2008-09 DuPage County Leadership Team

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Kathryn Bosworth Driscoll Catholic High School Hometown: Addison Class: Senior Parents: Donald and Cynthia Bosworth Sponsor: Laraine Parker, campus minister Community service: Lasallian Youth; Campus Ministry Outreach Program; Diplomats; National Honor Society; student council; St. Philips Religious Education; peer tutoring; Hunger Awareness Project; Homeless Awareness Project; Key Club Personal statement: "Service doesn't mean that you have to travel and find some grand cause, or start your own charity fund. To me, I take initiative from the 'Home and Garden Television' slogan, 'Start at Home.' ... Service is being able and willing to share what you have, no matter what your contribution can be." Sponsor's endorsement: "Whenever I think of this young lady, I picture someone who goes about her daily business, routine, academics, athletics, etc. with an unassuming grace. She does what she does because she truly believes in 'walking the talk.' ... When I asked her to consider doing the paperwork for applying for the leadership team she was taken aback. She actually had to ask me why I had even considered her for this honor. This committee would find a good role model for others by choosing this young lady for the team."

Mary Cheng Immaculate Conception Hometown: Elmhurst Class: Senior Parents: Earl and Noreen Cheng Sponsor: Jean Field, counselor Community service: National Honor Society president; student council executive board, Relay For Life; Christian Service Leader; retreat leader; YMCA Camp Minikani Leadership Training Program; religious education teacher; school ambassador; One Small Voice Foundation Personal statement: "Growing up, I had a strong community to live in, and I now want to provide that same community to everyone around me. To me, serving in the community means taking advantage of the opportunities to make the community a better place to live. Knowing that I am giving back to the community what it has given to me is the drive behind my volunteerism. ... By volunteering and helping other people, I feel I am thanking everyone who has helped me throughout my life." Sponsor's endorsement: "(Mary Cheng) is one of the finest young ladies I have had the opportunity to work with in my 36 years in education. She is an outstanding leader and role model. ... Not only is she an outstanding student, she is an outstanding leader. If you want something done and want it done right, she is your girl. She is one of the most competent people I have ever met in my life. She is a leader in every sense of the word."

Kelsey Coleman Lake Park High School Hometown: Bloomingdale Class: Senior Parents: Sue Coleman Sponsor: Beth Bazukas, senior counselor Community service: Initiated STARS (Students Teaching and Reaching Students), a peer tutoring and socialization program for students with special needs; National Honor Society; Special Olympics peer buddy; North DuPage Special Education Cooperative summer school teacher aide; WDSRA Saturday Buddies assistant counselor; Bloomingdale Barracudas, WDSRA swim coach; tutor Personal statement: "Some have told me that my busy life is difficult and I have too much on my plate. I believe that my schedule and tedious workload are next to nothing in comparison to one day of high school for a student with special needs. These strong and courageous individuals truly are my heroes." Sponsor's endorsement: "This student brought the Peer Buddy program to Lake Park High School, and has done what no other student or staff member has done - she has inspired our staff to start our own Special Olympics team in track and field. We are currently looking to expand this program, and this would never have happened if she had not led the charge. ... This student celebrates students who are oftentimes ignored by their peers, and provides them with genuine friendship."

Matt DeAngelo St. Francis High School Hometown: Lisle Class: Senior Parents: Richard and Patricia DeAngelo Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, director of guidance Community service: Co-founder and leader of Lisle Teens With Character, a teen service organization; Students Against Destructive Decisions, vice president; student mentor; student ambassador; National Youth Leadership Forum 2007; Group Workcamps mission trips; Relay For Life; Sleep Out Saturday; Lisle 5K Run for Education; Scarecrow Scramble; Special Olympics; 9/11 Memorial Car Wash Personal statement: "I have one chance at life and I want to live it to the fullest, and I find that fulfillment in helping others. My service is not about the duties performed, but about the people who I have helped. If I can make a positive impact on one person's life, I know my time has been worthwhile. Furthermore, that person may pass on the good deeds and a small act of kindness can be multiplied." Sponsor's endorsement: "This young man is one of the most impressive students that I have worked with in over 30 years in education and he epitomizes the best qualities of our young people. He has given his time and efforts to promote good character amongst his peers and make a significant difference in his local community. Best of all, this student has accomplished all of this with little attention given to himself and his role as a leader."

Liz Melton Downers Grove North High School Hometown: Downers Grove Class: Senior Parents: Drs. Jeffrey and Darlene Melton Sponsor: William Kupisch, counselor Community service: Organized coat drives at Chicago-area ice skating rinks for Sharing Connections; participated in charity skating events for Children's Memorial Hospital and pancreatic cancer; National Honor Society; Key Club president; Class Board; election judge; weekly PADS volunteer; Sleep Out Saturday; tutor Personal statement: "As I figure skater, I know firsthand the agony of facing cold conditions without adequate protection, so my idea of creating an annual coat drive for the needy came to fruition two years ago. Through it, over 450 gently used overcoats have been delivered to the inner city of Chicago by Sharing Connections. ... Becoming involved with those less fortunate made me realize that I really could make a difference." Sponsor's endorsement: "In this 'business' we call education, young people come and go, some leaving wonderful memories, while others you can hardly remember. A few tackle the challenges of the day with the tenacity of a champion. She is one of the few, my champion. ... Champions, true champions, take the initiative and she is no stranger to reaching higher for the betterment of others."

Rubi Mesino Fenton High School Hometown: Bensenville Class: Senior Parents: Elizabeth Enriquez, Flavio Mesino Sponsor: Denise Lippe, community relations/community service coordinator Community service: President of Students United (STUNT), a group that promotes diversity; student council vice president; Peer Mediator; Bison Ambisadors; Relay For Life captain; translator for teachers at Mohawk School; Wood Dale Park District volunteer; Northern Illinois Food Bank; teacher assistant in ESL/GED classes in conjunction with COD; Project CARE mentor; Invisible Children; Operation Smile Personal statement: "A person's character is something I truly value because that is what makes the future a brighter tomorrow. Our thoughts, ideas, and teamwork make us united. Without caring individuals in our communities devoting themselves to help, our ideas would be nothing. This is how we have evolved over time, by creating immense opportunities for a brighter future that many generations to come can enjoy." Sponsor's endorsement: "She is the girl that everyone knows and loves - always lending a helping hand and a smile to everyone she meets. ... She currently holds the title of senior with the highest number of volunteer hours - 400+ - way more than anyone in her class. Her hour total would be much higher if she bothered to record all of her volunteer activities, but it is second nature to her. ... The school superintendent recently commented that she has been so involved and given so much to the school that she sometimes forgets she is a student!"

Christopher J. Murray Hinsdale Central Hometown: Hinsdale Class: Senior Parents: Bill and Gloria Popovich Murray Sponsor: Edward Formanski, counselor Community service: National Honor Society vice president; Peer Leadership Program; American Cancer Society summer high school research program participant; Union Church Grant Aid volunteer; Illinois Boys State; Safety Committee student representative; Class Board; Conflict Resolution Team; Community Nurse Health Association resale shop; volunteer for U.S. Rep. Judy Biggert Personal statement: "Through my church's Grant Aid program, I help an elderly neighbor with a variety of her needs. Whether pulling weeds, reprogramming a television or putting in storm windows, I am always willing to help her out. However, one of the most important things I can give her is company. As a widow, she is often alone and simply wants someone to talk with and share life stories. For me, volunteering and community work are about making connections and forming relationships." Sponsor's endorsement: "This student could be the best student I've counseled in my nearly 30-year career. ... I don't often get the chance to delve into the realm of superlatives but, then again, I've never had a student quite like this student."

Bethany Lynn Nichols St. Francis High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Lynn and Bill Nichols Sponsor: Trudy Rigney, college counselor Community service: National Honor Society, Student Ministry Team; Kairos Retreat; Spartans for Life; Peacebuilders Initiative; Marian Park Peace Project; Habitat for Humanity; Feed My Starving Children; Faith and Fellowship; Friends for Therapeutic Equine Activities Personal statement: "This year, I am the co-leader for a tutoring and recreation program at the subsidized housing complex located next to my high school. ... Not long after I started volunteering, I developed a close friendship with three sisters. ... As I walked them to their apartment after one tutoring session, their mother shared with me her difficult journey from the Sudan to America - overcoming tremendous obstacles and making great sacrifices for her children. I hope that my continued help as a tutor and friend this year will enable her children to follow successfully down the path that she has courageously started." Sponsor's endorsement: "This student stands out for me because of her very gentle spirit, compassionate heart, and sincere desire to make a difference in the lives of others. She is a very inclusive young lady, who gets along with all types of students and brings a welcoming attitude to everyone she encounters. Her character is top-notch and she serves as the perfect role model of what a student and person should be."

Akansha Tarun Naperville North High School Hometown: Lisle Class: Senior Parents: Anita Sinha and Arun Prasad Sponsor: Laurel Kennedy, guidance counselor Community service: Spectrum Multicultural Club; student representative, Sister Cities Commission Board; tutor; New Student Transfer Program; Physical Education Leader; Key Club; teaching assistant; Loyola University voluntary cancer research Personal statement: "I want to practice medicine so that I may, one day, make a difference in this world - a difference that not only will affect my patients but will affect the patients of future physicians as well. But I understand that I do not have to wait until I am a doctor to begin making a difference. My devotion to finding a cure to cancer, to leukemia, is simply one showcase of my dedication to service already. " Sponsor's endorsement: "These opportunities to participate in basic cancer research over the past two years have been a wonderful experience for her and have allowed her to make a contribution to society in a very significant way. This has been the ultimate volunteering experience, which has allowed her to have a taste of her future opportunities at the college level. Her innate curiosity, her thirst for knowledge, and her capacity for learning continue to be demonstrated by her work in school and well beyond the classroom."

Lauren Zumbach Hinsdale Central High School Hometown: Hinsdale Class: Senior Parents: Mark and Lisa Zumbach Sponsor: Richard Quaintance, counselor Community service: Founder and race director of Trot for the Troops, a 5K to benefit Operation Homefront Illinois; National Honor Society; Athletes Committed to Excellence; Student Urban Naturalist at Fullersburg Woods; tutor; Hinsdale Public Library summer reading program; Habitat for Humanity; Citizen Club Personal statement: "The experiences I have had as a volunteer have been incredibly rewarding. In addition to giving me opportunities to develop as a leader and meet extraordinary people, I have also had a lot of fun. There is no better feeling than knowing I have had an impact from doing something that I was not obligated to do. Getting involved in community service has helped me realize that the community I am a part of extends far beyond the boundaries of the town in which I grew up, and that through national and international organizations I can have an impact far beyond my local community." Sponsor's endorsement: "I have known other students who have distinguished themselves academically, or as an athlete, moral compass, or leader, but I've never known one to excel to such a degree in so many different ways. Perhaps best of all, her intelligence, compassion, idealism and sincerity are perfectly complemented by her optimism, enthusiasm and humility. She is mature and confident in an unassuming way, and there's not a self-serving bone in her body."

Honorable mentions

Alison Anderson Glenbard South High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn Class: Senior Parents: David and Kelly Anderson Sponsor: Nancy Blecher, English teacher Community service: Costumed volunteer at Naper Settlement for the last four years; National Honor Society; tutor; senior class secretary/treasurer

Emma Baldwin Naperville Central High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Keith and Laurie Baldwin Sponsor: Rebecca Swiontek, Rotary Interact sponsor Community service: National Honor Society; Rotary Interact Club; Willowbrook Wildlife Center junior keeper; Feed My Starving Children; PADS; Hesed House; St. Raphael's Harvest Sunday food drive

Brian Banta Neuqua Valley High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Jo and George Banta Sponsor: Joan Callan, counselor Community service: Duke Youth Academy for Christian Formation; Hurricane Katrina relief and camp renovations with Knox Presbyterian Church; Hesed House

Amy Berger Waubonsie Valley High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Eileen Tyrpak and Scott Berger Sponsor: Dr. Rudy Keller, associate principal Community service: Key Club; founded Hearts for Heroes, a valentine card writing campaign for servicemen and women who are fighting overseas. In its fourth year, 100,000 valentines were shipped out to troops, compared to 2,600 in the first year.

Jennifer Cepko Naperville Central High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Michael and Eileen Cepko Sponsor: Rebecca Swiontek, Rotary Interact sponsor Community service: Alleluia! Lutheran Church, vacation church school teacher; Naperville Park District volunteer; Rotary Interact Club; National Honor Society

Connor Ciesemier Wheaton North High School Hometown: Wheaton Class: Senior Parents: Mike and Ellery Ciesemier Sponsor: Carol McCallum, counselor Community service: National Honor Society; student council; League of Voters; Illinois Boys State delegate; Habitat for Humanity; Kids Caring 4 Kids; student ambassador; People's Resource Center; Mu Alpha Theta

Heather Crowe Fenton High School Hometown: Bensenville Class: Senior Parents: Jan Crowe Sponsor: Denise Lippe, community service, community relations Community service: Volunteer for Prairie State Games, Wood Dale Park District Scare Walk, Bensenville toy drive, Bensenville Fourth of July parade and Itasca Animal Hospital; Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps event volunteer and fundraiser; student council

Mark Dean Community High, West Chicago Hometown: Winfield Class: Senior Parents: Jack and Marcia Dean Sponsor: Mary Roley, counselor Community service: Worship and youth leader, Water's Edge Bible Church and Harvest Bible Chapel; teen director for Snowball, a program that promotes alcohol- and drug-free living; helped build a home for recovering drug addicts on mission trip to Tecate, Mexico, with Harvest Bible Chapel; National Honor Society; student bible study leader; coordinator for See You At The Pole

Corine Deutsch Wheaton Warrenville South Hometown: Wheaton Class: Senior Parents: Lawrence and Deborah Deutsch Sponsor: Jeff Pawlak, school counselor Community service: Student council president; National Honor Society; Student Ambassadors; Key Club; peer tutor; PADS; raised $6,000 for People's Resource Center and Humanitarian Service Project; vacation Bible school leader

Joshua Fenton Immaculate Conception Hometown: Hillside Class: Senior Parents: Karin and Dean Fenton Sponsor: Jean Field, counselor Community service: National Honor Society vice president; student council treasurer; Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership school representative; Visitation School football and track coach; Adopt A Family; One Small Voice Foundation; Undy Sunday

Leander Gorski Lisle Senior High School Hometown: Lisle Class: Senior Parents: Phil and Cathy Gorski Sponsor: Jeff Javior, social studies teacher Community service: Diocese of Joliet Summer Witness in Mission trip; St. Joan of Arc youth group; St. Joan of Arc Pastoral Council; volunteer for St. Joan of Arc food drive, Lunch with Santa, Oktoberfest, ministry fair, Special Olympics; American Field Service; Snowball teen staff; student congress; Freshman Mentor

Madeline Hall Glenbard West High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn Class: Senior Parents: William Allen Hall and Carolyn Wright Sponsor: Sarah Block, guidance counselor Community service: National Honor Society school volunteer; Key Club community volunteer; tutor

Joey Hua Addison Trail High School Hometown: Addison Class: Senior Parents: Hue C. Hua and Wen Li Ruan Sponsor: Kurt Haberl, English department chair Community service: Wood Dale PADS volunteer; Peanut Day volunteer; CROP Hunger Walk volunteer and walk participant; Jill Morgenthaler for Congress volunteer

Cathy Jaskey Driscoll Catholic High School Hometown: Addison Class: Senior Parents: Dave and Judy Jaskey Sponsor: Laraine Parker, campus minister Community service: Lasallian Youth president; National Honor Society; campus ministry secretary/treasurer; student council; Students Against Destructive Decisions; Driscoll Diplomats; Teens Against Tobacco Use; Peer Ministry; St. Philip the Apostle church choir, Just Hope youth group core member, vacation Bible camp leader; Driscoll Famine; Addison Community Blood Program drive worker; Special Olympics; Sleep Out Saturday; Urban Plunge

Jeremy Jennings Glenbard North High School Hometown: Hanover Park Class: Senior Parents: Scott and Patti Jennings Sponsor: Dolores Cudzewicz, guidance counselor Community service: Raised more than $25,000 over eight years for Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America through annual Bowl-a-Thon

Samantha Jones Wheaton Warrenville South Hometown: Wheaton Class: Senior Parents: LaDonna Jones and Courtney Jones Sponsor: Jillian Nowicki, school counselor Community service: Relay For Life; Everybody Cares Camp counselor; World Vision 30-Hour Famine "Feeding of the 5,000" fundraiser; mission trips; Tiger Christian Fellowship; Chicago Central District Impact Team

Bruce Larkin Timothy Christian High School Hometown: Chicago Class: Senior Parents: James and Sharon Larkin Sponsor: Frances David, counselor Community service: Peer mentor; peer tutor; Chapel Committee leader; Christ Church soup kitchen; Christ Church Super Saturday and Kids' Club

Kyle Leonard Lisle Senior High School Hometown: Lisle Class: Senior Parents: Jack and Tina Leonard Sponsor: Michelle Wallenberg, psychology teacher Community service: Leader, director for Snowball, Snowflake and Snowflurry; DARE; Yellow Ribbon Committee; Scarecrow Scramble; Freshman Mentor; Special Olympics P.A.E.C.; organized benefit concerts for Hurricane Katrina, Children's Hospital and suicide prevention

Deni LaPenna Glenbard North High School Hometown: Carol Stream Class: Senior Parents: Leesa DiSantis and Dan LaPenna Sponsor: Dolores Cudzewicz, counselor Community service: National Honor Society; PADS volunteer with St. Luke; Relay For Life team member and captain, raising more than $1,500; tutor

Sara Lim Community High School, W. Chicago Hometown: West Chicago Class: Senior Parents: Chris and Lorraine Lim Sponsor: Barb Laimins, student council adviser Community service: Youth cheerleading coach, West Chicago Park District; student jury member; student council president; National Honor Society; hospital NICU graduate party volunteer; convalescent home volunteer; Relay For Life

Ally McGrath Glenbard South High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn Class: Senior Parents: Tim and Lynda McGrath Sponsor: Marilyn Penland, guidance counselor Community service: National Honor Society president; Natural Helpers; WyldLife, Young Life leader; Young Life camp crew; assistant teacher for St. James Kindergarten Sunday school; Good Samaritan Hospital volunteer

Tiffany Parrillo Lake Park High School Hometown: Roselle Class: Senior Parents: Debora and Anthony Parrillo Sponsor: Jeanne Miller, counselor Community service: National Honor Society; children's ministries teacher, Medinah Baptist Church; Book Buddies, Roselle Public Library; Peacock Middle School tutor; Serving Distinguished Citizens

Parks Payton Glenbard West High School Hometown: Glen Ellyn Class: Senior Parents: Dean and Lisa Payton Sponsor: Sandra Gross, guidance counselor Community service: National Honor Society; Amnesty International; First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, song leader and student music/acting director for Joyful Noise; youth group mission trips to Florida, North Carolina and Missouri; tutor

Erin Portman Downers Grove North Hometown: Downers Grove Class: Sophomore Parents: Christopher and Carol Portman Sponsor: Amy Wlodek-Holland, social studies teacher Community service: Morton Arboretum Children's Garden volunteer; participant in the St. Mary Gostyn bell choir; St. Mary Gostyn Eucharistic minister; peer ministry team member and discovery retreat team member at St. Mary Gostyn; The Avery Coonley School class reunion organizer

Shivani Rangwala Neuqua Valley High School Hometown: Naperville Class: Senior Parents: Dharmesh and Meena Rangwala Sponsor: Babs Filkins, counselor Community service: President Model United Nations; Junior Statesman of America; Star Raiders; Aspiring Medical Professions; volunteer at Edward Hospital and Naperville Public Library; Indian Students Association

Colleen Ruopp Montini Catholic High School Hometown: Downers Grove Class: Senior Parents: Theresa Ruopp Sponsor: Nancy Formanski, English teacher Community service: Teaches young children and serves as an assistant volleyball coach at St. Mary Gostyn

Lorena Shkurti Addison Trail High School Hometown: Addison Class: Senior Parents: Natasha and Vanjush Shkurti Sponsor: Kurt Haberl, English department chair Community service: PADS Wood Dale volunteer; Jill Morgenthaler for Congress volunteer

Cassandra Yankala Wheaton North High School Hometown: Wheaton Class: Senior Parents: Peter and Donna Yankala Sponsor: Wendy Biggs, guidance counselor Community service: Wings Leadership Conference; class vice president, elected to Executive Office senior year; National Honor Society; student council; student ambassador; Crime Stoppers

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=267323">Daily Herald honors students at Leadership Team dinner <span class="date">[1/27/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=268069">Leadership Team judges <span class="date">[1/30/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=268014">Lake County Leadership Team <span class="date">[1/30/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=267710">Northwest Suburban Leadership Team <span class="date">[1/30/09]</span></a></li> <li><a href="/story/?id=267709">Fox Valley Leadership Team <span class="date">[1/30/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>