MORTON HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 201
MORTON CONNECTION College Edition Morton staff and underclassmen show their appreciation to the class of 2017 for instilling a positive influence on younger generations.
ISSUE 29 2017
A MESSAGE FROM YOUR LEADERS: Your Board of Education | La Junta de Educación Mark D. Kraft PRESIDENT
Jeff Pesek MEMBER
Lido Manetti VICE PRESIDENT
Jessica Jaramillo-Flores SECRETARY
Kasumba “Kal” Lwanga MEMBER
Sandra Tomschin MEMBER
Dr. Margaret Kelly MEMBER
Rowan Ewangen
STUDENT BOARD MEMBER
Building Memories for the Future Morton’s Commencement on May 28 was a big day for our seniors, their families, friends, and myself as it was the first graduating class I congratulated as Board of Education President. We know the class of 2017 is more than ready to take on the world. At Morton West alone, we’ve seen a 25 percent increase in the number of AP Exams taken in 2017 compared to 2016. There was also a 19 percent increase in the number of students taking AP Exams this year. That was a direct result of the efforts of our students and faculty who spent countless hours studying. We also applaud all students who’ve participated in our dual-credit program in partnership with Morton College. Over 550 Morton students have participated in the dual-credit program. Today, we anticipate continued success from our students as they work toward earning college credit while in high school. We see greatness in our younger generations, as well. Congratulations to our spring sports athletes who competed in the state finals. Morton Sophomore Nadrian Fiesta was Morton’s first boys tennis player to qualify for the state final in the past 11 years. This year, girls track and field had six state qualifiers: sophomore Tamara Dzolic; Samantha Quiroga; Claudia Rodriguez; sophomore Zahra Sammour; Nija Redmond; and Veronica Navarette. The boys track and field team sent off Daquan Travis as a state qualifier. I also want to congratulate Jose Perez-Brito and Nicholas Lewandowski who competed in the Special Olympics State Track and Field Competition in June.
Mark D. Kraft School Board President
Morton Stakeholders: It is hard to believe that school has been out for over two weeks already. Our graduation ceremonies held at the UIC Pavilion were once again a great success and summer school is already in session. As you know, Morton District 201 has prided itself on the fact that we have been great stewards of the taxpayer’s money by maintaining a balanced budget while continuing to increase our student achievement and enhancing our facilities. Legislators and the Governor have once again failed to reach an agreement on the state budget, and the impasse continues in Illinois. You may soon hear speculation about whether schools will open in the fall. These types of discussions in the community are premature as both the house and the senate will continue meetings throughout the summer. As we close out the school year, we have retirees who have given much of their adult lives to Morton and our community. We say “best wishes” to these valued faculty and staff who now move into a new phase in their lives. Those retiring: · Clerical: Charisse Miller and Michelle Tarullo. · Maintenance: John Coco and Hector Figueroa. · Faculty: Rose Cicero, Barbara Lucente, Onofria Perricone, Bryan Revor, Granville Smyser, Carol Villa and Val Zeilmann As the summer moves on, the administration will be updating you with information about the budget, planning for next year as well as facility updates, etc. Please enjoy a safe summer.
Dr. Mike Kuzniewski Superintendent
Once a Mustang, Always a Mustang The class of 2017 celebrated four years of memories in the final days of their high school careers. The celebrations began with Morton’s annual Odyssey Senior Breakfast Cruise on May 22-23 at Navy Pier featuring a picturesque view of Chicago’s skyline. Then, Prom followed on May 24. Morton East seniors had their last dance at the Hilton while Morton West spent the night at Belvedere Banquets. Before the seniors’ big final moment, local elected officials, Morton staff, and students went on a mission. They delivered and installed congratulatory lawn signs (sponsored by the town mayors) at the graduates’ homes in the communities of Berwyn, Cicero, Lyons, and Stickney on May 26. A Morton Sophomore, Jacqueline Candelas, had the joy of delivering a sign at her home. “We [Principal Gamboa and Mr. Borgardt] get into the car with two sophomore National Honor Society volunteers, and I read off the first address on the list, then one of them says, ‘Hey, that’s my house. My brother is graduating Sunday,’” said Morton East Assistant Principal Randy Borgardt about his experience. That mission was not easy as our schools have seen more students graduating every year. Morton West has experienced more than a six percent rate increase in the past four years, and in 2016 Morton East noted its highest graduation rate since 2013. The arrival of commencement day brought tears of Morton Pride to many at the UIC Pavilion on May 28, but those tears quickly turned to a burst of voices chanting, “Once a Mustang, always a Mustang.”
2017 College Report Morton’s ‘17 graduates are taking steps forward like the generation before them and are leading the path to their successes. They’re on their way to seek higher education at universities across the country, from California to Massachusetts. A number of Morton Mustangs will be studying in challenging institutions such as the University of Chicago, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Cornell University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Emory University. Other brave Mustangs will be seeking military careers next year. Salute to the more than 50 graduates enrolled in the military, and congratulations to the following ‘17 seniors who graduated at the Top 10 of their classes. Los graduados ‘17 de Morton están dando pasos adelante como la generación antes que ellos y están liderando el camino hacia sus éxitos. Están en su camino hacia la educación superior en universidades en todo el país, de California a Massachusetts. Varios Morton Mustangs estarán estudiando en instituciones desafiantes como la Universidad de Chicago, la Universidad de Illinois en UrbanaChampaign, la Universidad Cornell, el Instituto Tecnológico de Massachusetts y la Universidad Emory. Otros valientes Mustangs buscarán carreras militares el próximo año. Saludo a los más de 50 asistiendo el ejército, y felicitaciones a los siguientes personas que se graduaron en el Top 10 de sus clases. Morton East: Lucero Contreras, Maria Jose Diaz, Yasmeen Ragab, Denise Uribe, Yoselin Castillo, Mariana Maldonado, Mayra Vences, Miriam Vences, Jessica Bucio, Daniela Ortega. Morton West: Nicholas Lynn, Maria Villalobos, Anahi Ruiz, Christopher Archuleta, Ashley Ahumada, Jocelyn Moreno Hernandez, Rafael Gonzalez, Karina Gonzalez, Michael Ghuneim, Gianna Cairo
Celebrating College Signing Day Celebración del Día de Firma de la Universidad Note: Not all committed seniors pictured. Nota: No todos los seniors que irán a la universidad están en la foto.
Morton West
Morton East
91% + Percentage of 2017 graduates surveyed with acceptance to college, university, military, or trade school Porcentaje de graduados 2017 encuestados con la aceptación a la universidad, la escuela militar o de comercio
$3,000,000 + Total scholarship amount accepted by students Cantidad total de becas aceptada por los estudiantes
80 Number of colleges Morton Mustangs will be attending Total de universidades a las que asistirán los estudiantes
200 + Number of colleges that accepted Morton seniors Número de universidades que aceptaron Morton seniors
Note: The college data reflects senior survey results reported as of May 18, 2017. Nota: Los datos de la universidad reflejan los resultados de la encuesta senior reportados al 18 de mayo de 2017.
List of colleges the class of 2017 will attend: Lista de colegios a los que asistirá la clase de 2017: ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY AURORA UNIVERSITY BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY BRADLEY UNIVERSITY CARROLL UNIVERSITY CARTHAGE COLLEGE CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY CHICAGO POLICE ACADEMY COLLEGE OF DUPAGE COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY CORNELL UNIVERSITY DEPAUL UNIVERSITY DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY ELMHURST COLLEGE EMORY UNIVERSITY FOX COLLEGE FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY HAROLD WASHINGTON COLLEGE ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY IOWA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY ITT TECHNICAL INSTITUTE JOLIET JUNIOR COLLEGE KENDALL COLLEGE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY KISHWAUKEE COLLEGE LEWIS UNIVERSITY LORAS COLLEGE LOS ANGELES FILM SCHOOL LOURDES UNIVERSITY LOYOLA UNIVERSITY CHICAGO MALCOLM X COLLEGE MARIAN UNIVERSITY MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY MARYMOUNT MANHATTAN COLLEGE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MESA COMMUNITY COLLEGE MORAINE VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
MORTON COLLEGE NATIONAL LOUIS UNIVERSITY NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY OHIO TECHNICAL COLLEGE OLIVET NAZARENE UNIVERSITY PAUL MITCHELL THE SCHOOL-CHICAGO PURDUE UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY ILLINOIS ROCKFORD UNIVERSITY ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY SAINT XAVIER UNIVERSITY SANTA FE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SCHOOL OF THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY CARBONDALE SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY EDWARDSVILLE
ST. CLOUD TECHNICAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TAYLOR UNIVERSITY TRICOCI UNIVERSITY OF BEAUTY CULTURE TRITON COLLEGE UNIVERSAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO BOULDER UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA– CHAMPAIGN UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA MORRIS UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO UNIVERSITY OF ST. FRANCIS UNIVERSITY OF TOLEDO UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY WAUBONSEE COMMUNITY COLLEGE WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY
Mustangs Excel in Academics and Athletics Morton’s Best Student-Athletes Compete in Annual Fitness Challenge The Morton East Physical Education Department held its third annual Joseph M. Reitmaier (JMR) Fitness Challenge. The best studentathletes competed in various CrossFit exercises, ranging from high-intensity interval training to gymnastics, based on their grade level and gender. The event promotes not only healthy lifestyles but also symbolizes the commitment of former Morton East PE Teacher, Mr. Joseph M. Reitmaier, who taught Physical Education at the school for 18 years before passing away on August 5, 2014. Congratulations to all the participants.
Engineering and Computer Science Leading the Way Morton engineering and computer science students are on their way to becoming experts in the highlydemanded field. Morton West seniors, Nataly HernandezOrozco, Karla Salcedo and Maria Urquizo won first place in engineering design at the Illinois State University’s IDEA State Final. This is the second consecutive year the trio competed in the state final. They won second place last year. Sophomore computer science students are on their way to the top, too. Morton East students, Roberto Gomez, Ricardo K. Lopez and Steven Saldana won second place at the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Raspberry Pi Challenge. Congratulations to all the participants.
Pictured above: Morton Raspberry Pi participants.
30 Morton District 201 Athletes Sign to Play College Sports Next Year
Thirty Morton seniors were recognized during a special commitment ceremony on May 15 in honor of the spring National Signing Day.
“I am so thrilled that we are able to have such an amazing event to celebrate the accomplishments of our senior athletes,” says Nicole Ebsen, director of athletics and activities. “This recognition is a bit unconventional as it celebrates all senior student-athletes who will be competing next year in college. We do not focus attention to only those who are attending NCAA institutions, or those receiving athletic scholarships as many other high schools do. This night is to celebrate with all the community the accomplishments of those Mustangs making the commitment to play collegiate athletics. I am so proud of the Mustang Athletic Class of 2017!”
“I am so proud of the Mustang Athletic Class of 2017!”
Thank you to Olive Garden for catering the event. Below is the list of seniors who participated in the first Morton Athletics College Signing Recognition at Morton West High School.
BOYS SOCCER
FOOTBALL
GIOVANNI ORTIZ/PURDUE UNIVERSITY
DERRICK MCCOLLUM/ELMHURST
NORTHWEST
COLLEGE
MARCO SANCHEZ/DOMINICAN
JASON CESARIO/ELMHURST COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY
MARCO HUXHOLD/ELMHURST
ROBERTO ARREDONDO/CONCORDIA
COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY
MAXIMILIAN WOYWOOD/CONCORDIA
BOYS TRACK/XC
UNIVERSITY
ANDRES ENRIQUEZ/ MORTON
CHEER
COLLEGE
ANAHI RUIZ/NORTHWESTERN
ANDRES MARTINEZ/MORTON COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY
OMAR MATA/MORTON COLLEGE
MARC RAMIREZ/WESTERN UNIVERSITY
GIRLS TRACK/XC
POMS
ALICIA FLORES/ST. XAVIER UNIVERSITY
GILBERTE GARZON/WESTERN
CLAUDIA RODRIGUEZ/ST. XAVIER
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
TALITA CARRILLO/DEPAUL
HAILEY O’NEILL/UNIVERSITY OF ST.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
FRANCIS, IN
FRANCELIA CELIS/CONCORDIA
KIMBERLY GONZALEZ/CONCORDIA
UNIVERSITY
UNIVERSITY
VANESSA CARDONA/MORTON
NATALIE ANDRADE/ST. XAVIER
COLLEGE
UNIVERSITY
WRESTLING
NICOLE RODRIGUEZ/OLIVET
FABIAN GARCIA/TRITON COLLEGE
NAZARENE UNIV.
JOEL MARRON/TRITON COLLEGE
NIJA REDMOND/LINCOLN COLLEGE
BOYS VOLLEYBALL
VERONICA NAVARRETE/UNIVERSITY
ANDRES MARTINEZ/LORAS COLLEGE
OF ST. FRANCIS, IN
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL MICHELLE KOSINSKI/MORTON COLLEGE
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Summa Cum Laude Seniors Celebrate Graduating with Honors Congratulations to all the Summa Cum Laude students for their outstanding achievements. The following ‘17 seniors graduated Summa Cum Laude.
MORTON EAST SENIORS: MARIA GUADALUPE ANZURES JOSE MARTIN ARIZA AMERICA L AVINA LISET BAHENA MARIA MARILYN BELTRAN GUADALUPE CECILIA BLANCO JESSICA BUCIO VERONICA TALAVERA CABRAL ENOC CARRANZA MARELINNE JANETTE CARRILLO YOSELIN CASTILLO FRANCELIA CELIS MARITZA CERVANTES LUCERO CONTRERAS JAILINE CORTES-MENDEZ ALICE CANDELARIA COSAJAY ANAYELI CRISANTOS KEVIN CRUZ BEATRIZ ISABELL DAVILA PABLO DE LA CRUZ LISSETTE MAYLEE DELA ROSA MARIA JOSE DIAZ JULIO ARMANDO FUENTES VALERIA GARCIA LISSETTE GARCIA CECILIA EVELYN GARCIA ENRIQUE GARCIA PAULINA MONSERRAT GIRON KATE GONZALEZ JULIO JERRICK GONZALEZ
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