Maine 207 students recognized for community service

Three Maine Township High School students were honored this week for their dedication to community service.

The board of education honored seniors Sean Foley, Robert Gale and Svilena Bochukova with the District 207 Best for Community Service Leadership award.

At Maine East, Foley has served on the student and class councils for four years, as well as being active in Ecology club, Irish club and German club, all while maintaining a heavy course load including Advanced Placement classes.

In addition, Foley has volunteered in the community as a religious education assistant teacher at St. Isaac's in Niles and at a WINGS resale store during the summer. Upon graduation, Foley plans to attend the University of Minnesota.

Maine South honored Gale, who is ranked in the top 20 percent of his class. A member of the National Honor Society, Gale is also the trumpet section leader for the Maine South Marching Band.

Gale has done service activities with special needs students and as an Eagle Scout. Next year, he intends to study business administration at Illinois Wesleyan University

The board also recognized Maine West's Svilena Bochukova. Ranked second in her class of 553, Bochukova received a perfect score on the ACT, while also enrolled in Advanced Placement classes.

Bochukova has been involved in Amnesty International, Math Team, private tutoring, a church youth group and election judging during her years at Maine West. Bochukova plans to attend Princeton to study international relations.

While all three have had exemplary academic records, the board honored Foley, Gale, and Bochukova for their leadership in Maine Township High School and the surrounding community.

“The willingness to serve their community,” said district spokesman Dave Beery, “that's a characteristic we think deserves to be honored.”