Friday, Sept. 22, 2017

Security Cameras, Wireless Coming to VHAC

The District 125 Board of Education on Monday approved the installation of wireless Internet access at the Vernon Hills Athletic Complex to provide security surveillance and to help Stevenson’s athletic training staff in working with student-athletes at the site.

The complex has experienced several episodes of vandalism in recent years, ranging from stolen championship signs and cut locks, to damaged tennis court nets and fencing, to fields damaged by unauthorized vehicles. Internet access will allow the district to install security cameras throughout the complex, making it easier for law enforcement to conduct vandalism investigations. The wireless setup also will aid athletic trainers by allowing them to follow the same protocols used on campus in working with student-athletes.

Choral Concert, Fundraiser on Tuesday

Stevenson’s choirs will perform their first concert of the school year at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. In conjunction with the concert, the Choral Guild is having a fundraiser at Culver’s from 4-10 p.m. Tuesday. Mention “Stevenson Choir” when ordering, and 20% of the bill will go to the choir program. Valid for dine-in and carryout orders only.

Germany, Iceland Summer Trip Meetings Next Week

The final two parent information meetings for school-sponsored trips next summer will be held next week. A meeting about the trip to Germany takes place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Black Box Theater (Room 2204 – formerly known as the Studio Theater), which is located upstairs from the Sports Center entrance. Information on the Iceland trip will be shared at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Room 2104, which is near the West Building entrance off parking lot B.

Child Development Classes “Shower” Nonprofit With Gifts

Stevenson’s Child Development classes celebrated a baby shower last week to mark the beginning of its “virtual child” simulation project. Rather than bringing presents, students collected donations for Share Our Spare, a nonprofit organization that provides essentials for low-income families.

The three Child Development classes, taught by Barb Boes, Sara Lohrmann and Jamie Rieman, collected diapers, wipes, gently used and new clothing, children’s books, pacifiers, toiletries, and monetary donations. Mrs. Rieman delivered the items to Share Our Spare’s Chicago location.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Tuesday’s Late Varsity Results

Girls Swimming and Diving

Stevenson 101, Zion-Benton 61: The Patriots improved to 4-0-1 overall and 3-0 in the North Suburban Conference. No details were available.

Football Team Heads to Zion for NSC Test

The Patriot football team returns to action tonight with a North Suburban Conference contest at Zion-Benton. SHS enters with a 3-1 overall record, and is 2-0 in league play. The Zee-Bees are 2-2 and 1-1. Stevenson is ranked No. 13 in the Chicago Tribune/Cube ranking of Chicagoland teams, and stands at No. 11 in the latest Associated Press Class 8A poll. The Patriots have surrendered only 42 points in four games, with 28 scored by Muskegon, which is ranked the top-ranked team in Michigan’s Division 3. Of the 57 schools in Illinois Class 8A, only three have shown stingier defenses: West Aurora (23 points), Oswego (31) and Loyola Academy (40). Lincoln-Way East has allowed 42 points. The only common opponent shared by Stevenson and Zion-Benton is Mundelein, which fell to both schools. SHS beat the Mustangs 35-7 last week, and Z-B shut them out the week before, 33-0.

Gymnastics Alum Wins National Championship

Former Stevenson and University of Illinois gymnast Mike Wilner (Class of 2011) won the senior men’s national championship on rings in August, a month after announcing his retirement from the sport. Wilner finished second in rings at the national qualifying meet on July 15, his best performance ever at a USA Gymnastics meet, but missed an automatic invitation to the P&G Championships by .05 points. The next day, he posted this on his Instagram account: “This old man is done with gymnastics! Very happy to have finished out my career on a great meet. … Gymnastics is tough as hell and has made me the person I am today … while I may be retired from competition, I will never ‘retire’ from the sport!” Two days later, he received a call from USA Gymnastics inviting him to the national championships due to some competition slots becoming available. Next month, Wilner will celebrate another “rings” milestone: He is getting married.

Correction

Wednesday’s Digest incorrectly listed boys ice hockey player Zach Wesley as a senior. He is a junior.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Yearbook Photo Make-Ups in October

Freshmen, sophomores and juniors who didn’t have their yearbook photo taken during orientation, or who want to have it taken again, will have another chance next month. Yearbook photo make-ups will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Oct. 19-20 in the Recital Hall. For questions, contact shs_yearbook@d125.org. Are you a senior? Don’t forget that time is running out to have your yearbook photo taken.

Improv Troupe Audition Monday Night

Auditions for the Failed Presidential Candidates, Stevenson’s improv troupe, will be held from 7-8:30 p.m. Monday in the Little Theater portion (Room 4200) of the Performing Arts Center. If you have any questions, contact Mr. Fritz at wfritz@d125.org.

Information Meeting for June Trip to Germany

An informational meeting will be held Tuesday for students interested in taking part in a nine-day trip to Germany in June. The meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Room 2204. For more information, please contact Frau Glowacka at pglowacka@d125.org.

Sophomores Can Order Class Rings Thursday

Sophomores can order class rings from Jostens during the lunch periods Thursday in the Wood Commons. You can design your own ring at www.jostens.com.

Student Parking Cut Back at Metra Station

Parking at the Prairie View Metra Station is limited to those students with an existing parking pass that was purchased from Vernon Township. No additional passes for Metra Station parking will be available at this time. Daily parking for students is no longer permitted.

Additionally, student parking in the Vernon Township parking lots is not permitted. Violators will risk having vehicles ticketed or towed. Vernon Township is offering a limited number of parking passes at Peterson Park on Buffalo Grove Road. For further information, contact Vernon Township at 847-634-4600.

Students who choose to park in the Port Clinton parking lot on campus must purchase spots 24 hours in advance in Room 2400.

Half Wit Accepting Work From Frosh, Soph Writers

All freshmen and sophomores: The Half Wit, Stevenson’s underclassmen-exclusive literary magazine, wants your work! Send us your poetry, drama, screenplays, short stories, essays, songs … we’ll read every word. Get published! Submit your writing to Mr. Barnabee at jbarnabee@d125.org by Nov. 20.

If You’ve Lost Something, Check These Lost-and-Found Areas

If you’ve lost a lunch bag, water bottle, pencil case, backpack, sweatshirt or some other item of importance, check one of the lost-and-found areas to see if it’s been turned in. Lost and found items are placed in Room 2416 in the West Building, and in Room 5024 (in the Field House lobby) in the East Building.

INTRAMURALS

There will be open lacrosse for boys and girls every Tuesday and Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. at the JV softball field.

COLLEGE NEWS

Seniors who have general questions about applying to college, or need help, are invited to attend a “Drop-In Tuesday!” session in the College Career Center before school or during eighth period. No appointment is necessary.

Considering the University of North Carolina? The Morehead-Cain Award, the oldest and one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the country, recognizes well-rounded student leaders who demonstrate outstanding potential for leadership in high school, in college and beyond. The Morehead-Cain Scholar is expected to be, in conduct and achievement, a superior citizen. This merit-based award includes four years of tuition and expenses at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as fully funded summer enrichment programs that supplement academic study with off-campus travel and experience. Stevenson is allowed to nominate two students from the Class of 2018. Interested seniors may pick up nomination materials in the College Career Center (Room 1123). The deadline to return nomination forms is Tuesday. If selected, the nominee will need to complete and submit the Morehead-Cain application by Sunday, Oct. 15.

Wisconsin, Michigan and Michigan State, Colorado State and Marquette are just some of the colleges coming to visit Stevenson next week. To see the complete list of college rep visits, and to find out how to sign up for one, visit www.d125.org/RepVisits.

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship applications are available for seniors in the College Career Center. This scholarship is for a full-time high school senior with a minimum 2.8 GPA who plans to attend a college, university, vocational or technical school in the U.S. In addition, you must be committed to community service and have demonstrated leadership abilities. The deadline to return a completed application is Tuesday.

CAREER EXPLORATION

Interested in a career in a STEM field? The College of Lake County’s STEM Speaker Series hosts evening presentations focusing on different careers. On Thursday, Sept. 28, there will be a free event for students interested in engineering and computer science careers. The event will take place at the Grayslake campus and doors open at 5:30 p.m. Find out more by visiting clcillinois.edu/stem.

We have an excellent opportunity for students to participate in a career shadow on Columbus Day, Oct. 9, for those interested in careers in finance and business. Please send an email to Mrs. Willock in the CCC at dwillock@d125.org if you are interested. Spots are limited.

Applications are still being accepted for students wishing to participate in a career shadow during the first semester. Please visit the Career Exploration web page or come to the College Career Center for an application. If you have general career questions or would like to schedule an appointment to meet about career planning, please send Mrs. Willock an email at dwillock@d125.org.

CLUB NEWS

StageCrafters is meeting after school today from 3:30-6 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center. For more information, please contact Ms. Evans at aevans@d125.org.

Breakfast with Books is meeting Tuesday morning from 7:45-8:20 a.m. in the upper ILC. All students are welcome! The only requirement is a love for reading.

The Scholastic Bowl teams will have their informational meeting and first practice on Wednesday. If you’re a fan of trivia games, “Jeopardy!” or just want to know more about the team, please come to Room 8036! New players are always welcome.

ATHLETICS

The fencing team informational meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday in the Recital Hall (Room 4100). If you cannot attend, please contact Coach Delgado at fdelgado@d125.org.

Patriot Baseball 2018: Please let all parents know that we will have a meeting for parents of players trying out for the team next spring at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room 2104. The meeting is not mandatory, but will cover the upcoming season, tryouts and events this year.

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Teacher lauded for subduing student gunman at Mattoon High School

UIC pursues $100M residence hall and academic complex

Naperville North suffers third student death of 2017

Geneva officials determine school shooting threat not credible

ISU receives $1M gift for students with difficult backgrounds

Mundelein High receives $100K gift for weight room renovation

Waukegan proposes teacher coaches, after-school reading program

Wheaton College hazing case: Why so long for charges?

Aurora teacher’s heartfelt lesson: Suicide is always preventable

Danville board fires food service director accused of stealing thousands

Indian Prairie District 204 teacher diversity struggles continue