NEWS FROM DISTRICT 207
Maine East
​
Maine South
2601 W. Dempster St. ​
1111 S. Dee Road Park Ridge, IL, 60068 ​
Park Ridge, IL 60068
Maine West 1755 S. Wolf Road Des Plaines, IL, 60018 May 4, 2016: For immediate release. Contact Dave Beery at [email protected] or 847.692.8053 ‘207’s Best’ for May honored for Extra Curricular Achievement Three seniors were recently honored by the Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education as “207's Best.” For the May honors, Janelle Alba­Garner, of Maine East; Sophie Miller, of Maine South; and Giada Morresi, of Maine West, were recognized for Extra Curricular achievement. At East, Janelle Alba­Garner has been an R Code student leader all four years, an active member of Dr. Mike Pressler’s Student Leadership Team and an active participant in DECA. A standout athlete, she scored more than 1,000 points in her East basketball career, during which she was a 4­year varsity starter. She was named Central Suburban League North Player of the Year, earned all­Conference recognition twice and received the Tom Izzo Character Award for the Voyager Media All Star Game. She was an original “Blue Crew” member, providing spirited support for fellow athletes, has served as a COACH tutor and Senior P.E. Leader and has been a participant and facilitator for the CSL Student Leadership Conference. She also has played volleyball, soccer and has run track. In his introductory letter, Dr. Pressler stated that Janelle has “an infectiously positive attitude and confidence in who she is and what she stands for.” Janelle told the Board of Education she plans to major in Catholic Studies and Education at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. At South, Sophie Miller has earned a 4.82 GPA through nine Advanced Placement courses, along with accelerated courses and multivariable calculus and differential equations. “What makes her academic achievement even more impressive,” wrote Principal Mr. Shawn Messmer, “is that we could debate whether she has been more successful academically or in her extracurricular achievements.” She is Vice President of the Senior Class after serving last year as Student Council President. She has been a three­sport athlete for four years and is officially involved in 10 additional extracurricular activities, serving a leadership role in many. She played a key role in a group of concerned students who launched the Make Kindness Contagious Campaign, to counter the sometimes negative messages of social media. This year she helped organize the Giving Tree, to buy holiday gifts for children in need. Sophie told the board she will study neuroscience and biology as part of a pre­med program at Tulane University. Maine West Principal Dr. Audrey Haugan called the list of Giada Morresi’s extra curricular activities “staggering.” Dr. Haugan wrote that Giada has “taken the idea of being involved in high school to a new level. What is best about her commitment to extra curriculars is not only the sheer number of things she does, but the outstanding level at which she does them. If you ask Giada to be on your team or committee, you are sure the job will be done well and with terrific leadership and contribution.” In addition to earning a 3.6 GPA, a partial list of her extracurricular activities includes three years in Voice for the Nameless (a human rights club), four years on Student Council, four years of Class Council, four years of Pi Sigma Pi, four years of National honor Society, and two years each of yearbook, badminton and tennis. Additionally, she has done community service and volunteer work for Camp Awana, Feed My Starving Children and Inspiration Corporation. Giada told the Board she will study political science and international relations at Drake University. The “207's Best’ program recognizes outstanding students monthly throughout the school year. Academic achievement awards are given in two months. Awards for electives, fine and performing arts, community service, improved performance, technology leadership/innovation and extracurricular achievement are given one month each. Teachers nominate students, and an executive committee makes final decisions. Honorees are then recognized by the Board of Education, which instituted the program. Maine Township High School District 207 ​
▪▪▪​
1177 South Dee Road, Park Ridge, IL 60068 Our Mission is to Improve Learning