Personally Speaking 2017

Personally SPEAKING

THE ELGIN ACA D E M Y M A G A Z I N E 2017

2017

Coming Home Roma Khanna ‘96 Learning through the Iditarod Immersion Creates Lasting Memories

Personally Speaking, the magazine of Elgin Academy, is published by the Office of Strategic Marketing & Communications for the Elgin Academy community.

Its mission is to tell the school’s remarkable taking learning personally stories and capture the history, values, and culture of Elgin Academy through objective coverage.

Editor Lynn Martin Director of Strategic Marketing & Communications Head of School Seth Hanford Contributors Bonita Deering, Outreach Coordinator Marnie Kut, Director of Development

350 PARK STREET ELGIN, IL 60120 847.695.0300 elginacademy.org

Photographers Kim Bohenick (Cover Photo) Dane Duval Isabella Perrilli ‘17 Carolyn Rikje Photography Designer Kristin Brown

IN this

issue

2 Welcome From Our Head of School Commemorating the Upper School 4 161st Commencment 6 Coming Home: Roma Khanna ‘96 Speaks to the Graduates 8 Valedictorian and Salutatorian Deliver the Final Farewell 9 Our Most Distinguished Honors 10 Upper School Student Recognition Focus on the Middle School 20 Middle School Graduation 22 Biographers’ Tea 24 Lessons through Mushing: Learning through the Iditarod Celebrating the Lower School 26 Lower School Year End Ceremony: A Vibe of Its Own 28 Immersion Creates Lasting Memories 30 BOB Team Beats Out the Competition 31 EA Musicians Soar at Solo Fest 32 Serving at the Rez 34 Art Students Present a Picture Perfect Show 35 Varsity Baseball: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work 36 Summer at the Academy 38 Who Doesn’t Love a Parade?

39 Commanding Respect in the Community Regards from the Office of Development 40 Extravaganza 40 41 Hilltoppers Hit the Links 42 Elgin Academy Legacies 43 The Hilltopper Fund 44 Faculty Milestones 45 Get Social with Elgin Academy 2017

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Welcome

From our head of school

Dear Elgin Academy Community

As I review this magazine for publication, I am reminded of the expression “looking back, while moving forward.� This issue of Personally Speaking reflects on the spring semester of the last school year and summarizes the events of our very active summer campus. But, as I recall the myriad ways in which we celebrated student learning at the Academy over the past months, I am already focused on what that learning will look like in the 2017 - 2018 school year.

What strikes me most in this magazine are the faces. These bright Elgin Academy faces tell the stories of our students. They are proud of their accomplishments and joyful in their successes. They are engaged in learning and thoughtful as they puzzle out problems. They are collaborative in their efforts and creative in their endeavors. Most of all, they look content and happy.

As I look to the new school year with optimism, it is also good to spend some time looking back and drawing inspiration from the faces of our students and from those who give voice to the Academy. ~Seth Hanford

I am also struck by the comments from our teachers about many of the students who were honored with year-end awards. These thoughtful remarks truly show that our teachers deliver on their promise of taking learning personally. You will find in these comments that teachers not only know their students’ academic strengths and weakness but also understand the process by which their students learn. Moreover, in their remarks, there is a sensitively to the psyche of students as well as an awareness of the risks taken and the discipline and dedication exhibited by students to achieve goals.

As I look to the new school year with optimism, it is also good to spend some time looking back and drawing inspiration from the faces of our students and from those who give voice to the Academy. We have both an immediate and a lengthy past of which to be proud at Elgin Academy. We have always been a place where engaged students thrive, where teachers form supportive relationship with students and come alongside them in learning, and where students from all divisions move forward with know-how and self-confidence.

At Elgin Academy we have spent much of the summer planning for the return of our students in late August. As you read this letter, rest assured that we are on our way to delivering on those plans. If you are an alum or a past parent, I invite you to drop by campus from time to time to see how learning experiences are unfolding for students and to renew treasured relationships with faculty.

Sincerely,

Seth Hanford, Head of School 2

2017

is the Fox River Valley’s preschool through grade 12 independent school where taking learning personally defines the collective ethos and covenant that unites all students and teachers, parents and staff members, administrators and trustees.

Within intentionally small-scaled classrooms, Elgin Academy students learn to be secure in themselves,

disciplined in their thinking, creative in their collaboration, compassionate toward others, and dedicated in their efforts as they contribute as thinkers and doers in school and the community.

Families from across Chicago’s northwestern suburbs and exurbs find at Elgin Academy a cherished oasis from the perceived impersonality and over-scaled local public schools.

Elgin Academy students in every division pursue active learning, testing new ideas and securing trust with each other and their teachers as they try out new pursuits, assume leadership roles, and take calculated intellectual risks to see what resonates and moves them toward mastery.

Elgin Academy graduates make discerning college choices based on not only prestige, but also personal fit, and enroll at a diverse array of colleges and universities nationwide and worldwide, equipped with the know-how and self-confidence that stems from coming of age in this individually attuned community.

They go forth as productive, conscientious, and mindful young people who continue to hone their understanding of world and self— a lifelong process that stands as the abiding gift of their Elgin Academy education.

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Class

of 2017

Elgin Academy’s 161st Commencement June 3, 2017 Our thirty-eight graduates go forth as productive, conscientious, and mindful young people who continue to hone their understanding of world and self–a lifelong process that stands as the abiding gift of their Elgin Academy education.

Nathan Agno Streamwood Purdue University

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Amelia Koehl Deering Batavia Dickinson College

Daniel Ethan B. Basa Hanover Park Eckerd College

Rachel Elizabeth Dwyer Elgin The University of Alabama

Benjamin Adam Bohenick Elgin The University of Tampa

Maisy Ann Feeley Wayne University of San Diego

Helen Rei Borchart Hoffman Estates Lehigh University

Harmon Handa Lake Geneva, Wisconsin University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Sophie Marie Borchart Hoffman Estates University of Richmond

Zachary Nathaniel Hering South Elgin Elgin Community College

Alexia L. Ceci Hanover Park Carroll University

Kalia Kay Higa Hampshire University of Kentucky

2017

Edward Paul Joyce V Elgin Rochester Institute of Technology Giustina Ann Joyce Elgin Illinois Wesleyan University Nadine Fawney Kademoglou Hoffman Estates Wake Forest University Nicholas Alexander Kathrein West Dundee The University of Miami Kacy James Kawell Gilberts Miami University, Ohio Justin Robert King Schaumburg Iowa State University Michael Connor Knight Hampshire Marquette University Muwen “Leila” Li Saint Charles & Sichuan, Chengdu, China University of Washington

Diego Antonio Medina Elgin Ithaca College

Sophia Molly Shapiro Cary University of Florida

Kaitlyn Lee Woltz Saint Charles Elmhurst College

Katherine Addison Moore Lake Barrington St. Olaf College

Henry James Stone Saint Charles University of Notre Dame

Catherine Victoria Palmer Cary California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Jennifer Veronica Vernon Carol Stream University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

Zhaochi “George” Ye West Dundee & Taizhou, Zhejiang, China University of California, Santa Barbara

Isabella Adelina Perrelli South Barrington Columbia College, Chicago

Jingjin “William” Wang Elgin & Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

Rachel Diana Peyton Saint Charles Kansas State University Stephanie Alexandra Pierson Cary University of Denver Austin Phillip Rayman Big Rock New York University Meaghan A. Roberti Barrington Hills Eckerd College

David A. Zuzevich Elgin University of Louisville

Andrew Michael Wilson Algonquin American University Ian Thomas Wilson Algonquin Oglethorpe University Elliott Jon Wittmeyer Elgin University of Illinois, UrbanaChampaign

We cherish our “lifers,” those students who have been solely educated at Elgin Academy, starting as preschool students and finishing as 12th graders in the Upper School.

Lifers from the Class of 2017 Seated: Maisy Feeley, Henry Stone, and Catherine Palmer Standing left: Nicholas Kathrein, Justin King, Andrew Wilson, Gia Joyce, and Eddie Joyce Standing right: Ian Wilson, Nadine Kademoglou, Kacy Kawell, Nathan Agno, Zachary Hering elgin academy

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Coming home

Roma Khanna ‘96 Speaks to Graduates

We were delighted that Roma Khanna from the Class of 1996 could join us as the 2017 Commencement speaker. Some of you may recall that Ms. Khanna was a much decorated student, both here at the Academy and afterwards.

A partial list of her Academy plaudits include co-valedictorian, the MotherDaughter Award winner, a member of National Honor Society, an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the International Thespian Society, and an inductee into the Cum Laude Society. Her teachers remember her as motivated, able, and an extremely articulate student. From Elgin Academy, she went to Medill School at Northwestern University where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in both political science and journalism.

Know that above all else, you have the ability to determine your course, and trust yourself. ~Roma Khanna

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2017

Following her undergraduate work at Medill, she earned a highly-sought postgraduate fellowship from Hearst Newspaper where she covered a variety of topics in different newsrooms. From there, she worked for the Houston Chronicle as an investigative journalist where she tackled topics ranging from local government to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans. Her coverage of the mishandling of evidence in the Houston Police Department Crime Lab ultimately helped contribute to the exoneration of five men wrongfully incarcerated for a cumulative sixty-three years and the passage of state legislation to set minimum standards for forensic labs. The evolution of the Internet and its impact on the newspaper business model was a driving force in Ms. Khanna’s own personal career evolution.

Ms. Khanna returned to Northwestern for her graduate work and found a passion for the complexities of how organizations work and can effectively change to meet their goals and positively impact society. She earned a Master of Science

degree in Learning and Organizational Change and soon took a position as an organizational development intern with Leo Burnett Worldwide, an advertising agency.

This position led her to Deloitte Consulting where she worked with notable agency clients to help them deliver large scale business goals. Particularly rewarding for Ms. Khanna was her work with healthcare clients whose central mission focused on patient care.

Finally, her career led her back to Northwestern University, where she is currently a Director in the Office of Change Management. The office is charged with helping this world-renowned university assess opportunities for change and design approaches to make those changes, implement the changes themselves, and create a culture of impactful change across the University.

Ms. Khanna is the epitome of a Hilltopper graduate–one who is equipped with the know-how and self-confidence that stems from coming of age in Elgin Academy’s individually attuned community. She is a remarkably accomplished person who has followed her interests and passions to fulfillment. She has sought opportunities to employ her talents to the betterment of others and she has never stopped learning.

Excerpts from Roma Khanna’s Commencement Address: “Opt for adventure. Life will present you with decisions, tradeoffs, mutually exclusive options. I have encountered a number of these throughout the years...Many times– though definitely not all–I opted for the adventure. Mind you, I mean the calculated risk, the reasonable but not necessarily safe choice, and never once have I regretted it. In fact, the places where I have experienced regret have been where I have been too much in a hurry. Too focused in the next job, next credential. You will strike your own balance on such matters, but when possible, I say, opt for adventure.”

“Know that above all else, you have the ability to determine your course, and trust yourself. You may not have control over all the specifics. Circumstances inevitably will change and you will, at times, find yourself where you least expect it. Many of the most important decisions I have made along the way, whether about personal matters or professional, have come down to intuition. To listening. To learning to trust myself, and return always and again to that foundation that already resides today within each of you. I wish you all much success and happiness. Dwell in possibility. Be well, and enjoy the ride.”

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Valedictorian and Salutatorian Deliver the

final farewell

All Elgin Academy seniors spent their last year on campus working hard and studying hard. They wrote many essays, completed their college applications and presented their Senior Speeches. But, when the school year drew to a close, two EA seniors had just one more thing they had to do before collecting their diplomas.

Valedictorian Amelia Deering and salutatorian Maisy Feeley were tasked with extending a bit of wisdom and advice to their classmates, friends, and family.

Amelia gave her valedictorian address at the Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, June 3, while Maisy delivered her salutatorian remarks at the Baccalaureate dinner on Wednesday, May 31. Below are excerpts from Amelia’s and Maisy’s speeches.

As her fellow classmates pondered their journeys from Elgin Academy to their various colleges and universities, Amelia told them:

Believing in yourself despite setbacks and failures is hard work, but once you are certain of your abilities there is nothing you can’t do. ~Amelia Deering This fall, Amelia (pictured right) will be attending Dickinson College with a double major in History and German. Maisy (pictured left) will be attending the University of San Diego with a major in Biology and a minor in French.

“I consider every member of the Class of 2017 to be my friend, and I know all of you are capable of greatness, but my faith in you is not enough. No one can convince you that you are interesting, intelligent, or worthy of love, because faith in yourself can only come from within. Believing in yourself despite setbacks and failures is hard work, but once you are certain of your abilities there is nothing you can’t do.”

Amelia closed with a final farewell to her Elgin Academy family and to the friends and family gathered at the graduation ceremony:

“To all of our teachers both in the Upper School and beyond, thank you for guiding us down the right paths and supporting us in our dreams. I know our class wasn’t always the easiest, but I speak for all of us when I say our teachers made us better people and got us where we are today. The thirtyeight of us are truly a family, and though this separation is painful, I can’t wait to see the amazing things all of us accomplish in this new chapter of our lives. Thank you, and congratulations to the Class of 2017!”

In her salutatorian remarks, Maisy’s focus was on the idea of taking charge of your time and your future. She suggested:

“If you do not possess your own time, someone else will. The truth is that we can possess all or none of our time, and the only option worth taking is to possess all of it. We will always have obligations and will not be less busy, I mean just ask your parents. So instead, we must accept the fact that if we are not taking action toward our dreams, it may simply be because we do not want them enough. And, if you do not feel a pull toward a large or impressive dream or even a small, timid dream, that’s okay. Do not pursue dreams that are meaningless to you because, in reality, those are not worth achieving.”

In conclusion, Maisy had this final message for her classmates and their families, “I am so grateful for all of you and the time that we have had together. I hope you all feel as though you have possessed this time fully. If not, begin doing so now. You have made my time beautiful, and I am so proud to call it my own. Thank you.”

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2017

Our Most Distinguished

honors

Tradition has it that two awards are presented at each year’s commencement to the female and male graduates who best typify the ideals and character of Elgin Academy. The Mother-Daughter Award and the Ora L. Pelton Award are determined in the spring by faculty vote in closed ballot, and the recipients remain secret until the announcement at commencement.

The Mother Daughter Award The 2017 Mother-Daughter Award was presented by Seth Hanford, Head of School, to Maisy Feeley. Below are excerpts from Mr. Hanford’s remarks about Maisy: “Maisy has coupled academic accomplishment in a variety of subjects, with athletic success, a service-minded attitude, and a self-deprecating, kind manner. She has received subject-specific commendations in language and science and external recognition from outside agencies such as the College Board, the Cum Laude Society, the Daily Herald, and the Illinois State Student Assistance Commission. She finishes her Upper School career with both an exemplary GPA and the plaudits to support that result.

Her stellar performance is not limited to the classroom. She has received Coaches Awards for her leadership on the field hockey playing field, a Captains Award for the same, and All-Conference recognition. Her tenth grade induction into NHS is a testament to both her academic aptitude and her character. She has served others, being an active big sister and helping to organize the Charity Walk for Water last month, right in the middle of the run-up to the end of her Upper School career. She has been an integral part of our Soup Kitchen efforts and the Environmental Club.

There is no doubt in this faculty’s mind that Maisy will demonstrate all of these traits in college and that the University of San Diego community will benefit from her presence the same way we have here.”

The Ora L. Pelton Award Doug Sept, Upper School Director, presented the Ora L. Pelton Award to Elliott Wittmeyer. Mr. Sept had this to say about Elliott: “Elliott is not boastful, although he has done much for which he should be proud. He is not the type of person to draw attention to himself, but his teachers and peers know that when he does have something to say, it is well-thought out and adds positively to the conversation.

Elliot has a passion for serving others that is evident not only in his daily interactions but also in the myriad activities that he has done to help those in need, ranging from local food bank work to nationwide church opportunities to family mission trips to Nepal. He is not interested in impressing others with these activities; he believes helping others is simply what everyone should be called to do.

Elgin Academy is a better school because Elliott is a member of our community, and we are confident that the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign will feel the same.” elgin academy

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Honors convocation

Recognizes Upper School Student Achievement Honors Convocation, held on the eve of Commencement, is a gathering of the soon-to-be graduates, their families, faculty, and administrators. Top performing Academy students are lauded in a variety of categories. Below, we share with you a brief explanation of each award and an excerpt from the presenter’s remarks.

Humanities Awards Excellence in English: This award is presented to a senior who demonstrates an interest and aptitude in the study of literature, proficiency in written and oral expression, and a mature critical thinking ability as demonstrated in literary studies.

Helen Borchart: Helen’s hunger for literature and the meaning that it can offer us, both intellectually and emotionally, enriches the English classroom. She not only appreciates what literature can offer but makes the love of it contagious with others. ~Mr. Jorge Sanchez, English Teacher Excellence in U.S. History: This award is given to a junior who displays a genuine interest and curiosity about history and the American experience and a deep commitment to the core values embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The student demonstrates an increasingly sophisticated set of historical thinking, reading, and writing skills – all of which are necessary for full and productive citizenship in a democratic society.

Caitlin Sharma: She brings a passionate devotion to opportunity for all – a passion that must be viewed in the ‘context’ of our nation’s founding documents; and she brings an incisive intelligence that enables her to motivate others in bending the arc of the moral universe towards justice. ~Mr. Steve Hilsabeck, Social Studies Teacher

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Excellence in Social Studies: This honor is presented to a senior who has demonstrated over four years a keen interest in Social Studies. Excellent academic work in all social studies classes is required and evidenced by course grades, exam achievement, writing, and class participation.

Andrew Wilson: Andrew is interested in hearing different perspectives. He makes it a practice to forward articles he’s read to several of his teachers, hoping to hear our take on something he’s found provocative or intriguing. He responds thoughtfully to any question. But, more than that, he is thoughtful about others, always respecting them, and always seeking their opinions.

He is measured in his speech, complex in his thinking, receptive in his listening, and persuasive in his writing. All of this makes for the reasoned approach to inquiry that Andrew displays. He models the qualities we hope that our students develop and employ as citizens living in a democratic society. ~Mr. Steve Hilsabeck WORLD LANGUAGE AWARDS Excellence in Latin: This honor is presented to a senior who has shown dedication, distinction, consistency, and passion for the Classics in their Latin career at Elgin Academy.

Nathan Agno: Nathan has displayed focus and precision in his Latin work and shared carefully considered opinions and translations, contributing meaningfully to his class. He has maintained high performance in the upper levels of his Latin studies and shows a strong and thorough grasp of advanced Latin grammar. He has been a constant, pleasant, upbeat (though frequently stoic) presence in Latin V and he is always willing to give something a try and work through a problem. ~Ms. Susan Howe, Latin Teacher Excellence in French: This award is presented to a senior who has excelled in the study of French language and culture.

Maisy Feeley: Maisy has a passion for becoming involved deeply with everything that she does.

She epitomizes two of our most treasured goals at EA–a love of learning and compassion for others. In French class, this translates to a student who always becomes involved with her learning. Every assignment is in the A plus category, and her speaking abilities are amazing.

When doing research, she becomes intense about her subject. ~Madame Therese Vincent, French Teacher Excellence in Spanish: This award is presented to a senior who has excelled in the study of Spanish language and culture.

Alexia Ceci: Alexia immediately impressed me with the ease and quickness with which she learned. She expresses herself clearly and very creatively when speaking and is also able to move easily between the two languages because of a strong vocabulary and understanding of idiomatic usage. She is a language teacher’s dream. She listens. She remembers. She experiments. She possesses a natural curiosity and a drive to learn, the reward for which need be nothing more than the accomplishment of the learning itself…. the mastery of the concepts. ~Señora Kathleen Rusniak, Spanish Teacher Fine Arts Awards Laura Davidson Sears Performing Arts Award: This honor is given to a senior who has demonstrated continued excellence in and dedication to both music and theatre during his or her time at Elgin Academy.

Amelia Deering: Amelia has been a fixture on the EA stage since middle school, both in choir and theatre productions. She has worked tirelessly on stage and off, in big roles and small, alto lines or lower, to bring her best efforts to the ensemble and to the concert or show. She embodies a growth mindset, seeking feedback in order to improve, combined with a tireless work ethic that has allowed her to mature as a singer and as an actor. Most of all, Amelia has embodied a spirit of positivity and a can-do attitude that has encouraged her fellow cast members and singers to do their best. ~Ms. Mary Bayer, Theatre Teacher; Ms. Marie Cinquemani Thomas, Music Teacher elgin academy

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Excellence in Theater: This award is given to a senior who has demonstrated continued dedication to theatre both in and out of the classroom throughout their time at Elgin Academy.

Henry Stone: Henry has been a dedicated performer during his time in the Upper School.

He has had great success in roles both dramatic and comedic, heroic and villainous, and all shades of gray in between. He has helped design and build scenery and props, been a staple of the Improv Club ensemble, has excelled in the theatre classroom, and this year was named a National Honor Thespian. His acting talent, sense of humor, and his ability to delve into the intricacies of a character with intellect and curiosity are just some of the things I will remember about working with Henry. ~Ms. Mary Bayer, Theatre Teacher Excellence in Music Award: This award is given to a senior who has demonstrated continued commitment to the music program at Elgin Academy and who has shown a genuine love of music.

Katherine Moore: Since sixth grade, Katie has been a part of twenty-one choir concerts and seven musical productions. During this time, she has shown a great sense of humor and a deep love of music. She has been a constant presence in the music room and the theatre and has been a talented and dedicated member of our music ensembles. ~Ms. Marie Cinquemani Thomas, Music Teacher Jane Pelton Excellence in Art Award: This honor is given to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated outstanding ability and ownership of craft and a quest for knowledge that can only be gained from sincere effort, a joy for the process, and an intrinsic understanding of the medium.

Sophie Borchart: Sophie’s work ethic was outstanding. It was not unusual for me to get a text from her with an accompanying image of her latest work at 10:30 p.m. I knew she was constantly thinking and working on her pieces – how could I say it was too late for her to be calling me when a student has so much drive and passion? ~Mr. Joseph Stuart, Art Teacher Kaitlyn Woltz: Art is not strictly a solo experience in a school environment. Kaitlyn recognized her skills and was more than willing to share her experiences and knowledge with much younger students in our Pre-School art program on a weekly basis. She was always there to give a helping hand to her peers and the Fine Arts Faculty. In spite of her own college and AP art deadlines coming up, she gave valuable time throughout the year to assisting in the Lower School art program. ~Mr. Joseph Stuart, Art Teacher

MATHEMATICS & SCIENCE AWARDS Frank H. Limacher Mathematics Award: This award is presented to a member of the senior class who best demonstrates an enthusiasm for learning mathematics and improving their understanding.

Giustina Joyce: Gia is the kind of student any math teacher loves to have in their class. She wants to know why the formula works the way it does. She asks for an explanation about the definitions many of us take for granted. She has a very solid understanding of mathematics attained through her hard work, and she made every math class she was in a better learning environment. ~Ms. Pam Gomez, Mathematics Teacher

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2017

Excellence in Mathematics and Computer Science: This honor is given to a student whose thinking and problem solving is intertwined with both the disciplines of Mathematics and Computer Science.

JingJin “William” Wang: I certainly didn’t introduce William to mathematics, or even to computers, but I hope I’ve showed him a few tools and helped him learn a few techniques that he can use—in conjunction with the ones he’s learned in his math classes and on his own—to answer the questions he’s going to ask. William is like the rocket in the Road Runner cartoon.

The rocket is a force of nature. It’s gonna go where it’s gonna go. And for the last two years, as William’s Computer Science teacher, I’ve been holding on for dear life like Wile E. Coyote, trying to lean a little and maybe nudge William a bit one way or another. It’s been a wild ride, but it’s time for me to get off now, William, and let you go on by yourself. ~Mr. Jim Kidston, Computer Science Teacher Excellence in Science: The top science award is a four-year award about dedication to the sciences, effort, real interest in learning, cooperation with one’s fellow students, and positive attitude in the face of difficulty/adversity.

Maisy Feeley: Maisy is a humble leader, through both example and action, inside and outside the classroom. After taking freshman Biology and sophomore Honors Chemistry, she took AP Chemistry as a junior, and as a senior doubled up by taking both AP Biology and Mathematical Physics. Throughout, she has shown daily diligence, and focus on both learning and doing her very best. ~Ms. Jamie Lau, Chemistry Teacher Fermi Laboratory Science Award: The Fermilab Award goes to a senior student that has displayed true passion for some or several disciplines of science.

Daniel Ethan Basa: “Daniel has pursued his environmental science passion for the past four years by spending a considerable amount of time at both a scientific institution, the Shedd Aquarium, and in summer field work away from home. He has traveled with groups from the Shedd to the Apostle Islands and the Caribbean to learn how to research both specific organisms and the changes within the environment that can affect those organisms.

Congratulations to Daniel Basa for recognizing and following his passion.” ~Ms. Roberta Nabor, Biology Teacher Citizenship and Service Awards Sons of the American Revolution Award: Each year the Sons of the American Revolution sponsor an award to recognize outstanding citizenship. This award recognizes a male or female senior who demonstrates dependability, honesty, courtesy, respect, leadership, and patriotism.

Elliott Wittmeyer: Any of the words in the award description could be used to describe Elliott, and they would not be exaggerated in any way. He is one of the most dependable students with whom I have worked. He has developed into a leader in the classroom as well as in extracurricular activities. He has been a model of calm and consistent perseverance among our students, and we know that he will continue to be an optimal citizen at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. ~Mr. Doug Sept, Director of the Upper School Old Main Award: Student Council members vote to honor a senior member of Student Council who demonstrates leadership and excellence through their work within the organization.

Sophie Borchart: In both organizing and executing plans for Student Council events, Sophie was a voice of creativity, passion, and reason. In meetings, she came with positivity and readiness to overcome any obstacles and to create ideas and activities that would be worthwhile for students and teachers. ~Sharene Gould Dulabaum, Student Council Member

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Excellence in Community Service Award: This distinction goes to an individual or individuals who have demonstrated longevity of commitment to service at school and the community at large.

Daniel Ethan Basa: Daniel understands that the impact an individual makes through service does not end with those whose lives have been touched, but it lives on through the volunteers that return home with new perspectives of the world around them. ~Señora Kathleen Rusniak, Community Service Coordinator Helen Borchart: Helen sees service as something we must all do. She believes that everyone is entitled to a happy, safe, and healthy life because they are just as valuable as any other human being. ~Señora Kathleen Rusniak Sophie Borchart: Sophie believes service is one of the best ways to appreciate the value of humanity and to cherish the impact our deeds have on others in our community. ~Señora Kathleen Rusniak

Outstanding Student Ambassador: Student ambassadors are an extremely important part of the Admission Office at Elgin Academy. They are considered role models of Elgin Academy’s mission and promise statement. They bring to life what an Elgin Academy education provides as they guide prospective families on tours and answer questions about the EA experience.

Caitlin Sharma: Caitlin has a deep understanding of the importance of storytelling when discussing EA with prospective families and willingly shares her personal journey to help families see what could be possible for their student. She was present at all of the campus preview days, off-site preschool and high school fairs, WTTW events, and the ISACS visit just to name a few. Oftentimes when last minute tours were sprung upon us, she would willingly volunteer with a smile to make sure that each family received the tour they deserved. ~Dr. Diane Schael, Admissions Director Library Service Award: This award is presented to two senior students who for the past seven years have participated in the library inventory process at the conclusion of the school year.

Andrew Wilson, Ian Wilson: After everyone else’s summer vacation began, these two young men worked from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. scanning over twenty thousand books. They challenged themselves to complete this process a little faster every year. They set hourly and daily goals and made a sport out of library inventory. ~Lynne Schick, Library/Media Center Director COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY AWARDS University of Rochester Frederick Douglass & Susan B. Anthony Award In Humanities and Social Studies: In honor of these two American authors and activists, who were essential to the fulfillment of the promises of the U.S. Constitution, the University of Rochester sponsors this award for a student who has strong grades in rigorous courses taken in the humanities and social sciences, shown leadership and dedication to community action, and demonstrated a commitment to understanding and addressing difficult social issues.

Caitlin Sharma: In her three years in the Upper School, Caitlin has distinguished herself not only as a high-achieving student, but also as someone who engages with ideas at a very high level. An enthusiastic student of literature and history, her written work is mature and sophisticated, and her ability to look into a text and see its subtexts and implications is excellent. As a member of Mock Trial, Caitlin explored the judicial process and as a member of Gavel, she participated in discussions about the 2016 Presidential election. ~Dr. Frank Hering, English Teacher

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2017

University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Junior Science Award: This honor goes to a high achieving junior who has taken rigorous science classes and made positive contributions to school and within the larger community.

Prudhvie Gudapati: Constant focus, dedication, and inquisitiveness have made Prudhvie stand out in a class with many strong science students. He has gone above and beyond in wanting to understand not only what is being taught in the classroom, but also in the world around him. ~Ms. Jamie Lau, Science Teacher Brandeis University Award for Social Action: This award is presented to an outstanding high school junior in the top ten percent of the class who demonstrates a commitment to civic engagement, community service, political activism, social justice, or volunteer work.

Sharene Gould Dulabaum: Sharene cares a great deal about both the world at large and the Elgin Academy community. She is an avid member of Students Allied for Equality (S.A.F.E.), demonstrating a deep commitment to civic engagement, and a willingness to stick up for the rights and needs of others. ~Mr. Dan Raffety, College Counselor George Eastman Young Leaders Award: This award is presented to a junior who demonstrates strong leadership experience at school and in the community, earns high grades in challenging courses, and has extensive involvement in extracurricular activities.

Sharene Gould Dulabaum: Sharene participates in a considerable number of activities, with extensive involvement throughout the EA community in theater, Encore, Student Council, The Cupola Newspaper, S.A.F.E., Environmental Club, and more. She leads through exemplary thoughtfulness, initiative, and perseverance. ~Mr. Dan Raffety, College Counselor Dartmouth College Book Award: This award is given to a junior who has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and intellectual leadership, and who has made a positive contribution to the extracurricular life of the school.

Benjamin Simon: Ben is constantly engaged in intellectual pursuits. Be it Latin, physics, computer science, or a variety of other disciplines, he is always involved in cerebral pursuits.

He has exhibited exceptional involvement in a variety of extracurriculars including Tech Club, Illinois Junior Classical League, and behind the scenes work in theater and music. He was an early enthusiast of our school’s 3D Printer, and he is always willing to offer IT help to those in need. ~Mr. Dan Raffety, College Counselor St. John’s College Book Award: This award is presented to a student in recognition of a love of reading, exemplary enthusiasm for learning, and eagerness to pursue understanding through discussion.

Karan Gowda: Karan has a passion for learning, a thirst for knowledge, and a deep love of reading. In class, he recognizes that everything is important and has a tremendous curiosity about a wide variety of topics. ~Mr. Dan Raffety, College Counselor St. Lawrence University Book Award: In recognition of the value that the St. Lawrence community places on service to others, this award is presented to a high school junior who has distinguished him or herself by significant commitment to community service.

Alexander Mead: Alex is a young man with a great big heart whose positive attitude is infectious throughout the Elgin Academy community. He always has a kind word for his peers and has served as a wonderful mentor to younger students. He has been a consistent and conscientious participant in PADS homeless shelter for many years. Additionally, his integrity is unquestionable. ~Mr. Dan Raffety, College Counselor

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National, State and local

awards

Illinois State Scholars The Illinois Student Assistance Commission recognizes students for outstanding achievement on the ACT and for high Grade Point Average at the completion of their junior year. These students rank in the top 10% of the approximately 140,000 high school graduating seniors in Illinois each year.

2016 -2017 Illinois State Scholars: Helen Borchart, Amelia Deering, Maisy Feeley, Edward Joyce V, Nadine Kademoglou, Nicholas Kathrein, Catherine Palmer, Stephanie Pierson, Meaghan Roberti, Henry Stone, Elliott Wittmeyer, and David Zuzevich

National Merit Awards The National Merit Scholarship Program recognizes students for achievement on the PSAT taken during their junior year and offers a scholarship to a select number of students. About 50,000 of the 1.6 million juniors taking the test receive some degree of recognition, ranging from Commended status to the highest level, National Merit Scholar.

Amelia Deering advanced from National Merit SemiFinalist to National Merit Finalist to National Merit Scholar. She is one of about 7,500 students nationally to receive financial award for her achievement. Maisy Feeley was awarded Commended Scholar and received a letter of recognition.

Presidential Awards The Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence recognizes seniors with high standardized test scores and a grade point average over 3.5. Recipients receive a certificate and a letter of recognition from the Office of the President of the United States.

2017 recipients: Sophie Borchart, Amelia Deering, Maisy Feeley, Nadine Kademoglou, Nicholas Kathrein, Muwen “Leila” Li, Sophia Shapiro, Henry Stone, Jennifer Vernon, JingJin “William” Wang, Andrew Wilson, Elliott Wittmeyer, and Zhaochi “George” Ye The Presidential Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement recognizes seniors in a particular area of interest or those who have demonstrated outstanding educational growth, improvement, commitment, and intellectual development throughout their studies. Recipients also receive a certificate and letter of recognition from the Office of the President of the United States.

2017 recipients: Nathan Agno, Daniel Ethan Basa, Helen Borchart, Giustina Joyce, and Kaitlyn Woltz

Elgin Rotary “Straight A” Awards Annually, at a luncheon in May at Judson University, the Elgin Rotary Club recognizes all Elgin area high school students who earn all A grades for the first semester of the school year.

First Year Honorees: Simon Balisi, Yumei “Candace” Feng, Nona Guvenoz, Caelinn Leahy, Ethan Moore, Arman Pabani, Katherine Peak, Christopher Perez, Cara Shanahan, Jaden Tabak, and Jennifer Vernon Second Year Honorees: Madigan Boborci, Neha Karna, Henry Stone, and Elliott Wittmeyer Third Year Honorees: Sharene Gould Dulabaum, Karan Gowda, and Prudhvie Gudapati Fourth Year Honorees: Amelia Deering and Maisy Feeley Daily Herald Leadership Awards The Daily Herald newspaper annually offers awards for high school students who demonstrate leadership in the areas of Community Service and Academic Excellence.

The Community Service Award recognizes students who show leadership and commitment in service to others.

The Academic Excellence Award is given to students who demonstrate high academic performance through test scores and grades and who are actively involved in school clubs and organizations.

Community Service, Honorable Mention: Sophie Borchart and Andrew Wilson Academic Excellence, First Team: Amelia Deering and Maisy Feeley

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Honorary

societies

Cum Laude Society The Cum Laude Society is the secondary school equivalent of Phi Beta Kappa. It was founded in Maryland 110 years ago, and its mission is to recognize academic achievement in secondary schools for the purpose of promoting excellence, justice, and honor. The Elgin Academy chapter was founded in 1922. It is the oldest chapter in Illinois, and the twenty-sixth oldest chapter in the Society. The Society’s Constitution authorizes each chapter to induct the top twenty percent of each year’s Senior class. At Elgin Academy, approximately ten percent are inducted as Juniors and another ten percent as Seniors.

Class of 2017 Elected as Juniors: Amelia Deering, Maisy Feeley, and Elliott Wittmeyer Class of 2017 Elected as Seniors: Nadine Kademoglou, Nicholas Kathrein, Henry Stone, Jennifer Vernon, and Jingjin “William” Wang Class of 2018 Elected as Juniors: Sharene Gould Dulabaum, Karan Gowda, and Prudhvie Gudapati

International Thespian Society The International Thespian Society (ITS) is a student honorary organization that recognizes the achievements of high school theatre students. Since 1929, more than 2 million student thespians have been inducted into ITS. That number continues to grow, with more than 36,000 students from around the country being inducted each year.

Having a thespian troupe at Elgin Academy raises the profile and stature of the EA theatre program. Moveover, it provides a means for recognition of student theatrical contributions that creates within the student a sense of pride, confidence, motivation, and confirmation that their time is well spent.

National Honor Society All students in the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grades with a cumulative GPA of 3.4 or higher are invited to apply for membership in this national organization, whose purpose is to recognize and honor students exhibiting the four characteristics that the society has established as criteria for membership: scholarship, character, leadership, and service.

2015 Inductees: Sophie Borchart, Amelia Deering, Maisy Feeley, Nadine Kademoglou, Catherine Palmer, Stephanie Pierson, Sophia Shapiro, Henry Stone, Andrew Wilson, Ian Wilson, and Elliott Wittmeyer 2016 Inductees: Simon Balisi, Alexia Ceci, Haley Dulabaum, Sharene Gould Dulabaum. Karan Gowda, Prudhvie Gudapati, Connor Jaworski, Nicholas Kathrein, Muwen “Leila” Li, Cara Shanahan, Caitlin Sharma, Neha Shyamani, Benjamin Simon, Madeline Sporina, and Jennifer Vernon

Membership is granted for the performance of meritorious work in theatre arts. Once inducted students accumulate points for participation and can achieve the status of Honor Thespian and National Honor Thespian.

2014 Inductees: Amelia Deering, Katherine Moore, Henry Stone, and Jennifer Vernon 2015 Inductees: Helen Borchart, Morgan Donahue, Sharene Gould Dulabaum, and Teagan Moore 2016 Inductees: Madigan Boborci, Preston Desch, Haley Dulabaum, Connor Jaworski, Leeann Rao, Cara Shanahan, and Benjamin Simon 2017 Inductees: Nathan Agno, Maisy Feeley, Nadine Kademoglou, Nicholas Kathrein, Diego Medina, Ethan Moore, Jaden Tabak, Muskaan Siddique, and Kat Wall 2017 Honor Thespian: Teagan Moore 2017 National Honor Thespians: Amelia Deering, Henry Stone

2017 Inductees: Madigan Boborci, Helen Borchart, Arman Gueyikian, Neha Karna, Pranav Sai, and Muskaan Siddique elgin academy

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Saluting our Victorious Upper School Academic

competition teams

WYSE Wins at State Elgin Academy has a longstanding tradition of bringing home the hardware at WYSE regional, sectional, and state competitions. This year was no exception. Our Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering Club, better known as WYSE, is an academic challenge club where a selected team of students takes tests in a variety of subject areas, including math, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, and English. The 2017 WYSE Team earned a place at the State Championship with wins at regionals and sectionals. The team took Second Place in the State Championship in April at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. A number of students earned individual medals at State.

2017 WYSE Team - 2nd Place State Champions: Simon Balisi, Madigan Boborci, Amelia Deering, Sharene Gould Dulabaum, Karan Gowda, Prudhvie Gudapati, Edward Joyce V, Siyong “Bryan” Leng, Alex Mead, Pranav Sai, Caitlin Sharma, Ben Simon, Henry Stone, and Jingjin “William” Wang.

Individual State Medal Recipients: Simon Balisi - 2nd place Chemistry Amelia Deering - 4th place English Karan Gowda - 2nd place Biology Prudhvie Gudapati - 1st place Chemistry Edward Joyce V - 5th place Mathematics

Siyong “Bryan” Leng - 3rd place Chemistry Benjamin Simon - 4th place Computer Science Jingjin “William” Wang - 2nd place Mathematics Jingjin “William” Wang - 2nd place Physics

Courtroom Success for Mock Trial Team In April, the Upper School Mock Trial Team took first place in their division at the annual Kane County Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Kane County Bar Foundation. The EA team presented a civil case involving a contested will before a Kane County judge at the Geneva Courthouse in downtown Geneva.

2017 Mock Trial Team: Daniel Ethan Basa, Sharene Gould Dulabaum, Karan Gowda, Nona Guvenoz, Michael Knight, Rachel Peyton, Meaghan Roberti, Pranav Sai, Caitlin Sharma, Muskaan Siddique, Benjamin Simon, Kat Wall, and Elliott Wittmeyer 18

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Upper School Athletic

awards

Every May the Upper School Athletic Department, in conjunction with coaches, selects a top male and female athlete to receive the Athlete of the Year Awards. The awards are presented to these students the evening before Commencement at Honors Convocation. This year the honors go to Ian Wilson and Giustina “Gia” Joyce.

Male Athlete of the Year, Ian Wilson 2 years basketball, 4 years baseball “Ian’s baseball success happens as he maintains a high grade-point average with AP/honors classes. He has a strong work ethic in the weight room, and the classroom. His leadership and beast-mode attitude helped put the 2017 Elgin Academy baseball team on the map as a program of success.” ~Steve Shapiro, Boys Varsity Baseball Coach Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship: Elgin Sports Hall of Fame is an all volunteer, non-profit foundation that is part of the great sports tradition in Elgin. Part of its mission includes awarding scholarships to students who either live in Elgin or attend high school in Elgin. In recognition of his accomplishments on the baseball field, Ian Wilson received the 2017 Elgin Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship.

“Ian’s prowess on the baseball field is exceptional. Ian has so many distinctions, including being twice named Class 1A All-State by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association. We are proud that Ian will play college ball for Oglethorpe University in Georgia–a NCAA Division III school with a reputation for strong athletics and academics.” ~Rick Williams, Athletic Director

Female Athlete of the Year, Gia Joyce 2 years basketball, 4 years volleyball “Gia was always a player who wanted to learn. She was always asking questions and she wanted to know how to respond if a situation should occur. She had a phenomenal attitude and a determination not to let her team down. She is a true athlete!” ~Jill Kowalyszyn, Girls Varsity Basketball Coach “Gia is one of the most hard working athletes I’ve worked with at EA. She came to every practice prepared to give 110% and with questions about how she could better her volleyball skills to make herself and her team better. She cares so much about her teammates and is one of the kindest athletes I have ever met. Gia was always willing to mentor and help others on and off the court.” ~Dawn Gross, Girls Varsity Volleyball Coach

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Middle school graduation It’s a time for Joy and a Time for Tears

The Kimball Street Theatre in the Rider Center was the place to be on the evening of Monday, June 5th. That is where the thirty members of the eighth grade class and their families and friends were assembled for Middle School Graduation. This occasion is typically viewed by both parents and students as a rite of passage to mark the transition from middle school to upper school. The significance of this milestone was evident in the emotions of the audience–the mood was both celebratory and somber.

Emma Smiley, Middle School Student Council President, gave a welcoming address to begin the evening. She referenced the tension that the graduates feel as they struggle to balance leaving the security of the middle school where they have reigned for the past year with the excitement of finally moving on to high school where everything will be new.

Maisy Feeley, fresh from her own graduation from the Upper School, delivered an address to the eighth graders. She joked that they had a lot to look forward to in the Upper School, such as eating lunch at 11:55 a.m. instead of 12:25 p.m.

Christopher Kademoglou and Aaron Kirk received the Middle School’s top awards.

The thrust of her message, however, focused on what Maisy called “cycles of self.”

She told the graduates that thinking in terms of cycles will help them make sense of their high school experience.

“A cycle comes with a beginning and an end, and in between, there are learning curves, comfort zones, and challenges. Do not shy away from the challenges and, if you fail, accept that failure is part of the cycle too,” said Maisy.

Interestingly, in his Welcome to the Upper School remarks, Doug Sept, Upper School Director, touched on the subject of failure too. He told the graduates that true learning is born out of risk-taking, and taking risks will lead to mistakes.

“Take comfort that in the Upper School we don’t expect you to be perfect, and,

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in fact, welcome these situations that lead to teachable moments,” said Mr. Sept.

The Middle School’s top honors were also presented at the ceremony to two eighth grade students.

The Wisdom Award is given to a student who exhibits a strong desire for knowledge, has high academic achievement, and has a commitment to pursue scholarly challenges. The recipient was Aaron Kirk.

The Character Award goes to an individual with a strong moral sense who has a positive influence on others and who literally leads by example. Christopher Kademoglou received this award.

Two other prominent awards were also distributed at graduation. Neal Shyamani earned the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, an award that recognizes high academic performance in the classroom and high scores on standardized tests. Vansh Haridas received the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence, for an even higher level of academic performance and standardized tests scores.

The true excitement of the evening occurred as the graduates stepped forward one-by-one to receive their certificates from Mr. Seth Hanford, Head of School, Mrs. Sandra Revak, Middle School Director, and Ms. Melissa Dugan, Dean of Students.

Vansh Haridas receives the President’s Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence.

The ceremony concluded with the Middle School Choir, singing the contemporary song I Lived by OneRepublic, with lyrics about boldly facing the future. The song provided a perfect conclusion to the event.

Following the ceremony, the Elgin Academy Parent Association Middle School Vice-Presidents, Sandy Kirk and Gina Pawlisch, and parent volunteers provided a lovely reception in the Fourth Floor Commons of the Rider Center.

CLASS OF 2021 John Robert Arnold Samuel Nathan B. Basa Madeline Rose Beauchamp Akio James Boston Theodore Spooner Ellis Jennifer Isabelle Denisa Goddard Seana Gould Dulabaum Daniel Abraham Gueyikian Vansh Kishen Haridas Katia Rose Horn

Yichen “Samuel” Hua Zoe Erycka Jacobson Christopher Ellias Kademoglou Aaron Griffith Kirk Ryan Thomas Knight Olivia Ksiag Charlene Angeline LaVigne Yifei “Jessica” Lu Ryan Charles Marusich Lucas Riley Muffitt

Hareem Rauf Alex B. Richardson Danyaal Ahmad Sami Neal Nikhil Shyamani Emma Grace Smiley Lindsay Claire Warren Jorie Catherine Wilmington Anna Grace Wittmeyer John Anders Yavari Reece Patrick Zonts

Everybody wore a smile at the reception following the Eighth Grade Graduation.

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Biographers’ tea

Stepping into the Spotlight

Biographers’ Tea is a signature event for Elgin Academy’s Middle School students in grades five and six. In this multi-faceted project, each student selects a historical figure from an assigned category, such as world leaders or explorers. Then, working individually, the student researches, writes, edits, refines, and develops an oral and visual presentation to be given before an audience of family, friends, and peers. The student assumes the identity of the historical figure–dressing like the person and, if known, assuming the mannerisms and patterns of speech of the individual. Presentations typically last three minutes. After the presentation in front of the assembled audience, students are stationed around the room with their visual presentations and share more details about their chosen historical figure.

The performances build on presentations skills that students acquire in the Lower School. As early as kindergarten, our students are speaking before their classmates and families in age appropriate ways. By the time they are fifth-graders, they are ready to tackle a presentation project with a broader scope.

“For many of our students, Biographers’ Tea is a milestone in the development of their self-confidence, which they continue to build on throughout their EA education,” said Sandy Revak, Middle School Director.

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The residual effects of Biographers’ Tea are far reaching.

Bolstered with the confidence gained in fifth and sixth grade, middle school students go on to give more sophisticated presentations in seventh and eighth grade.

Talking easily before an audience helps students find their voice in classroom discussions. By the time they are in the Upper School, they are poised to discuss and defend, debate, and declaim ideas large and small.

English and social studies teachers heavily support fifth-graders through the preparation and presentation aspects of the project. However, when the project is repeated in the sixth-grade (with a different category of historical figures to portray), the students are able to work more independently. They are also able to critique their performances from the previous year, and this helps them build stronger oral and visual presentations.

At both the 5th and 6th grade level, successful presentations are the direct result of a secure environment where students feel comfortable taking risks before a supportive audience.

“Bio Tea is most likely a student’s first major public speaking experience. To have this opportunity so young starts you on a path to being comfortable and confident in your public speaking ability by the time you reach high school,” said Gia Joyce ‘17 (Illinois Wesleyan University ‘21).

Babur: Hisham Shirazi opposite page Jackie Kennedy: Talia Horn George Washington: Clayton Marines Noor Jahan: Hanna Ham Wu Hou: Cassie Cowen

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Lessons through Mushing: Learning through the

iditarod

Middle School teacher Janet Hughes knows how to capture the imagination of her fifth grade English students. She engages them in collaborative, experiential learning projects about the Iditarod Dogsled Race. During the course of the two-week long race that takes place in March, students virtually follow the journeys of actual mushers (dogsled drivers) as they skillfully handle teams of 16-dogs each over the roughly 1,050 miles from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska. The Iditarod race dates back to the early 1970s and commemorates an important event in Alaskan history.

“The race reenacts a real life drama that occurred in 1925 when a diphtheria epidemic in Nome threatened the lives of many of the townspeople, especially children,” says Ms. Hughes, “Harsh weather prevented the delivery of life saving serum by conventional transportation.”

Working on narrative stories about the Iditarod is both challenging and fun.

Through readings and videos, the students learn about the first real-life Iditarod. The lessons are full of drama as the students discover how teams of mushers and their dogs raced to deliver the serum quickly to the critically ill while battling hurricane force winds and frigid temperatures. The complexity of Alaska’s geography is presented to the students as the mushers traversed isolated tundra, dense forests, snowy mountain terrain, and frigid coastline. For their heroic efforts, the mushers and dogs earned a place in American history and in the hearts of Elgin Academy fifth-graders.

Ms. Hughes adds a touch of lightheartedness to the study by showing her students the Disney movie, Balto, about the lead sled dog of the final team. The students create Venn diagrams to compare and contrast Balto with the actual history of the first Iditarod. They make observations about the distinctions between the animated movie and the historical facts. Students then use their diagrams to write a compare/contrast essay with a focus on transition words between paragraphs.

Students follow the race in real time using the website Iditarod Insider. They track via GPS 5 the daily journey of approximately seventy mushers. On the website students can also watch interviews with the mushers and learn about the many rules and regulations that are in place to protect the health of both musher and dog.

The fifth-graders choose a musher to follow each day of the race. This makes for some fun competition in the class! It is not uncommon for students from previous years to stop by and ask who is leading in the Iditarod. Stakes are high as the mushers compete for the prize of $75,000 and a new pickup truck.

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The Iditarod study culminates with a personal narrative writing assignment. Students create a fictional account of their own Iditarod experience where they became the musher. There are several criteria for the assignment: - The students are to use the facts they learned about the race to make their narratives more believable, accurate, and also creative.

- They are to use vivid adjectives and exciting verbs along with informative details to help readers “see” and better understand the Iditarod experience.

- They are to write in the first-person point of view and in the past tense to keep all the events in the same time frame, as if they were re-telling their race story.

The students are expected to use effective transitions to move their stories along smoothly and keep their writing organized.

- They are to edit and peer edit so that everyone’s completed narrative will meet the criteria and result in a final paper that can be displayed on a bulletin board featuring Iditarod stories and art.

Student learning is always enhanced when teachers collaborate in a meaningful way, and art teacher Nancy Kenney was delighted to support the fifth-grade Iditarod study (and she included her sixth-grade art students too). She showed the students two books from the Elgin Academy Library by award-winning author and illustrator Robert J. Blake, Akiak: A Tale from the Iditarod and Togo. Both books cover the story of the first Iditarod, so students reviewed the race history with Ms. Kenney.

Blake paints directly from life, and he travel to Alaska to observe the Iditarod first hand so that his drawings of sled dogs would be accurate visual representations.

“The students studied Blake’s beautifully illustrated drawings of dogs, and they made observations about the qualities and characteristics of sled dogs. They also studied Blake’s drawing technique.” said Ms. Kenney.

She then turned her students loose to draw a sled dogs using a medium of their choosing. Some students

modeled their dogs after those in Blake’s books while others drew inspiration from their own person pets. The students named and tagged their dogs. Their unique artistic creations were added alongside their narratives to a bulletin board in the Rider Center 3rd Floor Art Corridor.

Both teachers agree that the Iditarod Sled Dog Race is a valuable teaching tool in the classroom. The race captures students’ interest and maintains that interest so that the teacher has the opportunity to teach a variety of skills in many disciplines. Students are actively engaged in multifaceted projects that stem from extraordinary real life drama. Plus, the timing of the exciting race in early March offers a welcome respite from winter doldrums.

Excerpts from student narratives: “My name is Yakarvi Roslyn and at the age of twentyone I qualified to be in the Iditarod by completing the Yukon Quest. I was super excited to be in the Iditarod, a sled dog race in Alaska, which is held every year on the first weekend in March. I had to train my dogs and myself, so I worked very hard to earn the entry fee of $4,000. Because it was my first year, I was a rookie. At the musher’s banquet, which is held two days before the Iditarod, I picked the number seven for my bib.” ~Kate Kihnke “Cherokee got very tired racing between McGrath and Takotna. He was breathing and panting heavily. He wouldn’t even eat. We stopped on the side to rest, and Cherokee laid down. He soon went to sleep, and I let him sleep for 30 minutes, but he was barely breathing. We rushed to Takotna to see the vets, with Cherokee riding in the sled beside me. Over time his breathing slowed down. When we got to Takotna, the vets checked him and said I needed to drop him because I had exhausted him.” ~Kate Sept

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A

vibe

of its own

The Lower School Year-End Program, held on the last day of school, has a vibe all of its own. Parents arrive early to get good seats. Toddlers squirm on laps while parents jockey for position to get the best possible photos. There is a buzz of excitement in the air as the young students begin to file in with their teachers.

Grandparents proudly wave to their grandchildren, and students excitedly wave back. Absent are the tears that often accompany an eighth grade graduation that marks the transition from middle school to high school. Missing, too, is the solemnness of Upper School Commencement, that is a traditional rite of passage into adulthood. The Lower School ceremony is unapologetically a joyous occasion, pure and simple.

The morning features lots of songs with each grade level having their own moment in the spotlight. The tunes are cheerful and upbeat, but when the fourth graders take the stage and sing “Goodbye, So Long, Farewell” from The Sound of Music, there is an audible sigh from their parents. Luckily, a rousing rendition of “Get Back Up Again” from Trolls restores everyone’s good spirits.

The fourth grade classes who are moving into middle school in the fall are at the heart of this celebration.

Those students take a special place before the assembly, facing the audience of schoolmates, family, and friends.

They are called individually by their teachers, Ms. Donna Bolz and Ms. Adeline Moon, to receive their Certificates 26

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of Completion from Lower School Director, Mr. Harry Gould.

It is customary for the parent of a fourth grader to address the Lower School students and their parents.

Douglas Bruss, father of Kaan ‘25, shares anecdotes about his experiences with his son and his grade four classmates. He reminisces about highlights, like performances in The Lion King and Shake It Up With Shakespeare. When Mr. Bruss, who volunteers with Chess Club, laughingly admits that a few fourth graders now have chess skills that rival his own, parents nod and share his laughter.

But, mostly, Mr. Bruss’ comments focus on Elgin Academy’s remarkable sense of community.

“Elgin Academy is quite a place. It’s not just a school; it’s more like a community, and that’s important, because we, as humans, need community. We are social creatures who learn and grow through interactions; through playing with other people and through solving problems together,” says Bruss.

He goes on to say that Elgin Academy acknowledges differences and accepts a wide range of perspectives.

“That is what sets Elgin Academy apart,” says Bruss.

“Everyone is welcome here, and everyone is encouraged to help build and be a part of the community.”

The class of 2025 Ms. Bolz’s Class (alphabetically)

Tyler Berlin Kaan Bruss Braeden Ceci Alaina Gordon Payton Kut Addison Lanton Sylvie Martin Vamika Sanjay Hailey Vogt Ben Wegrzyn

Ms. Moon’s Class (alphabetically)

Alex Almazan Brayden Collins-Langfield Reagan Dwyer Nella Ksiag Quinten Padula Taylor Reimer April Suh Mia Velasquez Cole Weddle

2017

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Immersion Creates Lasting

memories

Special to Lower School is the annual Immersion project where kindergarten through fourth grade students focus on cultural aspects of a particular country.

The countries are selected on a five-year cycle from Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and South America. This year’s Immersion featured the African nation of Kenya.

On a sunny Friday in April, Lower School students traveled to the Brookfield Zoo for the kick-off activity to see many of the animals that have earned Kenya the reputation of the safari capital of the world. Life size cutouts (along with a Safari Jeep) of some of these same animals decorated the hallways in North Hall. As Immersion progressed, colorful student artwork depicting all things Kenyan filled the classroom bulletin boards.

Students experience Kenya through active learning.

During the three-week immersion, our youngest learners engaged in a variety of workshops conducted by teachers and parent volunteers. Through interactive videos, the students learned phrases in Swahili, one of Kenya’s national languages. In other workshops, they studied the history, geography, climate, and plant life in Kenya. In music, they explored Kenya’s cultural heritage with lessons and hands-on activities music and dance. They even learned to cook ugali, a white stiff porridge that is a staple in many Kenyan tribes.

“Immersion is the best way to learn about Kenya, because I got to do things that the people who live there do. I ate their yummy food and played the same games that the kids who live there play,” said third grader Gianna Hughes.

As always, teachers and parents joined forces to ensure that the closing ceremonies for Immersion were special and memorable. Music filled the air, as some students beat African drums and engaged in rhythm play with sticks while other students attempted African dances. There were lots of games to play from Shisima--a two player abstract strategy game played in the dirt by the Triiki people of Kenya--to cricket, the national sport of Kenya. Students tapped into their creative side and created colorful tribal masks and beaded necklaces.

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Of course, as with any celebration, there was food.

Traditional ugali, a kale dish called sukuma wiki, and barbeque beef were mainstays on the menu.

Immersion tends to be an experience that stays with students, hence its value as a teaching tool. Long after the bulletin boards have been put away in North Hall, Lower School students still recall many of the facts they learned about the country that they studied.

Alumna Laura Masnato ‘16 takes the benefits of Immersion even further. She credits the interactive program as the first of her global education opportunities at Elgin Academy. She says,

“Immersion in France was the first of my EA experiences to engage me in the culture of different countries. I remember being seven years old and biking around campus in a tricycle Tour de France. I am an international business major at Northeastern University in Boston and plan to spend my last two years of college in France. It feels like a complete cycle to me that I would continue my education beyond EA in the first country I studied in Immersion so long ago.”

Hands-on activities, a trip to Brookfield Zoo, and a decorated North Hall immersed the Lower School in all things Kenya.

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BOB Team Beats Out the

competition

Kudos to the 2016-2017 Battle of the Books (BOB) team of thirteen players and one student coach from fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. They finished second out of a field of thirty-five teams in the BOB program. Lynne Schick, Director of the EA Library/Media Center is the Faculty Coach.

BOB is a contest whose purpose is to encourage quality reading. The Gail Borden Public Library, Bartlett Public Library, and Poplar Creek Public Library offer Battle of the Books competitions. Team members read books from a list of titles chosen by librarians. At competitions throughout the season, teams are asked specific questions about the books they read. Scores are kept and winners are recognized; however, much emphasis throughout the season is placed on the fun of participation and the satisfaction that comes from reading and from starting and finishing an assignment.

“Throughout the season, the team was complimented on their teamwork, organization, and support of one another,” said Ms. Schick, “But what the students will remember is the fun they had hanging out with one another and sharing a love of books.”

Here are some amazing statistics to summarize the BOB season. The team: . Attended 36 practices . Participated in six meets (needing to complete a minimum of 15, 20, 25, 35, 40, and 45 books to participate in the meets) . Learned the exact and precise author names of 60 fiction, nonfiction, and picture books . Learned the exact and precise illustrator names of 16 picture books . Learned the exact and precise titles of 60 fiction, nonfiction, and picture books . Read over 794 books and over 14,237,130 words . Earned over 3,461.4 Accelerated Reader points Fourth grade participants are eligible for medals, Certificates of Achievement, and free passes to Six Flags.

The following fourth graders were recognized at this year’s Lower School Closing Ceremony: Nella Ksiag, Payton Kut, April Suh, Cole Weddle, and Ben Wegrzyn.

Congratulations to the 2016-2017 BOB Team Alphabetical order: Cassie Cowen, Janaé Gillus, Nella Ksiag, Payton Kut, Noelle Lanton, Lily Perez, Delaney Reimer (Student Coach), Olivia Smiley, April Suh, Sumedha Surubhotla, Cole Weddle, Kameron Weddle, Ben Wegrzyn, Amity Wittmeyer, and Lynn Schick (Faculty Coach)

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EA Musicians Soar at

solo fest!

Many of our fourth grade and Middle School band students (under the direction of Ms. Rebecca Rome) attended the Music Education Services Band Solo Contest (Solo Festival) in March. This event gave the band members an opportunity to perform a solo and/or a duet with piano accompaniment, and be judged on their level of proficiency. Our Elgin Academy students rated very well, and many received medals for their performances.

Ms. Rome provides onsite band lessons to Elgin Academy students.

Gold Medalists: Olivia Alexander Noelle Brown Brayden Collins-Langfield Oscar Garcia, Alaina Gordon Addison Lanton Charlene LaVigne Seth Pritchett Cole Weddle

Silver Medalist: Brayden Collins-Langfield Liam Tohtz Bronze Medalist: Kameron Weddle

Additionally, we congratulate Noelle Brown and Charlene LaVigne who were selected to play with the Music Education Services Honor Band. They were given the opportunity to play more advanced music and perform with other Honor Band students from Chicagoland and Rockford.

In related news, we are excited to share that band will be offered in the Upper School beginning this fall, with Ms. Rome providing instruction. We added band to our Fine Arts program in response to our Upper School students who showed a desire to continue with their instrumental music studies. We look forward to having further news about this exciting program to share with you in subsequent issues of this publication. elgin academy

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Serving

at the rez

Teagan Moore ‘18 expected to encounter severe poverty when xe traveled to the Pine Ridge Reservation (known by volunteers as the Rez) in South Dakota last spring break with about a third of the Upper School students.

Teagan had visited another South Dakota reservation on a family trip as a child and had read the statistics about poverty at Pine Ridge. Teagan knew that the per capita income for the Oglala Lakota (Sioux Nation) is approximately $4,000 per year, and the unemployment rate fluctuates between eighty and ninety percent. Still, experiencing the poverty first-hand during the week long service trip was heart wrenching.

“You are prepared for the poverty, but still it is shocking,” said Teagan. “Conditions can be described as third-world conditions for the 28,000 or so residents. Life expectancy is low, disease rates are high, and many homes are without running water and sewers.”

Pine Ridge was Teagan’s third Elgin Academy spring break service trip. Twice, Teagan went to Nicaragua over spring break to teach English to school age children in the mountain town of Jinotega.

“In Nicaragua, we worked with children from impoverished areas too, but our work was in a school environment, so I felt we were somewhat sheltered from 32

2017

the poverty. At Pine Ridge, we were in the community fixing up homes that were drastically overcrowded and inadequately insulated,” said Teagan.

The EA spring break service trip was coordinated through a nonprofit agency called Re-Member that seeks to improve life for the Oglala Lakota. The agency provides a fully-equipped workshop, kitchen facilities

and housing for more than seventy-five volunteers and staff at a time.

Re-member staff divided EA volunteers into teams and the teams were put to work on projects to improve living condition for the residents on the reservation.

Some students build decks and stairs to make homes accessible for those with mobility issues. Others installed insulation around the base of mobile trailers, a process known as skirting. Another group built bunk beds and equipped them with mattresses, sheets, pillows, and even books for bedtime reading.

“The projects have an immediate impact on the people.” said Teagan, “More bunk beds means fewer people sleeping on floors or sharing beds, and the skirting immediately makes the the trailers more tolerable by buffering against extreme heat in the summer and extreme cold in the winter.”

“I like how the Lakota value their young because they are the future and their elders because of their wisdom.

It seems American culture is less about those two groups and concerned more with those in the middle,” said Teagan.

Re-member literature vows that a service trip to the reservation will be life changing. Teagan agrees with this promise, but extends it to all service ventures.

“Your life is impacted anytime you do something that changes your world view and gives you a perspective to injustices that you didn’t have before. EA is good about providing those experiences, ” said Teagan.

Teagan said Re-member’s philosophy of helping the Oglala Lakota fits with xer personal philosophy of helping others.

“I believe you do what you can as an individual to help others; on the Rez, it’s just people reaching out to help people,” said Teagan.

Teagan also appreciated the cultural immersion aspect of the trip to the reservation. Nightly, the EA students learned about the history, culture, and spirituality of the Lakota from the Lakota themselves.

Elgin Academy volunteers worked throughout the day to improve the Pine Ridge Reservation, and met nightly with Lakota leaders to learn about the culture. elgin academy

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Art Students Present a

picture perfect show

While many Elgin Academy seniors were counting down the days to graduation, a group of seniors from Joe Stuart’s AP Art class were still working hard to finish pieces for inclusion in the Elgin Academy Senior Art show held this past May at Side Street Studio Arts.

In preparation for the show, the students–Sophie Borchart, Rachel Dwyer, Gia Joyce, Rachel Peyton, Zachary Hering, Nadine Kademoglou, Jenny Vernon, and Kaitlyn Woltz–met several times with staff from Side Street. They were treated like professional artists and gained a valuable understanding of what is involved in staging a public gallery showing. In addition to other lessons learned throughout the process, students were required to meet deadlines, hang their own pieces, and collect their pieces after the show was over, duties that had to fit into their already busy academic and personal schedules.

Recent graduate, Gia Joyce, said, “The Senior Art Show gave us a glimpse of another aspect of an artist’s career that involves more than just creativity. So much behind the scenes work goes into putting a show together, and after going through the process, it opens your mind to how much skill you need to be a successful artist.”

On Opening Night, May 12, over 70 people explored the spacious downtown Elgin gallery which featured artwork created throughout the year in preparation for submission for the Senior AP Art Portfolio requirement.

Large and small pieces were created using multiple forms of artistic expression including pencil and ink,

Kaitlyn Woltz

acrylics, water colors and more. As friends and family viewed the various pieces, the artists stood by to answer questions about method and process and to enjoy the many positive reviews of their work. A few students chose to offer their pieces for sale, while others preferred to add a “Not Available For Sale” tag to their creations.

In addition to the artwork, attendees were also able to enjoy the music of several Elgin Academy students who performed throughout the evening. The performances included pieces played on the piano, classical guitar and even a Chinese guitar called a Ruan. The talent of Elgin Academy students was certainly in abundance that evening.

The artwork remained on display at Side Street Studio Arts for about two weeks following the show and was enjoyed by members of the Elgin community and beyond. Side Street Studio Arts opened its doors in 2013 as an outlet for local Elgin artists. According to their website, “Side Street provides educational and creative resources, and an accessible space, run by artists.”

Mary Bayer, Theatre teacher, enjoys the Senior Art Show.

Gia Joyce 34

2017

Varsity Baseball Teamwork Makes the

Hilltoppers Claim Independent School League Title On May 6, the Varsity Boys Baseball team split an Independent School League (ISL) doubleheader against University High School of Chicago to clinch its first baseball ISL conference title since 1996. The 8-4 win came in Game two. Henry Stone ‘17 went 2-for-2 with a triple and scored twice; Derek Warren ‘19 tripled and drove in a run. Cameron Agno ‘20 doubled and drove in a run. Andrew Wilson ‘17 (RBI) and Ian Wilson ‘17 (2 RBIs) also doubled.

Jonathan Cruz ‘18 was the winning pitcher with 6 1/3 innings. He allowed 4 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks and struck out 11.

Elgin Academy Wins IHSA Class 1A Regional Elgin Academy (22-5) scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and went on to a 9-4 win over Westminster Christian on Saturday, May 20, in the championship game of the Class 1A Illinois High School Association Baseball Regional played at Judson University in Elgin.

The victory gave the Hilltoppers their second-straight regional title. Ethan Hill ‘20 had two hits, and Kevin Kuykendall ‘19 doubled and had 2 RBIs. Jordan Hare ‘18 drove in three runs and Ethan Plantz ‘20 added two RBIs. Starting pitcher Jonathan Cruz ‘18 allowed seven hits and had nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He added a double. Ian Wilson ‘18 earned the win on the mound with 1 2/3 innings of relief in which he allowed only one hit and had two strikeouts.

dream work

Ian Wilson ‘17 Joins Oglethrope University Baseball Program Upper School students and faculty gathered in the gym at the end of the day on Tuesday, April 4th for a pep rally to officially kick-off the spring sports season and to witness the official signing ceremony for baseball stand-out Ian Wilson. Most notably, Ian was the Elgin Academy 2017 Male Athlete of the Year and twice named Class 1A All-State by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association.

Ian, very much a student athlete while at Elgin Academy, elected to join Oglethrope University in Georgia. The NCAA Division III school plays in the Southern Athletic Association and makes the claim that their studentathletes “earn higher GPAs on average than the rest of the student body, proving they can hit the books as hard as the ball.”

Jonathan Cruz ‘18 Headed to Northern Illinois University Jonathan Cruz ‘18 committed earlier in the summer to play college baseball at Northern Illinois University (NIU), following his graduation from Elgin Academy in June 2018. NIU is a NCAA Division I school and a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) West division.

Jonathan has been a significant contributor to EA’s baseball program thus far. He was instrumental in helping the team claim the ISL title and two back-toback IHSA Class 1A Regional titles. He was an All Area Honorable Mention in 2017. Jonathan is expected to be a key player and a team leader when the Hilltoppers take the field again in the spring of 2018. elgin academy

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Summer

at the academy

There was a time when the Academy all but shuttered its doors in the summer and maintained only a minimal staff on campus. Those days have gone by the wayside! We now offer a vibrant summer camp program providing opportunities for active learning through a variety of enrichment, athletic, academic, and creative programs for students in preschool through grade twelve. Participants can choose from a diverse selection of programs allowing them to follow their own interests and to personalize their summer experience.

Adventure Camp offered fun and engaging programs with exciting daily themes and a variety of hands-on enrichment activities planned each day. In the morning, campers engaged in activities such as creative play, art projects, experimentation, and games. Afternoons typically featured outdoor activities, sports, field trips, and swimming at nearby Lord’s Park. An extended day option, Camp Sunrise and Camp Sunset, allowed parents flexibility in dropping off and picking up their child.

A gardening lesson made this young camper happy.

There were also plenty of STEM camp opportunities (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), but because this is Elgin Academy where appreciation and respect for the arts is paramount, we turned STEM into STEAM. The addition of the “A” incorporated a three-week musical theater camp that put on a production of Elf, The Musical Jr. and individual band lessons. STEM offerings featured Introduction to Engineering, Snapology (using Legos to spark creativity), Digital Filmmaking, Digital Art, Stop Motion Animation, Game Design, Coding, 3D Printing, Forensic Science, Fun with Chemistry, and much, more.

Sports camps at the middle and upper school levels kept athletes busy. There were offerings by EA coaches in volleyball and basketball. Challenger British Soccer brought their staff of specially-trained British soccer athletes to campus to offer camps for ages three to fourteen.

36

2017

Finally, there were enrichment programs to help students enhance their academic performance. Test Preparation Courses were provided to help participants gain an extra edge when taking the ACT and/or SAT. Under the direction of EA teachers and college counselors, students brushed up on their test taking skills and learned valuable testing strategies. Also, Elgin Academy hosted the summer Reading Program affiliated with Northern Illinois University Outreach.

All in all, over 130 campers participated in one or more of thirty-four programs. Summer Camps employed a staff of twenty-two instructors that included six EA faculty members and five alumni.

EA Summer Camps featured something for everyone.

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37

who doesn’t love a

parade?

It seems everyone loves the Elgin 4th of July Parade!

For the second consecutive year in recent times, Elgin Academy has been a proud participant in our city’s July 4th parade through downtown Elgin.

This year’s parade theme was Prehistoric Creatures, piggybacking off the very successful exhibit of lifesize dinosaur bones at nearby Gail Borden Library. Our summer Adventure Campers visited the library, located only a few blocks away, on a weekly basis as part of a Summer Reading Challenge. They were totally immersed in dinosaur fever! We caught the spirit too and branded our school truck with cute photos of dinosaurs learning alongside our students.

Seth Hanford, along with alumni, students, and parents, show Elgin Academy’s dino-mite spirit.

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2017

commanding respect in the

community

Board Chair Keith Rauschenberger Receives Recognition In April, Board Chair Keith Rauschenberger received an Image Award for Volunteerism from the City of Elgin. Mr. Rauschenberger and his wife, Cindy, are the parents of two Elgin Academy lifers, Kacy ‘ 11 and Karl ’16.

Much of Mr. Rauschenberger’s volunteerism has been with Elgin Academy.

He joined the Board of Trustees in 2004, and served as Treasurer and Finance Committee member for ten years prior to his appointment as Board Chair. As Board Chair, he is a member of all Board committees and works tirelessly to support the Academy. He has also been a volunteer teacher of economics in the Upper School.

One of Mr. Rauschenberger’s most caring qualities is his desire to connect people to the resources that they need to be informed and educated individuals. He often shares articles that will help trustees and administrators make informed decisions and provide unique perspectives on education for the purpose of advancing the Academy. Likewise, he has in the past subscribed to magazines on behalf of the school to give faculty and students access to print articles by top economists, historians, and thought leaders.

Mr. Rauschenberger has also donated his time to his church and local political campaigns. He has been active in numerous civic organizations in Elgin, including the Downtown Neighborhood Association and the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce. Last winter, he was the recipient of a Chamber of Commerce High Five Award in Innovation for establishing the Elgin Area Small Business Academy to support local business owners. In the spring, along with his wife Cindy, he chaired the 2017 Public Action to Deliver Shelter (P.A.D.S.) fundraiser.

Veteran Spanish Teacher Kathleen Rusniak Wins Leader Award We were so pleased to congratulate Spanish teacher Kathleen Rusniak this past spring when she received the Leader in Education award at the YWCA Elgin 34th Annual Leader Luncheon for outstanding women in the community.

Throughout her thirty-two years at Elgin Academy, Señora, as she is known throughout the Academy, has instilled in her students a strong belief in serving others. She has worked with students to participate in clothing, food, and toy drives. Under her guidance, students have tutored local school children, mentored with the Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteered at the PADS homeless shelter for over twenty years and traveled both nationally and internationally to help others. Most recently, Señora chaperoned a group of student volunteers to The Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota.

Of course, she has taught Spanish to hundreds of Elgin Academy students and ably served as an advisor to scores of students.

Señora and her husband Michael (a frequent substitute teacher who is affectionately known on campus as Mr. Señora) are the parents of three lifers, Julie ‘99, Michael ‘01, and Ellen ‘05.

elgin academy

39

Extravaganza

40

Elgin Academy celebrated the 40th annual Extravaganza on March 11, 2017. We were grateful to be joined by a number of previous Auction Chairs including the very first Chair, Austin Doree. Austin and his wife Ellen conceived and planned Extravaganza I in 1978. Our evening’s program began with a lovely tribute and standing ovation in honor of Austin and Ellen. It was the perfect accolade to their work and the efforts of the many, many volunteers who have worked tirelessly over the years to make Extravaganza a lasting success.

Frank Hogan, the Head of School in 1978, called Extravaganza “the most ambitious single fundraising project” in the school’s history and that remains true today. The 40th annual auction raised more than $185,000 in support of our students, both in and out of the classrooms, and raised an additional $46,000 for our Faculty Staff Compensation Endowment Fund and $12,000 for our upcoming campus improvement project for a grand total of $243,000. We thank all our volunteers, donors, sponsors, and attendees for a fabulous evening.

Please join us for Extravaganza 41 on March 10, 2018 at the Pearl Banquets in Roselle.

Extravaganza Chairs: Austin Doree ‘47 (Extravaganza I), William Doree ‘79, Janet Matlachowski ‘80 and Lanette and Bill Padula (Extravaganza 41).

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2017

Hilltoppers

hit the links

at the

12th Annual Golf Classic On Monday, July 12th, the Athletic Booster Club sponsored the 12th Annual Golf Classic at the Golf Club of Illinois in Algonquin. As always, attending the Golf Classic was a fun way to start off the summer and a wonderful opportunity to support the Athletic Department.

This year’s Classic honored the 1983 Boys Basketball team–the team that won the Independent School League title that year and went on to win at Sectionals.

We were pleased to honor the team and delighted to have John Cain ‘85 in attendance.

We are fortunate to have a strong Athletic Booster Club. This group supports events throughout the year by volunteering and raising funds that supplement our budgets and allow us to enhance our student-athletes’ experiences in ways that we could otherwise not access. They contribute to capital projects where necessary and supply operational money that allows us to purchase equipment and other non-funded opportunities as well.

The Elgin Academy community comes together to support the Athletic Department.

We want to thank our Athletic Booster Club, a parent organization that works within our Parent Association to provide pointed support to our Athletic Program, for all of its work in organizing the Golf Classic and for its crucial volunteer support for our athletic program in general. We also want to thank all those who played in the event, sponsored a hole, placed an ad in the program, purchased a raffle ticket, or joined us afterwards for dinner and awards.

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41

Elgin Academy

legacies

Elgin Academy has a long and distinguished heritage and a proud tradition of attracting multiple generations from the same family. Meet the 2017 legacy graduates and their families.

Benjamin Bohenick: brother of Zachary Bohenick ‘13 Austin Rayman: son of Evan Rayman ‘85, nephew of Shayna Rayman ‘90 Catherine Palmer: sister of Michael Palmer ‘14 Rachel Peyton: sister of Alexandra Peyton ‘14 and Michelle Peyton ‘18 Stephanie Pierson: cousin of Emma May ‘16 and Rebecca May ‘14 Henry Stone: brother of Claire Stone ‘13, Emma Stone ‘11 and Madeline Stone-Kutis ‘10 Jennifer Vernon: cousin of Lauren Farbota ‘15, Matthew Farbota ‘10, Steven Farbota ‘08 and Kimberly Farbota ‘05 Elliott Wittmeyer: brother of Alysson Wittmeyer ‘15, Annie Wittmeyer ‘21, and Amity Wittmeyer ‘23 Kaitlyn Woltz: sister of Kenneth Woltz III ‘15, niece of Diane Pawelko ‘88 Legacies on the Steps of Sears Gallery: front row: Evan Rayman, Austin Rayman, Catherine Palmer, Emma May, Stephanie Pierson, Rachel Peyton, Alexandra Peyton, Michelle Peyton; second row: Ben Bohenick, Madeline Stone Kutis, Emma Stone, Claire Stone, Kaitlyn Woltz, Kenneth Woltz III; back row: Zachary Bohenick, Henry Stone, Alysson Wittmeyer, and Elliott Wittmeyer 42

2017

the

hilltopper

fund

What is a Hilltopper?

Hilltoppers are students who are disciplined in their thinking, dedicated in their efforts, secure in themselves, creative in their collaboration, and compassionate toward others. Elgin Academy has recognized since its founding that these are the characteristics that are critical for achievement in school and create a pathway for success in life. Our mission promises this to each and every student.

We ask the Elgin Academy community to join us in supporting the Hilltopper Fund, our new name for the Annual Fund, to deliver on our promise. Contributions to the Hilltopper Fund make an immediate and enriching impact on the educational experience for each and every student. Your gift provides the opportunity for our students to become Hilltoppers.

Donations to the Hilltopper Fund support our program in countless ways and make it possible for us to support our students. In particular, your gifts provide support in three key areas: • Faculty professional development • Curriculum enhancements

We thank the many supporters of our Hilltoppers in this, and each year.

• Technology and innovation Each year, a gift to the Hilltopper Fund makes an immediate impact in each of these areas. Every gift counts and builds on the next gift to make a strong and vibrant giving community. During the 2016-2017 school year, the Annual Fund raised more than $266,000 thanks to the many gifts we received.

To make a donation to the Hilltopper Fund, visit elginacademy.org or contact Marnie Kut, Director of Development at 847-695-0300 x226. elgin academy

43

Faculty

milestones

At the conclusion of the 2016 - 2017 school year, we bid farewell to two longserving faculty members, Marilyn Fadel and Steve Hilsabeck. They devoted their lives to teaching and passing on life experiences, words of advice, and encouragement. They will be greatly missed.

Marilyn Fadel Marilyn Fadel taught second grade at Elgin Academy for 15 years. Her firm but kind guidance of her students provided them with just the right balance of structure and creativity as they progressed through our Lower School. Whether teaching language arts or math, science or social studies, Marilyn understood the benchmarks of second grade academic and social/emotional development and worked diligently to bring all of her students along the path to achieving those milestones. Parents and students alike will always remember their experiences with Mrs. Fadel as they worked to put on the second grade play (What kind of soup? STONE SOUP!), practiced their poems for the poetry recital, or had fun at the pool during the last week of school.

Steve Hilsabeck Steve Hilsabeck retired after 12 years at Elgin Academy. He came to EA after a long career at New Trier High School, and his discussion-based classroom style and passion for American studies were a great fit for our students. During his time on our campus, Steve taught United States and Advanced Placement United States History as well as other social studies and English courses. In recent years his leadership in the Senior Seminars course provided our twelfth graders with an opportunity for indepth exploration of a single topic. Steve was also an excellent Upper School Advisor who knew his students well and wrote eloquently of their academic and social progress. He engaged fully in the life of the school during his tenure here, and his students and colleagues will miss him.

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2017

Get social

with Elgin Academy!

Want to hear about the latest campus news, celebrate alumni successes and life events, watch a video of our students in action, get a glimpse into how we learn, or read a blog from one of our community members? You’ll find all this and more on Elgin Academy’s social media sites.

facebook.com/elginacademy.us instagram.com/eahilltopper twitter.com/elginacademy

Alumni–Stay Connected!

We want your news for the Class Notes section of the next issue of Personally Speaking. Stay connected at elginacademy.org/alumns/events.

Update your address at elginacademy.org/alumns/ welcome-alumni.

elginacademy.org/about/ea-blog linkedin.com/company/elgin-academy-ilyoutube.com/user/EATVLive elgin academy

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350 Park Street Elgin, IL 60120

Taking learning

p ersonally.