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Read his lips: Huntley ventriloquist will go farSep 13, 2012 12:00 AM
When 12-year-old Noah Simmons first saw a professional ventriloquist on TV last year, he was excited to realize that ventriloquism is all about getting away with mischief. “I saw Jeff Dunham on TV and I thought, 'Oh, I really want to try that. I want to make people laugh and get away with things,'” Noah said. "That's basically what you do, blame it on the puppet. If he says something bad, I apologize to the audience and say 'It's him.'"
Long Grove sisters share in missionSep 6, 2012 12:00 AM
Aliya de Grazia, 21, knows the joy of helping to prevent disease by providing a Kenyan village with a clean water source. Dana de Grazia, 18, can say she's punched a lion in the face and survived. Together the sisters from Long Grove are committing their lives to protecting human and animal rights. "Life matters," Aliya said.
Addison dancer flies high after overcoming injuryAug 23, 2012 12:00 AM
Casimere Jollette of Addison always starts and ends her days in the same fashion — with her feet soaking in ice water. Far from being some kind of cruel punishment, it's a ritual the 16-year-old enjoys. Casimere is getting ready to compete in Youth America Grand Prix, the world's largest and most prestigious student ballet scholarship competition. "Last year I prepared for it. This year, I'm fighting for it," Casimere said.
Bugle takes Prospect High grad around worldAug 16, 2012 12:00 AM
The endless hours Jean Laurenz spent cooped up rehearsing have helped propel her across the globe. The Prospect High School grad has played in Hong Kong, Colorado, Maine and Texas, helped run music clinics in South Africa and backed Kanye West. But she's most at home at Arlington Park, where the track bugler has become one of the track's most familiar (human) faces. "I just love it here," Jean said. "I'd love to have my summers off so I can keep doing this."
What IMSA quiz bowl champions had to know Aug 2, 2012 12:00 AM
It takes hours and hours of study, research, memorization and investigation to shine at quiz bowl, said Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy graduates Webster Guan, 18, of Lisle and Eric Ordonez, 17, of Aurora. They served as co-captains of IMSA's quiz bowl team, crowned state champion in 2011 and 2012 and placing fourth nationally. "We study-binged during the summer, especially," Webster said.
Elk Grove Village boy won't let blindness stand in his way Jul 26, 2012 12:00 AM
You can usually catch Jack Falejczyk rock climbing, playing the violin for his school orchestra or competitively swimming because being blind doesn't stop the Elk Grove Village 12-year-old from trying just about anything. "My personal mission statement is to not let my blindness hold me back," Jack said. "If you try something, it takes time, but it comes."
St. Charles boy wows 'Shameless' producers Jul 19, 2012 12:00 AM
When Ethan Cutkosky landed a part on the Showtime network show "Shameless" three years ago, the producers thought the 9-year-old had just the perfect mischevious face for the role. What they didn't expect was for Ethan, now 12, to blossom into a talented actor with a real shot at a Hollywood career.
Champion Hoffman figure skater, 12, eyes Olympics Jul 12, 2012 12:00 AM
Even in the swarm of skaters buzzing by each other during the final minutes of an open-ice session, Tomoki Hiwatashi stands out. Given his unadulterated joy and unmatched skill, it's no wonder the spirited Hoffman Estates 12-year-old already is a two-time national figure skating champion.
'Shy' Crystal Lake teen turns fierce competitor aboard his bike Jun 28, 2012 12:00 AM
David Lombardo, 16, says he's shy, but that's the last thing you'd think watching the Crystal Lake teen race on a cyclocross bike, aggressively taking on obstacles and opponents. David is the current Illinois cyclocross champ in the 15- to 18-year-old age group. In January, he placed seventh at the USA Cycling Cyclo-Cross Nationals. "Biking just makes me happy. It's always a booster. I'm more confident."
Arlington Heights teen with stutter now a Harvard extrovert Jun 14, 2012 12:00 AM
A stutter silenced Joe Sessions in his early years, but the 18-year-old from Arlington Heights is now a Harvard-bound extrovert with the titles of Homecoming King and Eagle Scout under his belt and lofty political aspirations ahead. "Having a speech impediment reminds me that other people have problems," he said. "I'm not going to judge them, I'm going to be there for them."
Aurora teen more than just gifted orator Jun 7, 2012 12:00 AM
Meliton Chaidez, an eighth-grader from Aurora, won a regional speech contest and will represent Illinois and Iowa at the national contest with two dozen other contestants. He's also an honor-roll student and was a student ambassador and student council member. He participated in an IMSA math/science before-school program, got an award for students with exemplary characte and got a service award. Saidhis principal: "I would not be surprised to see Meliton — if he chose to — be the first Latino president of the United States. He's just that good."
Presidential Scholar from Hoffman Estates a master of multi-taskingMay 31, 2012 12:00 AM
You could say that Mengran "Meran" Liu has mastered the art of multi-tasking. Studying for Science Bowl during a break at varsity swim practice. Practicing a flag routine on the bus to a scholastic bowl match. Teaching English to Chinese seniors on days she's not volunteering at the hospital. The list goes on and on, resulting in the Hoffman Estates High Senior being named one of the state's two Presidential Scholars.
Des Plaines ballet dancer primed to perform globally May 17, 2012 12:00 AM
If life falls into place for Arthur Stashak, a year from now you'll find him gazing out at one of Hamburg's historic canals, taking a quick breather between his pas de deux and variations classes. The Des Plaines native wants nothing more than to study at the Hamburg Ballet School's postsecondary program. "There's no doubt in my mind this is the life I want to be leading," Arthur said.
Bartlett High student bakes cakes like a Food Network pro May 10, 2012 12:00 AM
Alexa Abaroa's talent as a baker and cake decorator is astonishing for someone so young, everyone says. The Bartlett High School senior was the first student asked to prepare a cake for the VIP room at the annual Illinois ProStart Student Invitational at Kendall College. "I will tell you that all the other students were really wowed by her cake," said Kathy Summers, of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
Addison teen lives up to Harvard vow made at age 5 Apr 26, 2012 12:00 AM
Not only is Addison Trail High School senior Ricky Diaz the first person in his family to go to college, but he's off to Harvard. The son of Mexican immigrants puts his unyielding work ethic into everything he takes on. "My mom and dad have worked so hard to help me and my sister, and it inspires me day in, day out," Ricky said. "I want to push my self as hard as I can to show them the values they've instilled in me mean something."
Villa Park teen dances his way to 2 world titlesApr 19, 2012 12:00 AM
Winning the World Irish Dancing Championship is the pinnacle of achievement for an Irish dancer, and 14-year-old Peter Dziak, of Villa Park did that not just once but twice in a row. Peter takes classes at Trinity Irish Dancers in Elmhurst. "It's all about how much you practice up to the day of the competition," he said.
Once-shy Schaumburg teen now public speaking champion Apr 14, 2012 12:00 AM
A pivotal moment back in sixth grade will always stand out to Schaumburg's Athena Saldanha. There was a parent-teacher conference and my teacher said, Athena knows all the answers but shes too afraid to raise her hand, Athena recalls. No one could have imagined that six years later, the Conant senior would be a state public speaking champion.
North Central senior films his way to the top Apr 5, 2012 12:00 AM
A little more than three months ago, North Central College senior Nick Penev was trying to figure out how to build his video production portfolio to begin his post-graduation job search. Today, the Schaumburg High grad, has won a national music video contest. “We all loved Nick's video so much that we also promoted it through our videos and social media,” said Rooster Teeth marketing and community manager Barbara Dunkelman.
Des Plaines teen was destined for Kidz BopMar 29, 2012 12:00 AM
It's been a whirlwind year for Des Plaines 13-year-old Steffan Argus, one of the faces of the music sensation Kidz Bop. But don't forget about his film career. Or the music videos (which you can find here.) "I want to be playing music, no matter if it's at Madison Square Garden or like at a coffee shop," Steffan says.
Addison native getting started on Hollywood career Mar 15, 2012 12:00 AM
Addison Trail senior Celesta DeAstis has been working hard at pursuing her dream of becoming a professional actor in Hollywood. She has appeared as an extra on "Hannah Montana" and "Big Time Rush," and recently scored her first role as co-star in an episode of "A.N.T. Farm." “Being onstage is where I felt I belong, as cliché as that sounds,” she said.