakeba Issa, who helps to lead the Oak School Kids Care Club. “My sons thought it would be nice if they were able to buy them Xbox games.”

The Oak Kids Care Club also earned a grant recently to create a care package for the troop and platoon. Members of the club, including Diana Anos, Charlotte Brzozowski, Braylen Stokes, Brady Linn, Tucker Read, Noah Priest and Ben Oosterbaan, wrote letters to be included with the package, and parents brought in extra Halloween candy to be donated, as well.

A third grant submitted by members of the Kids Care Club (John Coyner, Sydney Holmes, Sydney Akers, Andrew Holmes and Gordon Walker) allowed for the creation of fabric napkins and napkin rings to make Thanksgiving more festive for the families who benefit from the support of HCS Family Services of Hinsdale. Students and their families also contributed several shopping carts’ worth of diapers, shampoo, deodorant and soap for HCS.

Upcoming projects include improvements to the Hansen Center horse path used for therapy riding, creation of fleece blankets for incoming kindergarten students at the O’Brien School for the Maasai in Tanzania, and a Gym Jam event at Elm School to benefit an Alzheimer’s research organization.

District 181 students interested in applying for a KIDS Grant are invited to do so anytime during the year. Applications are found online at www.d181foundation.org.

Community Memorial Foundation in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership announced that community health leaders from nonprofit organizations in Cook and DuPage counties have completed the Ladder to Leadership: Developing the Next Generation of Community Health Leaders program.

The  Ladder to Leadership program was designed to boost the skills and capabilities of early to mid-level professionals working in health and health‐related nonprofit organizations so they will be positioned to assume greater leadership roles in local nonprofit organizations.

The board and staff of Community Memorial Foundation selected the local leaders who work with a variety of health-related nonprofits in the western suburbs to take part in the 16-month leadership curriculum. As Lynn Fick-Cooper, lead faculty at the Center for Creative Leadership noted, “Each phase of the program includes a mixture of face to face training sessions, individualized executive coaching and mentoring and team project work—all anchored within the context of the communities in which these leaders live and work to maximize the application and impact of the program concepts.”

The following professionals in the Ladder to Leadership program include:

• Deb Baker, Associate Executive Director, HCS Family Services, Hinsdale
• Kristen Hermes, Director of Events and Marketing, Community Nurse Health Association, La Grange
• Dan Janowick, Director of Programs and Facilities, The Community House, Hinsdale
• Selena LeSure, Associate Director of Human Resources, Aspire of Illinois, Westchester
• Ellen Masuret, Director of Assisted Living, Plymouth Place, LaGrange Park
• Cathy Pierson, Program Operations Director, The LeaderShop, LaGrange

On Tuesday, Dec. 2, these community health leaders celebrated the completion of the Ladder to Leadership Program at a graduation event hosted by Community Memorial Foundation at the LaGrange Country Club from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  During the event, each project team shares the results of their efforts to effect change in our community in ways that create positive impact and provide them with real-time learning experiences.

To learn more about the program, contact Tom Fuechtmann, Program Officer at 630-654-4729 or tfuechtmann@cmfdn.org or you can visit Community Memorial Foundation’s website:

http://www.cmfdn.org/

Montini Catholic’s National Honor Society inducted 61 new student members Nov. 18 at a special induction ceremony for the 2014-15 school year. President Jim Segredo, Principal Maryann O’Neill, and moderators Art Stuart and Laraine Parker were in attendance to congratulate the honored students. Fifty-three returning National Honor Society members were also invited to welcome the inductees.

The minimum requirement for membership in the Montini Catholic High School chapter of the honor society is a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the end of their sophomore year. All students who have a 3.5 GPA at the end of their sophomore (or junior) year receives a letter offering them the opportunity to petition for membership. Prospective members are then asked to detail their qualifications in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Character. A faculty committee reviews all petitions, and students who meet all the requirements are invited to become members in the NHS in the fall of their junior year.

Once accepted into the honor society, students are required to maintain high scholastic standards, act as true leaders of the school, perform 20 hours of community service each year, and demonstrate the “six pillars of character: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.”

Doings area inductees included: John Pecora and Gianna Sansone of Darien; Eric Kibbey of Hinsdale; Thomas Giannola, Joseph Mondschean and Sofia Yunez of Oak Brook; Samuel Detmers and Katherine Lumsden of Westchester; and Christina Conforti of Willowbrook.

Interviews with eight candidates for the La Grange Elementary District 102 Board have been scheduled for Dec. 8 and 9 at Park Junior High School in LaGrange Park.

Question and answer sessions for five candidates will begin at 6 p.m. Dec. 8 at the school at Ogden and Brainard avenues. The remaining three candidates will be interviewed beginning at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9.

Members of the Delegate Assembly, a nonpartisan group which recruits, interviews and slates candidates, will meet briefly in closed session following the candidate appearances.

Endorsements for four four-year terms on the School Board are expected to be announced following the second candidates’ night, said Caroline Dillon, secretary of the group.

Voters will choose board members in April to fill the seats of Dave May, serving since 2003 and Joyce Fitch, Dawn Aubert and Matthew Scotty, who were elected in 2007.

Candidates may choose to run as independents by submitting nominating petitions between Dec. 15 and 22. For the first time, petitions must be filed this year with the Cook County Clerk’s office, rather than at the District 102 administration center.

Details are on the county clerk’s website.

Pleasantdale Middle School Honor Roll was announced for the first trimester of 2014-2015 School Year. Gold, Silver and Bronze honor rolls were named for the eighth-, seventh-, sixth- and fifth-grade students. The GPA represented by the Gold Honor Roll is 4.0; the Silver Honor Roll is 3.75 – 3.99; and the Bronze Honor Roll is 3.5 – 3.749.

GOLD HONOR ROLL

Eighth grade

Daniel Abdoue, Megan Aletich, Mariah Carli, Elizabeth Cremins, Charles Hojjat, Kaeli Keller, Michael Kozub, Hayley Mirabile, Lara Moreno Zepeda, Grace Quinn, Madison Scheman, Gabriella Wadach, Lahari Yelamanchilli.

Seventh grade

Victor Aletich, Monica Busza, Alexa Catezone, Elena Chronis, Sophie Grabis, Elizabeth Gremer, Meghan Gron, Kalina Jasiak, Ariana Jiotis, Cara Merkle, Angela Mitevska,
Nadia Petrovic.

Sixth grade
Collette Doyle, Daksh Guard, Olivia Hawbaker, Andrew Hojjat, Ameer Khilfeh, Tyler Klimes, Alexander Kostich, Keeley Mahoney, Joseph Marek, Noah Negron, Olivia Rich, Tomas Samuolis, Jake Santaniello, Ruchi Shah, Lucy Strazis.

Fifth grade
Madison Davis, Adriana Vassek.

SILVER HONOR ROLL

Eighth grade

Courtney Branch, Ariana Chiapetta, Thomas Galateo, Ariana Gonzalez, Camille Hurta, Monica Kowalczyk, Emily O’Heron, Daniel Orsic, Ermira Rexhepi, Terah Thomas, Megan Tobias, Brendan Wienold, Natalie Wienold.

Seventh grade
Kellie Courtney, Salvatore Meccia, Thalir Moorthi, Sierra Nelson, Teagan O’Flaherty, Maxwell Rockrohr, Andrew Striegel, Marguerite Striegel, Matthew Urban, Alexa Varchetto, Elise Vorpahl, Kyle Williams, Anand Yallapragada.

Sixth grade

Brandon Buday, Luke Dragisic, Jacob Egert, Luke Gertsmeier, Gianna Imbarrato, Jordan Klimes, Catherine Rak, Niyati Rana, John Santiello, Justin Shah, Tadas Stankus, Tiffany Trujillo.

Fifth grade

Tudor Alexandreanu, Anthony Alvarez, MacIntyre Burr, Nicole Chronis, James Duerr, Sarah Ibrahim, Sylvia Kozub, Olivia Mezan, Michael Micaletti, Norah Rich, Ashleigh Schetter.

BRONZE HONOR ROLL

Eighth grade

Xavier Armand, Ramit Bhagta, Grace Castro, Drew Dilcher, William Duerr, Stephen French,  Olivia Lata, Kelan O’Flaherty, Mary Russell.

Seventh grade

Viktorija Buntinas, Samuel Duerr, John Floros, Michael Ibrahim, Gwen Konatarevic, Jacqueline Morales, Andrew O’Connell, Kylie Orrick, Aman Penmetcha, Jadyn Suedbeck, Colleen Sullivan, Tatiana Vidakovich.

Sixth grade
Peter Akaniroj, Jack Breen, Joel Camba, Scott Casper, Francesca Dreher, Sandy Girgis, Jerry Martin, Joseph Mekhail, Julie O’Heron, Mia Parente, Ava Quinn, Angela Ruiz, Giana Salerno, Garrett Schwartz, Noah Soenen, Emmett Spolar, Lukas Stankus, Olivia Vie, Scott Von Drasek.

Fifth grade

Syed Abbas, Garrett Bolte, Jack Brennan, Marris Carli, Elizabeth Dillon. Joseph Galateo, Madeleine Hawbaker, Skylar Hennessy, Grace Hughes, Kathryn Hurta, Emad Khilfeh, Grace Kirschbaum, Tijana Kostic, Andrej Mitevski, Tara Mologousis, Eric Naglak, Matthew O’Connell, Seanv Patel, Megan Prock, Jackson Rockrohr, Olivia Schnotala, Monika Urban, Kadence Wilkinson.

Fenwick High School announced its honor roll for the first quarter grading period. Seniors, juniors, sophomores, and freshmen are indicated per their class and according to their performance levels of first or second honors.

From Countryside:
Sophomore:
Second Honors – Sean Heslin

From La Grange:
Seniors:
First Honors – Nina Bazzanella, Nicollette
Curran, Daniel Farmer,  Mary Hanfland,
Michael Krecek, Grace Lattner, Nora
Napleton, Thomas Penicook, Katherine
Rodden, Robert Schaefer, Dean
Schiltz, Ana Sprajcer.
Second Honors – Angela Freda.
Juniors:
First Honors – Quinn Fisher, Mae
Lattner, Henry Lorenzini, John
Masterson, Zachary Stahl, Theodore
Steinmeyer, Matthew Walsh.
Second Honors – Michael Cummings, Teresa Finucane.
Sophomores:
First Honors -Cole Fisher, Katherine Krecek, Sara Pietrzak, Elle
Schaefer.
Second Honors – Matthew Schiltz.
Freshmen:
First Honors – William Bruce, Daisy
Dunlap, Olivia Evans, Robert Farnan, William Hanfland, Alexander Kapusta, Francesca Lorenzini, Liam Mahon,
Christopher Sedlacek.
Second Honors – Nicole Caron, Nicholas
Ganzel, Shannon Hayes, Luke Rohrbacher.

From LaGrange Park:
Seniors:
First Honors – Patrick Donahue, Timothy
Havenaar, Sophia Stephenson, Kathryn
Vulich.
Second Honors – Hanna Sturwold.
Juniors:
First Honors – Andrew Copp, Kevin Donahue.
Second Honors – Eamon McGuire.
Sophomores:
First Honors – Brendan Copp, Morgan Fabian, Michael Keegan, Mary Marzo, Thomas Panosh.
Second Honors – Natalie Rodriguez.
Freshmen:
Second Honors – Dominic Centracchio, Daniel Keegan.

From Westchester:

Seniors:

Second Honors – Maxwell Garner

Juniors:
First Honors – Anna Brandt, Sarah Lewis
Second Honors – Matthew Lyons
Sophomores:
First Honors – Sarah Wiener
Second Honors – Grace Laszkiewicz
Freshmen:
First Honors – Edward Grija, John Lyons
Second Honors – Frayne Lewis

High school football could cease to exist in some towns if a concussion lawsuit filed against the Illinois High School Association succeeds, officials with the organization said Friday.

IHSA Executive Director Marty Hickman said some schools would not be able to afford on-call doctors for practices, computer-based concussion screening and other changes sought by the former prep quarterback who is suing the group.

“If this lawsuit is successful, it will present challenges to high school football programs that are … so far-reaching for many schools, they will undoubtedly adversely affect high school programs, and could eliminate some programs in Illinois,” he said at a news conference.

The IHSA’s public push-back comes less than a week after Daniel Bukal, who played in the early 2000s at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles, filed suit in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging the organization doesn’t do enough to stem the potential damage from concussions.

Bukal claims in the suit that he sustained multiple concussions during games and practices, and that he still suffers from lightheadedness, memory loss and migraines related to the injuries.

Hickman, though, pointed to numerous new safety rules the IHSA and state lawmakers have put into place in recent years, including mandatory concussion education for coaches and the cessation of hitting during summer practice.

Some of the measures sought by the lawsuit are already being done at many schools, he said. But because the IHSA is an organization run by its members, he said the group cannot make broad changes to its safety policies without their consent.

Court-imposed changes, he said, could create a two-tier system of high school sports in Illinois, where wealthier districts can afford new safety mandates and higher insurance costs, and poorer districts are forced to drop football.

“I think that’s a place we don’t want to go,” he said. “That’s one of the risks of this lawsuit, that only the folks who can afford to have these extra requirements are going to continue to have these programs, and only their kids are going to benefit from these programs. That would be an injustice. That would be a shame.”

Bukal’s attorney, Joe Siprut, could not immediately be reached for comment.

jkeilman@tribpub.com

Twitter @JohnKeilman

When I turned 40, I started running into friends and acquaintances of a similar age who began complaining about bad backs and weakened and aching knees.

“How did you hurt yourself?” I’d ask.

Invariably they would answer, “Football.”

If they had played in the NFL, I surely would have heard about it long before the complaint of aching knees. Guys who played pro football, even for a minute, have a knack for working it into a conversation early in a friendship.

“Yeah, that reminds me of a guy on the taxi squad when I played football,” they’d say over a beer.

“Oh, where did you play?” Is the polite follow up question.

“No big deal. I spent a year on the bench with Cleveland.”

I once met a guy who played a pre-season game with the Bears but was always a former Bear in the neighborhood.

But friends who would one day would complain about aching backs and wobbly knees never came close to NFL sideline.

So I would guess they played in college and would ask about it.

“Nope, high school,” was almost always the answer.

Old high school football injuries haunting relatively young men seemed a high price to pay. Turns out, there may be an even higher price.

Last week it was reported that a former high school football player has filed suit against the state organization that regulates high school sports, the Illinois High School Association, claiming it didn’t do enough to protect athletes from potential concussions.

The former athlete played football at Notre Dame College Prep in Niles in the early 2000s. He claims he suffers from lightheadedness, memory loss and migraines related to multiple concussions he apparently suffered while playing high school football.

If such a suit goes forward, and this is a class action suit, what does it mean for the future of high school football and youth football?

We’ve already seen hundreds of former NFL players sue the NFL because of the brain injuries they claim to have suffered. Former college players have also sued.

Now we have a suit from a high school player. If my anecdotal evidence is any indication, there’s got to be a lot more former high school football players who may have suffered brain injuries.

If they start suing, can high school football survive?

It has been reported that nine deaths have occurred this year from football injuries. Schools are changing rules for less contact in practice as a preventative measure. But it begs the question, if head contact is dangerous, why are you letting kids do it at all?

An insurance industry journal earlier this month reported a study of high school football players indicated that a single season of football hits, even with no concussion, led to brain abnormalities in the student subjects.

More studies and more research need to be done. But at what point does the potential risk outweigh the perceived benefits of teenagers playing football?

Pierre Walters, 28, born in Maywood and raised in Forest park is now a football coach at St. Joseph High School, his alma mater. He was in the 2004 graduating class at St. Joseph’s. He enjoys being a coach and mentor to his students.

Q: When did you start playing your sport and why?

I first started playing football my freshman year at St. Joseph High School. My interest in the sport grew throughout middle school, so I decided to give it a try once I enrolled at Joes.

Q: What did you enjoy most about playing at your high school?

I mostly enjoyed playing ball with my friends. Win or lose, we always had fun on the field.

Q: At what point did you realize you’d be able to play in college (and the pros, if applicable)?

It’s safe to say that by my sophomore year I was completely obsessed with football. It was at this time where I began to research different college teams and players to see what I had to do to get noticed at the next level. Once I figured out what I needed were things I could control (grades, A.C.T., physical presence/play-style, etc.), I knew I was going to play in college. I knew playing in the NFL was a pipe-dream, so my focus was solely on getting into college.

Q: What was the transition like between playing in high school and in college?

The transition was lively, but everything worked out! Along with the job-like college football schedule, I had to get used to everything from the increased speed of the game to sacrificing holidays with family for appearances and play-off games. Football and all other sports become a full-time endeavor at the collegiate level. I was blessed to have a solid support system in my coaches, close friends and family.

Q: Did you have a mentor/s that helped you along the way? If so, tell us a little about him/her.

Both of my parents have served as mentors along my journey. My dad, a Vietnam War Veteran, has always been a symbol of hard work and toughness. My mom helped instill more domestic and patient qualities in me. Ultimately, they are both very worldly, hardworking blue-collar people who I’m extremely fortunate to have raise me. I’d also have to say Roc Bellantoni, my defensive coordinator at Eastern Illinois at the time served as a mentor. He helped aid in my maturation process while making the total college transition.

Q: What are you doing now and does anything you learned in sports at St. Joe’s still impact you today?

I spend a lot of my time coaching and mentoring at St. Joseph High School. I enjoy being a support to the young men and women here. Other than that I’m either training at the gym, coaching/training other young athletes around the area, or spending time with my parents when I can. Playing sports at St. Joseph reinforced the “never give up”, optimistic attitude that I exude to this day. Striving for excellence and being a good community leader are two of the main attributes St. Joseph Athletics has introduced to me.

Q: Looking back on your experience from St. Joe’s through your current situation, is there anything you would change?

Nothing! Life is always in place the way it’s supposed to be. Whether through good times or bad, I go through life/have gone through life with no regrets. You live, learn and get better!

Q: Anything else you’d like to say?

First, I want to thank everyone at St. Joe’s for welcoming me back with open arms. I also want to thank all of my football players who work so hard and sacrifice so much in our pursuit of something really special. Their bravery and grit doesn’t go unnoticed and they are the true reason why our football program is on the rise! I love you guys!

Several interns smiled broadly as they played videos on iPads they made of their first 10-week rotation in one of a dozen hospital departments. Students then led tours of computer stations or supply areas where they had worked. They navigated the maze of hospital halls with ease.

Without hesitation, the eight student interns stood before a crowd and reported on their experiences, skills learned and goals to achieve at Adventist La Grange Memorial Hospital.

Ten young adults with special needs from the western suburbs are the inaugural class of Project Search in Illinois. The program was developed at a Cincinnati hospital to provide job training and placement tailored to students’ individual strengths and interests.

The unpaid interns clock in like regular hospital employees but spend part of the day in a classroom. They review workplace and job search skills they will need in May when the program ends and they will hunt for a job with pay.

The participants are in their final year of transitional service programs after finishing graduation requirements at area high schools. Students age 18 to age 22 are eligible for additional training for jobs and independent living.

Kelly Chlada, a Project Search instructor and special education teacher, said students like Mattie Kotlowitz already have made a lot of progress.

“When Mattie came, she was too shy to introduce herself at first,” Chlada said. “Now she’s very independent and confident. She works with a coworker, rather than somebody supervising her from the program.”

Kotlowitz from Oak Park attended Hinsdale South High School in Darien, which offers a regional specialized program for deaf and hear-impaired students. Interpreter Liz Miller splits her day at the hospital assisting Kotlowitz along with another student.

“It’s a lot of fun and rewarding to see their progress from the beginning of the year,” Miller said. “They can do things on their own and on a schedule.”

Kotlowitz said she worked in the environmental services department cleaning patient rooms for the first rotation. She learned which cleaning products were required for certain situations and sometimes had to wear scrubs, gloves and a mask, she said.

Clarissa Meneses of Countryside, who attended Lyons Township High School, said she enjoyed her rotation in the medical records department, where Kotlowitz is headed next.

“I would get big stacks of paper records from the ER Department. First, I would prepare them by removing staples or fixing any torn papers,” Meneses explained. “It kept me really busy.”

Brian Marino of Riverside worked in the patient registration department for his first rotation. He attended Riverside-Brookfield High School and math and English classes for three years at Triton Junior College.

“I learned about organizing files, counting money, labeling and data entry,” Marino said. “It was good.”

Marino’s supervisor, Clyde Emrick, manager of the registration and admissions department, said the program benefits more than the interns.

“It’s like adding another family member to our team, and it’s helped me as a manager,” Emrick said. It’s helped me find a better way communicate to staff, slowing down and giving more detail.”

Karen Steffan, vocation program coordinator for the La Grange Area Department of Special Education cooperative, said outreach efforts and the program’s early success have sparked five other Project Search sites to begin operating in the fall in northern Illinois.

LADSE and Helping Hand Rehabilitation Center are two organizations sponsoring Project Search, which has begun efforts to recruit 12 interns for next year at the La Grange hospital.

An informational meeting for families will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Helping Hand, 9649 W. 55th St., Countryside.

Project Search, also will hold an open house from 9 to 11 a.m. Jan. 9 at the hospital, 5101 S. Willow Springs Road. The event is intended to showcase the program to school districts and invite area business to assist with networking and job placement for interns.

Junior Analisa Pieranunzi brings an almost contagious enthusiasm to Nazareth Academy. Whether on the tennis court, cheering on her classmates from the stands, working hard for the annual walk or leading the Caring Place for Kids service team, her smile and work ethic do not go unnoticed.

“I always know I can count on Analisa to go above and beyond expectations,” says walk Coordinator Colleen Cook. “She’s a real go-getter, who took it upon herself to solicit incentives that would motivate student participation.”

Thanks to the work of Analisa and the entire student walk committee, Nazareth was once again able to exceed its fundraising goal, raising more than $184,000 to support Nazareth.

1. What are your post-high school plans?

After Nazareth I plan on attending college and pursuing a medical degree.

2. What do you like to do on the weekends?

I love spending time with my friends and family. I especially love watching our football team!

3. What is your favorite class or favorite subject? Favorite teacher?

It’s hard to decide because all of the teachers at Naz have influenced me in a different way. At the moment I would have to say my favorite would be English with Ms. (Jessica) Radogno.

4. What is your favorite social media? Why?

Instagram because I love looking at other people’s pictures to see what they have been doing!

5. What is one thing someone wouldn’t expect to know about you?

I am the oldest of 12 grandchildren.

6. What is your favorite thing about Nazareth Academy?

I love the environment at Nazareth. It has a sense of family… everyone knows everyone and I think that is great!

7. What is your favorite sports team?

Got to love the Blackhawks. Go Hawks!

8. What is your favorite TV show?

Huge fan of “One Tree Hill” and “Gossip Girl.”

9. What other activities are you involved in?

Youth Initive, Roadrunner Club, Diversity Task Force, Focus Group facilitator, Freshman Orientation leader and trainer. I’ve created videos for the Naz WALK and am currently working on a video for the Mothers Club Auction.

Outside of Nazareth, Analisa is a hospital volunteer and recently organized a coat drive for the Saint Vincent DePaul Center.

Interviews have been rescheduled for nine candidates seeking an endorsement for four seats on the La Grange Elementary District 102 Board.

The Delegate Assembly, a nonpartisan group, will talk with candidates tonight and Wednesday, instead of Tuesday and Wednesday at Park Junior High School, Ogden and Brainard avenues.

Beginning at 6 p.m. tonight, the slating board will meet with Jason Kowalczyk, incumbent Matthew Scotty, Jenna Buckholtz, Amanda Jandris, incumbent Dave May and Linda Walls.

Candidate interviews will resume at 6 p.m. Wednesday with Edward Campbell , Brian Anderson and incumbent Joyce Fitch. Incumbent Dawn Aubert has chosen not to appear before the slating committee.

Endorsements for four four-year terms are expected to be announced following the second candidates’ night and a closed-session for deliberations, said Caroline Dillon, secretary of the group.

Candidates may choose to run as independents by submitting nominating petitions between Dec. 15 and 22. For the first time, petitions must be filed this year with the Cook County Clerk’s office, rather than at the District 102 administration center.

Details are on the county clerk’s website. http://cookcountyclerk.com/

Nazareth Academy plans to send students home early today and has cancelled classes for Tuesday and Wednesday in LaGrange Park, due to a flu outbreak, school officials announced.

Twenty-five percent of Nazareth’s 730 students were absent due to illness today, reported Alena Murguia, public relations coordinator, one of 10 staff members also recovering from the flu.

“When you reach a critical mass, it’s better to just shut everything down and disinfect,” Murguia said. “We’ll have a heavy-duty cleaning plan in effect for all the students’ and teachers’ desks, classrooms and common areas.”

Some students were seen in class who appeared sick but apparently didn’t want to miss school, because semester exams are scheduled for next week, Murguia said.

“Hopefully students who are sick have a couple of days to recoup and not worry that they are missing anything,” she said. “Exams are still scheduled for next week, Dec. 17, 18 and 19, but teachers may modify the tests for content not covered.”

An all-school Mass for the feast of the Immaculate Conception had been scheduled at 2 p.m. today, but school officials decided to cancel it due to the germ situation and close quarters in the school chapel, Murguia said.

In addition all after-school activities and athletic practices are cancelled for today and Tuesday. Students should check with their coaches about Wednesday events.

A choir concert scheduled for Tuesday night has been postponed and will be combined with a holiday band concert Thursday. The choir performance begins at 6 p.m., followed by the band concert at 7 p.m. at the school, 1209 W. Ogden Ave., La Grange Park.

Murguia said reports of students hit by the flu had been building gradually since the state championship football game Nov. 29 in Champaign, when several players were sick.

“It does seem early in the season for this type of outbreak, but hopefully we’ll get it all out of the way early,” Murguia said.

Classes have been cancelled due to snow, cold and record-breaking heat, but not due to a flu outbreak in recent years, she said.

La Grange second-graders learned that holiday giving is a two-way street during an all-school day of volunteering.

The St. Francis Xavier School students toured the Congregation of St. Joseph’s School on Wheels Dec. 5 for an inside look at the literacy program, based in LaGrange Park.

Second-graders and a handful of eighth-graders hopped aboard the school bus converted into a classroom with compact tables and benches lining each wall for one-on-one tutoring sessions.

Students prepared for the day by collecting 450 gently used books for beginning readers. The children took turns making as many Christmas cards and ornaments. The holiday touches will be presented with the books to adults learning to speak, read and write English at seven sites in the western suburbs.

Although the students wouldn’t have a chance to see the adults’ smiles later in December, the children got something in return. They experienced a little of what it’s like to struggle with a new language, gaining empathy and understanding.

Kathy Haas, associate director of the literacy program, shared one of the exercises she uses to prepare volunteer tutors, who assist adults of various language backgrounds.

Haas taught the young visitors six words in Pashto, spoken in parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran. She passed out objects corresponding to the new words.

“Saiwan,” Haas said, looking for students to hold up an umbrella. She then displayed written versions of each word, which resemble Arabic, and asked students to match the word with the object.

When no one could, Haas matched the words and explained her secret. “They are color coded on the back. That’s how we work with our students, too.”

Haas also told students the bus is no longer used as a mobile classroom for tutoring. Instead, volunteers meet adults at seven sites, such as churches. Operating the bus is too expensive, she said.

The children brainstormed how they might break a language barrier and make newcomers feel welcome by smiling, sharing a meal or being a friend on the playground.

Second-graders weren’t the only ones who ventured out for the school’s fifth annual day of service. The effort is based on the example set by the school’s namesake, a Jesuit missionary who traveled to Asia.

Each grade level adopts a particular field of study, tied to their curriculum, and related services projects for the year. Students learn more about ways to alleviate poverty and hunger, or how to help senior citizens, veterans or adults with special needs.

First-graders sang, played bingo and enjoyed cookies with residents of Bethlehem Woods retirement center in La Grange Park. Third-graders brought coats, hats, mittens and scarves to the Marillac House in Chicago.

Fourth- seventh- and eighth-graders packed meals or sorted food for the hungry. Fifth-graders assisted veterans, and sixth-graders hosted a bowling party for adults with special needs.

Preschoolers and kindergarten students made eco-friendly ornaments and decorated Christmas trees.

Students regrouped at the end of the day to see a slide show of their activities captured and compiled by parent photographers.

“Each year, the program teaches the kids a lot, and they get it,” said Karen Trayser, who coordinated the second-grade program. “Even the 4-year-olds understand what it means to be of service.”

National Honor for LaGrange Park student

Matthew Serafin of LaGrange Park has been inducted into the National Residence Hall Honorary, St. Joan of Arc Chapter, at Marquette University. National Residence Hall Honorary recognizes students who promote campus leadership and service, and model academic and personal excellence. Serafin, a sophomore, is on the Dean’s list of the Deiderich College of Communications at Marquette; an Ignatius Scholarship recipient; an active member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and Marquette University Student Government; a staff photographer on the Marquette Tribune newspaper, and sings in the liturgical choir. He is a 2013 graduate of Nazareth Academy in LaGrange Park.

A community group has passed over the La Grange Elementary District 102 Board president and another incumbent in endorsing four of nine candidates for the April 7 election.

The Delegate Assembly, a nonpartisan slating group, endorsed Matthew Scotty, seeking his second term, and newcomers Jason Kowalczyk, Brian Anderson and Amanda Jandris.

School Board President Dave May, elected in 2003, and former District 102 teacher Joyce Fitch, elected in 2007, weren’t endorsed following interviews Dec. 8 and 10.

Fitch said she will run as an independent. May has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Dawn Aubert, a board member since 2007, said she decided not to run again to spend more time with her family.

Other candidates not slated by the Delegate Assembly were Jenna Buckholtz, Linda Walls and Edward Campbell.

“We had nine really solid candidates for four spots, and that shows a huge interest in serving on the School Board,” said Delegate Assembly President Steve Knipstein.

Thirty of the group’s 55 members representing six district schools voted to slate the candidates after reviewing their responses to a number of issues.

“When we looked at all the different schools represented, the constant conversation went back to looking for new voices on the board and changes in communicating back to the community,” Knipstein said.

“The big issue was communication, how the board and the administration could do a better job of communicating back to parents and members of the community who no longer have students in the district,” Knipstein added.

Other issues included the district’s financial crunch and upcoming tax increase referendum and changes to the district’s foreign language program, which prompted parent protest. A date for the referendum and other specifics has not been set, likely until a new board is seated and a new superintendent takes over July 1 from Warren Shillingburg.

Knipstein said members of the Delegate Assembly acknowledged the contributions of May and Fitch.

“Their accomplishments are significant. We are grateful for everything they did,” Knipstein said. “Unfortunately, Dave and Joyce were not able to get the majority required to get the endorsement. Their record stands for itself.”

Knipstein said the slating group was looking for fresh perspectives and a diverse combination of skills. Kowalczyk, a stay-at-home dad from the Forest Road School neighborhood, has a background in social work. Anderson, also from the Forest Road area, has a background in strategic planning and execution, and Jandris, representing Cossitt School, offers communication skills, Knipstein said.

“Not that the current board is failing,” Knipstein said. “It’s more a matter of moving forward with the best combination of skills and personality to enable a vibrant board to connect with the community in a different way.”

In 2011, the Delegate Assembly didn’t endorse Aubert, who ran as an independent in a coalition with May, Fitch and Donald Sands for four four-year terms. Sands was endorsed by the delegate assembly for a two-year term but opted to run for a four-year term. Incumbent Pete Tiemeyer was passed over for endorsement of a two-year term but ran as an independent with the coalition.

Scotty was endorsed by the Delegate Assembly and was elected over Sands. May, Fitch, Aubert and Tiemeyer also were elected.

Candidates may choose to run as independents by submitting nominating petitions between Dec. 15 and 22. For the first time, petitions must be filed this year with the Cook County Clerk’s office, rather than at the District 102 administration center.

Details are on the county clerk’s website.