School's out! The Northwest suburban Academic Team, from left, is: Alwina Liu, Fremd High School; Luke Rossi, Barrington High School; Samara Albazzaz, Willows Academy; Megan Kennedy, Fremd High School; Alexander Ball, Prospect High School; Svilena Bochukova, Maine West High School; Priyanka Patel, Palatine High School; Samantha Zuba, Wheeling High School; and Ted Schwaba, Hersey High School. Not pictured: Winston Feng, Elk Grove High School.
Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
It's a good way to end the school year — celebrate the graduating high school seniors who impressed their teachers, their friends and their chosen colleges with their academic prowess over the past four years.
But the 2010-11 Daily Herald Academic Teams represent far more than just good grades. The 147 students nominated for this award all have things in common — a love of learning and a farsighted view of the world, with a sense their lives can contribute to its improvement.
Eighty-one high schools in the Daily Herald submitted nominations for this year's teams. Each school was limited to two apiece, so all the nominees are already top performers. In each of our areas — Northwest suburban Cook, Lake County, DuPage County and the Fox Valley — 10 students were chosen for each team, with the rest coming in as honorable mentions.
They are an amazing bunch, who will do amazing things in the years ahead. Congratulations to the students, their parents, and the teachers and school administrators who nurtured their confidence and their talents.
2010-2011 Fox Valley Academic Team
2010-2011 DuPage County Academic Team
The 2010-2011 DuPage County Academic Team, from left: Grace Hitzeman, St. Francis High School; Lydia Smith, Glenbard West High School; Antonela Andonia Miho, Wheaton North High School; Rabeya Mallick, Naperville North High School; Kevin Hu, Naperville Central High School; Roche Kapoor, Lake Park High School and Ashley Miller, Naperville North. Not pictured: Omar Almasri, College Preparatory School of America; Krystle Leung of Naperville Central and Ahmad Mansoor Safi of Glenbard North High School.
Mark Black/mblack@dailyherald.com
Meet the 2010-11 Lake County Academic Team. Back row, left to right: Haisi Liu, Warren Township High School; Moya Chen, Vernon Hills High School; Erika Danckers, Libertyville High School; Brianna Leon, Grayslake North High School; Susan Delgado, Warren Township High School. Front row, from left: Mitchell Boynton, Libertyville High School; Graham Harwood, Lake Forest Academy; Jason Lewitzke, Grayslake North High School. Not pictured: Eilrayna Gelyana and Jenny Yan, both of Stevenson High School.
George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com
The 2010-11 Fox Valley Academic Team, from left: Riti Chokshi, Elgin High School; Stephanie Cheng, Illinois Math and Science Academy; Jake Surges, Jacobs High School; Caitlin Ward, Elgin Academy; Paul Yuan, Illinois Math and Science Academy; Megan McFarland, Batavia High School; Paul Jerger, Central High School (Burlington); A.G. Navarro, Huntley High School; and Fakhra Ahmad, Elgin High School. Not pictured: Collin Waldoch, Geneva High School.
Brian Hill/bhill@dailyherald.com