2015-2016 Lake County Leadership Team
Nathan Borries, Antioch Community High School
Hometown: Antioch
Class: Senior
Parents: Tim and Sandy Borries
Sponsor: Principal Bradford Hubbard
Community service: Youth basketball camp coach for four years; peer tutor five days a week in Spanish, math and physics; works monthly with special education students' social activities; raises funds for Lambs Farm; secretary of the National Honor Society; president of the Cardinal Crazies spirit club
Personal statement: "Life lessons are not obtained the same way for every person. Some are born with amazing personalities, and some need tragic events to realize what good there is in the world. However, for me, volunteering has taught me valuable lessons that can be transferred to what I love doing most: making people's days. Seeing people smile makes me happy, and reminds me why I do what I do."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Nathan is an exceptionally well-rounded student who is accomplished in the classroom, impactful as a leader, and involved in just about everything we have to offer. He has profoundly enhanced the culture and climate at ACTS."
Marutinandan Dubey, Grayslake Central High School
Hometown: Grayslake
Class: Senior
Parents: Anima and Ashish Dubey
Sponsor: Dustin Chierico, social studies teacher
Community service: Art class teacher for four years at Volo Bog Youth Art Guild; research intern at bird division of the Field Museum for two years; host for school's Veterans Day breakfast; logistics head for school's cancer fundraiser challenge, Hunt for the Cure, which raised $4,000
Personal statement: "Science and community service have been two very deep-seated passions of my life. From a very young age, I found myself combining these two fields by volunteering at local forest preserves. … I plan to acquire a medical degree on my path to my ultimate goal of … becoming a medical practitioner … who devotes his life to bettering others and himself."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Marutinandan is a game-changer. He has led nine service projects in my Public Service Practicum class and each time he has been a difference maker."
Meghan Fitzgerald, Grayslake Central High School
Hometown: Grayslake
Class: Senior
Parents: Kelly and Jim Fitzgerald
Sponsor: Dustin Chierico, social studies teacher
Community service: Student dance teacher since sixth grade; key organizer on student-run senior citizen dinner dance; serves on the teen advisory board of the 12 Oaks Foundation; lead organizer of the school's Ram Games that raised $6,000; leader in organizing Veterans Day breakfast for 150 people; volunteer on variety of programs
Personal statement: "I learned that sometimes you have to follow to be a good leader, and that dedication will result in respect and that it is not necessary to take credit for the outcome."
Sponsor's endorsement: "More important than her leadership skills is the reason why she leads. Everything she does is because she cares about her school, cares about her community and values the opportunities she has been given. Furthermore, Meghan strives to provide those same opportunities for others."
Connor Leden, Warren Township High School
Hometown: Waukegan
Class: Senior
Parents: Brian and Cynthia Leden
Sponsor: Betsy Sagala, guidance counselor
Community service: Volunteer counselor at YMCA camp in Wisconsin; co-leader of 405-member Future Business Leaders of America chapter and leads its community service projects; volunteer on church mission trips to an Indian reservation and South Carolina; volunteer at Feed My Starving Children; helped lead drive that collected 4,000 books for children's charity
Personal statement: "My parents have always raised me to always remember that everyone deserves a helping hand in life. That is what I hope to achieve through all of my community service. It has taught me that there is a lot to do to help in the world, and that I can make an actual difference by volunteering."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Connor is very humble, positive and well-adjusted. He exhibits a maturity that is rare amongst most high school students. Connor has learned to balance his obligations, which demand a significant amount of his time."
Vivian Margaret Lee, Mundelein High School
Hometown: Mundelein
Class: Senior
Parents: Marcus and April Lee
Sponsor: Randy Lerner, math chair
Community service: Plans and arranges volunteer opportunities for National Honor Society members at Feed My Starving Children, PADS, Relay For Life, and other events; works on class service projects including food drives and raising money to help refugees; does peer tutoring in math and science; worked as instructor and teacher assistant for park district dance classes
Personal statement: "Volunteering has brought out the best in me; my leadership and compassion emerge and I am able to run student leadership meetings and motivate other National Honor society members to participate in community service events."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Vivian is great at leading by example. She works hard and is determined to find success. She is also great at being the vocal leader that can guide a group. The way Vivian is able to balance these two aspects of leadership is amazing to see in a young adult."
Dan Marshalla, Lake Zurich High School
Hometown: Lake Zurich
Class: Senior
Parents: Bill Marshalla, Suzy Marshalla
Sponsor: Leslie Thomas, counselor
Community service: Joined the jazz band's service trip to rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina; as senior patrol leader, organized all aspects of a Boy Scout camping trip for 25 Scouts and 5 adult leaders; raised $500 for St. Baldrick's event; fundraised for Special Olympics by organizing movie night; raised $45,000 for Boy Scouts over 10 years through popcorn sales
Personal statement: "The trip to New Orleans changed how I perceive the world and my duty to others. My volunteer work has helped me see I should be helping those in need and consider various programs and careers that allow me to further put my efforts into making our world a better place for all."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Dan is a natural born leader - president of the band, section leader of the sousaphones, an officer in NHS, a PE leader, a Life Scout and a four-year varsity athlete. One of Dan's teachers describes him as 'hardworking, humorous and driven.'"
Nia McClendon, Libertyville High School
Hometown: Libertyville
Class: Senior
Parents: Tony and Nicole McClendon
Sponsor: Sarah Kelly, counselor
Community service: Girl Scout Gold, Silver, Bronze award winner; recognized a need to entertain young children in homeless shelters and developed 'busy bags' for them; on the executive board of Interact Club, planning fundraisers and other activities; small group leader at church; longtime UNICEF volunteer; volunteers at community care center
Personal statement: "6:45 Saturday morning. An unspeakable time for high schoolers - who would leave the comforts of bed before noon? Regardless, here I am, pulling up to my church's local food pantry. Some hear the term 'volunteer' and walk the other way. Others tuned out after I said 6:45. But there is a certain joy - a kind of happiness - that comes from giving."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Nia is a bright young lady with many talents, aspirations and a love of learning. Her desire to give back to those around her will bring her future success and benefit society."
Ben Panitch, Stevenson High School
Hometown: Buffalo Grove
Class: Senior
Parents: Shari and David Panitch
Sponsor: Zara Dittman, Spanish teacher
Community service: As co-president of Best Buddies, organizes about 15 events each year for participants; president of Students Helping Soldiers Club; advisory leader of Freshmen Mentor Program; volunteer varsity athletic student trainer; deputy chief, Lincolnshire Explorer Post
Personal statement: "Everything I have accomplished as a volunteer Police Explorer has laid the groundwork for my future and has shown me how to be the best I can be both in and out of uniform. By having the opportunity to hone my leadership skills the past four years, I have gained valuable qualities which I hope will benefit me in the future."
Sponsor's endorsement: "He is gifted in crafting a vision for club events and has effectively planned very notable ones. One of my favorites is when Ben addressed veterans and first responders at this year's Ceremony of Remembrance on Sept. 11; he moved people to tears with his thoughtful words and heartfelt gratitude for the work of our honored guests."
Olivia Sorenson, Stevenson High School
Hometown: Kildeer
Class: Senior
Parents: Geri Sorenson, Steve Sorenson
Sponsor: Zara Dittman, Spanish teacher
Community service: Several overseas mission trips to South Africa to help young girls; president and member, Freshman Mentor Program; volunteer counselor, Lake Geneva Youth Camp; mission trip to St. Louis, serving meals and leading Bible school; with Student Impact, has helped raise $50,000 for the education of Cambodian teens
Personal statement: "My journey through service centers around what my vision for 'fairness' is, and my belief that an unfair world is not a hopeless conclusion, but a chance for improvement. Through volunteerism you begin to find your specific discontent - the one thing you can't bear, you can't imagine. The funny thing about this 'discontent' is that you can't search for it, it finds you."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Olivia is an inspiring young woman, filled with dedication to learning, service and leadership. She has dedicated her high school years to others while demonstrating great perseverance and passion."
Eleanore van Marwijk Kooy, Woodlands Academy
Hometown: Lake Barrington
Class: Senior
Parents: Jan and Amanda van Marwijk Kooy
Sponsor: Kiran Frey, Chess Without Borders
Community service: Chess Without Borders youth leader, fundraiser, tournament coordinator, coach; Mission Youth member; leads activity classes for disabled children; serves Thanksgiving meals to poor families; volunteers at House of Hope resale shop
Personal statement: "A relatively new goal of mine, going forward, is to increase awareness about mentoring the very young. Much more emphasis needs to be put on dedicated volunteerism, as it is on sports and other activities, and having it become a part of one's life."
Sponsor's endorsement: "Not only have we watched her grow as a caring and resourceful human being but are grateful for the legacy of her work as a humanitarian. Eleanore has ambition for others less fortunate and the impact of her work is widely felt by students who work with her and those who benefit."