viking connection viking connection

V I KI NG C ONN
ECT ION
ONNECTION
Spring 2014 • Volume 36 • hfhighschool.org
Carl Coates is one of H-F’s Advanced Placement
and International Baccalaureate teachers. Read
more about the IB Diploma Programme on page 5.
Advanced Placement teachers read to recharge and help students succeed
successful on the AP exam and being able to translate that to my stuhis May hundreds of Homewood-Flossmoor students — along
dents, I also get to hang out with 300 other Human Geography nerds
with thousands of other students around the world — will take
like myself,” he says. “It is a recharging experience.”
the College Board’s Advanced Placement exams in a
Jeff Treppa, also from H-F’s Social Science Departvariety of subjects to test their knowledge and, hopement, has been an AP Reader on and off since 2006.
fully, receive college credit. The following month a
He will be reading the AP European History exam
few Homewood-Flossmoor faculty members will
again this June at the Kansas City Convention Center.
gather with thousands of other high school teachers
“I applied because I saw it as a great opportunity
and college professors from some of the finest acato meet high school and university faculty, trade
demic institutions in the world to grade the exams.
ideas and best practices, and internalize the way
Calling the grading process “a week of the best
rubrics are applied to essays so I could offer as accuprofessional development I have personally experirate feedback as possible to my students,” he says.
enced,” Scott Aronson, H-F Social Science teacher,
Readers grade for approximately six to eight hours
has been an AP Reader — as they are called — since
each day, then enjoy professional and fun opportuni2011. Aronson is one of 300 teachers who read the
ties to network at night. According to World Lanopen responses for approximately 100,000 AP Human
guage Department Chair Donna Sayler, who has
Geography exams taken worldwide. The group gathbeen reading the AP Spanish Language exam since
ers at the Cincinnati Convention Center in June. Last
Social Science’s Jeff Treppa
2005, networking opportunities with her group have
year, Aronson — in his 12th year at H-F — said he
included activities such as movie night, open forums,
read approximately 1,000 free responses.
continued on page 3
“In addition to creating an inherent sense of what it takes to be
T
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 233, 999 KEDZIE, FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422 • 708-799-3000
HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
DISTRICT 233
999 KEDZIE AVE.•FLOSSMOOR, IL 60422-2248•Phone: 708-799-3000•Fax: 708-799-8552
An Open Letter to the Homewood-Flossmoor Community:
As you may be aware, in mid-January, Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233 was informed that we are
the subject of a lawsuit filed on behalf of a member of our varsity Girls’ Basketball team alleging residency and recruiting
violations by the team’s coach. The district immediately began a thorough internal investigation to determine the merits of
these allegations.
Importantly, our internal investigation did not indicate any violations regarding residency or recruiting of student athletes.
However, we did identify and subsequently self-reported to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) unintentional
noncompliance with their By-laws governing season limitation in athletic activities (By-law 2.090) and independent team
participation (By-law 3.107). In the following weeks, we worked closely with the IHSA to review the findings of District 233’s
internal investigation and jointly identified an additional area of noncompliance involving By-law 3.16 regarding open gym
limitations. IHSA By-laws can be found at http://ihsa.org/AbouttheIHSA/ConstitutionBylawsPolicies.aspx.
District 233 worked cooperatively with the IHSA in the hopes of reaching an agreement that would allow our varsity Girls’
Basketball team to participate in the state play-offs. The IHSA requested significant restrictions that would prohibit team
members directly involved in the violations mentioned above from competing, including those who had contributed to our
team’s first-place ranking heading into the tournament.
After much deliberation — including meeting with parents of the team members — District 233 administrators and members of
our coaching staff met with IHSA officials on February 19 in the hopes of appealing this decision. Unfortunately, the IHSA
ultimately decided to disqualify our varsity Girls’ Basketball team from post-season play and placed the team’s head coach on
indefinite suspension. A subsequent IHSA investigation into our Boys’ Basketball program indicated one area of noncompliance related to pre-season activities (By-law 2.090), but confirmed that the team would be allowed to participate in the state
tournament. In addition, the IHSA placed the district’s athletic program on probation for one year.
We have always taken great pride in our academic, extracurricular and athletic programs. It will always be a priority to do
things the correct way. When that doesn’t happen, we take full responsibility for the situation and apologize for the errors that
question our programs and integrity. We deeply regret that the district’s unintentional infractions of the IHSA By-laws has
compromised opportunities for our student-athletes and has brought negative attention to our outstanding high school, its
staff, students and community. Our focus now is on the development and implementation of a comprehensive plan to rectify
areas of noncompliance and to ensure compliance with IHSA rules moving forward.
In closing, we thank you for your ongoing support of Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233. If you have
further questions, please feel free to contact us personally at the numbers below.
Sincerely,
Dr. Von Mansfield
Superintendent
708-335-5500
2 • VI KI NG CONNECTION
Dr. Ryan M. Pitcock
Principal
708-335-5540
S PRI NG 201 4
Note from the Superintendent
Challenging and supporting all students is a
district priority
hile the winter of 2014 has been challenging in many
ways, there has also been much to celebrate at Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School that may not have
made the local newspapers. Our Speech Team and Chess Team
participated in the state tournament, as well as individual members of our Boys’ Swim (Jakobi McClellan) and Wrestling (Mike Burke, Connor
Bandy and Devion May) teams. Our Mathletes (Katie Pauss, Jessica Barry, Lily
Hamer, Thomas Simon and Maeve Coates Welsh) will head to state this May. We had
two finalists named in the 2014 Competition for National Merit Scholarships — Maeve
Coates Welsh and Brigid Tobin — and three finalists in the 2014 Competition for National Achievement Scholarships: Kyra Caldwell, Kristina Hill and Victor Rounds.
Our Leaders in Theatre Ensemble play, The Bomb-itty of Errors, entertained at January’s
Illinois High School Theatre Festival.
This issue of the Viking Connection features two articles on academic programs that
also make us proud: Advanced Placement and the IB Diploma Programme. Our AP
cover story focuses on some of our amazing educators, who not only teach AP classes,
but also grade them for the College Board. The College Board has high expectations of
its AP Readers; we are so fortunate to have three current readers at Homewood-Flossmoor: Scott Aronson, Jeff Treppa and Donna Sayler.
Our IB article shares some insight into these unique classes, told from the teacher's
point of view. International Baccalaureate classes are new at H-F this year and are filled
with some of our school's brightest juniors. Our IB teachers this year — Jim Boswell,
Josh Brown, Carl Coates, Matt Knoepke, Dan McClain and Steve Tobin — received
special training from the IB organization to help them plan and manage the programs.
We are so fortunate to have this program at H-F and are proud to be the only public
suburban Chicago high school to currently offer it.
Homewood-Flossmoor accommodates every level of student. We offer a variety of
programs that are designed to help students find success across the board. Free tutoring is available seven days per week in our Teaching & Learning Center, a credit-recovery program helps those seniors who need an extra push towards graduation,
double-block math classes give students extra time in a challenging subject, and our RtI
program gives students assistance throughout the school year when they are identified
as needing help: be it academic, behavioral or socio-emotional. Several of our teachers
and guidance staff are familiar with — and advocates of — Rational Emotive Behavior
Therapy, a program that helps students through times of anxiety and stress. This program is also valuable for parents
at home, as we annually have
Homewood-Flossmoor University
Parent Workshops on the subject.
Should your student need assistance at any time, I encourage you
to reach out to our teachers and
our excellent professionals in our
Guidance Department: our counselors, psychologists and social
workers are always here for you.
Donna Sayler, World Language department chair, is
—Superintendent Dr. Von Mansfield
one of H-F’s AP Readers for the College Board.
W
S PRI NG 20 14
H-F’s AP students benefit from being
instructed by an AP Reader.
continued from page 1
museum visits and even fitness classes.
She will be reading — and listening — to
exams this June at the Cincinnati Duke
Energy Center along with approximately
1,000 other teachers and professors.
“It is hard work, but you do a lot of networking, too, and come back energized,”
she says. She has met educators from all
over the world and has enjoyed rooming
with a fellow Spanish language teacher
who lives and works in Hawaii.
Being an AP Reader also benefits students back at Homewood-Flossmoor, say
the H-F teachers.
“The experience helps me and my students in more ways than I can mention,”
says Aronson. “I have been better able to
replicate the AP exam, which better prepares my students as well as creating vital
connections with other Human Geography
teachers and being able to share resources.
Being a reader also commands a certain
trust between my students and I in which
they know I am guiding them to where
they should be going in this course.”
“I am able to give students much
stronger models, much better, smaller assignments to build the requisite skills, and
much better feedback about what is working in their writing and what can and
needs to be changed in order to succeed,”
says Treppa.
Reading for AP is just one way in which
H-F staff members are involved with the
College Board. In addition, Superintendent Dr. Von Mansfield was recently
named Vice Chair for the Board of
Trustees Committee on Membership, and
Principal Dr. Ryan Pitcock was named an
Academic Representative of the Regional
Council. HF
VIKI NG CONNECTION • 3
Ac ade m ic
News
Advanced academics &
STEM careers on display
Current H-F AP students shared their
academic experiences during the
Advanced Academics Showcase in January.
Current and future Vikings were invited to
explore Homewood-Flossmoor’s wide
array of Advanced Placement courses,
Project Lead the Way classes, and the HF Gifted Academy’s International Baccalaureate offerings at January’s
Advanced Academics Showcase. The
evening event included a panel discussion about the college admissions
process with representatives of DePaul
University, Knox College and Northwestern University. Students were able to
learn about the advanced work load and
also the benefits of taking challenging
classes by talking with teachers and current AP/PLTW/IB students.
Then in February, H-F hosted a Careers in
STEM Night, where students and parents
could meet with local professionals from
the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Presenters included Kelley Smith Holdren (H-F ‘93),
chief flight nurse for UCAN; economist Andrew Simon; and Dr. Ken Tichauer, biomedical engineer. Students discovered
what it takes to make it in STEM professions and how to get themselves there.
4 • VI KING CONNECTION
SCIENCE
H-F proudly hosted the 2014 Genetics
Update Conference on Feb. 20, presented
by Sam Rhine, genetics educator. The
presentation was geared toward serious
biology students and interested community members, who wanted to learn about
recent advances in genetics. Students from
H-F, Andrew and Bremen District 228 attended the conference in the Mall Auditorium. Rhine takes biology from the
textbook to the heart by posing ethical
dilemmas each will face as technological
advances continue. Topics included:
telomeres and their role in aging and cancer; human embryology and prenatal diagnosis; human stem cell technology; and
therapeutic cloning.
FINE ARTS
In honor of the 2014 Winter Olympics,
Music Director David Danzmayr and the
Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presented
an Olympics-themed musical extravaganza for students from area schools at HF on Jan. 15. Eight H-F student-musicians
joined the IPO on stage. Congratulations
to: Lauryn Denne (flute); Shaniece
Owens Arroyo (flute); Adam Sifner
(tuba); Kira VanVoorhees (percussion);
Morgan Hogan (violin); Rebecca Mooney
(cello); Morgan Bohlman (double bass);
and Miles Bohlman (percussion).
WORLD
LANGUAGE
The World Language
Department offered
students three different perspectives on
studying foreign languages at its World
Language Career & College Awareness
Presentation on Jan. 24. With a shared
theme of continuing foreign language education, students met Timmi Turley from
the University of Illinois, Andrea Kowal-
isyn from McDonald’s Corp. and
Michelle Parada, H-F Spanish teacher
and Peace Corps alumnae.
ENGLISH
The Industry of Music — a newly revised
English class — has created a class record
label: Viking Records. The label has
signed six student recording artists, who
are spending time in the VTV recording
studio after school creating albums. The
class is also learning the business and
marketing end of the music industry. For
more information on upcoming Viking
Records’ events, including the March 21st
showcase, visit: vikingrecordshf.com.
READING
The Reading Department has planned a
Red & White Reading Night for area
children, ages preschool-Grade 2,
on Thursday, March 27. Kids
and parents are welcome to enjoy this celebration of reading from 6-8 p.m., as well
as enjoy learning more about H-F. Local
author, Jim Alyesworth, will be on hand
to read some of his children’s stories, and
H-F clubs and sports teams— including
ZooBot, Football and Volleyball —will
offer fun activities for our guests. Refreshments provided!
ASSESSMENT
The Assessment Department is pleased to
recognize the recent growth in the
school’s Advanced Placement program.
The number of AP exams administered
grew by nearly 11% from 2012 to 2013,
and the expectation is to have even more
students participate this year. In 2013, 186
H-F students were named AP Scholars: 39
more than in 2012. This year’s AP exams
will be held during classes May 5-16. HF
S PRI NG 20 14
News fro m Ca mpus
IB Diploma Programme classes underway
Junior Peter Cipriano presents his study of how emotion influences
international affairs during a Theory of Knowledge class, led by
teacher Matt Knoepke (right).
his year’s junior class includes a few
dozen individuals who are the first
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High
School students to reach for an International Baccalaureate Diploma. The IB
Diploma Programme is a two-year curriculum that provides upper-level students
with an academically challenging and balanced program of study. Specifically this
year — in addition to their foreign language and art/music requirements — they
are enrolled in IB Physics 1 (Teacher: Jim
Boswell); IB Math 1 (Teachers: Dan McClain,
Steve Tobin); IB English 1 (Teacher: Josh
Brown); IB Economics 1 (Teacher: Carl Coates);
and Theory of Knowledge (Teacher: Matt
Knoepke). We asked teachers to help us better understand these unique classes:
T
Q: What are the goals of your IB class?
Matt Knoepke: To identify and analyze justifications of knowledge. We identify how
academic disciplines develop knowledge,
and we become aware of and understand
different perspectives and learn how to relate these to our own perspectives.
Josh Brown: To facilitate the IB students’ development as scholars and world citizens.
Dan McClain: To get students to understand Calculus, which is a core component
SPRING 2 01 4
of the IB Math curriculum.
Jim Boswell: To create scientifically minded
students who develop a firm base in
physics to prepare them for life in a science
field, if they so choose.
Q: What special projects are unique to
your IB class?
MK: Students read the text, Man is the
Measure, by Ruben Abel, which introduces
many of the central questions with different
fields of philosophy as it relates to the topic
of and different fields of knowledge. Students read selections from varied contemporary and classic sources that relate to
current events and raise questions about
knowledge.
JBr: The Further Oral Activity, where students take control of the class for 10 minutes by leading discussions, presentations,
debating, acting or whatever they think is
appropriate to interact with the material.
JB: We do a large-scale project with another
class that is designed to build interpersonal
skills and to help students learn how to run
a large experiment.
Q: How have your students adjusted?
MK: Students have been very willing to
share their unique perspectives, as well as
discuss any potential biases that a given
perspective may bring.
JBr: They have done very well. The philosophy itself encourages them to be independent, thoughtful and compassionate,
and each of those traits has helped them
through this brave new world.
JB: Students have adjusted very well; I
have designed the class to build skills from
the beginning of the year to the end.
Q: What do you enjoy about teaching
this class?
MK: I love it when students bring in lessons and topics from other IB classes that
relate to what we’re learning in class that
day. It is great to see the continuum of
learning so explicitly and that students also
see learning as a continuum instead of discrete nuggets of facts.
JBr: The IB students’ active, critical intellects. They delight in challenging themselves and are not embarrassed to be
interested in learning, either individually or
as a group.
DM: These students are some of the brightest at H-F, so it is fun to just get in depth
with math with them.
JB: The students are fun to talk to, and they
pick up on many topics quickly.
Q: If you could choose one, what
would your class slogan be?
MK: How — not what — to think.
JB: IB Physics - Understand the rainbow. HF
Dan McClain teaches IB Math this year at
Homewood-Flossmoor.
VI KI NG CONNECTION • 5
Homewood-Flossmoor Snapshots
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5
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#1 — Homewood-Flossmoor
#3 — On Feb. 7, Chicago Sky
#5 — Members of the Home-
students — including these
player Elena Delle Donne visited
wood-Flossmoor ZooBot Club
members of the handbell choir
Homewood-Flossmoor as part of
helped welcome incoming
— treated the community to
her initiation as a global ambas-
several holiday concerts this
sador for Special Olympics. She
freshmen (Class of 2018) during
the school’s annual Voyage to
December at the Mall Auditorium. Don’t miss end-of-the-
was introduced by students,
Shannon Cotter and Raven Land-
school-year concerts this May.
fair. The event was emceed by
Excellence Open House in December.
Ryan Baker, CBS 2 Chicago
#6 — ABC 7 Chicago’s heli-
sports anchor.
copter flew over H-F Stadium
broadcast from H-F Stadium on
#4 — H-F athletes, student
on Oct. 4 as part of the channel’s Flyover Friday school spirit
Oct. 25 to celebrate and show-
trainers, pom and cheer team
segment. Hundreds of Home-
case the Homewood-Flossmoor
members each selected a Home-
wood-Flossmoor students &
Marching Band, which played
wood-Flossmoor staffer to cele-
staff woke up extra early to
live for all of Chicago under the
direction of Sarah Whitlock.
brate at January’s Staff
share their Viking pride with
Appreciation Night, held in the
Chicagoland.
#2 — Vince Gerasole, a reporter from CBS 2 Chicago,
South Gym.
6 • VIKING CONNECTION
S PRI NG 20 14
1 st Se me ste r Honor Rol l — 2 0 1 3 / 1 4
GRADE 9 - Class of 2017
HIGH HONORS:
Michelle Agyemang Amoako,
Olivia Bergeron, Melinda Berman,
Michael Bonthron, Jenna Bostick,
Nathaniel Bouchie, Vanessa
Bowers, Emma Brown, Violet
Buchtel Devine, Joshua
Chambers, Courtney Davis,
Aislinn DeButch, Bailey Didier,
Claire Fortman, Payton Gallery,
Joseph Greenebaum, Amber
Haywood, Henry Heligas, Mary
Huffman, Blessing Ibe, Hanna
Johnson, Sophia Johnson,
Shannon Jordan, Brennan Kaiser,
Reese Kaiser, Samantha
Klupchak, Brianna Meyer,
Cessanye Osby, Nana Osei, Kate
Pauss, Daniela Pena, Gabrielle
Pizza, Grace Ryan, Aminat Shittu,
Thomas Simon, Camryn
Stasulas, Juno Suzuki, Malika
Toguem, Catherine Wassilak,
Sarah Weiner, Jane Wenckus,
Eunice Whang
HONORS:
Nicholas Adams, Abigail Adeleke,
Matthew Anderson,
Sopuluchukwu Anidobu,
Tobalase Apata, Jessica Ashby,
Justin Ayala, Kenneth Battle,
Isolde Belisle Dempsey, Shelley
Berner, Diane Blaszczyk, Tamiia
Brown, Tamira Butler, Justin
Caldwell, Na ji Cameron, Camille
Campbell, Kiara Carter, Lauren
Clay, Hailey Coghlan, Courtney
Commodore, Erin Cook, Justin
Correll, Ernst Coupet, Tyler
DeMartra, Camron DeVine,
Ashley Deckelman, Abigail
Diemer, Philip Donahue, Kathryn
Donermeyer, Shelby Dorsey,
Ryan Dowell, Olivia Drwiega,
Sydney DuBose, Krystal-Flora
Dureke, Trevor Eckols, Nnaeto
Emechebe, Zion Epperson, Matt
Aris Fernandez, Ryan Fitzgerald,
Kendra Fourte, Trenae Fox,
Alexander Garcia, Sydney Gear,
Emanuel Gomez, Lillian Gosha,
Lillian Hamer, Morgan Harvey,
Diamond Hines, Katelyn
Holmgren, Alexis Hunter, Ashley
Hunter, Eric Hunter, Tiara
Jackson, Demi Jefferson, Caleb
Jones, Jaylah Jones, SeVonn
Jordan, Max Jung, Alexis
Kiaurakis-Cervantes, Cierra King,
Stephen Kirchschlager, William
Knox, Katya Kolimas, Anna Lane,
Elijah Leake, Jonathon Lee, Jalyn
Lockett, Leah London, Tamra
Love, Destiny Lynn, Leslie Malley,
Kristen Maxwell, Theresa
McGrath, Glynnis McManamy,
David Meehan, Alexander
Mendoza, Noah Michalowski,
Aliyah Mickens, Micah Moore,
Morgan Myles, Benjamin
Nevroske, Alexandra Nicolazzi,
Joylynn Osei, Suzanne
Patterson, Phillips Payton,
Vincent Peo, Nicholas Perry,
Harrison Phan, Maryah Phillips,
SPRING 2 01 4
Emma Piotrowski, James Rhyne,
Jennifer Riner, Dilan Rutland,
Kaitlyn Sanders, Matthew
Scholefield, Carter Schultz,
Tatiana Scott, Kennedi Sidberry,
Akala Simmons, Malik Sims, Lucy
Sloan, Clayton Smailes, Tess
Sobolewski, Alexandria Staton,
Hayley Sutherland, Taah
Tompkins, Jarrett Tribble,
Sebastian Valentin, Michael Van
Etten, Robert Venegas, Zakiya
Walker, Cheya Washington,
Tasha Washington, Paiton
Watkins, David White, Deja
Wilkins, Diamond Williams,
Katherine Willis
Vercher, Kalyn Victor, Brittany
White, Payton White, Darius
Woods, Amire Woolfolk, Kayln
Wright, Kayla Young, Bobbi
Zubak
GRADE 10 - Class of 2016
HONORS:
Lauren Agrigento, Alana
Anderson, Haley Atherton,
Jonathan Banks, Madysen Bolin,
Jacob Bostick, Kayla Butler,
Madeline Butzbach, Hannah
Casey, Demarion Chambers,
Peter Cipriano, Andrew Condon,
Gabriella Cooke, Brian Davis,
Micaela Davis, John Donahue,
Toluwalope Efunkoya, Thaddeus
Fifer, John Foley, Chanel Ford,
Khayleia Foy, Whitney George,
Shukurat Giwa, Spencer Harris,
Terez Hobson, Jonyel Hohl,
Lindsay Hopson, Victor Ibe,
Ashley Johnson, Karin Johnson,
Emma Kaye, Arielle Kelly, David
Knot, Corey Kosmin, Allison
Koszyk, Jordan Kouassi, Matea
Larrieu, Emily Leader, Branden
Levine, Autumn Lewis, Marcus
Mangel, Charly Martin, Brian
Mayo, Jalen McDonald, Zhamese
Mead, Kiersten Mears, Alexis
Moffett, Rebecca Mooney, Fiona
Moran, Madeline Morrison,
Michael Morrow, Darcey
Nordman, Anna Novak, Joel Osei,
Michael Oyster, Sofia Panzica,
Angela Patterson, Reginald
Peacock, Yessin Price
Muhammad, Nicholas Reardon,
Jelani Robinson, Precious Rose,
Christin Salley, Haden Santefort,
Edwin Schaeffer, John Schloen,
Christian Scott, Jared Sharp,
Michael Shereyk, Michael Shores,
Amber Smith, Payton Smith,
Steven Stilts, Calvin Stringer,
Justin Strong, Madison Thiros,
Ciara Thomas, Natalie Tomey,
Kendra Tribett, Helena Villar,
Christine Voelker, Ethan Wald,
Mylon Walker, Ginger Washington, Clayton Wassilak, Kayla
Wells, Justin Wilkerson, Rachel
Wilson, Nicole Wood, Wesley
Woodson, Griffin Wright
HIGH HONORS:
Christine Augustin, Jessica Barry,
Carli Bell, Bernie Coderre,
Margaret Colton, Tyler Connors,
Heather Culbertson, Michael
Gislason, Ethan Kaiser, Hannah
Lichtenberg, Michelle Maass,
Paris Napue, Sophia O’Connor,
Mia Schumann, Julia Schwieterman, Kira VanVoorhees,
Elizabeth Voelker, Isabel Weber,
Shaleahk Wilson
HONORS:
Andrew Aboushousha, Andrew
Adams, Bryan Adams, Alexis
Anderson, Emma Anderson,
Jomarie Arban, Margaret Austin,
Tia Baldwin, Zion Banks, Lauren
Barnett, Ryan Bergal, Jerome
Beverly, Jacob Bodine, Bridgette
Boersma, Miles Bohlman, Caleb
Brayboy, Angelica Brooks,
Rashelle Brownfield, Mae Carroll,
Juliana Castagna, Sarah
Coghlan, Luke Colin, Noah Colon,
Dwayne Cooper, Brendan
Crawford, Samuel Cutrara,
Elaina Dague, Alana Davis,
Anthony Davis, Brittany Dawkins,
Alexander Derose, Tristan
Donohoe, Anna Dunlavy, Jack
Dunlavy, Shannon Dunne, Aliaa
Eldabli, Riley Farkos, Jessenia
Figueroa, Dionne Gamble,
Megan Garrity, Michael Gavin,
Preston Genett, Lila Grant, Nora
Grasse, Bryce Gray, Michael
Havighorst, Brittany Henry,
Kasey Hull, Aileen Humphrey, Dan
Ibrahim, Morgan Jackson, Afia
Jones, Lauren Kuchta, Madison
Larocca, Luke Logan, LeeAndre
Mahomes, Omar Martinez, Aaron
McGhee, Linda Nwumeh, Ianna
Oatis, Eugene Oliver, Victoria
Pope, Brianna Rauch, Shelly Ray,
Demetrio Reed, Ann Reilly, Kayla
Reiser, Warren Richards, Myra
Rivers, Claudia Roberts, Michael
Ruiz, Lucas Santefort, Johnathon
Schmidt, Marcia Schwieterman,
Ethan Senesac, Joshuah Sharpe,
Marie Sherlock, Luke Smailes,
Keani Staton, Andriana
Stephens, Andre Thomas,
Nicholas Thompson, Aubria
Thornhill, Sara Valdivia, Victor
Vallejo, Blake VanNiel, Casey
GRADE 11 - Class of 2015
HIGH HONORS:
Morgan Bohlman, Jonathan
Brandt, Gita Connolly, Olivia Dau,
Claire Deering, Amy Donne,
Jacob Fontana, Mia Guzynski,
Robert Meagher IV, Mushaun
Miller, Kasey Nemitz, Melissa
Pizza, Katharine Teykl, Denee
Webster
GRADE 12 - Class of 2014
HIGH HONORS:
Crissel Marie Arban, Sarah
Armstrong, Leslie Bonthron,
Maeve Coates Welsh, Nina
Coffey, Irie Grant, Jack Hallam,
Lara Hayes, Lauren Hurley,
Ashley Johnson, Shoneia Jones,
Jameson Lamb, Emma Lane,
Naomi Leonard, Allison Lessner,
Jamison McDermott, Anna
Meehan, Jeremy Miller, Jewell
Minor, Quincy O’Malley, Christina
Redmond, Nicholas Sanders,
Montana Sandstrom, Kristin
Spratt, Mineru Suzuki, Nina
Sweeney, Kevin Toolan
HONORS:
Naomi Adams, Avanna Aikens,
Terrin Ammons, Desmond Amuh,
Cayla Andrews, William Baffes,
Ashley Bailey, Jade Barrett,
Isabeau Belisle Dempsey,
Brandon Bell, Ashley Berry,
Charles Bialobok, Brandon
Blaszczyk, Apollonia Bodunrin,
Marley Borham, Bithiah Brooks,
Donavan Brooks, Harrison
Brooks, Cameron Brown, Destiny
Brown Mohammed, Emma
Bubenik, Kyra Caldwell, Errianna
Calvin, Sierra Clemetson, Isaac
Cutrara, William Daniels, Tyler
Dean, David Didier, Hannah
DuBuque, Richard Dunn,
Josephine Edelbrock, Rachel
Elfman, Nicholas Emrick, Jessica
Erman, Jesse Eshleman, Imani
Evans, Ryan Evans, Samantha
Farkos, Paige Feehery, Agatha
Mari Fernandez, Jade Fier,
Symone Fowler-Canty, Jamaal
Gayles, Matthew Gibson, Nathan
Gonzalez, Samantha Hall, Emma
Hanzelin, Marshal Harris, Karina
Hayes, Cleira Henderson, Lauren
Henly, Jonnea Herman, Candace
Hicks, Skylar Hildebrand, Deja
Hill, Kristina Hill, Tiera
Hollanquest, Ryann Holmes,
Raven Hudson, Deja Hunt,
Catherine Jaicks, Katherine
Jennings, Amara Jones, Alexis
Jung, Mercy Kimaliny, Kendall
King, Mark Lawlor, Joshua Lewis,
Gregory Lindbloom, Matthew
Maass, Lonnell Mackey, Megan
Magurany, Tyler Maxie, Malaysia
McClarity, Tori McCracken,
Damen Miller, Kristen Moore,
Stuart Moore, Alexander Morris,
Mia Narcisi, Jonah Ongman,
Gaybriell Paredes, Kendall Paris,
Summer Payton, Delaney Perl,
Braxton Perry, Alliyah Phillips,
Christina Price, Idan Rafalovitz,
Leigh Reid, MacKenzie Reid,
Rebecca Rexroat, Gina Rotondi,
Victor Rounds, Alayna Rouse,
Christopher Russell, Antoin
Rutledge, Efren Sanchez,
Gabrielle Sanders, Timothy
Schwieterman, Marcus Scott,
Aaliyah Shaw, Brandon
Shephard, Rebekah Siliezar,
Katie Sinwelski, Derrick Small,
Carla Snowden, Dante Speed,
Samuel Spencer, Jordan
Stempel, Abigail Sutherland,
Loretta Sutkus, Alec Thrailkill,
Brigid Tobin, Tyra Trammell,
Aaron Vail, Johnny Washington,
Priscilla Whang, Janique White,
Morgan White, Aleigha Williams,
Amber Williford, Hassaan WilsonMuhammad, Alexander Worman
#
8
VI KI NG CONNEC TION • 7
Al u m n i Ne w s & H a p p e n i n g s
Reunion News
Members from
the Class of 1963
In this portion of
were back from
Alumni News &
Homewood-Flossmoor Class of 1963
near and far the
Happenings, we
first weekend of October to host their 50th reunion by touring the campus and hosting
bring updates on two recent graduevents. David Lee made the trip from England, where he is a well-respected barrister,
ates who have taken their basketwhile foreign-exchange student, Gunter Nitsche, and his wife flew in from Linz, Austria,
ball skills to various European
to be a part of the festivities. Gunter — who went on to become a Rhodes Scholar at the
leagues. In addition to Kevin Dillard,
University of Washington — has been a professor of Austrian and International Business
‘08 and Jeremy Saffold, ‘09, I’d like
Law at Groz University for several decades.
to report that Julian Wright, ’05 —
This special weekend started with a social mixer at Coyote Run Golf Course and the
Mr. Illinois Basketball 2005 — is also
next morning approximately 60 classmates met at H-F for an extended tour of the school.
playing in Europe for Team Krasnye
Kudos to the many classmates who helped make this event one for the ages, including
Krylia in Samara, Russia. While on
Jim Majka and John Falb for acting as co-chairmen, a feat made more impressive by the
the pigskin side, congratulations are
fact that they both live in Texas. In addition to Jim and John, a host of other classmates
in order for Mike Buchanan, ’07, a
helped out: Harlan Bogie, Berry Berg, Carl Brown, Mike Dominy, Bob Rashkin, Tom
stand-out defensive lineman for the
Perkins, Susan (Young) Caron, Nancy (Veldhouse) Anderson, Suzanne (Egner) Cowan,
University of Illinois, who was
Suzanne Cliver, Jim Bloch, Edie (Kelley) Bisbee, Patty (Howell) Bay, Judy (Hannagan)
drafted by the New England Patriots
Bishop, Alice (Dudley) Carmel, Ginny (Zellner) Clark, Sandra (Grossman) Croak, Milin the 7th round of the 2013 draft
licent Borgarding, Bill Braverman, John Cokley, Janet Arfsten, Judy (Koons) Alexander,
and saw playing time as a rookie.
Dennis Bittner, Linnea (Gustafson) Brugman, Pamela Campbell, Susan (Wagner) Barsh,
Best of luck to these young graduJo Ann (Jackson) Benek, Barbara (Becket) Berg and Louise (Rigotti) Clark. Thanks for all
ates as they pursue their athletic
your hard work in making this a weekend to remember!
aspirations!
Also, congratulations to the 40th reunion committee
~ Ann Cherry, director of
from the Class of 1973: Debbie (Tallgren) Okleshen,
Development & Alumni Relations
Lori (Lund) Deprezio, Dee (Lissak) Binnie, Karen
(Laster) Wahlers, Amy Inlander, Jan
(Scheel) Keating, Maureen (Martin)
Guger, Sue (Debello) Jenner, Sheree
(Myers) Freeman, Loree (Jensen)
Norberg, and Jayne (Valente) Mathews. Under the direction of chairperson Shelly (Farber) Marks, they
1973 Cheerleading uniform
created a memorable reunion event in
October. No detail was overlooked for H-F alumni and their guests as
they stepped into Idlewild Country Club and were transported back in
time with music, decorations and memorabilia to help them remember
the early ’70s at H-F. A table filled with displays of keepsakes, including
H-F programs and playbills from theatre and music concerts, framed
During winter break, we extended an invitation to recent years
photos of classmates and even an 8-track tape player completed the
of graduates to come back and visit with each other and enjoy
transformation. Albums from musical artists of the day including Boston,
a nice lunch in the H-F Library. This was our third year of runChicago and the Allman Brothers were also on display. No detail was
ning this event and nearly 50 alumni came back to visit us and
overlooked, and the party — which drew nearly 200 alumni and guests
each other.
— went well into the night. HF
Sporting
Success
8 • VI KING CONNECTION
SPRING 2 01 4
Alumni Near & Far
Seen on campus this season
One morning in early January, Karen
(Boysen) Eisele, ’65, called the Alumni
Office to ask if it would be possible if she
and her husband, John, could come out
to campus on Jan. 9 because “it will mark
the 50th anniversary of the first time
John asked me out.”
Karen & John Eisele back outKaren had a well-planned surprise for
side the drafting classroom
John. As they left their home in Downers
where they first met 50 years
Grove, she instructed him to drive toago at H-F.
wards the Homewood-Flossmoor area.
John was receiving a wonderful anniversary gift: a trip down memory lane
in the form of a tour of their beloved Homewood-Flossmoor High School.
You see, 50 years ago to the day, John got up the nerve to ask Karen out as
they walked along the path. Their first date, which took place the very next
evening, was to an H-F basketball game. The rest, as they say, is history as
the couple continued to date through high school and college, marrying just
months after Karen’s university graduation in 1969.
They were both active H-F students with John in cross country and track,
and Karen belonging to the Girls Athletic Association (GAA), bridge, geography, science and philosophy clubs. Numerous siblings joined them at H-F,
too, including John’s twin sister, Kathy Eisele Skala, and younger brother,
Donald, ’67. Karen’s brothers — Terrence, ’71, and Thomas Boysen, ’72 —
are also proud Vikings. After college, John worked as a civil engineer, while
Karen taught in Kirby School District 140 for 34 years, including 30 years as
the Learning Center Director.
Their anniversary event didn’t end when they left H-F last month: they
spent the remainder of the day rekindling old memories by driving the
streets of Homewood-Flossmoor revisiting their youth. They completed
their visit back to the South Suburbs by sharing a pizza at Aurelio’s. We’d
like to thank Karen and John for including H-F in their plans, and we wish
them many, many more years of happiness. HF
J eremy S af fo l d,
’ 09
Georgian League
Basketball Player
2013 Great Lakes Valley
Conference Player of the
Year and former University of Wisconsin - Parkside men’s basketball student-athlete, Jeremy
Saffold, has signed a professional contract to
play for Club Batumi in the Georgian Superleague. BC Batumi is part of an 11-team league
that was formed in 1991 after the nation of Georgia declared its independence from the Soviet
Union. The team, which has captured five championships, is located in the city of Batumi, located on the Black Sea. While at the UW Parkside, the 6’6” power forward led the squad
in scoring and finished 2nd in the Great Lakes
Valley Conference, averaging 18.4 points per
game with more than five rebounds per game.
He is just one of three UW - Parkside Rangers in
history to collect more than 1,500 points coupled
with more than 500 rebounds. He was named
the GLVC Player of the Year in 2013 and was a
unanimous First Team All-GLVC selection. Jeremy led H-F to a 21-6 finish his senior year while
averaging 11 points and more than 6.4 rebounds
a game. He also played two years of Viking
baseball before dedicating himself strictly to
basketball. His sister, Karon, is also an H-F gradu-
Kevin Dillard, ’08
ate (2012).
HF
Italian League Basketball Player
H-F standout basketball player and Mr. Illinois Basketball 2008 Kevin Dillard is enjoying all the
glories that Italy has to offer after he signed with Italy’s DNA Gold League team Novipiu Casale
this fall. After an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Dayton, where he averaged
more than 15 points a game his senior year and was named an ESPN.com Player of the Week, this
former Dayton Flyer is now flying high after signing with the Novipiu Casale team located in
Casale, Italy. As a senior at H-F, the versatile point guard averaged 23.3 points while leading the
Vikings to a 27-2 season. He was recruited to Southern Illinois University before transferring to the
University of Dayton to finish out his college career. We wish him buona fortuna — or good luck —
in his new adventure in Italy.
SPRING 2 01 4
HF
VI KI NG CONNECTION • 9
Ne w s f r o m C a m p u s
H-F Library
receives
donation
The H-F library
has again received an annual
memorial donation from the
family of former
teacher and librarian Jean Keelan, allowing the school to add 50 new fiction and non-fiction
titles of literary merit to its 35,000+ item collection. Keelan was a
teacher at H-F from 1969-1990. She first taught business classes,
then went on to become a library media specialist. After her death
in 1998, her family wanted to commemorate her life by setting up
a fund to provide quality books for the school library. The H-F
Foundation — a 501(c)3 organization that works to provide extra
funds for scholarships, student clubs and organizations at H-F —
has held, managed and disbursed the annual $1,000 donation to
the library since the Keelan fund began in 1999. School librarians
determine which items to purchase. The collection of books
added this year is currently on display at the school's library. The
collection can also be viewed at
hfhighschool.org/assets/1/7/Booklist_20141.pdf.
Odin now accepting recognition ads
Homewood-Flossmoor is pleased to now offer recognition ads
for senior parents in our 2013/14 Odin yearbook. Ads can be ordered and created online, or the traditional way through the
mail. Pricing ranges from $40-$320, depending on ad size. The
ads are a great way to remember the year forever and recognize
your Class of 2014 student’s accomplishments in print. A variety of layout options is
available. Ad deadline
is March 15, 2014. Visit
jostens.com for complete ad information.
North Building construction update
The new North Building atrium opened in January for students
and staff. The new entryway now directly connects the academic portion of the North Building to the Fieldhouse, which
will be open later this school year. The atrium includes several
environmental friendly features, including high-efficency lighting, occupancy sensors and perimeter windows. Watch realtime progress on the project via the H-F website:
hfhighschool.org. HF
Speech Team grows and gains talent
This year’s
Speech Team —
lead by Janine
Stroemer, H-F
English teacher —
featured more
than 75 competing students. The
team participated
in tournaments all over Chicagoland almost every weekend
since November. The season wrapped up in late February with
six students participating in the IHSA State Final in Peoria:
Joshua Miller, Tyler Maxie, Jesse Camera, Asher Miles, Victor
Rounds & Jade Groble. What is the Speech Team appeal? “I’d
like to think that students are understanding the importance of
communication in their lives,” says Stroemer. “Many are looking for something useful for classes, employment or skills that
will carry them in real life after graduation.”
10 • VI KI NG CONNECTION
SPRI NG 20 14
Principally Speaking
H-F Foundation News
hree times each year at Homewood-Flossmoor Community
High School teachers, department chairs and administrators
come together to recognize students who have been outstanding in
the classroom through their academic achievement or their effort or
their attitude. These Students of the Quarter are nominated by each
department and are a great example of who we are together as a
school. The students — along with their parents — are invited to a breakfast where teachers introduce the students, present them with a certificate and explain why they were selected. Students then take a turn introducing and thanking their parents and families. It is
a special morning, full of positive feelings and good emotions. The best predictor of future
success is establishing a track record of success, so these students are heading in the right
direction. Congratulations!
Dear Stakeholders of H-F Community High School:
T
2013/14 2nd Quarter
— pictured below —
• Christopher Butler (English)
• Nuri Carnie (Consumer Science)
• Don Collins (Business Education)
• Gita Connolly (Science)
Vikings had a great time at the
3rd Annual H-F Foundation Golf
Outing and Community Dinner
held Sept. 20 at Ravisloe Country
Club. An afternoon with perfect
golf conditions flowed into the
evening where more than 100 attendees enjoyed the cocktail hour,
dinner and live band. H-F teachers, Steve Banasiak and Joe
Upton, were the lucky first- and
second-prize raffle winners.
Christine (Longawa) Herbert (H-F
’99), won third prize. Silent Auction bidders won baskets loaded
with everything from a family day
at Brookfield Zoo to an H-F letterman’s jacket. Thank you to the
sponsors and participants for
contributing their time and
money for H-F students!
• Cara Deja (Reading)
• Jack Dunlavy (Guidance)
2013/14 1s t Qua rter
— pictured above —
• Raven Bell (PE/Health/Driver Ed)
• Ashley Berry (Guidance)
• Alyssa Beverly (PE/Health/Driver Ed)
• Charlie Bialobok (English)
• Melody Byrd (Applied Academics)
• Emma Brown (Career & Technical
Education)
• Heidi Culbertson (Library)
• Alisia Dieudonne (Guidance)
• Joy English (Consumer Science)
• Micael Hamiter (Guidance)
• Aaron Holliday (Science)
• Matt Fernandez (Career & Technical
Education)
• Skylar Hildebrand (Social Science)
• Damen Miller (Library)
• Idan Rafalovitz (Deans’ Office)
• Nicholas Sanders (Guidance)
• Darius Slatton (World Language)
• Lucy Sloan (Fine Arts)
• Anthony Swiatnicki (Music)
• Seth Wiggins (Math)
• Cennika Williams (PE/Health/
Driver Ed)
• Chloe Williams (Guidance)
• Michael Johnson (Social Science)
• Grace Lipscomb (Fine Arts)
• Kate Pauss (Math)
• Kaylynn Phillips (Reading)
• Cobi Sabo (World Language)
• Alex Worman (Music)
SPRING 2 01 4
—Principal Ryan M. Pitcock, Ph.D.
Masters of Motown Concert
Please join us for our next event
on March 15. The H-F Foundation
will be hosting a reception preceding the Masters of Motown
concert at Freedom Hall in Park
Forest. A number of tickets have
been reserved, so H-F community
members and alumni can enjoy a
gathering before the performance and during intermission. The
show features fully choreographed tributes to both male
and female groups backed by a
live band. Visit our website for information: hffoundation.org.
VI KI NG CONNECT ION • 11
D is tri ct 2 3 3 Boa rd of Ed uca t i on
President Richard Lites
Homewood-Flossmoor Community
High School District 233
999 Kedzie, Flossmoor, IL 60422
NONPROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
ECR WSS
FLOSSMOOR, IL
PERMIT NO. 5
Viking Connection is a newsletter for residents of
Homewood-Flossmoor Community High School District 233.
Vice President
Dr. David Mayer
Dr. John Farrell
Jeanne McInerneyLubeck
POSTAL CUSTOMER
Gerald Pauling
Jody Scariano
Tim Wenckus
C O M M U N I T Y C AL E N DA R
MA R C H
APRIL
6 ...........Music in Our Schools Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
12 .......... HFPA Meeting @TLC, 6 p.m.
H-F Foundation Meeting
7............Classes Resume
@ So. Dist. Conf. Room, 7 p.m.
13 ..........Chamber Orchestra Concert
@ South Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.
15 ..........H-F Foundation Fundraiser
@ Freedom Hall, 5:30 p.m.
16..........Viking Choir Spring Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 3 p.m.
18-19....Behind-the-Wheel Sign Up
@ South Cafe, 3:30-5 p.m.
20 ........Group Interpretation
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
21 ..........Viking Records Showcase
@ South Cafeteria, 6:30 p.m.
23.........Spring Band Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 3 p.m.
25.........Visual Arts Showcase
@Great American Bagel, 5:30 p.m.
27 .........Red & White Reading Night
@ South Building, 6-8 p.m.
3/31-4/4 .. Spring Break
9 ...........HFPA Meeting
@ TLC, 6 p.m.
H-F Foundation Meeting
@ So. Dist. Conf. Room, 7 p.m.
16..........Music Dept. Honors Recital
@ Mall Auditorium, 1:30 p.m.
Guitar Showcase
@ South Cafeteria, 7:30 p.m.
Songtime Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 8 p.m.
17 .......... HFU for Parents:
Welcome to H-F!
@ Mall Auditorium, 7 p.m.
18..........Good Friday - No school
21 ..........Edda Literary Showcase
@ South Cafe, 6:30 p.m.
22.........Visual Arts Showcase
@ Great American Bagel, 5:30 p.m.
23.........All-School Testing Day
24.........All-School Testing Day
MAY
1-3 ........Spring Play
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
5............NHS Induction Ceremony
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
7............NAHS Art Show @ Library,
7 p.m.
H-F Foundation Meeting
@ So. Dist. Conf. Room, 7 p.m.
8 ...........Spring Instrumental Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 7 p.m.
12 ..........Academic Awards Night
@ Mall Auditorium, 7 p.m.
14..........Spring Jazz Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
17 ..........Prom @ Field Museum, 8 p.m.
20 ........Visual Arts Showcase
@ Great American Bagel, 5:30 p.m.
Chamber Orchestra Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 6 p.m.
Senior Conductors’ Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.
21 ..........Honors Convocation
@ Mall Auditorium, 7 p.m.
22.........Red & White Choral Concert
@ Mall Auditorium, 8 p.m.