Hester helping to build broader Lake Park community

Stephanie Hester didn't want this column to be about her, but because her own experience informs what follows, that's where it must start.

Lake Park's junior varsity softball coach and a 2008 Glenbard North graduate, Hester was born without fingers on her right hand.

So, she became a left-handed pitcher. Using a custom glove, the former Stephanie Iori played three years of varsity ball at Glenbard North, earning academic all-DuPage Valley Conference honors.

After one solid season at Benedictine University, she transferred to Elmhurst College where, from 2010-12, she set Bluejays records for victories and strikeouts.

Wonderful accomplishments, yet not her true vision. That started to crystallize after earning a special education degree in 2013 and becoming a program aide within the Lake Park High School District 128 Transition Assistance Program.

From 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, the TAP program is holding its second "Autism Speaks" fund- and awareness-raiser walk on the track at Lake Park's East Campus.

Focusing on life and vocational skills the program helps prepare 18- to 22-year-olds with intellectual disabilities, who have completed their high school graduation requirement, "to be as independent as possible" once they leave, said Mary Reynolds, special education teacher and Transition specialist.

"It's important to me," Hester said, "because of raising awareness and acceptance throughout the school and allowing students with disabilities and differences to participate, and showing they're able to be independent and have friendships. Regardless of your ability, you can participate in a community and contribute."

After Autism Speaks' debut drew 20 to 30 people, the 2016 goal was to attract 100. As of Tuesday they were at 136 students and staff. Several will attend in wheelchairs, thus the future possibility of renaming the event "Walk 'N' Roll."

Considering Reynolds said only 13 students are housed in Lake Park's Transition Center, they did a yeoman's job networking; five other Transition programs, including those at Leyden and Lyons Twp. high schools, are involved.

"Regardless of your ability you can participate in a community and contribute," Hester said.

That's why two years ago Reynolds started a bowling league for Transition students, from pregame national anthem to postseason banquet (May 20). Here again, drawing students from Addison, Glen Ellyn and Leyden, the league went from 13 bowlers to more than 100.

Volunteerism enhances students' ability to socialize, assimilate and "give back," said Hester, who enlisted Lake Park softball players to do the same. To decorate the walk site they designed large puzzle pieces, the symbol for autism. On May 5 the Lake Park softball and baseball programs will play each other at an autism awareness fundraiser.

"I think it's really important to educate or to have a conversation with typical students who don't have disabilities on how to be accepting or how to be a good leader and accept those peers who do have disabilities," Hester said.

And that - fingers or no fingers - is a valid point.

"I always say everything happens for a reason," Hester said. "It shaped what I decided to do with my life."

Home away from home

The April 23 prep sports article covering Wheaton Warrenville South's boys track Red Grange Invitational regrettably lacked a choice nugget.

Up from their hometown of Danville and representing their high school alma mater were former longtime Waubonsie Valley stalwarts Steve and B.J. Luke.

The brothers were Waubonsie coaches for boys track and football, respectively. They do the same now for the Danville Vikings. Hard to believe, but they've now been in Danville 11 years.

Steve Luke quickly reacclimated himself. The Vikings won the first main event on the track, the 3,200-meter relay.

JKB - the next generation

For more than two decades, through physical activities, course curriculum and school projects, the JKB Experiential Education Foundation has provided a forum for student-athletes to make positive decisions when faced with adversity.

Its pay-it-forward leadership approach emerged from a grand, courageous plan hatched by founders Colleen Malany and Ken Braid nearly immediately after their son, J. Kyle Braid, took his life while under control of the steroids he hoped would make him a better high school football player.

Having sent well more than 3,000 students through the program - which for 20 years occupied a Colorado ranch and, starting last year, sent incoming juniors to Monmouth College and surrounding areas over four separate weeklong stints in June and July - JKB (jkbfoundation.org) now is seeing its graduates returning to the program as sponsors.

"I felt like it was almost a calling, a duty for me to follow through on that," said Glenbard North counselor and girls soccer coach Brittany Vesper, a JKB scholar in 2003 as a Buffalo Grove soccer player.

The leadership training stuck with her in high school and down the road. An event planner after college, Vesper turned to education where, she said, "I felt like I was actually making a difference."

Other young sponsors like Metea Valley's Dayle Comerford, Naperville North's Alyssa Girgis, Wheaton North's Taylor Heatherly and Downers Grove South's Nicole Sanders can provide firsthand guidance based on their JKB experiences. Just being nominated is special.

"If you're given an interview to possibly go on this trip, it is a huge honor," said Dan DeBruycker, athletic director at Metea Valley, which with fellow JKB newcomers Waubonsie Valley and Neuqua Valley gives the DuPage Valley Conference full representation.

DuPage County's JKB Scholars of 2016 are as follows:

• Downers Grove South: Clayton Linde, Maddie Manganiello, Katie Meyr, Brett Reigler.

• Glenbard North: Alex Bartkowiak, Anna Marinc, Anthony Marre, Greg Newsome.

• Hinsdale Central: Neil Cumberland, Kyle Jones, Kelly Nash, Molly Schwarz.

• Lake Park: Zach Aehlert, Michelle Buttita, Emily Frank, Brianna McAloon, Solomon Sangobowale, Diamante Smith.

• Metea Valley: Prithvi Bandaru, Kailee Bass, Natalia Castillo, Tim Paulson.

• Naperville Central: Charlotte Albright, Danielle Barba, Thomas Dahl, Timothy Folliard, Matthew Keenan, Emily Kinney, Erin McHugh, Alexandra Melby, Joey Murray, Lucas Nervig, Megan Scott, Katie Sledz.

• Naperville North: Jack Barry, Natalie Dunnett, Shannon Jennings, Chris Johnson, Gabe Matar, Vince Romanelli, Caroline Surges, Savannah Swanson.

• Neuqua Valley: Kayla Monis, Danny Sanderson, Jack Wenz, Brynne Winiarski.

• Waubonsie Valley: Kiara Bryant, Julia Burling, Kyle Schroeder, Wes York.

• Wheaton North: Bjorn Bostrom, Megan Giles, Sam Odell, Rose Quinn, Sam Singleton, Matti Zander.

• Wheaton Warrenville South: Hayden Fischer, Sarah Hauenstein, Jake Healy, Jayla Johnson, Carleigh Lewaniak, Parker Robinson.

Congratulations.

doberhelman@dailyherald.com

Follow Dave on Twitter @doberhelman1