Maine South High School Class of 2022

Graduates in Class of 2022:

Graduation ceremony: Sunday, May 22, at the Rosemont Theatre

Highest honors: Colleen Jawgiel, Aiden Lefler, Aidan Collins, Connor Collins, Jake Snyder, Thomas Locascio

Graduation Speaker: Giana Grandinetti

Class Officers:

• Co- Presidents: Tommy Locascio & Kaitlyn Naughton

• Co- Vice Presidents: Pola Dowila & Jane Roche

• Promoter: Brianna Irizanny

Academic achievements:

• 2022 US News and World Report Top High School

• Two National Merit Finalists, One National Merit Semi Finalist, 17 National Merit Commended Students.

• Constitution Team Illinois State Champions

Extracurricular achievements:

• Wind Ensemble - SuperState Band festival

• ILMEA District Festival Musicians: Zack Hassman, Megan Snow, Maeve O'Hara (ILMEA Orchestra); Izabela Bisiak, Logan Maurer, Brendan McGreevy, Austen Nelson, Tim Nelson, Claire Shaffer, Alex Wille (ILMEA Band); Savannah Bensing, Leah Cardenas, Nicolette Mayer, Benjamin McCarrick, Connor O'Shea, Finley Pullano, Taylor Truckenbrod, Timothy Wilcox (ILMEA Choir).

• ILMEA All-State Musicians: Timmy Wilcox - Honors Vocal Jazz; Ben McCarrick - Honors Vocal Jazz; Taylor Truckenbrod - All-State Choir; Nicollete Mayer - All State Choir; Maeve O'Hara - Honors Orchestra (French horn); Tim Nelson - Honors Orchestra (English horn).

• All-State Theatre: Finley Pullano - Cast; Adeline Bateman - Crew; Alex Wille - Pit Orchestra.

• Central Suburban League Artists: Connor Dilan, Julia Vacala, Grace Beckman, Grace Ortman, Izabella Bisiak, Natalia Szponder, Julia Buonsante, Kenny Rink, Mikolaj Dykiel, Veronica Lelo, Mary Frink, Drew Koewler, Colleen Fuller, Khrystyna Salyga, Lily Wening, Mary O'Brien.

• Illinois High School Art Exhibition artists and scholarship recipients: Connor Dilan, Mikolaj Dykiel, Marina Lisova, Julia Vacala, Eden Wening, Lily Wening, Mary O'Brien, Kendall Rink.

• National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences: Nominees - Eden Wening, Lucia Urbain, Jake Ottolino

• National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Midwest Student Production Awards: Crystal Pillar Winners - Eden Wening, Lucia Urbain, and Jake Ottolino for Public Service Announcement "Ruse Burglary."

• MMEA TV/Film Festival, Students film nominees - Emily Voyls, Vincenzo Milano, Kostantinos Zafiriadis, Lucia Urbain, Eden Wening, Jake Ottolino, Molly Bowe.

• MMEA TV/Film Festival Winners: Eden Wening, Lucia Urbain, and Jake Ottolino, 1st place for Public Service Announcement "Ruse Burglary"; Emily Voyls, 2nd place for Documentary "The Magic Behind the Movement"; Eden Wening, 3rd place for Demonstration "How to Knit"; Molly Bowe, 3rd place for 7 Day Film Challenge "Netflix Family"; Lucia Urbain, 5th place for Demonstration "How to Make French Macarons."

• National Scholastic Press Association Journalism Honor Roll recipients: John Biagi, Darin Cheng, Elizabeth Kosiorek, Jenna Marchuk, Lily Niziolek, Elizabeth Ryser, Molly Shanahan, Andrea Smith, Jake Snyder, and Eden Wening.

• Southwords (school newspaper) Overall Gold Certificate for Excellence in Journalism from the Northern Illinois Scholastic Press Association.

• Northern Illinois School Press Association Blue Ribbon Award for Excellence in Journalism: Anthony Giustino for Individual In-Depth Writing; Eden Wening for Ad Design

• Northern Illinois School Press Association Honorable Mention Award for Excellence in Journalism: Sarah Brough for News Writing; Lilian Niziolek for Column Writing; Molly Shanahan for Photography; Molly Shanahan for Feature Writing; The Southwords Editorial Board for Editorials.

Athletic achievements:

• Maine South Football - CSL Champions-State Championship appearance (Runner-Up)

• Mike Sajenko (Football) - 1st Team All-State, Daily Herald Player of the Year, CSL Offensive Player of the Year

• Boys and Girls Cross Country Teams - qualified for state

• Hawkettes - CSL Conference, Sectional, and National Champions

• Boys Swim - Sectional Champions (First Time in School History)

• Girls Basketball - CSL Conference and Regional Champions

• Emily Pape named CSL South Player of the Year, 2nd Team All-State (Girls Basketball)

• Wrestling - CSL Conference and Regional Champions

• 27 seniors that have signed to continue their athletic and academic careers at the collegiate level

Theater productions:

• Fall play - "Charlotte's Web" - Adapted by Joseph Robinette; Based on the book by E.B. White.

• Annual V-Show - "Nightmare Before V-Show 2022"

• Dance Company Show - "Nightmare Before Christmas"

• Winter Play - "Three Sisters" - Anton Chekhov

• Spring Musical - "Chicago" - Teen Edition Book by Fred Ebb and Bob Fosse; Music by John Kander; Lyrics by Fred Ebb

What was new in 2021-2022:

New commons, library remodel, weight room, dance center, wrestling room, remodeled classrooms in academic wing, new student and family services and main office.

What challenges faced by the Class of 2022 and how did they overcome them:

The impact of COVID was still felt, in particular through 1st semester, and the grade came together to have an outdoor homecoming (our largest dance attendance ever), outdoor fall assembly, and moving multiple events. They took everything in stride and continuously went above and beyond in how they modeled great behavior and PRIDE!

Principal's reflections on the Class of 2022:

This class has endured a lot through the pandemic and we are very proud of their accomplishments and hard work that have led to the numerous recognitions and awards in literally every area of the school. This class is also one of our most service oriented that we have had and I believe their reach in our world will be felt by millions of people as they strengthen and assist their communities. We will miss them.

- Principal Ben Collins