Tuesday, May 16, 2017

“Big Fish” Yields Nominations for State Awards

The school’s annual musical, “Big Fish,” has landed nominations for its lead actor, senior Jordan Radis, and its director, theatre teacher Cynthia Burrows, in the sixth annual Illinois High School Musical Theatre Awards on June 5.

Radis, who earned his second nomination, is one of 12 student actors nominated. His first nomination came for his role in last year’s school musical, “Miss Saigon.” Radis will seek to become the second Stevenson student to earn Best Actor honors and represent Illinois at the national “Jimmy Awards” in New York City. Jonah Rawitz (Class of 2016) won the Jimmy Award in 2014.

Burrows, who has spent her entire teaching and directing career at Stevenson since graduating from Illinois State University, received her first Best Directing nomination after her final time directing the school musical. She will retire at the conclusion of the 2017-18 school year.

Radis and the other acting nominees will participate in workshops, crafted by Broadway in Chicago, culminating with a performance on stage at the Broadway Playhouse. The day of workshops will feature Adam Jacobs, who plays Aladdin in the national tour of “Aladdin” currently traveling the country. All of the nominees will receive tickets to see the show when it comes to Chicago in September.

Three Alumni Appearing in Newest Metropolis Show

Three alumni have lead roles in the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre’s upcoming production of the musical “HAIR.” The show will feature Alex Levy (Class of 2013), Abby Vombrack (2009) and Leah Davis (2012). The production’s director is Lauren Rawitz, who regularly directs plays at Stevenson. “HAIR” opens Thursday and runs through July 1. Click here for ticket information. The Metropolis is located in Arlington Heights.

Six Students Earn Polish Seal of Biliteracy

Stevenson offered students an opportunity to earn the Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy for Polish for the first time this year. Six students earned the seal, which will be included on their diploma: Julia Blazejewski, Adam Jurkiewicz, Zuzanna Kubiszewski, Anna Leus, Kamila Wawer and Nicholas Zdrzalka. Students interested in taking the state exam can contact Paulina Tuman (Glowacka) at pglowacka@d125.org.

Community Orchestra Concert on Sunday

The Stevenson Community Orchestra will hold its final concert of the 2016-17 school year at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. The orchestra is part of the Patriot Recreation Education Program (PREP).

Alum Co-Hosting New Show on Travel Channel

Jason Kessler (Class of 2000) is the co-host of the Travel Channel’s new show, “Trip Testers,” which seeks to show viewers whether activities at the world’s most popular vacation destinations live up to their billing. The co-hosting gig is a departure for Kessler, who has spent most of his career behind the camera. He started as an entry-level production assistant on “The Office,” and later wrote for several shows on cable. Kessler talked about his career, and his relatively limited history of traveling until now, with the Daily Herald.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Monday’s Varsity Results

Girls Lacrosse

Stevenson 19, Highland Park 2: The Patriots rolled in their Illinois High School Women’s Lacrosse Association playoff opener at Carmel. SHS (15-5), which has won four straight games and 10 of its last 11, will play host to the Downers Grove co-op (9-7-1) in the Metea Valley Sectional semifinals at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Stadium. Stevenson is the No. 12 seed in the 56-team state tournament. – @PatriotsGLax, IHSWLA.org

Boys Lacrosse

Evanston 11, Stevenson 9: The host Wildkits (6-9) cooled off the streaking Patriots (10-8) in the final regular season game for both teams. Demetre Crews scored three goals to lead SHS, which had won nine of its last 11 games entering the contest. Mike Simon, Austin Masters, Cole Okmin, Hunter Gleason, Caleb DiMaria and Colin Bowler each recorded one goal. Crews, DiMaria, Bowler and Simon had one assist apiece. Chad Winter made nine saves. – @PatsLax

Softball

Stevenson 14, Waukegan 3 (6 inn.): Ilyssa Muise held the hosts to six hits and struck out eight while issuing one walk for the Patriots (13-16, 4-9). Mic Faunce had three hits, drove in three runs and scored four times. Vera Pflugradt also scored four runs, and Alana Labaschin knocked in three.

Baseball

Warren 2, Stevenson 0: The visiting Patriots (16-12, 10-8) were held to two hits by the Blue Devils (24-8, 13-5). – Daily Herald

SHS Wins Frosh-Soph Conference Boys Track Meet

Stevenson won last week’s North Suburban Conference Boys Track and Field Freshman-Sophomore Meet at Warren Township High School. The Patriots posted 136 points, well ahead of the host school, which had 95.5, and six other schools. Sam Farber and Jahleel Perrin each won a pair of events. Farber finished first in the 110-meter high hurdles (17.77) and in the 300 hurdles (44.16), while Perrin captured the 100 (11.63) and the 200 (23.53). Jordan Vincent won the 400 (54.71) and ran a leg on the winning 1,600 relay with Tajes Khanna, Hunter Tam and Zac Nelson (3:45.40). He also was fifth in the 100 (12.05). Tam was runner-up in the high jump (5-7) and the 3,200 relay squad of David Balaban, Corey Pacernick, Cameron Coffey and Alex Beckerman also finished second (8:51.80). Balaban also finished third in the 800 (2:12.39), fifth in the long jump (17-9) and sixth in the triple jump (36-2). Perrin was part of two third-place relays: the 400 with Vincent, Khanna and Matt Green (46.47), and the 800 with Green, Khanna and Matt Pflug (1:38.02). SHS also received third-place finishes from Ean Norenberg in the high jump (5-5), Alex Scott in the discus (95-7) and Nick Stefanov in the shot put (38-5). Pacernick was fourth in the 800 (2:16.12), Jackson Adorjan took fourth in the 110 hurdles (18.85), and Tam placed fourth in the 400 (55.73). Fifth-place efforts came from Jake Schabes in the 3,200 (10:56.85), Beckerman in the 1,600 (4:56.39), and Nick Machado in the shot put (36-8.5). Green was sixth in the 200 (24.97).

Allied Soccer Team Wraps Up Fourth Season

The Allied Soccer team has concluded its fourth season. This year, the squad included 22 students. Pioneer Press writer Jon Kerr wrote this piece about the program, which includes interviews with two “buddies,” junior Madison Cheslock and sophomore Kai Mayahara. He also spoke with the team coaches, Mark Schartner and Shannon Mauro.

SHS Hosting All-Star Water Polo Games, Youth Clinic

Stevenson will serve as host for the annual Illinois Water Polo high school all-star games and age-group youth clinic on Sunday, June 4. The clinic will be held from 9:30 a.m. to noon, followed by the boys all-star game at 12:30 p.m. and the girls all-star contest at 2 p.m. Click here for details.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

New Parking Guidelines for Seniors Next Year

Stevenson’s student population is increasing next year, and more students means more staff, which unfortunately means less student parking on campus. Students are encouraged to start talking with friends and classmates to arrange carpools and rideshares if they need to park on campus for the duration of the year. The Class of 2018 will have an opportunity to purchase up to four of six marking periods of parking. Permits will be sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking permits can only be purchased during online registration. All Stevenson families will receive a mailing regarding online registration in mid-June. This mailing will include when the online registration window opens for all students. Seniors also will be able to purchase daily Port Clinton parking spots in Room 2400 with a minimum of 24 hours in advance. A maximum of 15 spots per calendar month can be purchased at $3 per day.

Library Books Must Be Returned by Wednesday

Please return all library books and pay any overdue fines to the West ILC by Wednesday. After Wednesday, no library materials may be checked out if you have overdue books or fines.

Dance Company Auditions Wednesday and Thursday

Auditions for the Mélange and Repertory dance companies will be held Wednesday and Thursday from 3:45-7 p.m. in the Dance Studio (Room 2010). Students should come dressed to dance and learn movement. They will be given a warm-up exercise and learn phrase work. Students should come prepared to perform a 1-minute solo of their own unique choreography, in the modern contemporary style. For more details and to sign up for the audition, click here.

Juniors and Seniors Pick Up Yearbooks Today

Juniors and seniors may pick up their yearbook during all lunch periods today. Freshmen and sophomores may pick up their yearbook during all lunch periods Wednesday. Pick up locations are the Patriot Lobby by Room 2104 and the Performing Arts Center lobby. You must have your student ID to pick up your yearbook.

Spanish Honor Society Induction Ceremony Thursday

The Spanish Honor Society induction ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the West Auditorium. Rehearsal for the students being inducted is at 5 p.m.

First 50 SHS Students Get in Free to State Water Polo

The Sports Boosters will continue its tradition of paying for the first 50 Stevenson students to attend the IHSA Water Polo State Tournament in the Patriot Aquatic Center on Thursday and Friday nights. The girls will play at 7 p.m. Thursday and the boys at 7 p.m. Friday. Students should present their ID at the admission window.

Clean Out Your PE Locker by Next Monday

All Physical Education lockers must be cleaned out by the end of the last regular school day on Monday, May 22. Locks will then be cut off and any belongings left behind will be donated to local charities.

Final Exam Update From the Testing Center

The Testing Center will be open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on final exam days. Students must sign up for tests during final times. A test can only be taken during a free period, study hall or PE. Before- and after-final times don’t require signing up. If a student is signed up during a re-scheduled final, the Testing Center needs a note or an email from the teacher or counselor stating that the final has been rescheduled. Seniors who are exempt from a final may take a test in the Testing Center during that class time with written notification from their teacher or counselor.

15th Annual SNN Film Fest Friday Night

All students are invited to enjoy an evening of student-made short films at the 15th annual SNN Film Fest at 7 p.m. Friday in the West Auditorium. Admission is $2. Note: Some films may contain mature themes and/or language.

CLUB NEWS

The official Stevenson High School Patriot eSports team will have its first informational meeting in preparation for its 2017-18 season at 3:45 p.m. Thursday in Room 2516. CSgo, League of Legends, Hearthstone, Overwatch, VainGlory and WarThunder are among the games that will be played. If you are interested in playing eSports either casually or for serious competition, then stop by the information meeting.

ATHLETICS

There will be an informational meeting for girls cross country at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Little Theater (Room 4200). If you cannot make the meeting, contact Coach LeVanti at mlevanti@d125.org.

The girls basketball team will have an informational meeting at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in Room 2002. Don’t forget to register for summer camp/leagues!

The girls lacrosse team is holding a Jamba Juice sale in the Wood Commons during seventh and eighth periods and during the assembly, and after school by the athletic fields before Spring Fling. You can buy a 10-ounce Jamba Juice for $3. Two flavors will be available: Strawberry Whirl and Mega Mango. You can pay in cash or with your student ID.

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Former Lake Bluff teacher surrenders on indecency charge

Merger of two Gold Coast CPS schools gets go-ahead

Emanuel considering taxes on rich, downtown businesses to fund CPS

Former NIU official only received oral report for $468K investigation

Hospitals cutting athletic trainer services to Springfield-area high schools

UI partners with United Arab Emirates school on engineering degrees

Woodlands Academy removes “interim” tag from principal

In tribute, Bremen students elect dead classmates prom king and queen

NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES

How Google took over the classroom

AP test-takers’ tweets may not give away answers, but raise questions