The Pioneer – Senior Issue 2017

ioneerThe May 19, 2017 Maine East High School Park Ridge, Illinois @mehspioneerSenior Issue 2017

Senior Honors Night Honoring Maine East’s best and brightest CLASS OF 2017 MAINE SCHOLARS – Top 1% of graduating classJoseph Varilla Majda Murati Michele Wen Paavan Pratik Soni Safa AhmedTOP FIVE PERCENT OF THE 2017 Good Will Awards CLASS OF 2017 Good Will Awards are given to those students of theChristenaAbraham Stavros Karambinis Harsh Prajapati senior classwhohavedonethemost, asdeterminedSafa Ahmed George Mathew through nomination by the faculty and election by Jheel Shah the senior class and faculty, to promote good willEmily Cashen Kajal Modi at Maine East and in Maine Township. Niha ShamsiPatrycja Dobosz Majda Murati (Alphabetical order) Kathy SliwinskiPetros Drakontaidis Battushig Ontogtokh Paavan Soni Bisma Farzansyed John Maltese-MillerFionna Ek Srinivasan Pandiyan Patricia Urgiles-Leon Hannah Flood Joseph Maltese-MillerBisma Farzansyed Romil Patel Joseph Varilla Kajal Modi Marcus MaramoHannah Flood Rachel Plummer Michele Wen Maria Skoufos Jigar Patel Olivia Tran Harsh Prajapati 2017 Department Merit AwardsEach department at Maine East may grant up to three Merit Awards to individuals who have completed at least two creditsof course work in the department. Recipients have demonstrated either excellent performance, unusual service, special ac-complishment, or significant improvement in the department giving the award.CAREER AND TECHNOLOGY FINE ARTS ENGLISH PHYSICAL EDUCATION Art Department Petros Drakontaidis EDUCATION Hannah Flood Emily Cashen Applied Technology Amber Price Daniel Farley Alexandra Andriopoulos Alena Merlos Joseph Varilla Michele Wen Rachel Plummer Danish Nawab E. L. L. SCIENCE Jakub Sobieraj Music Department Nandiniben Patel Jeffna Elavumkal Jonathan Salvador Barron Harsh Prajapati Business Division Prachi Patel Jeena Thomas Jigar Patel Tenzin Dolma Purva Patel Joleena Arianne Chavez SOCIAL Joseph Varilla FOREIGN LANGUAGE SCIENCE Julia Wiklik Speech Arts Department Tania Gonzalez Bisma Farzansyed Emily Cashen Michele Wen Sammer Saadeh Family & Consumer Sciences Julia Wiklik Anoud Soliman Sara Sahagun Velasco Joseph Maltese-Miller Janeth Salcedo Diaz Claudia Quintero MATHEMATICS Maria Skoufos George Mathew Harsh Prajapati 2 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017 Michele Wen

DEPARTMENT AWARD WINNERS The graduating senior who has excelled the most in a particular department at Maine East earns the Department Award, voted by the faculty of each department. This highly coveted honor recognizes truly exceptional accomplishment throughout several years of study. John Basnik Isaiah Easo Angelina Apostolou Hannah Flood Maria-Anna SerbosApplied Technology Business Education Family & Consumer English ELL ScienceRachel Plummer Brahmi Ketan Shah Fionna Ek Olivia Tran Joseph VarillaForeign Language Art Music Speech Arts MathematicsMajda Murati Christena Abraham Hannah Flood Lizeth Torres Lima Michael BoduchPhysical Education Science Social Science Female Male Athlete of the Year Athlete of the Year May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 3

College, Organization, & Community Scholarships Congratulations to the members of the Class of 2017 at Maine East for earning 9.7 MILLION DOLLARS in College, Community, and Organization scholarships. Christena Abraham Enkhjin Enkhbayar John Maltese-Miller Srinivasan Pandiyan Komal ShahMohammed AbuBaker Bisma Farzansyed Joey Maltese-Miller Jigar Patel Mithil Shah Mark Brandon Mangurali Nidhi Patel Niha Shamsi Safa Ahmed Hannah Flood Mirela Masinovic Romil Patel Lillian Shmauel Sinthia Ahmed Diana Estefany Garcia Maria Skoufos Ana-Marija Gligorevic George Mathew Rachel Plummer Kathy Sliwinski Sadaf Ali Jacob Mattenson Harsh Prajapati Jakub Sobieraj Muhammad Arifi Kamila Glowa Brendan Mejorada Paavan Soni Onella Athnaiel Tania Gonzalez Amber Price Smruti Soni Adrian Miezin Claudia Quintero Annmarie Thomas Julie Bodiwala Bianca Han Denis Milchev Abhishek Rathod Jeena Thomas Michael Boduch Perry Hasapis Olivia Tran Allison Hembree Erin Miller Dorien Reid Patricia Urgiles-Leon Emily Cashen Estelle Hurtarte Kajal Modi Steven Richter Joseph Varilla Astha Chokshi Andrew Iliescu Bari Jubayr Mohammed Star Rischow Michele Wen Dante Delgrosso Stephanie Johnson Majda Murati Danielle Rosas Julia Wiklik Muskan Desai Moonis Nadeem Tiffany Russotto Maja Wilczynska Muskaan Dhiman Alyssa Jose Brian Ngo Janeth Salcedo Diaz Reba Wilson Hristiyan Dimitrov Stavros Karambinis Sargon Odicho Fernando Sanchez Kevin Yousif Arshia Dizna Svetlana Oleinikova Vanesa Sapundzhieva Rosa Shagayeg Zhaleh Patrycja Dobosz Hayley Kliczko Tiffany On Chong Gavan Sarrafian Madeline Kovnat Battushig Ontogtokh Maria-Anna Serbos Isaiah Easo Alexia Chantel Leyno Cassandra Opena Fionna Ek Willencia Louis-Charles Tammy Nicole Palasigue Jheel Shah Jeffna Elavumkal Matthew Magno Mohummed MalikD.A.R. Good Citizenship Award Charles Himel Scholarship Athletic AwardsTattiana Cabrales Fernando Sanchez Ron Heiser Athletic Achievement Award Rachel Koshy • Marcus Maramo SJB Scholarship Marine Corp Scholastic Bisma Farzansyed Excellence Award Sam C. Marzulo Achievement Award Joseph Varilla Joshua Espinoza Kajal Modi Michele Wen Sam C. and Ruth E. MarzuloMaine Township District 207 Semper Fidelis Award Achievement Award Educational Foundation Fionna Ek Hannah Flood COACH Scholarship Kajal Modi Perry Hasapis Al Carstens Athletic Leadership Award Jheel Shah Angelina Apostolou • Michael Boduch Park Ridge M.E. Class of 1983 Chamber of Commerce Athletic Boosters Scholarships Scholarship Angelina Apostolou John Basnik Alifya Valiji Joshua Espinoza Reethu James Bradley Ezop Angela Foster Daniel Farley Robert O. Grottola Memorial Scholarship Gavan Sarrafian Memorial Scholarship Dorien Reid Senior Service Awards Julia Wiklik Isaiah Easo Park Ridge Rotary Olivia Tran Marine Corps ScholarshipDistinguished Athlete Award Isaiah Easo Jigar Patel Bianca Leyvi Jacob Mattenson Park Ridge Panhellenic Scholarship Fredric Bacon Memorial Artist Scholarship Tattiana Cabrales Hannah Flood Muskan Desai Hannah Flood Des Plaines Community Foundation Scholarship Wafaa Jumaa Zabadeh Muskaan Dhiman Helen Dobbins MTA Scholarship4 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017 Hannah Flood Wafaa Jumaa Zabadneh

COLLEGES – ALPHABETICAL BY COLLEGEColleges the Class of 2017 will attend, as reported by students to the College Resource Center and The PioneerARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE DEPAUL UNIVERSITY Tempe, AZ Milwaukee, WI Chicago, IL Alex Villalobos Sadaf Ali Yasmeen Galyana Muhammad ArifiARMED SERVICES BUTLER UNIVERSITY Patrycja Dobosz Navy Indianapolis, IN Maria Skoufos Isaiah Easo Victor Bolek Raven Khaya Mohummed MalikART INSTITUTE OF SCHAUMBURG CALVIN COLLEGE Mark Mangurali Schaumburg, IL Grand Rapids, MI Brendan Mejorada Ramiro Snyder Claudia Quintero Denis MilchevBAYLOR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF DuPAGE Brian Ngo Waco, TX Glen Ellyn, IL Jigarbhai Patel Jacob Danyal Abhishek Rathod Alexia Leyno Fernando Sanchez Joseph Varilla Aaren WeltBENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY CONCORDIA UNIVERSITY DUBUQUE UNIVERSITY Lisle, IL Chicago, IL Dubuque, IA Maria-Anna Serbos Allison Hembree Jakhari Dobson Rares Stirbu BOWDOIN COLLEGE EASTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY Brunswick, ME CRACOW UNIV. OF ECONOMICS Charleston, IL Kraków, Poland Starr Smith Battushig Ontogtokh Weronika Kot Srinivasan Pandiyan ELMHURST COLLEGE DENISON UNIVERSITY Elmhurst, IL BROWN UNIVERSITY Granville, OH Julia Wiklik Providence, RI Hayley Kliczko Tammy Palasigue May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 5

COLLEGES – ALPHABETICAL BY COLLEGEGEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY KING’S COLLEGE MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Washington, D.C. Wilkes-Barre, PA East Lansing, MI Romil Patel Gavan Sarrafian Jeena ThomasGETTYSBURG COLLEGE LAFAYETTE UNIVERSITY MILWAUKEE SCHOOL Gettysburg, PA Lafayette, LA OF ENGINEERING Amber Price Mithil Shah Milwaukee, WI Perry Hasapis HAMILTON COLLEGE LAKE FOREST COLLEGE Andrew Iliescu Clinton, NY Lake Forest, IL Safa Ahmed MISSOURI SOUTHERN STATE Mohammed AbuBaker UNIVERSITY HARPER COLLEGE Bari Jubayr Mohammed Joplin, MO Palatine, IL Vanesa Sapundzhieva Alex Aduna Christena Abraham LE CORDON BLEU Leslie Cisneros Chicago, IL NEW AGE SPA INSTITUTE Philip Cacho Des Plaines, IL ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY LOS ANGELES HARBOR COLLEGE Isabella Pangborn Chicago, IL Wilmington, CA Arshia Dizna Dennis Jamboy NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE Paavan Soni Naperville, IL LOYOLA UNIVERSITY ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY Chicago, IL Leonardo Acevedo Normal, IL Michael Boduch NORTH PARK UNIVERSITY Taniya Varma Astha Chokshi Chicago, IL Hristiyan Dimitrov ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Mirela Masinovic Muskan Desai Bloomington, IL Moonis Nadeem Ana-Marija Gligorevic Sargon Odicho Svetlana Oleinikova Rosa Zhaleh Komal Shah Marcos Herrera Lillian Shmauel Jesse Ilic INDIANA UNIVERSITY Bloomington, IN Smruti Soni Madeline Kovnat Zain Punjwani Matthew Magno Steven Richter MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY Milwaukee, WI Dorien Reid INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY Tiffany Russotto Marion, IN Muskaan Dhiman Jeffna Elavumkal NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS Hannah Flood UNIVERSITY Alyssa Jose Chicago, IL JACOBS UNIVERSITY – BREMEN Stavros Karambinis Bremen, Germany Willencia Louis-Charles Lissette Martinez Enkhjin Enkhbayar Leila Music MIAMI UNIVERSITY6 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017 Oxford, OH Afram Odicho Ioannis Hios Emily Cashen OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY Columbus, OH Lenie Antony

COLLEGES – ALPHABETICAL BY COLLEGENORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OAKTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE – Des Plaines, IL DeKalb, IL Brittany Alder Mary Giliana Nicole Matos Tateauna Fleming Fathima Abdul- Jessica Gonzalez Adrian Miezin Estelle Hurtarte Nataly Gonzalez Abel Montesinos Mohaimin Juan Montesinos Reethu James Kaitlyne Afante Reem Habeeb Monika Nicpon Joann Joseph Zayned Alhisnawi Edith Harnna John Maltese-Miller Ian Herrera Ivan Pagan Jackie Ponzetti Denise Aziz Jennica Hontiveros Star Rischow Jakub Sobieraj Arjeta Bajraktari Janeth Salcedo Diaz Jovana Ilic Mehrab Sarwar ORAL ROBERTS UNIVERSITY Meis Barazi Giuseppe Inserra Connie Tran Tulsa, OK Jaely Beltran Jocelyne Vazquez Erin Miller Tattiana Cabrales Jennifer Jara Juan Carlo Vega Jasmine Castro Faruk Kapetanovic Alexandra Wais OXFORD COLLEGE OF EMORY Maria Cisneros Whitney Kennedy Ryan Webb Oxford, Georgia Ubaid Desai Micah William Jheel Shah Israel Elisalde Tim Kim Margarit Youkhana Areej Fatima Rachel Koshy Jonathan Youkhana Neal Gandhi Ashur Georges Teddy Levy Patrick Markowski Jennifer Martinez Angel Martinez-Sosa PITZER COLLEGE UNIV. OF ILLINOIS – CHICAGO UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS Claremont, CA Chicago, IL Lawrence, KS Parth Amiin Kevin Beneda Bisma Farzansyed Onella Athnaiel UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY Ellen Cherkassky Ann Arbor, MI St. Louis, MO Jacob Mattenson Kathy Sliwinski Sebastian Mihulet Cassandra Opena Tiffany On Chong UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND Annmarie Thomas Richmond, VA Jigar Patel Michele Wen Olivia Tran Naiya Shah Maja Wilczynska UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA SEATTLE UNIVERSITY Reba Wilson Tampa, FL Seattle, WA Kevin Yousif Paul Abrina Peter Szilagyi UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATIST. LOUIS COLLEGE OF PHARMACY Cincinnati, OH UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN St. Louis, MO Madison, WI Danielle Rosas Rachel Plummer Niha Shamsi TUFTS UNIVERSITY UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON VANDERCOOK COLLEGE OF MUSIC Medford, MA Dayton, OH Chicago, IL George Mathew Stephanie Johnson Dante Delgrosso Harsh Prajapati WILLIAMS COLLEGE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS Williamstown, MA UNIVERSITY AT ALBANY Champaign, IL Albany, NY Fionna Ek Majda Murati Diana Garcia Tania Gonzalez Kamila Glowa May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 7 Bianca Han Herrit Khandwala Jordan Ratliff Patricia Urgiles-Leon

8 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017

Reem Habeeb Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL BRiaenecma Hanbeeb UOnakivteorns Citoym ofm Ilulinniotyis College CDheas mPlpaainigens, IL MUniliwvearuskiteye o Sfc Ihlloinool oisf Engineering MChilawmapuakiegen,, WILI CMoilnwcoarudkieae U Sncihvoeorls iotfy E Cnhgiicnaegeoring MRiivlwera Fuokreees, tW, ILI COoankctonrd Ciao mUnmivuenritsyit yC oClhleicgaego RDievse Pr lFaoinres,t ,I LIL BPiaenrrcya Hasnapis APlleisrorny HeamsabpriseeCOLLEGES – ALPHABETICAL BY STUDENTAlElidsiotnh Hermnbnraee EdIiatnh Herrnenraa Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL MarcIaons Herrera ONaokrtho nP aCrokm Umnuivneirtysi Ctyollege CDheisc Paglaoi,n IeLs, IL Abdul- IMoanrcnois Heiorsrera North ePaasrtke rUnn Iilvlienrosist yUniversity Chicago, ILFathima Mohaimin Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL IJoeannnicias Hioonstiveros NOaokrthoena Csotemrnm Iullninitoyi sC oUlnleivgersity DCheisc Paglaoi,n IeLs, ILChristena Abraham Missouri Southern State UniversityJoplin, MO JEenstneilclea Hounrttaivrteeros ONaokrthoenr Cno Imllimnouins iUtyn Civoelrlesgitey DesK aPllba,i nILes, ILPaul Abrina Seattle University Seattle, WA EJosvtaelnlea IHliucrtarte ONaokrthoenr Cno Imllimnouins iUtyn Civoelrlesgitey DeKs aPllba,i nILes, ILMohammed AbuBakar Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL JoJveasnsae Ilic NOaokrtho nP aCrokm Umnuivneirtysi Ctyollege CDheisc Paglaoi,n IeLs, ILLeonardo Acevedo North Central College Naperville, IL AndJerseswe Iliecscu NMoilrwtha uPkaerek SUcnhiovoerl soift yEngineering MChiliwcaaguok, eILe, WIAlex Aduna Harper College Palatine, IL GAiunsderpepwe Inliesescrrua MOailkwtoanu kCeoem Smchuonoilt yo fC Eonllgeigneeering DMeilsw Paluaikneees, , WILIKaitlyne Afante Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL GiuDseenpnpies IJanmsebroray LOoask tAonng Ceolems mHaurnbiotyr College WDeislm Pilnaignteosn,, ICLASafa Ahmed Hamilton College Clinton, NY RDeeentnhius Jamebsoy LNoosr tAhnegrenl eIlsli Hnoairsb uonr iCvoelrlseigtye WDeiKlmalibn,g ItLon, CABrittany Alder Oakton Community Collage Des Plaines, IL JeRneneitfheur Jamraes NOaokrthoenr Cno Imllimnouins iutyn iCvoelrlesigtey DeKs aPllba,i nILes, ILZayneb Alhisnawi Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL SteJepnhnainfeier Joarhanson UOnakivteorns Citoym ofm Duanyitoyn College Deasy tPolna,i nOeHs, ILSadaf Ali DePaul University Chicago, IL SteAplhysasnaiae Johsenson MUnairvqeurestitye oUfn Divaeyrtsointy DMailywtoanu,k OeHe, WIParth Amin Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL AlJyosasnana Joseph NMoartqhueertnt ei lUlinoivise rusnitiyversity DMeilKwaalbu,k IeLe, WILenie Antony Ohio State Columbus, OH FJoaarnunk JKoaspeepthanovic NOaokrthoenr Cno imllimnouins iutyn iCvoelrlseigtey DesK aPllba,i nILes, ILMuhammad Arifi DePaul University Chicago, IL StFaavrruoks Kapraemtabnionvisic OMaakrtqoune tCtoem Umniuvneritsyit Cyollege MDeilsw Paluaikneees, , WILIOnella Athnaiel Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL WShtaitvnreoys Keanranmedbyinis MOaakrtqoune tCtoem Umniuvneritsyit Cyollege DMeilsw Paluaikneees, , WILIDenise Aziz Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL WhHietnrreiyt Kehnandedwyala OUnakivteorns Citoym ofm Ilulinniotyis College CDheas mPlpaainigens, ILArjeta Bajraktari Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL RHaevrreint Khanyadwala DUnePivaeurls Uitny iovfe Irlslitnyois Chiacmagpoa,i gILn, ILMeis Barazi Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL RaTviemn Kihmaya ODaekPtaounl UConmivmerusintiyty College DCheisc Paglaoi,n IeLs, ILMeis Barazi Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL HayTliemy Kilimczko BOraokwtonn UCnoimvemrsuintyity College DPreosv Pidlaeincees, RILIJaely Beltran Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL HRaychleeyl Kolischzkyo BOraokwtonn UCnoimvemrsuintyity College PDreosv Pidlaeincees, RILIKevin Beneda University of Kansas Lawrence, KA WeRroanchikeal Kotshy OCraakctown CUonmivm. oufn Eitcyo nComlleigcse DKreask Pólwai,n Peosl, aILndMichael Boduch Loyola University Chicago, IL WMeardoenlinkea Kovt nat NCroarctohw P aUrnki vU.n oifv Eercsointyomics CKhraickaógwo, IPLolandVictor Bolek United States Navy MadeJloinshe LKaoBvundata NJuonritohr sP Harokc kUenyiversity Chicago, ILTattiana Cabrales Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL TeJdodsyh LeavByuda JOuankitoorns HCoomckmeyunity College Des Plaines, ILPhilip Cacho Le Cordon Bleu Chicago, IL TAeledxdiya Leyvnyo OBaykltoorn U Cnoimvemrsuintyity College DWeasc Pol, aTiXnes, ILEmily Cashen Miami University Oxford, OH WilAlelenxcia Loeyuniso-Charles BMaayrlqoure Uttnei vUenrisviteyrsity MWialwcoa, uTkXee, WIJasmine Castro Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL WMialtlethnecwia MLoaugins-oCharles NMoartqhu Petatrek U Unniivveerrssiittyy CMhiliwcaaguok, eILe, WIEllen Cherkassky Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL MohMuamttmheewd Maglinko NDeoPrtahu Pl Uarnki vUenrsiviteyrsity Chicago, ILAstha Chokshi Loyola University Chicago, IL MohumJmohedn Malitkese-Miller DNeoPrtahuelr Unn Iilvlienrosiist yUniversity CDheiKcalgbo, ,I ILLLeslie Cisneros Harper College Palatine, IL MJoahrnk Manltgeuser-aMli iller NDeoPrtahuelr Unn Iilvlienrosiist yUniversity DCheiKcalgbo, ,I ILLMaria Cisneros Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Mark Mangurali DePaul University Chicago, ILJacob Danyal College of Dupage Glen Ellyn, IL PaMtrairck Marnkgouwraslki i ODaekPtaounl UConmivmerusintiyty College CDheisc Paglaoi,n IeLs, ILDante Delgrosso VanderCook Coll. of Music Chicago, IL JePnantrificekr MMaarrtkionwezski OOaakkttoonn CCoommmmuunniittyy CCoolllleeggee DDeess PPllaaiinneess,, IILLMuskan Desai North Park University Chicago, IL Lissette Martinez Northeastern Illinois Univ. Chicago, ILUbaid Desai Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Angel Martinez Sosa Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILMuskaan Dhiman Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Mirela Masinovic Loyola University Chicago, ILHristiyan Dimitrov Loyola University Chicago, IL George Mathew Tufts University Medford, MAArshia Dizna Illinois Inst. of Technology Chicago, IL Nicole Matos Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILPatrycja Dobosz DePaul University Chicago, IL Jacob Mattenson Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILJakhari Dobson Dubuque University Dubuque, IA Brendan Mejorada DePaul University Chicago, ILIsaiah Easo DePaul University Chicago, ILFionna Ek University of Illinois Champaign, IL Adrian Miezin Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILJeffna Elavumkal Marquette University Milwaukee, WI Sebastian Mihulet Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILIsrael Elisalde Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Denis Milchev DePaul University Chicago, ILEnkhjin Enkhbayar Jacobs University–Bremen Bremen, Germany Erin Miller Oral Roberts University Tulsa, OKBisma Farzansyed Pitzer College Claremont, CA Melissa Mitchell WorkAreej Fatima Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Bari Jubayr Mohammed Lake Forest College Lake Forest, ILTateauna Fleming Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL Abel Montesinos Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILHannah Flood Indiana Wesleyan Univ. Marion, IN Juan Montesinos Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILYasmeen Galyana Arizona State University Tempe, AZ Majda Murati Williams College Williamstown, MANeal Gandhi Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Leila Music Northeastern Illinois Univ. Chicago, ILDiana Garcia University of Illinois Champaign, IL Moonis Nadeem Loyola University Chicago, IL Ashur Georges Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Brian Ngo DePaul University Chicago, IL Mary Giliana Monika NicponAna-Marija Gligorevic Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Kamila Glowa Afram Odicho Jessica Gonzalez North Park University Chicago, IL Sargon Odicho Northeastern Illinois Univ. Chicago, IL Nataly Gonzalez Tania Gonzalez University of Illinois Champaign, IL Sveta Oleinikova Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL Reem Habeeb Svetlana Oleinikova Bianca Han Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Loyola University Chicago, IL Perry Hasapis Tiffany On Chong Allison Hembree Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Battushig Ontogtokh Loyola University Chicago, IL Edith Hernna Cassandra Opena University at Albany Albany, NY Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL Ian Herrera Ivan Pagan Marcos Herrera Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Tammy Palasigue Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Ioannis Hios Srinivasan Pandiyan Jennica Hontiveros University of Illinois Champaign, IL Isabella Pangborn Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO Milwaukee School of Engineering Milwaukee, WI Jigar Patel Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Jigarbhai Patel Concordia University Chicago River Forest, IL Denison University Granville, OH Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL New Age Spa Institute Des Plaines, IL North Park University Chicago, IL Univ. of Illinois –M Cahyic19a,g2o017 | THECPhiIOcaNgoE,E ILR | 9 Northeastern Illinois University Chicago, IL DePaul University Chicago, IL Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL

Battushig Ontogtokh Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Mithil Shah Lafayette University Lafayette, LACassandra Opena Ivan Pagan COLLEGES – ALPHABETICALTammy Palasigue Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO Naiya Shah Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Niha Shamsi University of Wisconsin Madison, WI Denison University Granville, OH Lillian Shmauel Chicago, IL BY STUDENTLoyola UniversitySrinivasan Pandiyan Bowdoin College Brunswick, ME Maria Skoufos Butler University INpolis, INIsabella Pangborn New Age Spa Institute Des Plaines, IL Kathy Sliwinski University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIJigar Patel Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL Starr Smith Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILJigarbhai Patel DePaul University Chicago, IL Ramiro Snyder Art Institute Of Shaumburg Shaumburg, ILNidhi Patel Indiana University Bloomington, IN Jakub Sobieraj Northern Illinois University DeKalb, ILRomil Patel Georgetown University Washington, D.C. Paavan Soni Illinois Inst. of Technology Chicago, ILRachel Plummer University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH Smruti Soni Loyola University Chicago, ILJackie Ponzetti Northern Illinois University DeKalb, IL Rares Stirbu Concordia University Chicago River Forest, ILHarsh Prajapati Tufts University Medford, MA Peter Szilagyi University of South Florida Tampa, FLAmber Price Gettysburg College Gettysburg, PA Annmarie Thomas Saint Louis University St. Louis, MOZain Punjwani Indiana University Bloomington, IN Jeena Thomas King's College Wilkes-Barre, PAClaudia Quintero Calvin College Grand Rapids, MI Connie Tran Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILAbhishek Rathod DePaul University Chicago, IL Olivia Tran Saint Louis University St. Louis, MOJordan Ratliff University of Illinois Champaign, IL Patricia Urgiles-Leon University of Illinois Champaign, ILDorien Reid North Park University Chicago, IL Joseph Varilla DePaul University Chicago, ILSteven Richter Indiana University Bloomington, IN Taniya Varma Illinois State University Normal, ILStar Rischow Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Jocelyne Vazquez Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILDanielle Rosas St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis, MO Juan Carlo Vega Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILTiffany Russotto North Park University Chicago, IL Alex Villalobos Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee, WIJaneth Salcedo Diaz Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL Alexandra Wais Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILFernando Sanchez DePaul University Chicago, ILVanesa Sapundzhieva Lake Forest College Lake Forest, IL Ryan Webb Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILGavan Sarrafian Aaren Welt DePaul University Chicago, IL Michigan State University East Lansing, MI Michele WenMehrab Sarwar Oakton Community College Des Plaines, IL University of Richmond Richmond, VAMaria-anna Serbos Benedictine University Lisle, IL Julia Wiklik Elmhurst College Elmhurst, ILJheel Shah Oxford College of Emory Oxford, Georgia Maja Wilczynska Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILKomal Shah Loyola University Chicago, IL Micah William Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILMithil Shah Lafayette University Lafayette, LA Reba Wilson Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILNaiya Shah Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, IL Margarit Youkhana Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILNiha Shamsi University of Wisconsin Madison, WI Jonathan Youkhanna Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILLillian Shmauel Loyola University Chicago, IL Kevin Yousif Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILMaria Skoufos Butler University INndpioalnisa,p IoNlis, IN Rosa Zhaleh Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, ILKathy Sliwinski University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MIStarr Smith Eastern Illinois University Charleston, ILRamiro Snyder Art Institute Of Shaumburg Shaumburg, ILJakub Sobieraj Northern Illinois University DeKalb, ILPaavan Soni Illinois Inst. of Technology Chicago, ILSmruti Soni Loyola University Chicago, ILRares Stirbu Concordia University Chicago River Forest, ILPeter Szilagyi University of South Florida Tampa, FLAnnmarie Thomas Saint Louis University St. Louis, MOJeena Thomas King's College Wilkes-Barre, PAConnie Tran Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILOlivia Tran Saint Louis University St. Louis, MOPatricia Urgiles-Leon University of Illinois Champaign, ILJoseph Varilla DePaul University Chicago, ILTaniya Varma Illinois State University Normal, ILJocelyne Vazquez Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILJuan Carlo Vega Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILAlex Villalobos Bryant & Stratton College Milwaukee, WIAlexandra Wais Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILRyan Webb Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILAaren Welt DePaul University Chicago, ILMichele Wen University of Richmond Richmond, VAJulia Wiklik Elmhurst College Elmhurst, ILMaja Wilczynska Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILMicah William Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILReba Wilson Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILMargarit Youkhana Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILJonathan Youkhanna Oakton Community College Des Plaines, ILKevin Yousif Univ. of Illinois – Chicago Chicago, ILRosa Zhaleh Illinois Wesleyan University Bloomington, IL10 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017

Senior SuperlativesSUPERLATIVE FEMALE MALEBest Eyes Derek JozwiakBest Fashion Style Bianca Leyvi Danish NawabBest School Spirit Corrine PacisBest Personality Maria Skoufos Moe ArifiWorst Case of Senioritis Diane Youkhana Harsh PrajapatiMost Likely to Work for Google Monica BaroutaMost Likely to Teach at Maine East Ali BakhraniMost Likely to Be a CEO Olivia Tran Isaiah EasoMost Likely to Become an Author Rosa Zhaleh Johnny Maltese-MillerMost Likely to Become President Nidhi Patel Karthik ThipplikatMost Likely to Be a Part of the Olympics Hannah Flood Stephen ElliotMost Likely to Find a Cure for a Disease Sinthia Ahmed Joseph VarillaMost Likely to Sign a Record Label Lauryn Alba Garner Josh EspinozaMost Likely to Be on the Cover of Vogue Christena Abraham Michael LuMost Likely to Have Own Reality TV Show Amber Price Matt MagnoMost Likely to Win an Oscar Larsa Kena Marek DziergasMost Likely to Marry First Tamik Usefyan Konrad NawrotMost Likely to Live the Longest Emily Cashen Joey Maltese-MillerMost Likely to Survive Game of Thrones Hayley Klizcko Josh Labuda Michele Wen Terrance DelaneyMost Likely to Lead a Revolution Athena Lasco Sargon Odicho Michelle and Nicole Class Clown Solayman Sammer SaadehMost Likely to Be Late to Graduation Reem HabeebMost Mother/Father-like Mikayla Meadley Daniel SobskiMost Likely to Cheer You Up Alexia Leyno Stephen HamoyMost Likely to Out-Tweet Trump Cassie Opena Norbert Gierczynski Jackie Ponzetti Marcus Maramo Adnan Basic May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 11

Experiencing homesickness will help you handle it better By Hiba Hussain Some effects include Tips for dealing with homesickness anxiousness, depres- Freedom from a sive thoughts, and most From the University of Tennessee Student Counselling Centermundane routine and, distinctively, obsessivemost importantly, from thoughts of home. But,home may seem just a despite these thoughts,hair’s breadth away, but homesickness isn’t purelydon’t anticipate a whole about home. It’s an emo-new life cut off from tion which originatesyour roots. With distance from the need for love andcomes homesickness. protection; these feel-Homesickness is not a ings are often stereotypedforeign idea; with all the under the home category.excitement for new expe- Homesickness is justriences comes inevitable “your emotions and mindnostalgia for the old. telling you you’re out of your element,” according Amidst new oppor- to Josh Klapow, a clinicaltunities and new forms of psychologist and associatestress, your mind will long professor at the Universityfor the “good old’ days”. of Alabama’s School ofHomesickness is common Public Health.and hits just about every-one. It’s officially defined Homesickness canas “distress and functional reach intense levels, mak-impairment caused by ing it hard to sleep, eat,an actual or anticipated or pursue a social life.separation from home and Age can play a key factorattachment objects such as in its level of intensity.parents” (Pediatrics). The younger you are, the less you are capable of Simply put, it’s justyour mind adapting to the see HOMESICK,new environment – noth- page 14ing to be alarmed about.12 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017

AP Environmental Studies classes beautify the Maine East campus and the environment By Hannah Flood, Patrycja Dobosz, and Sveta OleinikovaThe AP Environmental Science exam is over, but Mrs. Riha’s APES classes are still hard at work as the school year comes to a close.The goal of the projects? Maintain the school’s green spaces and educate the public about current environmental issues. Each stu-dent group chose a focus to make the most of these last few weeks. We have a school that not only gives opportunities to sciencestudents to develop their strong imaginations, but also promotes the school’s green spaces and reduces air pollution. All of theseprojects will inspire the attention of our student body and community. APES students will make a change, just believe in it.VEGETABLE GARDENS BUTTERFLY GARDEN HUNGER BANQUETWork is being done in the The Butterfly Garden located A Hunger Banquet is organizedvegetable gardens located outside of the Science Wing is in the APES classrooms to makeoutside of center court. After also receiving some much-needed the food crisis realistic by divid-a few years left to their own, care. Students have been hard at ing the attendees into socialthe plots are now being work removing unwanted weeds classes. In each social class theweeded, and will be ready for and trees from the small plot which attendees will be asked to eatplanting soon! APES students hosts various species of native the food that is common of aare partnering with the Spe- plants and also serves as a form particular social class in order tocial Ed department to get this of flood control. In order to draw reenact their eating conditions.work done. Maybe students more awareness to the garden, stu- The purpose is to raise aware-next year will be able to enjoy dents are working on a design for a ness about poverty and hungerfresh salads or chips and plaque to be installed. A grant pro- around the world.salsa? posal for the sign to be built is also part of the process. An awareness GLOBAL WARMING SURVEYBENCH FOR OAK campaign and May 29th native Results of a recent survey showSAVANNAH plant sale are also in the works. that the majority of studentsThe construction and design at Maine East know the basicof a wooden bench for the BIRD BATH AND FEEDER concept of global warming, butOak Savannah to allow for a The construction of a bird bath don’t know about the deeperlarger seating area of approx- and feeder, which makes use of concepts and research doneimately 25 students. This proj- recyclable materials. This will be about global climate change.ect allows for students to use located in the butterfly garden The purpose of this survey wastheir knowledge from other to allow a diverse population of to bring attention to the publicclasses, especially classes in birds to visit. and make them want to learnthe CTE department. more about global climate change. This is a big problem that our planet faces right now and we must try to solve it as best as we can.Ms. Riha and her A.P. Environmental Studies students work on Maine East’s vegetable garden. OAK SAVANNA RESEARCH Research is being done in prepara- tion of labs for next years’ APES students: measurements are being taken of trees in the Oak Savanna in order to study carbon sequestra- tion. This is the process by which the trees take carbon dioxide out of the air. Students will study how helpful the trees are to the environ- ment, and how much carbon they actually hold. May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 13

Tired? Not enough sleep? Try this trick to change your life! By Patrycja Pekala for about 30 minutes. Then minutes. Now, add how to wake up the latest by took you to fall asleep. Or you are in deep sleep for many hours you want to 7am, you would calculate just use a sleep calculator Summer is finally about 20-30 minutes. Fi- sleep based on multiples 1.5 times 5 to get 7.5 hours such as this one:here, and you know what nally you reach REM sleep, of 1.5 hours. For example, of sleep. You should set up https://sleep-calculator.comthat means: uninterrupted in which you dream for if you are falling asleep an alarm for 6:45, taking Happy sleeping!sleep! Nevertheless, we about another 20 minutes. around 11:00pm and want into account the 15 min itdon’t want to sleep away All the stages added upour summer. Instead, try make a total of a 90 minutecalculating the perfect sleep cycle.time to wake up feelingrefreshed! If you wake up during your deep sleep (Stage 3) The feeling of groggi- or REM sleep, then sleepness that follows an abrupt inertia will occur. Luckily,awakening is called sleep there is a solution! Just cal-inertia. It is caused by culate sleep in 90 minutewaking up during a deep cycles. It usually takes astage of sleep. There are person 10-30 minutes tofour sleep stages. The first fall asleep.is a stage of sleepiness thatlasts about five minutes. Use your bestThe next stage prepares indicator for how long ityou for deep sleep and lasts takes you to fall asleep or average the number to 15 SUMMER READING 2017 This year’s summer reading theme is globe-trotting. We hope you will explore these great titles from across the globe. You can select a book based on a location, genre or reading level. The purpose of Maine East Summer Reading is to get students to read this summer and learn to love it! Visit the LRC website or use the QR codes below. Scan this QR code to visit the Maine East Summer Reading website for summaries of all the recommended books Scan this QR code for a world map of all the story locations HOMESICK, Yes, nearly all of you very thing that inoculates vented or treated, but the Seniors, you’ve suc- from page 12 graduating Blue Demons against a future bout of intensity can be lessened. cessfully accomplishedthinking hypothetically. If will experience serious homesickness,” says psy- Over summer, spend time high school and survivedyou’re older, as in nearing nostalgia, and that’s ex- chologist Chris Thurber. with your family before all the obstacles that haveadulthood (seniors), your pected, but don’t hesitate “By living through a diffi- you have to head off to been thrown at you so far;mind can translate a long to jump into that college cult separation, your mind college, but try to get it’s a well known fact thattime frame into a manage- life because science says forces itself to cope.” The some alone time. there’s no express elevatorable thought. In other overcoming homesickness more you fight the need to to success; you have towords, you can calm your (and you will overcome it) be coddled at home, the Slowly accepting the take the stairs. Just keephomesickness by telling will only strengthen your stronger your resistance to time away from friends plowing through life, andyourself you will be home resistance against future homesickness gets. and family will soothe the someday your future selffor the next holiday. nostalgic feelings. “It turns pang that will come with will thank you. Once a out, [homesickness is] the According to Thurber, the sudden separation of Demon, always a Demon. homesickness can’t be pre- college.14 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017

How The Pioneer enhanced my M.E. experience Since the very end of senior year is the least stressful part of high school for most stu-dents, it gives them an opportunity to reflect on their four years. Whether associated withclubs or sports or classes, every student has a memory or two that will stick with themwell into adulthood. For me, working on the Maine East Pioneer will be said source. (Get it?Source? Nothing quite like journalism humor.) The Freshman me did not make many smart decisions, but joining The Pioneer was def-initely a good call. I was already an aspiring journalist at the time, and hoped there wouldbe an outlet for my writing. Mrs. Reitz, my English teacher that year, introduced me andsome classmates to The Pioneer, the Maine East student newspaper. We met Wednesdaysafter school to focus on learning the ways of journalism. It was a wonderful change fromthe traditional classroom setting. I got to write about local sports, which was a lot moreappealing to me than analyzing the themes of As I Lay Dying. Year by year, my writing and reporting improved. Articles became easier to write andneeded fewer revisions. Working on The Pioneer also helped me in other areas of school,as I applied the writing skills I developed to my English and Social Studies papers, whichimproved my grades. Having The Pioneer as an extra-curricular activity was also helpfulwhen applying for various freelance journalism jobs. Currently, I write for three separatewebsites, which would simply not be possible without my experience on The Pioneer. Even if you do not plan on becoming a journalist later in life, The Pioneer is still worthconsideration. It is quite fulfilling to have your words on a paper that the entire school getsto read. It is also satisfying to share your views about local, national, or world events withthe rest of the student body. To all Maine East students reading this: do yourself a favor and at least consider par-ticipating on The Pioneer, even if you only have one year left in your high school career. It’san experience that will improve you, your writing skills, and your sense of fulfillment. Lastly, I would like to thank Mr. Miller and Mr. Hessert for making The Pioneer such apositive high school experience for me. By Adnan Basic SENIOR ISSUE STAFF SCAN THIS QR CODE TO Adnan Basic Nicole Lach READ THIS Hiba Hussain Patrycja Pekala ISSUE ON YOUR Saarah Junaid PHONE & INThe Pioneer The Pioneer reports on news, entertainment, and sports COLOR!! Maine East High School events for Maine East High School and the surrounding communi- Park Ridge, Illinois ty. The Pioneer is distributed in school to students and staff; digi- May 19, 2017 tal copies of each issue are available at The Pioneer website: bit.ly/ThePioneer @mehspioneer bit.ly/ThePioneer Readers can send story suggestions, photos, letters to the editor, or comments to sponsor Matt Miller or assistant sponsor Dave Hes- sert via email: [email protected]; [email protected] May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 15

~ SAYING GOODBYE TO MAINE EAST ~Ms. Englebert made students’ days brighter By Nicole Lach to work here. I wanted to as much as I would teach. been privileged to be a part student Amber Price. “She be in a place where people In my 26 years here, I have of it for so long.” is one of the best teachers Maine East has some didn’t look like me, where taught and learned from so that I have come across.”amazing teachers who will I could travel the world many wonderful students. “Ms. Englebert is aretire this year. Ms. Bar- when I entered its halls, We all know this is a kind-hearted, understand- Ms. Englebertbara Englebert has made a and where I would learn unique place and I have ing teacher who is filled travels to multiple placeshuge impact on every stu- with interesting facts and and strives to learn newdent she encounters. She accents that are amazing,” languages to share withis one of those trustworthy said student Safa Ahmed. everybody. When I hadteachers to whom you can “She is the perfect balance Ms. Englebert my fresh-talk. Every student who of a strict yet understand- man year, I looked forwardhas her in class thinks she ing teacher.” to her class because sheis marvelous and extremely always brightened my day.intelligent. Ms. Englebert inspires the students she teaches to Next year, Ms. Ms. Englebert’s do their best and achieve Englebert looks forwardmulticultural background great things. She is always to waking up a little latermade her a good fit for our smiling and willing to help and having free time toschool. anyone out. pursue other interests. But on some days, she will be “Maine East was love “Ms. Englebert is right back here. Yes, Ms.at first sight for me,” she generally interesting and Englebert will sub at Mainesaid. “I turned down four respectful towards her East! “I just can't stay awayother job offers in order students. She is nice, kind, from this place!” and lives a cool life,” saidMs. Creagh turned the scary into thesublime for her students and herselfBy Saarah Junaid their lives now and in their futures.” After teaching for known as ‘The Lady in the probably didn’t know that “I was afraid thatalmost three decades, for Tower’ by many people who Ms. Creagh used to repos- students would not listen to That feeling of being29 years to be precise, and worked here then; they still sess cars. She worked that me; that I would not be able scared and nervous didn’timpacting the lives of so tell the story of the ordeal job for eight years before to motivate them to learn, faze her when she got tomany students, Ms. Cathy we went through to be she became a teacher. She but I found out right away know her students. Ms.Creagh is retiring. The staff found and rescued.” says that repossessing cars that students were mostly Creigh really enjoyed in-and students of Maine East and her first day of teaching interested in someone who troducing students to greatwill miss her dearly. Going into any profes- were equally scary. was interested in them -- in works of literature, listening sion seems scary, but you to their discussions, and Ms. Creagh has been helping motivate them.a fixture of the Maine EastEnglish department for Next year Ms. Creaghmany years and is famous intends to travel withthroughout the school for her husband to differenther Halloween costumes, national parks; they arebut she is also somewhat fa- currently moving to Estesmous for a different reason. Park, Colorado. They would like to explore nature before “I suppose it was my traveling out of country.most memorable momentat Maine East,” said Ms. Ms. Creagh is an Eng-Creagh about the time she lish teacher, so we had towas locked out of the build- ask about her favorite book.ing outside the tower on the She replied, “A Tree Growssixth floor. in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. She had taken students see CREAGH,to the tower as part of an next pagein-school field trip. “I was16 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017

~ SAYING GOODBYE TO MAINE EAST ~ In their own words: retiring M.E. faculty CourtesyofLENSyearbookMS. ADINA SALMANSOHN MR. PETE McBRIDE MS. DORI CEISELCTE/Consumer Education Teacher Social Worker Special Education Teacher“Fifteen years ago I was invited to join the “When I was first hired to be a Social Worker at “I started here at East as a student teach-faculty of Maine East High School. I was not Maine East High School in 1990, I had just finished er in 2000, and knew this was the placea youngster straight out of college; I had a my masters in social work degree and felt like I had I wanted to spend my whole teachingcareer history which encompassed nearly two learned everything there was to learn. It turned out my career. It has been perfect! A gorgeousdecades of arts administration and a number education was just beginning! If modeling some- Art Deco building, grounds with ancientof years in the food industry. I came to teach thing is a good way to teach something, then here are trees and an incredible community his-Culinary Arts directly from being a chef- some of the things that Maine East STUDENTS have tory. I found the student population tomanager in corporate dining. Although I had taught/modeled for me over the years: perseverance, be polite, hard working, and determinedsome rough patches in those initial years of acceptance, patience, determination, caring for family to do well. Despite their wide-rangingteaching, my mantra was “a bad day teaching and extended family, respect, open-mindedness, and diversity, the students consistentlyis better than a good day in Industry”. Why? an openness to new ideas, people, places, and ways of embrace an attitude of tolerance, andBecause I laugh every day. Now, on the cusp doing things. I have never really considered working have a very cooperative nature. The staffof retirement, I realize that teaching is a warm, anywhere else since I was first hired because of the is an incredible group of individualswonderful endeavor. I have, indeed, laughed uniqueness of Maine East students, so to Maine East who believe in immersing themselves inevery day. I may have also cried on some students current and former: thanks for making my their work with a goal to give their bestdays, but not for myself. Always, I was able to job as rewarding and fulfilling as it has been. And as every day for each and every students.participate in the lives of my students, hearing for the faculty, I have a lot of friends and family who Their unwavering enthusiasm, optimis-them, feeling with them, and encouraging work in education and none of their faculty/staff hold a tic outlook, commitment to excellence,them. I have found teaching in general, and candle to the great lengths that Maine East faculty goes sense of community, friendship andMaine East in particular, to have been the most to make education, success, and enrichment available family have made my time here one toamazing situation I could ever imagine. Thank to their students. I am proud to have worked at Maine be treasured for the rest of my life.”you, Maine East, for an engaging and transfor- East for 27 years and leave it a richer person than Imative career.” came in.”MR. PAT VOITIK – Science TeacherBefore going back to school for a degree in Biology along with a teaching certificate, I worked at YMCAs, park districts, and camps, as well as being alicensed Zamboni driver. I really enjoyed working at the camps and was able to put my studio art degree to work. But, as soon as I arrived at East, I foundmy calling. Even though I was one of the almost 100 new teachers in the district, I found East, and especially the Science Department, to be a very welcom-ing place. The other science teachers were always willing to share ideas and materials. That doesn’t happen in every school. Friendships came easily withmy coworkers. Our department really supported each other, not just with lessons and lab activities, but also by celebrating birthdays and holidays and otherget-togethers. One of the things we did for several years in school that was really cool was present a show in the auditorium as part of our Science AwardsNight. We honored our best students and entertained their families with some amazing science demonstrations. A couple of my favorites were Karen lead-ing the team making ice cream using liquid Nitrogen and having a go-cart race across the stage with the carts powered by carbon dioxide fire extinguishers.I also remember a demo where I poured several clear liquids into a hidden graduated cylinder; Julie sat on the edge of the stage in a Kermit the Frog cos-tume strumming a banjo and the song “Rainbow Connection” played as I revealed the cylinder with the liquids separated into different rainbow-like colors.Killer, absolutely killer. My days at East will be precious and fun memories.MS. JONE VAZNELIS “It has been a wonderful adventure, being a part of so many lives for seventeen years. I will remember each and every one of youfondly. Now, ‘The mountains are calling, and I must go.’ – J. Muir” CREAGH, I am elated, thinking about we wish her a great retire- from page 16 the freedom I will have to ment and we will welcomeIt's not a rags to riches story, do what I want, and mo- her with a hug wheneverbut a rags to empowerment ments later I am almost in she finds the time to visit.through hard word and tears to think about what Thank you Ms. Creagh foreducation story.” If she I am leaving behind.” Ms. inspiring the many studentscould go back in time and Creagh added that she will whose paths you’ve crossedinterview any author? Her really miss her English in your career.answer won’t surprise any- teacher colleagues: “theyone: William Shakespeare. are all so inspiring to me I will leave you with Leaving Maine East personally.” one of Ms. Creagh’s favoriteand beginning retirement quotes: \"You can't scare me;gives Ms. Creagh mixed Her advice to future I'm a teacher... Well, maybeemotions. “Some moments teachers is to get to know you can scare me, but that your students. Maine East probably won't stop me!” will miss Ms. Creagh, but May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 17

2016-17 ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES fall season all-conference (Listed by sport) Boys Soccer: Marek Dziergas, Konrad Nawrot, Daniel Gamaonov (All-Sectional); Football: Julio Cabrales; Girls Volleyball: Ericka Christiansen, Madeline Sielski, Maria Skoufos, Kim Sergey; Girls Cross Country: Kayla Gregario.winter season all-conference (Listed by sport) Girls Basketball: Boys Basketball: Jordan Irving, Derek Jozwiak; Girls Gymnastics: Afroditi Baltsas; Boys Swimming: Joshua Espinoza; Wrestling: Julio Cabrales; Cheerleading: Sam Brook, Adriana Duraki, Roberto Flores, Tania Gonzalez, Stephanie Johnson.

SPORTS GIRLS TRACK & FIELD HEAD COACH SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Scott Schultes At the Sectional Meet on May 11, TOP ATHLETES sophomore Kayla Gregorio ran a blaz-Kayla Gregorio (So.) ing fast 400m dash in 58.74 seconds Keren Parra (Jr.) to take second place and qualify for Kajal Modi (Sr.) the State Meet. Both Kajal Modi and Jenny Iype (So.) Willencia Louis Charles had meets that they will not soon forget: Kajal vaulted Willencia Louis her way into 4th place with a school Charles (Sr.) record vault of 8’6”, then came back to run 5:57.98 in the mile; Willencia shocked the competition (and perhaps herself) by placing 6th in the discus with nearly 14 feet of improvement in the event in one meet!COACH’S QUOTE:“It has been an exciting season for our young team and hasbeen a pleasure to see these young women commit them-selves fully to improving their fitness levels as well as stepup to meet the demands of competition. The coachingstaff all look forward to building on the solid foundationthat is our current team and to the possibilities of successin the future.”Bulls and Blackhawks limp out of playoffs; what’s next? By Adnan Basic ing up for Chicago. Rajon Rondo Bulls go from here, no one quite has gone to Carolina to play for was destroying his former team, knows. The front office must the Hurricanes, and make the The Chicago Bulls and the Robin Lopez was playing the make the right moves to insure money the Blackhawks could notChicago Blackhawks have two of best basketball of the season, and the Bulls continue to make deep offer him. There are many morethe biggest fanbases in the nation. Jimmy Butler was performing runs in the playoffs. decisions to be made. The frontBoth teams have also had decades at a high level. Then, in typical office has been superb year afterof success. The Bulls dominated Bulls fashion, they were ruined There are even more ques- year, and fans hope they’ll do asthe 90’s and have been perennial by injuries. Rajon Rondo suffered tions surrounding the Black- well this summer.contenders since. The Blackhawks a thumb injury, which took him hawks, a beacon of success inhave won three championships out for the rest of the season. He the city for so long. The Hawks The summer will be inter-in the past five seasons and have had been a lynchpin up to that finished first in the Western esting for both teams. Neithermade hockey a big time sport in point, and losing him derailed the Conference, setting up a matchup should panic yet, but do not bethe city of Chicago. This season, Bulls’ performance. They went on against bitter rival Nashville. surprised if there is constanthowever, has been massively to lose four straight games each What was supposed to be a phe- movement. The two power-disappointing. For the first time by more than 10 points. nomenal series ended up being a house organizations will hope toin a while, both the Blackhawks waste of time for anyone watch- improve, and learn from the mis-and the Bulls were eliminated in The Bulls can lie to them- ing at home. The Blackhawks takes made this season. The goodthe first round of their respective selves, and believe that the only were swept by the Predators, a thing for the people of Chicagoplayoffs. issue was the Rondo injury, but shock to fans who were accus- is that there are still plenty of there are more problems under tomed to constant winning. The thriving sports teams in the city. The Bulls started off their the surface. Chicago may be mighty Blackhawks looked old The Cubs and White Sox haveplayoff campaign quite well, forced to go through a rebuild and slow, and lacked the elite per- made promising starts, and fanswinning the first two games of over the summer. There have formances from their star players. hope both will make playoff runs.their series at Boston. They put been constant trade rumours Even the Chicago Fire look bettertogether back to back team per- involving Jimmy Butler, and it General Manager Stan Bow- than usual, so they might join theformances, and things were look- would be no surprise to see him man has promised change, and list of successful sports teams in head off elsewhere. Where the the Hawks have already lost a key Chicago. player. Goaltender Scott Darling May 19, 2017 | THE PIONEER | 19

SPORTSBOYS TENNIS (14–8; 1-4) BASEBALL (7-14; 4-10) HEAD COACH SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: HEAD COACH SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: John Schwan Another winning season of 14 Ron Clark Conference opener shutout vic- TOP PLAYERS wins and 8 losses tory over Glenbrook South (4-0). Raffi Ounjian Winning the Demon TOP PLAYERS Also, our comeback victory over Moonis Nadeem Invitational Tounament Antoine Kelly (Jr.) Highland Park. We scored 5 runs Joseph Varilla Runner-up in the Proviso West Ryan Sands (Sr.) in the bottom of the 7th inningHristiyan Dimitrov Invitational Tournament Jusuf Zvizdic (Jr.) for a 9-8 victory! Francis Hamoy Ashton Schwab (So.)COACH’S QUOTE: COACH’S QUOTE:“The team had many obstacles and setbacks to “The Varsity Baseball team was very competitive thisovercome, but every player stepped up to make it season. We had outstanding pitching throughout thea successful season! This team had extraordinary season and did as well in conference play as we have incharacter!” many years. We will have many returning starters com- ing back in 2018 and the future looks very bright for the Blue Demons! ”BOYS VOLLEYBALL (27-7; 4-4) BOYS WATER POLO (9-17; 3-2) HEAD COACH SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: John Kulesza We won the 6 team Maine East Invite and the HEAD COACH SEASON HIGHLIGHT: TOP PLAYERS 4 team York Invite. We’ve hit the 20 win mark Peter Przekota Finishing 2nd in theMichael Boduch (Sr.)–Captain for the third season in a row and earned a ConferenceMarcus Herrera (Sr.)–Captain #4 seed in the sectional. Our goal of win- Abraham Manappallil (Sr.) ning conference did not happen, but we are TOP PLAYERS COACH’S QUOTE: Denis Milchev (Sr.) working each day in order to win a regional Josh Espinoza (Sr.) “I want to thank Josh Romil Patel (Sr.) championship. In addition, Michael Boduch Evan Learnahan (Jr.) Espinoza for a great Sebastian Mihulet (Sr.) broke an 11 year old school record for kills in Dylan Karft (So.) four years. His dedica- a match with 23. tion and hard work will be missed by the MaineCOACH’S QUOTE: East Water Polo team.“We try to remind our guys that if they want to reach great things in He was a great teamlife then they will have to work for it. Things of great worth in our lives captain!”never come easy!” HEAD COACH BOYS TRACK & FIELD Chris Peters TOP ATHLETES SEASON HIGHLIGHTS: Jacob Danyal (Sr.) The boys competedMustafa Becoja (Sr.) in the CSL Champion- Leo Acevedo (Sr.) ships this past weekend.Gavan Sarrafian (Sr.) Mustafa Becoja, Gavan Raven Khaya (Sr.) Sarrafian, and Jacob Danyal earned automatic All-Conference awards for placing 1st or 2nd in an individual event. COACH’S QUOTE: “We are looking forward to the IHSA Sectional Meet. We are looking to qualify a couple of guys for the State Track meet. Overall, this team has done a terrific job this season and I am looking forward to seeing the guys compete at the highest level as we move into the championship part of the season.”20 | THE PIONEER | May 19, 2017