Friday, May 19, 2017

Chess Team Captures Trophies at Nationals

Stevenson’s chess team took part in the largest chess tournament in history last week, and returned to Lincolnshire having made history of its own. Junior Marcus Engstrom, sophomores Jack Xiao, Shashank Bala and Kavin Lavari, and freshman Adam Wallach finished third in the K-12 U1900 section at the United States Chess Federation SuperNationals VI Games held May 12-14 in Nashville, Tennessee. Wallach finished 14th individually.

Junior Alex Bian, competing in the highest division, the K-12 Open section, placed 19th in the nation. He also was third individually in the Blitz K-12 section, in which he, Xiao, Lavari and Bala placed fourth as a team. Junior Gurasees Bajaj competed in the K-12 U1600 section.

More than 5,500 students took part in the tournament. Stevenson’s chess team coaches are Vincent Springer and Scott Oliver.

2017-18 Theater Productions Announced

The Theater Department revealed its 2017-18 productions at the annual end-of-year celebration held after school on Wednesday. The school’s biggest show of the year is the fall musical, and this year’s choice is “Fiddler on the Roof.” The show about a poor Russian milkman named Tevye, and his attempts to protect his family and its Jewish and cultural traditions from corruption, has delighted millions since its debut in 1964. “Fiddler on the Roof” will hit the Main Stage of the Performing Arts Center November 17-19.

A more recent creation, “Too Much, Too Much, Too Many,” will be the fall play, staged September 7-9 in the Studio Theater. Meghan Kennedy’s play about a grieving widow who locks herself in her bedroom first opened in 2013. The Thornton Wilder classic, “Our Town,” is the freshman-sophomore production, which will be performed February 2-3 in the Little Theater portion of the Performing Arts Center. “Luna Gale,” which made its world premiere at Chicago’s Goodman Theater three years ago, is the winter play. Rebecca Gilman’s drama is about a social worker whose decision to place the baby of two teenage drug addicts with one of their mothers sparks a conflict linked to a dark family secret. “Luna Gale” comes to the West Auditorium March 9-10.

Townhouse Plan Near Didier Farms Raises Concerns

A planned townhouse development on 50 acres north of Didier Farms in Buffalo Grove has prompted concerns from residents who live in the area of Meridian Middle School near Stevenson. The developer met with about 35 residents on Thursday to hear their concerns about density and traffic.

Newest Presidential Scholar Discusses Selection

Senior Kathy Xiang, who recently was named a U.S. Presidential Scholar, talked with Pioneer Press reporter Ronnie Wachter about the honor. The Harvard-bound Vernon Hills resident also spoke about the huge influence of her Advanced Placement Themes in World Literature class and her teacher, Dean Bradshaw. “Because it’s not my particular skill, that made the impact of the class ever bigger,” Xiang said. “It broadened my perspective in many ways, seeing how to empathize with people and humanity.”

Alum Helps Create New Children’s Book

SHS alumnus Sonia Doshi (Class of 2012) is one of three people behind a new children’s book that was created while completing graduate work at Stanford University. Goodnight News is described as as an “interactive family newscast” that turns parents and their children into reporters. The book is meant to help parents share their day with their child, while helping children learn to express themselves through conversation.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Thursday’s Varsity Results

Girls Water Polo

Stevenson hosted IHSA State Quarterfinals: Eileen Hoang and Claire Haas each scored five goals as the second-seeded Patriots (32-2) beat St. Ignatius, 20-9, and advanced to Saturday morning’s semifinal against Mother McAuley. The semifinal match will be played at 10:15 a.m. Saturday in the Patriot Aquatic Center. St. Ignatius scored 10 seconds into the quarterfinal, but goals by Lauren Maloney and Hoang gave the Patriots a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish. Maloney scored two goals and Amelia Eastman also contributed a pair. The other SHS goals came from Eleanor Michaud, Fiona Gaffney, Julia Nicholson, Bella Greenspan, Kalista Tapas and Maanasa Devabhaktuni. Starting goalie Anna Mossakowski made seven saves before Brigitte Lefebvre relieved her in the fourth period and stopped three shots. – Illpolo.com, Daily Herald

Boys Track and Field

Stevenson at IHSA Fremd Sectional: Five Patriots qualified in five events — four with personal-best performances — for next week’s state meet at Eastern Illinois University. Senior Noah Lukz punched his ticket for state with a second-place, personal-best performance in the 100-meter dash (10.95). Fellow senior Johnathan Powell was second in triple jump (44-10). Stevenson’s three other state qualifiers all posted personal bests: Junior Nikita Smyrnov was third in the 3,200 (9:22.01), senior Jordan Eng placed fourth in long jump (22-2) and sophomore Anand Batbaatar was fifth in shot put (52-8). Lukz added a non-qualifying third-place finish in the 200 (22.38), and Powell was fifth in the long jump (21-10.5). Other individual point-earners for SHS were: junior Seth Johnson, who was fourth in the 100 (11.28); sophomore Sam Herenton, fourth in the 400 (51.73), senior Caleb Oh, fifth in the 800 (2:01.47); senior David Goncharov, sixth in the triple jump (42-3.25); and sophomore Maema Njongmeta, sixth in discus (137-7). The 1,600 relay team of Herenton, Oh, and juniors Ahmad Dinkins and Aaron Portman was sixth (3:32.63). The Patriots finished fifth among 15 teams. – Official Results, Daily Herald

Boys Volleyball

Palatine d. Stevenson, 25-23, 14-25, 25-16: On Senior Night, Grant Maleski notched 14 kills in his final home match for the Patriots (23-12) in their regular-season finale. Fellow senior Sudhish Gogula had six kills and classmates Hudson Havenhill and Yeso Baatarkhuu added five apiece. Gogula also recorded four block assists while Baatarkhuu had three. Haddon Kay, a junior, was 42-of-43 setting with 18 assists. Sophomore Will Sorenson was 31-of-31 setting with 11 assists and also served two aces. Maleski and classmate Danny Orlov each made four digs. Stevenson will play in the IHSA Fremd Regional semifinals at 5 p.m. The Pats, seeded fifth in the Palatine Sectional, will play the winner of Monday’s match between No. 11 Fremd and No. 21 St. Viator.

SHS Named Best Public School for Athletes

Stevenson has been named the best public high school in America for student-athletes, according to a report on USA Today’s website. Niche.com, the website that declared SHS the best public high school in the country last fall, listed the school’s athletic program as No. 1 based on student and parent reviews, participation levels, number of sports offered, and expenses per school. Four of the top rated schools are in Illinois. After Stevenson, Glenbrook South and Glenbrook North were Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, and Homewood-Flossmoor was sixth. Other Illinois schools in the top 50 included Libertyville (11), Hinsdale Central (12), Lincoln-Way West (18), Lake Forest (21), Glenbard West (26) and Cary-Grove (36).

Girls Soccer Regional Title Game Moved

Due to an ominous weather forecast for Saturday, the IHSA Class 3A Stevenson Regional girls soccer championship game has been moved to 4:30 today in the Stadium. The game was originally scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.

Lacrosse Alum Named College Conference MVP

Girls lacrosse alumnus Lindsay Schwartz (Class of 2015), a sophomore at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, had a record-breaking season for the Blues this spring. She earned most valuable player honors from the Northwest Conference after setting new Whitman single-season standards in goals, points, game-winning goals, ground balls, draw controls and caused turnovers. Schwartz scored at least one goal in all 15 games, and had four or more in eight games. Last Friday, she earned first-team NCAA Division III West Region honors, and is eligible for All-America recognition from the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, which will be announced June 3. Schwartz has earned first-team all-conference honors in each of her first two seasons.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

15th Annual SNN Film Fest Tonight

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

Last Chance for Senior Class Party Bus Sign-Up is Monday

If you’re going to the Senior Class Party, there will be one last bus sign-up before school on Monday, from 7:30-8:30 a.m. at the Field House. If you do not sign up, the PPA will randomly assign you to a bus.

Girls Lacrosse Team Selling Jamba Juice This Afternoon

The girls lacrosse team is holding a Jamba Juice sale in the Wood Commons this afternoon 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.

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 tonight. The boys play at 7 o’clock. Students should present their ID at the admission window.

Did You Forget to Pick Up Your Yearbook?

If you forgot to pick up your yearbook earlier this week, it will be available at the Patriot Superstore. The store is open 30 minutes before school begins and during all three lunch periods. You must present your student ID when picking up your yearbook. The cost is $50. The store accepts cash, check (made payable to Stevenson High School), your student ID card (if your parents or guardians have a Patriot Dollars account), Visa or MasterCard. There also are a number of students who did not pick up last year’s yearbook. They will be available until Friday, May 26.

Information on Textbook Returns During Finals

Textbook returns will be located in the Lower Sports Center from 7:30 a.m-1:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. After next Thursday, all textbooks must be returned to the School Business Office (Room 2426). Teachers should not accept any textbook returns, as this may cause a delay in processing and result in the students being fined for their books. Seniors must have all their textbooks returned, and any textbook fines paid, before they receive their diplomas.

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.

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. Seniors are encouraged to start talking with friends and classmates to arrange carpools and ride-shares 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 10 spots per calendar month can be purchased at $3 per day.

Clean Out Your PE Locker by Monday

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

INTRAMURALS

The last open gym basketball session is from 6-8 p.m. Monday in the Field House. All you need to participate is your current school ID.

COLLEGE NEWS

The Horatio Alger Association is offering a $2,500 scholarship to a high school senior who intends to pursue post-secondary education at a community college or technical school this fall. Eligibility criteria include: Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program at an accredited non-profit, post-secondary institution, show financial need, demonstrate perseverance in overcoming adversity, involvement in community service activities, and is a United States citizen. Applications can be found at application.horatioalger.org. If you have any questions, please see Mrs. McGurn in the College Career Center (Room 1123).

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Tribune analysis: College-prep courses not preparing kids for college

CPS to borrow against late state block grants to pay for end of year

Lombard District 44 paying two administrators $424K to leave

Round Lake, once in financial peril, makes U.S. News best schools list

New Trier to release high school readiness test results by district

University of Chicago frat’s Cinco de Mayo party sparks racial tensions

DePaul rescinds permission for conservative pundit to speak on campus

Ex-Wheaton College professor back behind bars on child porn charges

Morthland College to eliminate athletic program

NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES

Only 16 teacher-prep programs rated as “top tier” in new NCTQ report