Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018

Stevenson Wins Second Straight State Robotics Title

Stevenson won its second straight Illinois VEX Robotics state championship on Saturday at Niles North High School, and also qualified for the VEX Robotics World Championship in April.

SHS had four teams in the state competition, and two of them became part of the championship-winning three-team alliance with a robot from Oak Park River Forest. One of Stevenson’s teams, PID PID Moose, included a student from last year’s state champion squad, senior Abby Starr. She was joined by juniors Ethan Gordon, Erik Rademacher and Beulah Lee, and sophomores Rahul Subramanian and Pranav Putta. The other pack of Patriots, forming the Chimera team, were seniors Elliot Segal and Ryan Mitchell, and juniors Alan Tokarsky, Jacob Shupak, Joshua Kulick, Jonathan Distel and James Lim. Both teams will head to Louisville for the world championship April 25-28.

Joining the two state championship teams will be Stevenson’s freshman team, Fresher Than Subway, which captured the Design Award. Team members included William Rademacher, Kendrick Boardman, Ansh Parekh, Krethikram Gowrisankar, Sofia Kolobaev, Rushil Vora, Brandon Lu and Jeremiah Lee. They were selected based on demonstrating an organized and professional approach to the design process, project and time management, and team organization.

Also competing at state was the Warm Refrigerators team of sophomores Piper Starr, Wynne Chen, Husain Badri, Jaap Singh, Michael Levin, Max Kulick and Duncan Paul.

The robotics team’s sponsors are Frank Radostits and Mike Anderson.

Winterfest Dance Sees Second-Largest Turnout

At a time when some schools are canceling their winter dances due to lack of interest, Stevenson’s Winterfest Dance is thriving. Saturday’s dance had its second-highest attendance ever, with approximately 1,700 students turning out. Nearly 500 of them (484) bought their tickets at the door. Director of Student Activities Ted Goergen attributed the high turnout to a conscious decision on his team’s part to make the event less like a dance and more like a festival. “We want Winterfest to be something for all students, and not just those who like to dance,” he said. In addition to dancing, students could participate in a number of activities ranging from arcade games to an “art room” in which students were encouraged to write positive and uplifting messages for others. Another piece of evidence that the Winterfest Dance was a success: The lock-in event ended at 10 p.m., but many students stayed longer, with the last one leaving at 11:30. “At some dances, there will be a mass of kids huddled at the door waiting for their chance to get out,” Goergen said. “When 10 o’clock rolled around on Saturday night, we didn’t see that at all.”

Debaters Compete at State Competition

Freshman Aditi Singh won third place in her debate chamber at Saturday’s Illinois Congressional Debate Association State Competition at Harper College. Also competing from Stevenson were juniors Thivya Sivarajah, Aarim Khan and Rahul Ramkumar, sophomores Sunny Gandhi, Sanya Nema, Advait Deoskar and Megana Adigal, and freshmen Jeanette Han, Ethan Holub and Daniel Ro.

Seven Earn Awards at Lyons Model UN Conference

Three students earned Outstanding Delegate awards and four others received honorable mention at the Lyons Township High School Model United Nations conference on Saturday. Sophomores Drew Scott, Janice Lee and Nitin Nadella garnered Outstanding Delegate honors. Sophomores Anand Vadlamani and Matt Li, and juniors Dexter Darmali and Neal Patel were chosen for honorable mention.

Alum Chosen for Internship to Help Foster Children

Stevenson alumna Leyda Garcia Greenawalt (Class of 2016), who spent seven years in foster care before being adopted at age 19, has been selected to serve in the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Foster Youth Internship Program. She will spend the summer in Washington D.C., working on behalf of children and youth involved in the child welfare system who have been or are in need of adoption or foster care services. Garcia Greenawalt is working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work at the University of Illinois.

Madrigal Dinner Reservations Due by Thursday

Thursday is the deadline to turn in reservations for the Madrigal Dinner, which will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 11 at the Arboretum Club in Buffalo Grove. Tickets, which include a three-course meal, are $30 for adults and $20 for children under 14. To order tickets, fill out this reservation form.

PATRIOT SPORTS

Click here for today’s athletic schedule

Tuesday, Feb. 27 Varsity Results

Boys Basketball

Stevenson at IHSA Class 4A Buffalo Grove Regional: The third-seeded Patriots allowed their fewest points of the season to hold off No. 19 Schaumburg, 35-27, and advance to the regional championship at 7 p.m. Friday. SHS (18-9) will face the winner of tonight’s semifinal between No. 6 Buffalo Grove and No. 10 Fremd. Stevenson held the Saxons (11-18) to 11-of-39 shooting on the night, including 18 straight misses to finish the game. The drought occurred after Schaumburg cut a 28-17 deficit to 28-24 with 2:17 remaining in the third quarter. Senior Samvit Ram led all scorers with 12 points, including a pair of free throws with 43 seconds remaining to seal the victory. Senior Nick Bonk added 10 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Matthew Ambrose scored seven points, and senior Jackson Qualley contributed six points (and six rebounds) to round out the scoring. – Daily Herald

Girls Track and Field

Stevenson 52, Vernon Hills 51, Buffalo Grove 31: At the Buffalo Grove triangular, the Patriots captured four events and finished second in six. Junior Emily Ossentjuk won the 210-yard run (28.18), and also ran in the winning four-lap relay with senior Haley Tokars and juniors Raeden Mays and Michelle Cai (1:17.4). Stevenson’s other winners were freshman Camille Clay in the shot put (34 feet, 2 inches) and senior Kesina Daley in the high jump (5 feet). Runners-up included Michelle in the long jump (15-1.5), junior Miffy Tani in the 55-meter hurdles (10.3), senior Gabriela Jagielo in the 440-yard dash (1:08.1), senior Jessica Wang in the triple jump (29-11), sophomore Alyssa Smith and freshman Emma Potocki in the high jump (4-10), and the mile relay team of Raeden, Gabriela, Haley and sophomore Denisa Voshtina (4:43.6).

State Swim Champion to be Honored March 8

Junior Topher Stensby, who won IHSA championships in the 50-yard and 100-yard freestyle at last weekend’s state meet, will be honored during a special ceremony before school on Thursday, March 8. The recognition ceremony will take place at 8 a.m. in the Aquatic Center.

Three Named to All-NSC Cheerleading Squad

Seniors Julia Los, Allie Johnson and Brooke Rosenthal were selected to the All-North Suburban Conference Cheerleading Team. Juniors Lauren Mass, Anna Harlow and Sarah Grinde received honorable mention. The cheerleading team finished third at the Illinois High School Association state finals in February.

Trio of Seniors Make All-Conference Dance Team

Three seniors have been chosen for the All-North Suburban Conference Dance Team. Maya Gold, Sophia Connolly and Hannah Cohen were selected to the 21-member team. Sophomore Jorie Knysz and seniors Nikki Morris and Amanda Weil were honorable mention selections. Stevenson finished third in the state in January.

Correction

Senior Jackson Leptich will be making his second appearance in the America’s Showcase high school hockey showcase. He also was selected for the Team Illinois roster last year.

STUDENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Give a Little of Yourself to Help Others in Blood Drive

All students age 17 and older are invited to participate in the SHS blood drive on Friday, March 9 during periods 3-8 in the Wrestling Room. Donating blood not only helps those who need it, but also benefits other Stevenson students. LifeSource Blood Services provides Stevenson with an honorarium based on the number of donors. The money will be used to support the Stevenson to College program, which mentors students at risk of not attending college and provides the necessary tools and scholarship support to empower them to succeed in their college and career quests. Visit this link for blood drive details, and to download required forms.

Cigarettes and Marijuana: What’s the Difference?

There are a lot of similarities between cigarettes and marijuana, but one big difference. Check out the latest video from Catalyst and the Stand Strong Coalition for the scoop.

ILLINOIS EDUCATION HEADLINES

Public sector unions case from Illinois reaches Supreme Court

Southern Illinois district considers arming teachers

Lake Park student charged with making threat against school

Williamsville student removed from school after threatening video found

Ex-student sues Lake Forest Montessori school over ex-teacher

Glenbrook parents demand “two-way conversation” on transgender policy

Residents, students call for OPRF to add more minority teachers

Benedictine University to sell its Springfield campus

Villa Grove district settles lawsuit with fired superintendent

Elgin student-organized science webinars draw thousands of viewers

NATIONAL EDUCATION HEADLINES