Daily Herald's DuPage County Leadership Team
Northwest Suburban • Fox Valley • DuPage County • Lake County • Judges
Eric Behna
Benet Academy
Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Ramy and Martha Behna%%%%Sponsor: Amy Wesley, guidance counselorCommunity service: Participated in a spring break service trip to Appalachia through High School Outreach; organized a school supply drive through High School Outreach; Autumn Grove Resource Center tutor; Marquard Center Soup Kitchen volunteer; Feed My Starving Children volunteer; Outreach Executive Board Personal statement: "The people we served food to were poor, homeless, down on their luck. This man was happy - to have a roof over his head, to have warm food on his plate, to have a glass of clean water. ... I'm of a generation that places immense value on material things, superficial things. ... But this man had nothing. It was the most humbling experience of my life." Sponsor's endorsement: "My nominee loves to discuss, interpret, argue, and debate - interests that have led to his desire to pursue a liberal arts education. Whether he eventually chooses to pursue a political career or a teaching career, he is eager to continue challenging himself both academically and personally." Elizabeth Marie Behrens Wheaton Warren. S. Hometown: Warrenville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Richard and Ann Behrens%%%%Sponsor: Jillian Nowicki, counselorCommunity service: Founder and president of South Outreach Club; Youth and Government through the YMCA; People's Resource Center volunteer; Family Empowerment Center mission trip Personal statement: "The issue I find most pressing is the selfishness of generation 'me.' The ignorance of my technologically savvy and often spoiled generation disgusts me. My classmates and I are privileged and live in bubbles. I want us to realize that there are people without the basic necessities of life. I want to spread awareness and inspire people to help others." Sponsor's endorsement: "She is a wonderful individual with ability and intelligence to add to a brilliant future. She will succeed in anything she tries due to her work ethic, confidence, and motivation. Her realistic approach helps to keep her grounded while her goals and dreams remain high, but absolutely attainable." Meagan Gitchell St. Francis High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Craig and Rita Gitchell%%%%Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidanceCommunity service: Group Work Camps, service trip to Oklahoma and Minnesota; Brother David Darst Center, service trip to Chicago; St. James youth group; St. Mary's mission, Service trip to Tohatchi, New Mexico; Student Ambassadors; Sleep Out Saturday; Wheaton Mural Project; Feed My Starving Children Personal statement: "When our group got back to camp a leader challenged us to think about the poverty of our high school community. The challenge made me realize that people I see every day face a poverty of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, yet often I had just walked right by without noticing. This insight challenged me to stop and see people through God's eyes rather than my own." Sponsor's endorsement: "This young lady is simply amazing. She excels in all areas of her life - academics, athletics, leadership, and service. She has a servant's heart and wants to make a difference in the world." Carolyn Griffith St. Francis High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Gerry and Linda Griffith%%%%Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidanceCommunity service: Faith and Fellowship Service Project; Students Against Destructive Decisions; SADD Haunted House volunteer; Darst Retreat Center volunteer; Oklahoma Mission Trip; KAIROS retreat team leader Personal statement: "'I have been drawn to service not only for the warm feeling that I experienced every time I helped someone, but also for the people themselves. I have never met any people as nice, as nonjudgmental, or as content with life as the people that I have met through service, and through these encounters, I have learned how I should better shape my life." Sponsor's endorsement: "Not only is she a superb student, she has a heart of gold. Her spiritual life, her leadership, her character, and her sense of Christian values are among the finest that I have encountered in my 30 years in education. She truly reflects an example of peace and goodness to her peers." Maryam Khan Neuqua Valley High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Safina and Zahur Khan%%%%Sponsor: Tammy A. Kurth, counselorCommunity service: ICN mentor and teaching assistant; Best Buddies; Edward Hospital volunteer; library volunteer; Student Council community service opportunities Personal statement: "Volunteering has its own rewarding beauty, and I still have not found a better feeling than knowing that the effort I have given in volunteering has positively impacted someone's life. ... Volunteerism has been an aspect of my life even before high school, and now it has become my way of life because it is a very thrilling and enjoyable feeling to see a rewarding smile and impact on someone's life." Sponsor's endorsement: "After spending many hours with Maryam, I found Maryam to be a very determined, involved, and intelligent young woman who exhibits many qualities that make her a strong leader ... In class, Maryam consistently contributed to classroom discussion and her interaction with peers was extremely positive; she was never reluctant to work with any type of student." Taryn Kolnick Willowbrook High School Hometown: Lombard%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Bob and Debbie Kolnick%%%%Sponsor: Dan Krause, principalCommunity service: Sunrise Home Program; St. Thomas Hospice; Key Club; Best Buddies; New Beginnings peer mentoring program Personal statement: "Volunteer work has taught me the important life lesson that education is not limited to what we learn in class or at work. It has given me the opportunity to better understand the world off campus, outside of the classroom where people less fortunate than me and my friends and family try to get by each day without things most of us take for granted. My volunteer work has allowed me to witness firsthand the remarkable strength and determination of the human spirit. I feel very fortunate to have played even a small role in helping children cope with their misfortunes and succeed in a world sometimes dulled and insensitive to their challenges and special needs." Sponsor's endorsement: "As a member of our leadership teams, Taryn helps to lead conversations related to improving the environment and culture of Willowbrook High School." Tom LaBelle Wheaton Warrenville South High Hometown: Wheaton%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Len and Stacy LaBelle%%%%Sponsor: Julann Ferguson, counselorCommunity service: Wheaton Warrenville South Student Council food drive organizer; DuPage Convalescent Center volunteer; St. Michael Religious Education Program classroom aid; organized a project to paint school's athletic wing Personal statement: "We can accomplish more working together than any of us can on our own. It is important for all individuals to be charitable, work hard, and have compassion for others. I plan to continue my involvement in humanitarian projects throughout my life. I firmly believe that to those whom more is given, more is expected." Sponsor's endorsement: "As a mature, intelligent, articulate young man, he has a bright future. His independence, initiative, warm personality, and strong work ethic will be his tools to success. Determined to succeed, he sets high standards for himself and more often than not reaches his goals. I am confident that he will flourish even in the most competitive educational setting and will thrive on the challenge." Uma Mulakala Waubonsie Valley High School Hometown: Aurora%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Nanda and Uma Mulakala%%%%Sponsor: Sue Wilborne and Keith KohlerCommunity service: United Students of Aurora Leaders; Organized a food drive for the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry; Salvation Army Bell Ringing/Red Kettle Christmas Campaign; Kiwanis Club of Aurora's annual Indian Creek cleanup; Business Professionals of America's Santa's breakfast fundraiser; Business Professionals of America's annual Special Olympics fundraiser Personal statement: "I have spent the past four summers working as a volunteer and counselor at a summer camp as a part of USA Leaders for kids ages 4 to 10. Each week presents new challenges, opportunities, and surprises and I am often amazed at the wit, intelligence, and confidence that elementary schoolers can display." Sponsor's endorsement: "Uma is a very diverse person. She shows the ability to balance activities both in and out of the classroom. Throughout her activities, she is a consummate professional in all that she does." Kathleen Nannenhorn Glenbard West High Hometown: Glen Ellyn%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: John and Mary Nannenhorn%%%%Sponsor: Natalie Morris and Gilda RossCommunity service: Sunday Morning Miracle teacher; Glen Ellyn Community Resource Center tutor and assistant teacher; Student Leadership Board teen leader; DARE/Students for Students; One Voice Community Choir singer and volunteer Personal statement: "Until that moment, I never realized the struggles that children face as they come to a new country and learn a new language. I also learned the similarities between cultures and how a little laughter leads to better relationships and learning." Sponsor's endorsement: "She is a devoted leader among her peers and respected by students and staff. Quite simply, she is the most self-motivated, creative, energetic, compassionate, student leader that I have ever encountered. This student is on a mission to improve our school climate - promoting kindness and modeling respect and inclusion for everyone. She excels in volunteerism and sets high goals for her future." Sabina Shoeb College Prep School Hometown: Streamwood%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Mohammed Shoeb and Masarrath Shoeb%%%%Sponsor: Farhat Siddiqui, principalCommunity service: Feedy For the Needy volunteer; St. Alexius Medical Center volunteer; Masjid Al-Huda Islamic Center Sunday school teaching assistant Personal statement: "When I came upon the organization, Feedy For the Needy (FFN), it was a group of students that wanted to help at a soup kitchen. I immediately jumped at the opportunity. It was exactly what I was looking for - a way to meet those who were in need - both materialistically and, to a certain extent, psychologically. But nothing had prepared me to see the trauma these people had experienced. " Sponsor's endorsement: "She is an individual who has consistently demonstrated her leadership capabilities in the most significant manner possible; by embodying the qualities and actions of a leader. ... Her efforts have resulted in shaping the direction of the student council to include a future that will consist of a generation of youth who have learned to give, without taking." Honorable mentions Salman Abdulmajeed College Prep School Hometown: Lombard%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Mohammad and Fareeda Abdulmajeed%%%%Sponsor: Farhat Siddiqui, principalCommunity service: Founder and president of Feedy For the Needy; Helping Hand USA intern; Council of American International Relations-Muslim Youth Leadership Symposium member; GlenOaks Hospital volunteer Elizabeth Antosz Glenbard East High School Hometown: Glendale Heights%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Janet Antosz%%%%Sponsor: Kim Munro, school counselorCommunity service: Darfur Fashion Show fundraiser; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; New Beginnings; Mentors Program Amishi Bajaj Illinois Math and Science Academy Hometown: Oak Brook%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Dr. Ajay Bajaj and Dr. Ameeta Bajaj%%%%Sponsor: Julia Husen, college and academic counselorCommunity service: Peer tutoring and group tutoring, North South Foundation, Hinsdale Community House Theatre, Kids Institute Program at IMSA, volunteer at Advocate Good Samaritan Karishma Bali Glenbard North High School Hometown: Hanover Park%%%%Class: Sophomore%%%%Parents: Kanchan and Rakesh Bali%%%%Sponsor: Pat Tylka, English teacherCommunity service: DuPage Convalescent Center volunteer; helped raise money for Kids Against Hunger during "Up All Night" event; Club Interact member Katina Bolos Wheaton North High School Hometown: Carol Stream%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Joan Gallagher-Bolos and Spiro Bolos%%%%Sponsor: Scott Lilly, guidance counselorCommunity service: Involved with Invisible Children, a group trying to raise public awareness about the war in Uganda Christine Borkowicz Naperville Central High Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Barry and Nadine Borkowicz%%%%Sponsor: Jennifer Norgaard, science teacherCommunity service: Edward Hospital volunteer; Adapted P.E. Volunteer; Big Buddies; Naperville Public Library; Rotary Interact volunteer; National Honor Society student tutor Paul Brar Montini Catholic High School Hometown: Downers Grove%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Char Brar%%%%Sponsor: Michael Cullinane, English teacherCommunity service: Indian Boundary YMCA camp counselor; Indian Boundary YMCA youth league basketball coach; George Shimko Basketball Schools "shooting camp" assistant coach; National Honor Society student tutor; D.A.R.E. group leader Barbara Budach Downers Grove North High Hometown: Woodridge%%%%Class: Sophomore%%%%Parents: Cliff and Zofia Budach%%%%Sponsor: Nicole Gibson, counselorCommunity service: Mission work in the Dominican Republic; PADS Warming Center volunteer; CCSM Youth Group; leads weekly Bible study group Brittany Buikema Timothy Christian High School Hometown: Woodridge%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Kyle and Patty Buikema%%%%Sponsor: Fran David, director of counselingCommunity service: Alzheimer's Walk volunteer; participated in mission trip to Kentucky; Student Ministries volunteer; intramural basketball volunteer; Feed My Starving Children volunteer Michelle L. Chatman Lisle Senior High School Hometown: Lisle%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Randy and Kathy Chatman%%%%Sponsor: Karin Irvine, guidance counselorCommunity service: Special Olympics coach; student coordinator of volunteers for Scarecrow Scramble 5K race; fundraising luncheon volunteer for St. Joan of Arc Youth Ministry; freshman mentor; St. Joan of Arc Youth Ministry retreat leader Will Cronin Immaculate Conception High School Hometown: Elmhurst%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Bob and Beverly Cronin%%%%Sponsor: Jean Field, guidance counselorCommunity service: Repeat Your Cleats founder; Our Lady of the Angels Mission food distribution; Elmhurst Peer Jury; National Honor Society service projects Kaitlyn Eichinger Lake Park High School Hometown: Medinah%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Ellen Telles and Robert Eichinger%%%%Sponsor: Gary Campana, counselorCommunity service: Special Olympics volunteer; Peer Jury member; Hope's Circle of Friends volunteer; Senior Instructional Leadership Michelle Fern Naperville Central High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Michael and Irene Fern%%%%Sponsor: Barry Baldwin, communication arts teacherCommunity service: Student Advisory Council; J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation; Adaptive P.E. volunteer; mission trip and community service through Grace Pointe Church; ProPapa Missions America mission trip to Honduras Megan Finan Benet Academy Hometown: Woodridge%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: John and Diane Finan%%%%Sponsor: Amy Wesley, senior counselorCommunity service: Woodridge Community Resource Center summer camp supervisor; St. Elizabeth Seaton Parish Christmas SHARE program; Christmas Drive Shopping Trip; Prentiss Creek Resource Center tutor; Our Lady of the Angels Food Pantry Jenna Gasbarre Montini Catholic High School Hometown: Westmont%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Victor and Gina Gasbarre%%%%Sponsor: Maryann O'Neill, principalCommunity service: St. Joseph Elementary School volleyball and track coach; organized seminars for World Financial Group; Kairos retreat organizer; peer ministry; student ambassador Sarah Goldberg Glenbard South High School Hometown: Wheaton%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Lynda and Joe Goldberg%%%%Sponsor: David Daly, assistant principal for instructionCommunity service: The Baby Bottle Campaign; PADS; Locks of Love volunteer; Pink for Hope volunteer; Key Club; Habitat for Humanity Club Joshua Goralski Naperville North High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Mark and Peggy Goralski%%%%Sponsor: Ryan Hall, counselor and Key Club sponsorCommunity service: Coordinated holiday food drives for St. Thomas the Apostle Church; St. Thomas the Apostle retreat leader; Key Club board member; Volunteered to update and design the Web sites for the track and cross country teams; mission trips to Haiti and West Virginia Rebecca Howe Community High School Hometown: West Chicago%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Terry and Jeff Howe%%%%Sponsor: Ward Rau, counselorCommunity service: Helped organize Key Club blood drive; helped organize tree trimming at the West Chicago Library with Girl Scout troop; aide at Camp Greenewood Meena Iyer Illinois Math and Science Academy Hometown: Elmhurst%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Kannan and Jayanthy Iyer%%%%Sponsor: Julia Husen, coordinator of college and academic counselingCommunity service: Habitat for Humanity, Elmhurst Peer Jury, Elmhurst Hospital volunteer, Leadership Education and Development member, student council cabinet member Josh Lee Wheaton Academy Hometown: West Chicago%%%%Class: Junior%%%%Parents: Mark and Penny Lee%%%%Sponsor: Kim Rivera, Spanish teacherCommunity service: Delnor Community Hospital messenger; Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital; Puente Del Pueblo tutor; People's Resource Center volunteer; Wayside Cross Ministries Meghan E. Mandel Lisle Senior High School Hometown: Lisle%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Robert and Lori Mandel%%%%Sponsor: Kendra MeyerCommunity service: St. Joan of Arc seventh-grade cheerleading coach; Sleep Out Saturday; Light the Night Walk; Lights of Lisle and Scarecrow Scramble volunteer Alexis Taylor Maxwell Addison Trail High School Hometown: Addison%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Ron and Lesky Maxwell%%%%Sponsor: Amy Ferraro, English instructorCommunity service: Student Advisory Council to the Illinois State Board of Education; assistant cheer coach with the Addison Rec Club; Miss Addison; Addison Trail High School Parent University; physics tutor; Pay It Forward; Student Advisory Team Alyssa Neal Willowbrook High School Hometown: Lombard%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Jim and Carol Neal%%%%Sponsor: Dan Krause, principalCommunity service: Helped plan Relay For Life and Lauren Kiefer 5K run/walk; TLC Kids Camp volunteer; Willowbrook High School Key Club Kyle Newhouse Wheaton North High School Hometown: Wheaton%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Stephen and Carolyn Newhouse%%%%Sponsor: Robert Longenbaugh, director of guidanceCommunity service: Service projects in Chicago and the Dominican Republic through HYACKs, a College Church Youth Group; Bible study group leader; Feed My Starving Children volunteer Tori Partykevich Wheaton Academy Hometown: Bartlett%%%%Class: Junior%%%%Parents: Michael and Jenny Partykevich%%%%Sponsor: Kim Rivera, teacherCommunity service: BCA Junior Hawks cheerleading coach; Puente del Pueblo tutor; Covenant Harbor Bible Camp counselor; World Relief refugee tutor Judith Porzia Pellegrino Lake Park High School Hometown: Itasca%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Frank and Rosanna Pellegrino%%%%Sponsor: Jeanne Miller, school counselorCommunity service: Saturday Buddies WDSRA; Breast Cancer "Swim for the Cure" volunteer; Special Olympics track team volunteer; Hope's Circle of Friends volunteer; helped with book distribution at the high school Tyler Jon Ramir Addison Trail High School Hometown: Bensenville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Andrew and Debbie Ramir%%%%Sponsor: Amy Ferraro, English instructorCommunity service: Pay it Forward; volunteer work in Costa Rica; Special Olympics bowling volunteer; St. Phillip's religious education program volunteer; National Honor Society; peer mediation; Student Advisory Team Elliott H. Reed Glenbard West High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Kim and Lane Reed%%%%Sponsor: Kate Culloton, guidance counselorCommunity service: Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center tutor; helped plan and raise money for St. Mark's mission trip to southeast Mexico; Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights volunteer; voter registrar for the League of Women Voters of Glen Ellyn; St. Mark's Episcopal Church youth group Margaret Ryan Immaculate Conception High Hometown: Elmhurst%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Tom and Mary Beth Ryan%%%%Sponsor: Pamela Levar, principalCommunity service: Student Youth Board for Cystic Fibrosis; Hinsdale Hospital volunteer; Notes to Neighbors Campaign for American Cancer Society; Annie Ryan Fun Run volunteer; Osteogenesis Imperfecta Golf Outing volunteer Vrusha Shastri Fenton High School Hometown: Wood Dale%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Nipa and Lokesh Shastri%%%%Sponsor: Denise Lippe, community relations and community service coordinatorCommunity service: Alexian Brothers Hospital volunteer; helped with events at school; temple volunteer Marcey Wennlund Naperville North High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: Susan and Lloyd Wennlund%%%%Sponsor: Ryan Hantak, social studies instructorCommunity service: Edward Hospital volunteer; organized neighborhood food drive for Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry; participated in mission trip to rebuild flood-damaged homes in Iowa; student activities office volunteer Greg Williams Neuqua Valley High School Hometown: Naperville%%%%Class: Senior%%%%Parents: George Williams and Lynn Williams%%%%Sponsor: Hugh Flanders, social studies teacherCommunity service: Mississippi Youth United Way day care volunteer; Top Teens of America social agency volunteer; Top Teens of America nursing home volunteer; Face to Face mentor Full list of teamsbull; Daily Herald's Northwest Suburban Leadership Teambull; Daily Herald's Fox Valley Leadership Teambull; Daily Herald's DuPage County Leadership Teambull; Daily Herald's Lake County Leadership Teambull; Daily Herald's Leadership Team judges <div class="infoBox"><h1>More Coverage</h1><div class="infoBoxContent"><div class="infoArea"><h2>Stories</h2><ul class="links"><li><a href="/story/?id=353975">Daily Herald's Northwest Suburban Leadership Team <span class="date">[01/27/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=353969">Daily Herald's Fox Valley Leadership Team <span class="date">[01/27/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=353968">Daily Herald's DuPage County Leadership Team <span class="date">[01/27/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=353961">Daily Herald's Lake County Leadership Team <span class="date">[01/27/10]</span></a></li><li><a href="/story/?id=353931">Daily Herald's Leadership Team judges <span class="date">[01/27/10]</span></a></li></ul></div></div></div>