MORTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 201
MORTON CONNECTION College Edition
2016 Morton graduates will be attending some of the best colleges in the country.
ISSUE 21 202015-2016 2015-2016
The Class of 2016 Celebrates Four Years of Memories Senior Breakfast
Commencement Day
Morton seniors enjoyed delicious food and three dance floors with an amazing view of Chicago’s skyline during Morton’s annual Odyssey Senior Breakfast Cruise at Navy Pier. Morton West participated on May 27th, and Morton East on May 31st.
Morton’s Commencement Day on June 5th will be known as the time our families and the color maroon took over the UIC Pavilion. At the end of the ceremony, the class of 2016 stood up with Morton Pride and shouted, “Once a Mustang, always a Mustang!”
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LEADERS: A Job Well Done
Dear teachers, staff, and community members:
Please accept our gratitude and appreciation for a job well done in the 2015–16 academic year. A high percentage of 2016 Morton graduates will be pursuing higher learning this coming fall. We’re proud to report 1,334 out of 1,581 graduates will attend a college, university, trade school or serve in the U.S. Military. Our recent graduates committed to 99 colleges or universities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the UK, and more than $20 million in scholarships were offered to seniors during their college enrollment process. We’re also proud of the tremendous progress shown by our special education department. Last month, three Special Olympians from our Adaptive Skills program competed in the Illinois 2016 Special Olympics State Track and Field Competition at Illinois State University. Congratulations to gold medalist Tyrell Townes, silver medalist Danny Roman, and state qualifier Jorge Guzman. Furthermore, our staff worked tirelessly to place graduating special education seniors in jobs throughout the community. Thank you to our staff and the local organizations that helped with this transition. On behalf of the entire Morton Board of Education, we thank you in recognition of your tireless efforts to prepare our students for a bright future. We look forward to more accomplishments in the 2016–17 school year.
Jeff Pesek School Board President
The Tradition of Excellence Continues
Another great year is in the books. Thank you to our recent
graduates for becoming the role models to our entire community. We already see how your achievements have positively influenced younger generations. In the fall, the Morton Freshman Center is piloting STEM mathematics and science classes for high-achieving eighth-graders from Unity Jr. High. The 52 selected participants will advance to Integrated 2 STEM as freshmen. I’d like to also announce recent leadership changes. As part of the leadership stability plan developed and approved by the Board of Education, Mr. Tim Truesdale has taken on the responsibilities of Associate Superintendent. He will become my successor when it’s time to say farewell to my Morton family. The Assistant Superintendent for Educational Programs will be Dr. Terry Mootz, and Ron O’Connor will serve as the new Chief Financial Officer and Chief School Business Official. As always, we’ll work together throughout the upcoming school year to guide our students down the road to success.
Dr. Mike Kuzniewski Superintendent
Prom Our seniors will forever remember May 13th, 2016. Morton West danced like never before at the Tangled Lanternsthemed prom held at The Belvedere. Morton East experienced the roaring ‘20s in their Great Gatsby-themed prom held at the Hyatt Regency.
Your Board of Education | La Junta de Educación Jeff Pesek Kasumba “Kal” Lwanga PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
Jessica Jaramillo-Flores Mark D. Kraft SECRETARY
Lido Manetti MEMBER
MEMBER
Margaret Kelly MEMBER
Giovanni Mendoza STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Sandra Tomschin MEMBER
2016 College Report
Morton Mustangs Attending the Best Universities Over the past four years, Morton’s recent graduates have surpassed all expectations and set new records in our classrooms and communities. Now as alumni they’ll take the knowledge they’ve gained at Morton to apply it in their studies at universities across the country. 2016 graduates will attend colleges near and far. With students traveling overseas to London, heading west to Hawaii, or going as far south as Mexico City. Others are leaving to join top institutions, such as Cornell University, Dartmouth College, University of Pennsylvania, and Yale University; and some will remain near their hometowns, opting for schools like Northwestern in Evanston, the University of Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. En los últimos cuatro años, los recién graduados de Morton han superado todas las expectativas y han establecido nuevos récords en nuestros salones y comunidades. Ahora como egresados, tomarán toda la sabiduría que aprendieron en Morton y lo aplicarán en sus estudios en diferentes universidades a través de todo el país. Los graduados del 2016 asistirán a universidades lejanas y cercanas. Algunos estudiantes cruzaran el mar hacia Londres, irán al oeste a Hawái ó llegarán muy al sur como a la Ciudad de México. Otros se unirán a las mejores instituciones como Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Universidad de Pennsylvania, y Yale University. Otros se quedarán en escuelas locales como Northwestern en Evanston, la Universidad de Chicago, o la Universidad de Illinois en UrbanaChampaign.
Class of 2016
$22,830,090
99
Total scholarship amount offered to students Cantidad total de becas ofrecidas a los estudiantes
Number of colleges Morton Mustangs commited to Total de universidades diferentes a las que asistirán los estudiantes
84% Percentage of Morton graduates going to college, university, military, or trade school in the fall Porcentaje de los graduados de Morton que irán a la universidad, o a escuelas de oficios o militares este otoño
300+
Number of colleges where Morton Mustangs were accepted Número total de universidades donde Mustangs de Morton han sido aceptados
Hawaii
Mexico
Canada
United Kingdom
Where Mustang Graduates Are Headed: Dónde se dirigen los graduados de Morton: Art Institute of Chicago Art Institute of Schaumburg Aurora University Benedictine University Bradley University Brigham Young University Campbellsville University Carson-Newman University Carthage College Central College Central Michigan University Clark Atlanta University College of DuPage Columbia College Chicago Concordia University Cornell University Dartmouth College DePaul University Dominican University East West University Elmhurst College
Gannon University Georgia State University Grinnell College Harold Washington Harper College Hawaii Pacific University Hillsborough Community College Hofstra University Illinois College Illinois State University Iowa Central Iowa State University Joliet Junior College Judson University Kendall College Lansing Community Lawrence Technical University Lewis University Lincoln Technical Institute Loyola University Mario Tricoci
Milwaukee Institute of Art Monmouth College Moraine Valley Community College Morton College National Guard of the United States Neumont University North Carolina State University North Central University Northeastern Illinois University Northeast Texas Community Northern Illinois University Northland College Northwestern University Olivet Nazarene University Paul Mitchell Prescott College Robert Morris University Rockford University Roosevelt University Saint Xavier University San Diego City College
Santa Monica College Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Southwest Michigan St. Xavier University The Travel Academy Trinity College Trinity International University Triton College UNAM Mexico United States Army United States Coast Guard United States Marine Corps United States Navy University of Canada University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Dubuque University of Hawaii Manoa University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of Nevada-Reno University of Pennsylvania University of San Francisco University of Wisconsin-Platteville Valparaiso University Viterbo University-Lacrosse Western Illinois University Western Michigan University Westminster University–London Yale University
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University Of Iowa
Students Celebrated College Commitment Day by Sporting Their College T-shirts: Los Estudiantes Celebraron el Día de Compromisos Universitarios con una Playera de la Universidad a la que Asistirán:
Morton East
Note: Not all committed seniors pictured. Nota: No todos los seniors que irán a la universidad están en la foto.
Morton West
Mustangs Excel in Academics and Athletics Seniors Receive Special Recognitions Morton West held its 2016 Senior Awards Ceremony on May 17th, followed by the Morton East awards assembly on May 18th. Teachers from each department handpicked seniors to be recognized for outstanding achievement in several academic categories. Scholarship recipients were also recognized.
Morton Congratulates Summa Cum Laude Scholars Morton seniors who graduated with “Highest Honors” enjoyed a celebratory dinner at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant. A Summa Cum Laude Scholar represents the top of his or her class with a final grade point average of 3.9 or higher. Morton West and Morton East held respective events on May 18th and May 25th.
Morton Mustangs Compete in the Illinois Special Olympics Three students from Morton’s Adaptive Skills Program participated in this year’s Special Olympics State Track and Field Competition held June 10-12 at Illinois State University. Congratulations to 50-Yard Dash Gold Medalist Tyrell Townes and Softball Throw Silver Medalist Danny Roman. State qualifier Jorge Guzman took fifth place in the 50-Yard Dash. Approximately 4,000 athletes participated in six different sports during the annual Special Olympics Illinois Summer Games.
Morton Spring 2016 Sports Highlights Congratulations to the Morton student-athletes for their sportsmanship and effort shown in the Spring 2016 Sports season. Our teams reached several high points: The Morton Varsity Rugby team won third place in the Rugby Illinois Championship, and JV won the JV State Championship for the second year in a row. Two Morton Softball players, Veronica Salinas and Mellanie Gonzales, earned All-Conference recognition. Two Morton Baseball players, Ruben Torres and James Chavez, earned All-Conference recognition. For the second consecutive season, the Morton Varsity Girls’ Soccer team won second place in the West Suburban Conference (WSC). The Morton Sophomore Girls’ Soccer team tied for first place in the WSC. Congratulations multi-sport athlete Darin Gipson, who placed ninth in the state shot put competition and to Tavolis Parker, a 4x800-meter relay and long jump state qualifier. Morton Boys’ Track won third place in the WSC Outdoor Conference and fourth place in sectionals. Across all levels, the Morton Girls’ Track and Field team broke 10 indoor and 11 outdoor school records. Varsity finished third in the conference for indoor and outdoor track. The team won the Leyden Invitational and placed second in the Bloom Trail, Morton, and Hinsdale Invitationals. State qualifiers were pole vaulter Maria Rodriguez, long jumper Claudia Rodriguez, and freshman discus thrower Tamara Drzolic. A dozen students were recognized as All-Conference Academic Athletes. Freshmen and sophomores took second place in the indoor and outdoor conference meets. The Boys’ Freshman A Volleyball team won conference. Head Varsity Coach Tony Hornilla was honored during the 2016 Morton Spring Sports Awards Ceremony for reaching his 300th career win. Morton Boy’s Water Polo won the Riverside-Brookfield Tournament. Senior Jesus Aguirre was named to the AllSectional second team, and Senior Jose Viveros was named to the Honorable All-Mention Sectional team.
Pictured: Darin Gipson
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Girls Volleyball 8/10 Morton East Main Gym Swim 8/10 Morton West
Golf 8/10 Morton West (Bussed to Fresh Meadow Golf Club) Cross Country 8/10 Morton West Tennis 8/10 Morton West
Boys Football 8/8 Morton Stadium Soccer 8/10 Morton West
Golf 8/10 Morton West(Bussed to Fresh Meadow Golf Club) Cross Country 8/10 Morton West
Mustangs, this year was incredible. Thank you for raising the bar. Thank you for believing. You are #MortonPride. In 2015-2016 Morton made the AP Honor Roll, won the 2015 IHSA Sportsmanship Award, and was named the AP District of the Year.
#MORTONPRIDE #ORGULLOMORTON
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