The Spartan Standard: Volume 2

The Spartan Standard APRIL/MAY 2026

VOL. 02

A Message from Our Superintendent Dear Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Stakeholders, As we approach the end of the school year, I want to briefly celebrate the accomplishments that continue to define our Spartan community.

Academically, our students continue to excel. Our graduating seniors are well-prepared for their next steps; whether that be college, military service, or entering the workforce. We are proud of their readiness for the future.

This spring also brought memorable experiences, including our baseball team competing against Reavis at historic Wrigley Field. In addition, our theater team earned a 3rd place finish in group interpretation, and our boys basketball team secured its fifth consecutive conference championship. These are just a few examples of the success across our extracurricular programs.

These achievements reflect the dedication of our staff and the commitment of our students. Thank you for your continued support in making these opportunities possible.

We look forward to celebrating our graduates and finishing the year strong.

Go Spartans!

Sincerely,

Dr. Shahe Bagdasarian Superintendent

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Relay for Life

Oak Lawn Community High School renewed its Relay for Life this year after a sevenyear hiatus. On April 25, 2006, passionate students came together to advance the American Cancer Society’s vision: ending cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Relay For Life celebrates survivors, honors caregivers, remembers loved ones lost, and raises funds to ensure that everyone has the chance to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

Relay coordinator Jen Wargin said, “Watching students work so hard, giving so much time for something outside of themselves and realizing they can do hard things is so rewarding. I know participating in this event changes them! They see what's possible when WE come together and support each other. From the committee of students who planned the event to the team captains who organized their teams to fundraise and participate, to the OLCHS Administration, maintenance department, and dedicated staff members who gave time to help promote and run the show, to the community members who came for the ceremony, and most importantly to the Cancer Survivors and their caregivers who took time to pause and celebrate, this was a successful day!”

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Oak Lawn at Wrigley Field

The Oak Lawn Community High School baseball team made memories to last a lifetime on Sunday. The Spartans got the rare opportunity to play an Illinois High School Association game on Wrigley Field following a Chicago Cubs game. The day did not disappoint. The Cubs came back after being five runs down to beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, then two hours later, Oak Lawn rallied from down five runs to defeat Reavis, 10-7. It was a doubleheader for the ages. “I thought the Cubs really created a memorable experience for the players, coaches, and fans from both sides,” Oak Lawn head coach Bill Gerny said. “It was nice to see all of the players and their families smiling and creating memories.” The high school baseball teams and 2,000 Oak Lawn and Reavis faithful fans attended the Cubs game, and then they followed it up with a game of their own. The Spartans even toured the Cubs’ bullpen and clubhouse as part of the experience.

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As for the high school game itself, it lived up to the anticipation. Oak Lawn senior John Olejniczak made his season debut on the mound after suffering a knee injury early in the football season, and he threw a 1-2-3 first inning. However, with a different pitcher taking the mound each inning, the Spartans fell behind, 5-0. They may have been down, but they were not out. The Spartans eventually rallied for a 10-7 victory. Senior centerfielder Jack Dempsey was 2-for-4 with a triple, four RBIs, and a run scored. Senior first baseman Aiden Schopper was 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Senior Eli Kulpinski laid down a flawless squeeze bunt to push across an important insurance run late. Every player of the 24 that was on the Oak Lawn roster for the game got on Wrigley Field and played a role in the win.

Players, coaches, families, Oak Lawn

administrators, Oak Lawn staff members, and OLCHS alumni will remember this special day with the Cubs for a long time.

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Mr. Mike Bielski Walk into the science department and you’ll quickly hear the name Mr. Mike Bielski—not just as a teacher, but as someone constantly finding ways to connect students to learning beyond the classroom.

As the Science Department Chair, Mr. Bielski plays a major role in shaping how students experience science at Oak Lawn. But what stands out most isn’t just leadership—it’s the way he brings creativity and real-world experiences into everything he does.

Recently, he partnered with Mrs. Elmasry’s class on a unique cross-curricular project. Students designed and created wooden nameplates, carefully etching their names in Arabic before painting and finishing each piece. The project blended language, culture, and hands-on craftsmanship—giving students something meaningful they could take pride in.

“It's about helping them build a connection to the environment, to each other, to the idea that they have a role to play in taking care of the world around them.” - Mr. Mike Bielski

That same hands-on approach carries into his work outside the classroom. Each month, Mr. Bielski leads service trips with students to the Indiana Dunes, where learning meets environmental impact.

Students take part in a variety of activities, from tapping maple trees for research to helping with beach cleanups along Lake Michigan.

These trips aren’t just about science—they’re about responsibility, teamwork, and understanding the role students can play in preserving their environment.

Whether he’s collaborating across departments or leading students into the field, Mr. Bielski continues to create opportunities that go beyond the traditional classroom—helping students see learning as something they can experience, not just study.

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Senior Spotlight As graduation approaches, Oak Lawn High School seniors Emma Delberto and Omar Saleh reflect on their time as Spartans, sharing key moments from their journey and what lies ahead after high school.

Q: What activities, clubs, or teams are you involved in at Oak Lawn?

Omar: I am a captain of the varsity basketball team as well as part of senior class advisory board, National honors society, student athletic leadership team, and peer tutoring.

Emma: At Oak Lawn, the teams I am involved in are Girls Tennis, Girls Basketball, and Girls Track & Field. I also participate in multiple clubs, including the Senior Class Advisory Board, National Honor Society, Student Helpers, and Student Council.

Q: What has been your favorite memory from your time at OLCHS? Omar: My favorite memory is definitely all the success I was privileged to be apart of within our basketball program including winning the conference championship 5 years in a row.

Emma: One of my favorite memories at Oak Lawn would be traveling to Florida with my basketball team. After playing a few games together that week, we made it to the championship and were able to come away with the win. Celebrating that accomplishment together the rest of the time we were there made it a moment I will never forget as it brought us girls and the coaching staff much closer.

Q: Is there a class, teacher, or experience that has made a big impact on you?

Omar: I would say my two coaches, Coach Rhodes and Coach Altenburg, have definitely made a big impact on me as they’ve mentored me over the course of 4 years.

Emma: A teacher who has made a big impact on me is my previous English teacher, Mr. Doyle.

He was also my tennis coach, which allowed him to understand me both as a student and an athlete. He taught me the importance of patience and staying calm under pressure.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

Omar: My plans after graduation are to attend the University of Illinois Chicago for a 4 year bachelor in finance with the hopes of entering the field of private equity.

Emma: After graduating, I plan to spend my last few months with my friends before leaving to attend Illinois State University, where I will study Exercise Science with the goal of becoming a physical therapist.

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Spartan Scholars Rawan Sharfi Wins Prestigious Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship Oak Lawn Community High School senior Rawan Sharfi has been awarded the prestigious Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship, following a nomination from former OLCHS math teacher Pat Hennelly.

The scholarship, valued at $40,000, supports students from underrepresented and low-income communities who plan to pursue careers in computer science. In addition to financial assistance, the award also includes a paid computer science internship.

Sharfi will attend New York University this fall, where she plans to study global studies and computer science. Her achievement is a testament to her dedication and bright future, while also highlighting the strong support system and opportunities available to students at Oak Lawn Community High School.

Munya Yasin Named IHSA Foundation Scholarship Recipient Oak Lawn Community High School senior Munya Yasin has been named a recipient of the IHSA Foundation Scholarship Award, one of the most prestigious honors awarded to student-athletes in Illinois.

Selected as one of just 14 students statewide, Yasin earned this recognition for outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to the future of education and athletics.

Yasin plans to major in education and pursue a career in coaching, making this honor a fitting reflection of his dedication both on and off the field. His achievement highlights the impact of student leadership at Oak Lawn Community High School and the bright future ahead.

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Spartans at State

This year, Oak Lawn Community High School students continued to shine beyond the classroom, earning success on some of the biggest stages in Illinois through athletics, academics, and the arts.

The boys bowling team qualified for the IHSA State Finals, led by junior Charlie Dell, who earned All-State honors with a 10th-place finish. In wrestling, Journey Jackson qualified for the IHSA Girls Wrestling State Finals, representing Oak Lawn with determination and grit.

Oak Lawn’s Speech and Drama program also celebrated a strong season. Olivia Kobylarczyk, Gianna Golden, and Damien Gorlicka advanced through sectional competition, with Gorlicka earning a sectional championship. Performance in the Round captured a sectional title, while Group Interpretation placed third at state and Contest Play earned a fifth-place state finish.

In E-Sports, Jason Molenaar qualified for state competition, highlighting Oak Lawn’s continued success in one of Illinois’ fastest-growing activities.

Oak Lawn’s Journalism program once again proved to be among the state’s best, producing several sectional champions and state qualifiers, including Sara Abdelrahman, Rawan Ali, Makaila O’Brien, Sara Nassar, Mariam Hrezi, and Ryszard Plata.

These accomplishments reflect the dedication and talent of Oak Lawn students and staff, as Spartans continued to represent their school community with pride on the state stage.

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The Spartan Excellence Award Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 honored four outstanding staff members whose dedication, leadership, and commitment continue to make a lasting impact on the school community.

Recognized during the Board of Education’s regular meeting on March 18, the recipients of the Spartan Excellence Awards were selected from a group of nominees recommended by members of the administrative team. Each honoree was chosen for consistently demonstrating innovation, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to supporting students and improving the district. This year’s Spartan Excellence Award recipients include: Maria Vanderwarren, Kyle Kuzur, Joelle Maslowski, Sophia Black “We are incredibly proud to recognize the outstanding contributions of these individuals,” said Rob Loehr. “Their dedication and hard work embody the values and ethos of District 229, and we are truly fortunate to have such talented individuals as part of our school district.”

District leaders emphasized that the awards reflect the culture of excellence and support that continues to define the Oak Lawn school community. From classrooms and student services to extracurricular leadership and district operations, each recipient plays an important role in creating a positive educational experience for students and staff alike.

“The recognition of our staff reflects our shared appreciation for their dedication and the vital role they play in delivering an exceptional educational environment for our students,” said Shahe Bagdasarian.

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Spartans in STEM Students from Oak Lawn Community High School recently participated in the ESRP (Exemplary Student Research Program), a year-long research partnership with Argonne National Laboratory led by Dr. Repa.

Each fall, AP science students apply for the opportunity, with only six students selected this year to conduct authentic scientific research alongside professional scientists.

“The program is a truly unique opportunity for high school students to participate in authentic scientific research — something most students do not experience until graduate school,” Throughout the year, students worked with mentor scientist Dr. Paul Chow to design and complete their research project, meeting weekly after school and conducting hands-on research at Argonne over spring break.

“These students met after school every week, joining Zoom meetings with their scientists,” Dr. Repa said. “That level of dedication is unusual in an academic setting and speaks volumes about their character. I am incredibly proud of them.”

“This experience is monumental in helping students shape their future plans and carve a path for themselves in STEM.” -Dr. Chris Repa

Senior Marco Budzak said the program gave him valuable insight into his future.

“It really helped me see what my future could entail,” Budzak said. “The program gave me perspective on what I want to do and allowed me to see what the future holds. You also learn how to work with others and talk through problems to find solutions together.”

Students later presented their research at Argonne’s User Meeting alongside nearly 20 schools and professional scientists from across the region.

“I have always enjoyed STEM and wanted to do something hands-on that was similar to what I would experience in college,” Belal Moutaouakkil said. “The project was very difficult, but once everything came together and we were able to present our research to professionals with years of experience, it made all the hard work worth it. The respect shown by others in the field was an incredible feeling.”

“It is an incredibly unique program that allows high school students to work in a government laboratory setting, and only 11 locations in the country offer this opportunity,” Dr. Repa said. “Scientists from around the world apply for time to work in this lab, yet Oak Lawn students have direct access to it. It is special to see so many people at Argonne dedicate their time to supporting our students.”

This marks the sixth time since 2015 that Oak Lawn students have participated in ESRP, continuing a tradition of real-world scientific discovery for Spartan students.

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Vision & Mission

At Oak Lawn Community High School, we are committed to empowering every student to learn, grow, and lead with purpose

Our Mission

Our Vision

Our mission is to foster a safe, supportive, and challenging enviornment where all students develop the skills, knowledge, and character to graduate and succeed in a global society.

Our vision is to cultivate a community where every student exemplifies

Spartan PRIDE

SPARTAN PRIDE P R I D E

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

We take ownership of our actions and choices

RESPECT

We value ourselves, others, and our community

INTEGRITY

We do what is right, even when it’s not easy

DEDICATION

We stay committed to our goals and to each other

EXCELLENCE

We strive for our best in everything we do

Through these values, we aim to prepare our students to lead with purpose and make a positive impact in the world.