York High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 690

Class Officers: Haley Brown, executive board president; Olivia Ross, senior class president; Allie Blessing, vice president executive board; Grace Maniola, recording secretary; Caitlin Maguire, Communications Chair; Victoria Lukas, Artistic Director.

National Merit Finalists: Samuel L. Ayers; Zoe E. Burkhardt; Jake M. Downey; Evan T. Frank; James D. Golen; Serena M. Jobi; Adrian Zhuang.

National Merit Commended Students: Benjamin M. Araujo; Anthony T. Bauer; Kathryn E. Dale; Lucas P. Freitag; Jaime C. Gleason; Ava Hollis; Eden G. Jacquat; Madeline H. Jeffery; Matthew R. Kavanaugh; Julia D. Kevin; Jackson M. Lukas; Maxwell G. Lutter; Sydney Malaga; Grace Maniola; Matthew R. Milani; Brian Niederman; Parth P. Parikh; Peter J. Quas; Christopher Radcliff; Salvatore R. Stangarone; Mia E. Taeyaerts; Padraig J. Toole; Mustafa A. Valika; Madeline R. Van Heukelum.

Extracurricular achievements:

• James Golen, Speech state champion

Athletic achievements:

• Girls Bowling - It was the most record-breaking season in York Bowling's 50 year history. Both levels ended the season 8-0 in conference. Varsity is back-to-back undefeated conference champions, and all six varsity bowlers made all-conference. Senior Holly Santucci is also the back-to-back individual conference champion. The team took 10th out of more than 80 teams in the virtual state meet this year, constituting our highest finish in a state series.

• Girls Cross Country - The York Girls Cross Country Team had one of their most successful years in program history going undefeated during the 2020 Season. The varsity team included team members Brooke Berger, Michaela Quinn, Katelyn Winton, Bria Bennis, Katherine Klimek, Maggie Owens, Erin Powers and Bella Swanson. This extraordinary team went on to be West Suburban Conference Silver Division Champions, 3A IHSA Regional Champions, 3A IHSA Sectional Champions and 2020 Shazam State Champions.

• Boys Golf - Sam Bartolone scored 4 under par 31 at Maple Meadows against Downers Grove South, and 3 under par 33 at The Preserve of Oak Meadows against Glenbard West. Sam shot 2 over par 72 at the York Quad to lead the win over LT, HC and GBW. He also shot 2 over par at the conference meet to lead us to a 2nd place finish. Sam had one of the best seasons ever for a York golfer averaging 37.45 over the course of the season for 9 holes.

• Softball - Lauren Derkowski is a University of Michigan signee who has put together a special start to her senior season. So far this year she has recorded 17 strikeouts in two games (one against Downers Grove North and one against OPRF) and 18 strikeouts (against Lyons Township) to go along with a no-hitter against Morton. At this point in the season as a pitcher, she is 8-0 with 116 strikeouts in 52 innings pitched, has given up 1 earned run, walked 5 batters, and has only surrendered 15 total hits in nine games. As a hitter, Lauren leads the team in every major offensive category. She is hitting .724, has 21 RBI's, 6 home runs, and 4 doubles.

• Boys' Track and Field - On April 26, our 4x800 relay team of Garrett Schwan, Jackson Geiger, Colin Hill, and Mickey Vreelend ran the fastest time in the state.

• Boys' Water Polo - The York High School boys water polo team is having one of its strongest seasons in program history. Most recently ranked #2 in Illinois behind undefeated Stevenson on illpolo.com, York sits at a 15-4 record (6-1 in conference). This season, York has victories over multiple perennial state powerhouses - Lyons Township, Fenwick, and New Trier to name a few. York's veteran heavy lineup is led by seniors Andrew Hausoul, Colin McNamara, Josh Allen, and Jacob Dunlap.

Theater productions:

• Fall 2020: Almost, Maine

• Winter 2021: The Laramie Project

• Spring 2021: The Theory of Relativity

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

• Prom: This will be an event for York seniors only. No outside guests are allowed. Students will be able to walk with their peers through a promenade-style series of stations around the Clarence D. East Field on the York campus. These stations will include a strolling dinner/desserts from three food trucks through Elmhurst's 151 Catering, music from Chicago's Mary Monica Entertainment, outdoor photo booths, and a variety of senior activities, as well as prizes provided by the PTSA. Professional decor for the event will be provided by SourceOne Events. The evening will conclude with the premiere of a special Senior Send-Off Video that we will project onto a giant movie screen while our seniors sit socially-distanced in the home bleachers.

• Graduation: Two in-person graduation ceremonies will take place on Sunday, May 23, in the stadium at York High School. Two ceremonies will allow families to receive three tickets while maximizing the capacity in our stadium. We will also stream each ceremony live for guests to view who are unable to attend in-person.

What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021 and how did they overcome them?

Our students learned to be adaptive while adjusting to the changing schedules and new format of learning. Students utilized technology and noninstructional times to access support from teachers.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

While we had an unconventional year, the class of 2021 has gained some valuable skills that will serve them well in the future. They have learned how to be adaptive, problem solve, and persevere in the face of adversity. I couldn't be prouder of our seniors.

- Principal Shahe Bagdasarian