Glenbrook North High School Class of 2021

Graduates in the Class of 2021: 502

Graduation Speaker: Haley Sandlow

Student Activities Board: Peter Bazianos, president; Lindsay Berkowitz, vice president; Jett Greene, vice president; Erin Nibeck, vice president; Shayna Seiler, vice president.

Academic achievements:

• 96 Glenbrook Scholars

• 14 National Merit Semi-Finalists

• 176 Illinois State Scholars

Extracurricular achievements:

• Kaitlyn Bowles and Anthony Miklovis placed 3rd in state for Debate

• Henry Seiden placed 3rd in Entrepreneurship for DECA

• Songyu Ye placed 4th in Hotel & Lodging for DECA

• Luke Fahrney placed 2nd in Franchise Business Plan for DECA

• Dylan Smith and Jake Bertler placed 2nd in International Business Plan for DECA

• Songyu Ye and Adrian Knyazev placed 4th in Stock Market Game for DECA

• Ella Schmitt placed 7th in state for Dramatic Duet Acting in Individual Events/Speech; District Champion in Duo for Individual Events/Speech

• Ryan Smith and Anna Alava District 2nd place in US Extemp for Individual Events/Speech

• Brendan Biernacki Individual State Champion for Math Team (all four years)

• Senior team of Brendan Biernacki, Angela Zhao, Songyu Ye, Hyun Min (Eddie) Kim, Natalie Sun, and Henry Ding state champion for Math Team

• Ellie White Saint Ignatius MUN Honorable mention for Model United Nations, and Walter Payton MUN Best Delegate for Model United Nations

• Natalie Sun placed 4th in machines at Science Olympiad regionals

• Sarah Boeke placed 4th in water quality at Science Olympiad regionals

• Andrew Dejneka placed 4th in write to do it at Science Olympiad regionals

• Sarah Boeke placed 2nd in Anatomy and Physiology at Science Olympiad at regionals

• Jane Jun honorable mention at the Scholastics National Art Competition

• Dean Kousiounelos three honorable mentions at the Scholastics National Art Competition

• Mariel Mudrik four honorable mentions at the Scholastics National Art Competition

• Dean Kousiounelos silver at the Scholastics National Art Competition

• Mariel Mudrik two golds and three silvers at the Scholastics National Art Competition.

• Henry Seiden published research in The Physics Teacher for work with muons at Fermilab

• Charlie Chemers Individual Recognition for All Sectional Cast at IHSA state for Drama/Theater Club

• Wyatt Wolf and Alex Kardasis earned 1st place at the IHSA State Competition for short film 'Incompatible' - Drama/Theater Club

Athletic achievements:

• Kaitlin Oh won 2nd place in women's épée Great Lakes High School Conference Championships for Fencing

Theater productions:

• Fall: The Laramie Project and student directed and written one acts

• 2021 Variety Show 'Virtual Insanity'

• Winter/Spring: This is a Test (small one act vignettes)

• Spring 2021: Peter Rabbit

• The Glenbrook Musical: The Addams Family

What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?

Despite the untraditional school year, students at Glenbrook North came together to host a number of events that happen every year. Due to social distancing guidelines, our theater performances were filmed and produced by GBN students and available to stream for the community to enjoy. Students hosted a Fall Fest in place of traditional homecoming events that included a school spirited drive by light show. The annual Food Drive collected more than 20,000 canned and boxed food as well as close to $10,000 for the Northfield Township Food Pantry and Ark through both in-person and drop off events.

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

Students in the Class of 2021 needed to adjust their visions of what senior year might look like. They modified events and created new opportunities for remote and hybrid environments to make sure that all students felt included. Student leaders leveraged social media to connect with students and encourage participation in school activities and senior-specific events to increase involvement, create community and provide a sense of normalcy during this challenging time. Their efforts resulted in several positive changes that will likely last well beyond this year.

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:

The Class of 2021 has demonstrated a tremendous amount of resilience and spirit in moving through this unprecedented time. The GBN school community is proud of their efforts and their contributions will long be remembered.

- Principal Jason Markey