MORTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 201
MORTON CONNECTION The Rise of Morton
Morton Senior Raphael Espinoza was awarded a full four-year scholarship to The University of Chicago. Read more about Raphael on page 4.
ISSUE 18 2015-2016
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LEADERS: On the Rise J. Sterling Morton High School District 201 provides educational experiences that enable students to be valuable members of the community. We believe co-curricular activities enrich the high school experience, and so we are happy to share that participation in athletics and activities continues to grow. Over the past five years, we have increased the number of clubs and programs from 68 to more than 90 across the district. Student extra-curricular involvement has more than doubled from 1,450 to 3,040 participants this academic year. Our schools continue to partner with the community to develop new and exciting ideas. We are also excited to share that we continue to upgrade our facilities. This is testament to the continuous collaboration between the Morton Board of Education, the superintendent, administration, and staff. In 2014, we fully renovated the Morton Stadium with a new field, entrance, concessions stand, and track. Additionally we renovated rooms for student activities, our cafeterias, and the pools at Morton East and Morton West. We renovated classrooms, including the automotive labs and six chemistry labs at Morton East and West. In the last two years we have added a new commercial-grade culinary arts lab at Morton East and West. While there has been a decrease in revenues in school districts across the state, Morton has been able to live within its budget and provide our students with safe and well-maintained schools to enhance learning. We thank our community for its continued support.
Jeff Pesek School Board President
Real World Experience We are very proud of the achievements our students and staff have accomplished this semester. Our teachers have done a great job at applying real world, hands on experiences in the classroom. For example, our culinary arts teachers have done a phenomenal job at engaging our students by allowing them to get real world restaurant experience in our new culinary arts labs. Throughout the year, our culinary arts students offer a series of “Restaurant Days” in which students prepare and provide our staff with meals in the new culinary arts labs. Our students have done a wonderful job and our teachers have enjoyed the meals. Morton East and Morton West marketing classes held a “trade show.” Marketing students had to develop a new cereal concept and design a box aligned with that concept. Students then prepared a pitch and presented their product to investors in an effort to get funding to help produce and sell their product. Students enjoyed the experience and learned about investing, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Students in the Morton West Business Club participated in the 2016 Online DECA Virtual Business Challenge. This is a national competition sponsored by DECA, an organization that promotes business education. In the competition, students get to operate a simulated business in a field of their choice, including hotel management, restaurant management, retail, sports, and more. One of our club’s teams placed in the top thirty in the Midwest Region for the Hotel Management Virtual Business Challenge. Team members include Business Club President Angelica Zepeda, Chief Marketing Officer Dan Delgado, and Sebastian Osuch. Great job, Mustangs! I’d like to thank our staff who continue to work together to ensure all of our students attain the necessary skills to be successful in school and in the real world.
Dr. Mike Kuzniewski Superintendent
Mark D. Kraft MEMBER
Niquan Dawson
VICE PRESIDENT
Lido Manetti MEMBER
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Coffee with the Principal: A space to share ideas between school leadership and parents once a month in a group setting. Morton East: Every 2nd Thursday of the month from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Morton West: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 8: 30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Freshman Center: Every 3rd Wednesday of the month from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Workshops • Skyward workshops • Strategies on how to help your child with Reading & Math (CRISS) • Parent Book Club, College 101 • Parent classes for English as a second language Please contact your school’s Parent Liaison for more information.
Cafecito con el Director(a): Un lugar en donde junto a otros padres de familia podrás compartir tus ideas y sugerencias a nuestro equipo de liderazgo de la escuela de tu hijo (a). Morton East: Cada segundo Jueves del mes de 10 a.m. a 11 a.m. Morton West: Cada segundo miércoles del mes de 8: 30 a.m. a 9:30 a.m. Freshman Center: Cada tercer martes del mes de 9:30 a.m. a 10: 30 a.m. Talleres • Talleres de Skyward • Estrategias en como ayudar a su hijo/a en Lectura o Matematicas (CRISS) • Club de Lectura para padres, colegio 101 • Clases para padres de Ingles como segundo idioma Favor de ponerse en contacto con su coordinador.
Your Board of Education | La Junta de Educación Jeff Pesek Kasumba “Kal” Lwanga Jessica Jaramillo-Flores PRESIDENT
Parent Involvement Opportunities/ Oportunidades Para Involúcrarse en la Educación Escolar de su Hijo(a)
SECRETARY
Margaret Kelly MEMBER
Sandra Tomschin MEMBER
Morton East: (708) 780 - 4000 Ext. 2009 Morton West: 708) 780 - 4100 Ext. 3067 Morton Freshman Center & MAS: (708) 863 - 7900 Ext. 1117
Recent Facility Upgrades: 2012 • •
New Student Cafeteria - Morton East Renovated Pool and Pool Room - Morton East
2013 • • •
Renovated Field House – Morton East New Main Entrance for Enhanced Security Morton West Student Cafeteria Expansion – Morton West
2014 • • • • • • • • •
New Main Entrance for Enhanced Security Morton East PE Locker Room Reconfiguration and Remodel for Safety - Morton West Bathroom Upgrades - Morton West and Morton East Morton Stadium (New artificial turf field, track, scoreboard, concession stand, entry and renovated stadium facilities) New Commercial Grade Culinary Arts Lab Morton East New Teachers’ Cafeteria - Morton West Renovated Student Cafeteria and New Student Activities Room - Morton West New Energy Efficient Lighting - Entire District Renovated Pool and Pool Room Morton West
2015 • • • • • • • • • •
3 Renovated Chemistry Labs - Morton East 3 Renovated Chemistry Labs - Morton West New Commercial Grade Culinary Arts Lab Morton West Conversion of Old Pool to Activities Room Morton East New Classrooms for Technology Service Internship - Entire District New Teachers’ Cafeteria - Morton East 1 Automotive Lab Renovation - Morton East 1 Automotive Lab Renovation - Morton West New Auxiliary Gym Floor - Morton West B-Hall Classroom Remodels - Morton West
2016 • •
Roofing upgrades - Morton East and Morton West New Paint Job in Main Gym and Auxiliary Gym - Morton East
Expected in 2016 • •
3 New Professional Grade Science Lab Classrooms with Prep Rooms - Morton East 3 New Professional Grade Science Lab Classrooms with Prep Rooms - Morton West
Kacia Huynh
Estudiante de Morton East Gana Beca de Cuatro Años a una Universidad de la Liga Ivy
Morton East Senior, Kacia Huynh, has accomplished a lot during her four years in high school. When she’s not doing homework for her several AP courses, she’s solving math problems with the Morton East Mathletes or writing poems. Recently Huynh was awarded a full four-year QuestBridge scholarship to attend the highly-selective University of Pennsylvania to double major in psychology and philosophy. Huynh said she received tremendous support from several people throughout the college application process. “My guidance counselor, my teachers, my sisters, and my mentor from the Minds Matter of Chicago program greatly helped me with my admissions, not only with writing my recommendations but also revising my personal essays.” As the youngest of three, she has looked up to her two older sisters, who are also Morton Alumni, throughout her life. “They’re responsible, strong, hardworking women who showed me what can be done to be successful.” She also credits her parents who left Vietnam to pursue a better life. Growing up in a household with strong family values, she appreciated finding the same comfort at school. “Morton is very family oriented; they try to help all the students feel like they’re part of a big family. I wouldn’t feel at home in another school; I would feel out of place.” Although the Cicero resident will miss her hometown, she’s looking forward to living in Philadelphia. Huynh plans to learn about East Asian languages and civilizations. “I’m excited to explore my interests, be surrounded by diversity and learn more about my culture.” She decided to study psychology because of her lifelong desire to help others. “My interest in philosophy began when I attended a summer program at the University of Michigan and took a philosophy class. Huynh strives to influence her peers positively as well as send a message to the people who “can’t see the greatness” that Morton students can accomplish with “ambition and determination.” That is, What I Will, I Can.
Morton East Senior, Kacia Huynh, ha logrado mucho durante sus cuatro años en la escuela secundaria. Cuando ella no está haciendo la tarea para sus varios cursos de AP, ella está resolviendo problemas de matemáticas con los Mathletes de Morton East o escribiendo poemas. Recientemente Huynh fue ganadora de una beca completa de cuatro años de QuestBridge para asistir a la Universidad de Pennsylvania, la cual es altamente selectiva, para especializarse en psicología y filosofía. Huyhn dijo que ha recibido tremendo apoyo de varias personas durante el proceso de aplicaciones para al colegio. “Mi consejero, mis maestros, mis hermanas, y mi mentor del programa Minds Matter de Chicago que me ayudo bastante con las aplicaciones, no solo con escribir recomendaciones pero también revisando mis reportes personales.” Siendo la menor de tres, ha admirado a sus dos hermanas mayores a lo largo de su vida, las cuales también son ex-alumnas de Morton. “Son mujeres responsables, fuertes, trabajadoras que me han demostrado lo que se puede hacer para tener éxito.” También da crédito a sus padres los cuales dejaron Vietnam para buscar una vida mejor. Al crecer en un hogar con fuertes valores de familia, aprecio encontrar los mismos valores en la escuela. “Morton es como una familia; tratan de ayudar a todos los estudiantes para que se sientan como parte de una gran familia. No me sentiría en casa en otra escuela; me sentiría fuera de lugar.” Aunque la residente de Cícero extrañara su ciudad natal, está entusiasmada de vivir en Philadelphia. Huynh planea aprender idiomas y civilizaciones de Asia. “Me entusiasma explorar mis intereses, rodeada de diversidad y aprender más sobre mi cultura.” Decidió estudiar psicología debido a su largo interés de ayudar a los demás. “Mi interés en filosofía comenzó cuando asistí a un programa de verano en la Universidad de Michigan y tome una clase de filosofía.” Huynh se esfuerza por influir positivamente en sus compañeros, así como enviar un mensaje a la gente que “no puede ver la grandeza” que los estudiantes de Morton pueden lograr con “ambición y determinación.” Ella vive por la frase, Lo Que Puedo, Lo Hago.
Morton East Senior Awarded Full Four-Year Scholarship to Ivy League University
Raphael Espinoza
Morton West Senior Awarded Full Four-Year Scholarship to University of Chicago
In Morton West Senior Raphael Espinoza you will find an ambitious older brother who is setting the bar high for his five siblings. Come fall he will be attending the University of Chicago—one of the top ten universities in the nation— and will do so on a full four-year scholarship. “I was in ugly tears,” jokes Raphael about finding out that the non-profit organization QuestBridge will be paying for him to study at the university that houses his dream. “As a child, I read stories about heroes undergoing genetic mutations that resulted in superhuman abilities,” recalls Raphael about his fascination with biological studies, “Now viewing the world more realistically, I am enthralled by the stories that lie within our DNA.” The bright senior plans on one day pursuing a dual doctoral degree and become a physicianscientist with a focus on genetics. In the meantime he will spend his first four years of higher education as a Gender & Sexuality Studies major with Pre-Med advising. “Of course anyone’s plans are subject to change,” notes Raphael about his intricate future plans. For now he still wears his maroon polo with pride and gives thanks to all the individuals at Morton who have helped shape him as a student and member of society. “In four years, I’ve learned lessons that students from other districts may never learn in a lifetime,” explains Raphael about his diverse experience at Morton West, “My friends are some of the strongest people I know and we face adversities that mold us into the vibrant people we are today. Every Mustang is a fighter, one way or another.”
Estudiante de Morton West Gana Beca de Cuatro Años a la Universidad de Chicago
En Raphael Espinoza encontrarán a un hermano ambicioso que está poniendo un gran ejemplo para sus cinco hermanos. Llegando el otoño el senior de Morton West asistirá a la Universidad de Chicago, una de las diez mejores universidades en la nación y lo hará con una beca completa de cuatro años. “No lo podía creer” bromea Raphael cuando se enteró que la organización sin fines de lucro QuestBridge va a pagar para que él estudie en la Universidad de sus sueños. “Cuando era niño, leí historias sobre héroes sometidos a mutaciones genéticas que dieron lugar a habilidades sobrehumanas,” recuerda Raphael acerca de su fascinación con estudios biológicos, “Ahora viendo el mundo más realista, estoy cautivado por las historias que se encuentran dentro de nuestro ADN.” El brillante senior planea un día, alcanzar un doble doctorado y convertirse en un médico-científico con énfasis en genética. Mientras tanto él pasará sus primeros cuatro años de la educación superior enfocado en Estudios de Género y Sexualidad con asesoramiento en Pre-Medicina. “Por supuesto, cualquier plan está sujeto a cambiar”, dice Raphael sobre sus futuros planes complicados. Por ahora todavía lleva su polo color marrón con orgullo y da gracias a todos los individuos de Morton que lo han ayudado a formarse como estudiante y miembro de la sociedad. “En cuatro años, he aprendido lecciones que estudiantes de otros distritos tal vez nunca aprendan en la vida,” explica Raphael acerca de su experiencia diversa en Morton West, “Mis amigos son unas de las personas más fuertes que conozco y nos enfrentamos a las adversidades que nos moldearon en la gente vibrante que somos hoy. Cada Mustang es un luchador, de una manera u otra.”
Students Embark on a Personal Journey in the Annual Snowball Retreat Throughout the school year, Morton East Snowball club members encourage others to live a healthy lifestyle that is free of negativity. As part of their mission, students went on a two-day journey from Feb. 5-7th to be surrounded by nature and experience selfdiscovery.The club’s co-sponsor, Raymond Lunz, says the Snowball Retreat is a sanctuary for students. “It gives the students a safe environment to share their stories and feelings. They begin to see that they are not alone in their journey through high school, and they are not the only ones going through tough times.” Lunz added they cannot reveal what exactly happens on the retreat because “what happens at snowball, stays at snowball.” All he can say is that “the bonds formed at the Snowball Retreat will last forever.” Students meet new people, listen to inspirational speakers, discuss important topics, play fun games and participate in team-building activities. He added that it was an absolute success because of student-staff members. They planned the entire trip and led the group through every event. “We also want to thank all of the adult staff members who gave up a weekend away from their families to spend it with the club.” The Morton West Snowball Club will hold its weekend retreat April 22–24.
Morton’s Future Women Scientists and Engineers Visit Fermilab Morton students who represent the next generation of women scientists visited America’s premier particle physics laboratory. Eighteen students from both Morton East and Morton West participated in a girls’ STEM event hosted by Fermilab in Batavia, Ill. on Feb. 12. The program’s keynote speaker was a post-doctoral student, who narrated her journey in studying science. During breakout sessions, scientists shared their experiences as professionals in the science industry. After exploring the facility, students had an opportunity to ask questions during a three-person panel discussion of female scientists and engineers. “The feedback from the girls was extremely positive,” said Morton East Industrial Tech Teacher John Roach, who helped supervise the trip. The group joined more than 100 engineering students from other West Suburban Conference schools. The event took place a day after the first annual International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
Morton Prepares Students for College Morton’s Parent Liaisons, NEIU Blast, ISAC, and Llaves Del Exito help our Morton seniors fill out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms. Many Morton students are eligible for government grants to help pay for college tuition. Morton hosts a number of college workshops, college visits, and financial aid workshops to help our students prepare for college. Please contact our counselors, parent liaisons, or NEIU Blast representative for more information.
Morton Football Athletes Participate in National Football Signing Day For varsity student-athletes, National Signing Day is a highly anticipated day throughout their high school career. The widely followed National Football Signing Day on Feb. 3 is a day for football players to sign a binding National Letter of Intent to play football for a selected university of the U.S National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Morton West held a congratulatory ceremony for participants to celebrate along with their family and teammates. “My coaches always believed in me,” said Morton West Senior Adrian Carmona, acknowledging the immense support he’s received throughout his academic and athletic career. Carmona advises younger teammates to stay committed. “It will be hard in the beginning, but it pays off at the end.” His teammate, Sammy Williams, agreed. “If your grades were low, you weren’t on the field.” His mother also encouraged him to do well in class and football. “I started playing football in high school, so it was harder for me, but the hard work and dedication helped me get through it.” Congratulations to our varsity football players: Darin Gipson — Minnesota State University Moorhead Adrian Carmona— University of Dubuque Ben Duarte — University of Dubuque Tavolis Parker— Northland Community and Technical College Sammy Williams —Northland Community and Technical College Kendall Melton—Northland Community and Technical College Other sports hold their National Signing Day later in the year. Several Morton athletes are expected to participate in their sport’s respective National Signing Day.
New Morton Freshman Center Art Club Welcomes All Students For Morton Freshman Lesly Guevara, the new Art Club is more than just an after-school activity. “Art Club is a place where you could feel safe and express how you feel.” The Art Club is a creative group of forty students that meet twice a week to express themselves through art. One of the school’s counselors, Lucy Blunk, decided to form the club after noticing there were a lot of artistic and expressive freshmen who needed a space to be creative. “I hoped that Art Club would help those students find a place where they felt accepted and represented, and a place where they were able to showcase their talents.” In the last semester, the young artists created crafts with local children and helped decorate several school events. Blunk said club members truly enjoy interacting with their community. “That’s how we came up with the community project because they wanted to work together, talk with other people, and have fun together as a family.” In addition to preparing decorations for the Spring dance, students are collaborating on a community project in which students are using recycled canvasses to create paintings that visually represent the Morton Freshman Center and their community. The project will be the Art Club’s first permanent art display at the school.
Non-Profit Org U.S. Postage PAID Chicago, Il Permit No.5612
Morton High School District 201 5041 W 31st Street Cicero, Il 60804
Join Us!
*Please note these dates and times may change. Visit our website at Morton201.org for more information.
District Calendar March 19
March 23
March 30
10am–12pm Girls V Softball vs. Reavis (H) Morton East Field
6–8pm Morton East Book Club & College 101 workshop
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Badminton vs. Leyden (H) Morton West Main Gym
Saturday
12–2pm Girls V Softball vs. Reavis (H) Morton East Field
March 21 Monday
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Badminton vs. Riverside Brookfield (H) Morton West Main Gym 5:30–7:30pm Boys V Volleyball vs. Oprf (H) Morton East Main Gym
6–8pm Girls V Water Polo vs. York (H) Morton West Pool
March 22 Tuesday
9–11am Morton Freshman Center Book Club & College 101 Workshop 3:15–5pm Morton Freshman Center Academia Familiar
Wednesday
Wednesday
March 24
6–8:30pm Morton East ESL Classes
4:30–6:30pm Boys V Baseball vs. Riverside Brookfield (H) Morton West Field
#MORTONPRIDE #ORGULLOMORTON
4:45–6:45 pm Girls V Soccer vs. Addison Trail (H) Morton Stadium
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Softball vs. De La Salle (H) Morton East Field
Thursday
6–8:30pm Morton East ESL Classes
5–7pm Girls V Soccer vs. Juarez (H) Morton West Back Soccer Field
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Badminton vs. Argo (H) Morton West Main Gym
April 1
4:30–6:30pm Boys V Baseball vs. St. Ignatius (H) Morton West Baseball Field
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Softball vs. Shepard (H) Morton East Field
5–7pm Girls V Soccer vs. Kelly (H) Morton Stadium
April 2
Thursday
10am–12pm Girls V Softball vs. Romeoville (H) Morton East Field
10am–12pm Girls V Softball vs. Oaklawn (H) Morton East Field
12–2pm Girls V Softball vs. Romeoville (H) Morton East Field
12–2pm Girls V Softball vs. Oaklawn (H) Morton East Field
March 28
April 4
4:30–6pm Boys V Tennis vs. Nazareth (H) Morton West Courts
5–7pm Girls V Water Polo vs. Resurrection (H) Morton West Pool
March 29
April 5
4:30–6:30pm Girls V Track vs. Riverside Brookfield (H) - Morton West Track
9–11am Morton Freshman Center Book Club & College 101 Workshop
6–8:30pm Morton East ESL Classes 5–7pm Morton West Taller Especial de Arte para Padres 4:30–6:30 pm Boys V Baseball vs. Glenbard West (H) Morton West Baseball Field
April 9
Monday
Saturday
10am–12pm Girls V Track vs. Riverside Brookfield (H) Morton West Track
6–8pm Morton West Book Club & College 101 Workshop
@morton201
10am–12pm Girls V Softball vs. West Chicago (H) Morton East Field 10am–12pm Boys V Track vs. Riverside Brookfield (H) Morton West Track
Tuesday
facebook.com/morton201
Wednesday
April 7
Saturday
Saturday
morton201.org
April 6
6–8pm Girls V Water Polo vs. Hinsdale South (H) Morton West Pool
10am–12pm Boys V Baseball vs. Proviso East (H) Morton West Baseball Field
Tuesday
5:30–6:30pm Boys V Volleyball vs. Downers Grove South (H) Morton East Main Gym
6–8pm Morton East Book Club & College 101 Workshop
Friday
March 26
Monday 6–8pm Morton West Book Club & College 101 Workshop
6–8:30pm Morton East ESL classes
12–2pm Girls V Softball vs. West Chicago (H) Morton East Field
district201@jsmorton.
(708) 222-5700