Maine West High School Class of 2021
Graduates in the Class of 2021: 524
Maine Scholars (Top 1% of class): Ozair Bashir; Lucy Ellsworth; Anna Kalena; Sarosh Khan; and Meghna Pillai.
Class Officers: Sharon Bathula, Maria Buniao, Lethrese Rosete, Maha Zaidi.
National Merit Finalist: Anna Kalena
National Merit Commended Students: Lucy Ellsworth, Gerard Mendoza, Kyle Nowak, Aileen O'Connor.
State of Illinois Seal of Biliteracy: Yasmin Conde (Spanish); Martin Flores (Spanish); Nayeli Flores Sustaita (Spanish); Ignacy Gluchowski (Polish); Katherine Henriquez (Spanish); Natalia Jesion (Polish); Gabriela Krieger (German and Polish); Frida Lozano (Spanish); Melina Lozano (Spanish); Emily Patel (Spanish); Miguel Patino (Spanish); Josselin Rodriguez (Spanish) Abram Soriano (Spanish); and Jenny Tello (Spanish).
Extracurricular achievements:
• Participated in a robust virtual speech team season, participated in Virtual Art Shows, Illinois Music Education Association Festivals, and produced Virtual Concerts of our performing ensembles.
• Two of our Warriors achieved distinction in state level competition in Mock Trial on March 13. Safoora Salman and Miguel Patino earned top awards at the state tournament, with Safoora being named "Outstanding Attorney" and Miguel being named "Outstanding Witness."
• Juhi Soni (1st) and Bailey Saunders (3rd) placed in the virtual DECA state competition in March, and advanced to Nationals.
• In Key Club, seniors Lazaria Belcher, Jack Igoe, Nell Jakoniuk, Renee Mark, Karis Pacini, Riya Patel, Jill Schnabel, Andrew Zero, and Nino Zhorzholiani led the group through multiple pivots to persist in a remarkable number of service projects, including Feed My Starving Children, Snack Bags for Special Olympians, Blankets of Dreams, Backpacks and School Supplies packing, Peace Project, Salvation Army Bell-ringers, Bags of PPE for first responders, Forest Preserve Clean-ups, and reading books for cancer patients.
• Seniors Paula Ortiz, Angela Tran, Lili Vaughan, and Andrew Zero volunteered with SPEAK Des Plaines to distribute nonpartisan voter information and assist with registration drives to increase civic participation in our local community.
Athletic achievements:
• This senior class of girls basketball players won a conference, regional, and sectional championship in each year of their high school careers (with the exception of 2021 when there was no IHSA postseason). The senior class of girls final CSL record is 39-1.
• Alex Fleming, an all-conference diver, finished second in school history for an 11 dive score.
• Cheerleading took 4th in the Coed CSL Championship
• Boys Cross Country took 2nd at the IHSA Regional
• Girls Badminton tied for 1st at the CSL Conference Tournament and had two IHSA state qualifiers: Riya Patel and Denise Roque.
• Boys Basketball player Jared Pearson was named Honorable Mention All-State by the IBCA.
• Senior pitcher Abby Gawlinski faced the minimum number of batters (21) and struck out 18 in a 2-0 victory over Maine East in CSL North Conference play.
Theater productions:
• "The Laramie Project"
• "Theory of Relativity"
• "Crazytown"
• Virtual V Show
• Dance Concert
What traditional events were adapted for the pandemic and how?
• All of our theatrical productions were virtual this year. Students rehearsed both virtually and in person and then were filmed performing their roles.
• Instead of Homecoming, Maine West held "Faux Coming," which was an outdoor celebration in October. There were bumper cars, a giant video screen, photo booth, mini golf, bean bags, a DJ, lights, and food available. This was free for all our students. Additionally, we held a bags tournament in the stadium that week.
• Junior class, in lieu of their typical Junior Prom, held an outdoor tailgate. At this event, students will have baggos, a BBQ, DJ, photo booth, an inflatable game, and they will celebrate with their class outdoors. Junior Class Council wanted to find a way to bring their entire class together safely and in a cost-efficient manner, and this was their creative solution.
• This spring, in place of prom, we will be holding a Senior Celebration with a black light party, magician, synthetic ice skating, DJ, Nintendo, mini golf, dinner from Sunrise Grill, all safely distanced in the parking lot. We also will hold a red carpet event with seniors having the ability to dress up, walk the red carpet, get interviewed by WMTH, have some light refreshments, watch the sunset with their class, and then watch their senior video (a tradition) in the stadium. Honors night and graduation will both be held in person with limited audience members.
What were the most significant challenges faced by the Class of 2021 and how did they overcome them?
Nothing before it, and hopefully nothing after it, can match the obvious challenge of trying to do school in the midst of a global epidemic and social unrest. In addition, there were other challenges along the way, since the students have had changes in school leadership and bell schedules during their time here at Maine West. They handled everything that came their way with admirable resilience.
Principal's reflections on the Class of 2021:
This class is memorable not for what they lost, but for what they learned - and taught us all. They inspired a motto that will endure when they leave: Warriors Find a Way. The Class of 2021 authored that motto by sidestepping obstacles, solving problems, seeking new experiences, and staying connected. Season canceled? Keep training, play in a different season. Can't have a concert? Upload performances and broadcast them together virtually. Homecoming dance impossible because of restrictions? Plan an outdoor carnival instead. Homebound? Learn virtually. Back in school? Learn in masks. Miss seeing your friends in virtual classes? Lead a social media campaign to get kids to turn their cameras on. Big snowfall over the weekend? Come build snowmen and have hot chocolate on the front lawn. Need someone to pack a huge load of donations for the Center of Concern? Everywhere you look, members of the Class of 2021 are up to their elbows in boxes. At the end of this incredible year, we know so much more about what it means to be a Maine West Warrior. The Class of 2021 taught us all that lesson, and we fully intend to pass it on.
- Principal Eileen McMahon