Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

Stop The Presses! Statesman Adviser Wins Big Award

When the room is humming with energy, urgency and creativity, almost like a real newspaper newsroom often does, Dean Bradshaw is in his happy place. It is then that he can sit back and marvel at the best part of his job as an instructor of journalism courses at Stevenson and as the adviser of the Statesman. Watching the process work in real time is the payoff.

“The best days are honestly the days in which I’m not really doing much because the students are really leading the whole thing. They’ve learned what to do, they know what to do and they just do it,” Bradshaw said of the 38 students who are part of the Statesman. “Those are the days when it feels like we’re in an authentic newsroom.”

Bradshaw and his students are also producing very authentic pieces of journalism. The Statesman consistently wins awards, and has recently collected some new ones, and Bradshaw wins his fair share of the hardware, too. In fact, Bradshaw was recently named the 2021 Nancy Becker Newspaper Adviser of the Year by KEMPA, the Kettle Moraine Press Association. KEMPA was founded in the 1970s and is dedicated to the support of scholastic journalism in Wisconsin and Illinois schools. Just last year, Bradshaw was also named the 2020 Journalism Educator of the Year by Youth Journalism International.

For more on Mr. Bradshaw’s story, please click here.

The award-winning Statesman added more awards to its resume last week from the Kettle Moraine Press Association (KEMPA) fall conference, which was held virtually.

While Statesman adviser Dean Bradshaw was named KEMPA Newspaper Adviser of the Year, multiple students received individual awards, including Best of Show, the highest honor.

Senior Thea Surya won Best of Show for her cartoon on men assisting the MeToo movement. Juniors Aayushi Wadhawan and Kelly Liu won Best of Show for their double-page design on the Board of Education elections, and senior Natalie King and junior Shannon Moser won Best of Show for their sports news story “Fish Out of Water” about the return to competition for the boys swim team.

For details on the Statesman’s other KEMPA award winners, please click here.

Talking The Talk, And Walking The Walk

Stevenson’s debaters don’t just talk a good game. Once again, the Patriots racked up numerous awards from a debate competition, this time at the virtual Bronx Science Academy Congressional Debate Tournament last Saturday. Senior Mia Korsunsky led the way, breaking through to the finals to earn a fifth place overall, while fellow senior Srusti Donapati advanced to the semifinals. Senior Charlie Carr, juniors Nathan James and Sudhi Chavadam and sophomores Shaurya Agarwal and Sherry Wang also participated in the competition.

Brand New Student-Run ELC Microbusiness To Debut

The Exceptional Learners Collaborative will soon be launching a new student-run micro-business that will serve as a Spirit Wear Online Resale Shop. The shop will feature gently-used Stevenson and ELC spirit wear.

The goal of this business is not to make money, but to offer students an opportunity to be part of an authentic business experience that gives them the chance to build independence, work readiness skills, and valuable soft skills, all within their own school community.

The shop will be collecting donated items in our bins around campus throughout the year. Items may also be dropped off at the ELC Vocational Center, 990 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vernon Hills. For questions, please contact Eileen Morrison, the ELC Vocational Leader, at emorrison@elced.org

Smile For The Re-Take Camera!

Did you know that there is NO CHARGE and there are no packages to purchase just to have your picture taken and placed in the yearbook? All freshmen, sophomores and juniors who haven’t taken their yearbook photos can do so during the re-take days, which are scheduled from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. today and Friday in the Recital Hall (Room 4100). Seniors can take their photos either on the re-take days or they can still schedule a photo session in advance at the V.I.P. main office in Wheeling. The deadline for senior photos is Oct. 31.

FAFSA Completion Night Is Tonight

The college application season is upon us. Seniors, you previously received an email about a graduation requirement that involves the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The College Career Center will be hosting the FAFSA Completion Night (in person), from 4-7 p.m. tonight in the East Learning Center (ELC). This event will be by appointment only and there is still time to make an appointment by the end of the day today. Families can meet individually with trained staff to ask specific questions about completing the FAFSA application. To secure an appointment, please e-mail SHS_CollegeCareer@d125.org or call Donna Wallach at (847) 415-4517.

Girls Tennis Begins Quest For State Championship Today

Singles player Sarah Wang kicked off the first round of state competition at Stevenson’s Vernon Hills Athletic Complex this morning against Sofia Velasco of Niles West. Kate Herlihy and Thea Surya will take on Rockford Auburn’s doubles team of Maddy Harned and Rebecca Wang at Conant. Ainika Hou and Sonia Mehta start the day at Prospect High School against Mariel Runyan and Gabby Runyan of Bloomington High School. To follow results and to view the brackets, visit the IHSA website.

Boys Ice Hockey Climbs To No. 2 In State Rankings

Stevenson Boys Ice Hockey is currently ranked No. 2 in the state of Illinois, according to myhockeyrankings.com. The team enters tonight’s 5:50 p.m. match against defending state champion New Trier, currently ranked No. 3 in the state, with a 10-3 overall record and a 92.95 rating. The match will be played at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion in Buffalo Grove. Loyola Academy Gold is the No. 1-ranked team in the state.

Cheerleaders Look To Help “Keep Families Covered”

The varsity Cheerleaders are “leaVing a legaCy” in an important community effort and philanthropy project with local organization, Keeping Families Covered. Located right here in Lake County, the organization provides basic supplies to families in need. The cheerleaders’ effort is specifically focused on collecting feminine products. There are four donation locations, three of which are available for product drop-off through Nov. 19:

1. SHS Stadium – At this Friday’s football game only: There will be two bins inside the Stadium once you enter the Fieldhouse gates.
2. Zizzo Auto Body – 121 Schelter Rd., Lincolnshire (between the Lincolnshire Post Office and Fire Department); The bin will be at the front entrance.
3. Residence – 138 Lilac Ln., Buffalo Grove; The bin will be at the front doorstep.
4. Residence – 236 Southfield Dr., Vernon Hills; The bin will be on the front step.

Fall Sports Uniform Return

Fall sports athletes should return their Stevenson-issued uniforms to the Equipment Room (Room 1000) between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Athletes will not receive fall season awards or be eligible to join a winter sport until all uniform items have been returned.

Athletic Results

Boys Soccer: The Regional semifinal game between Stevenson and Zion-Benton was suspended, due to lightning. The match will resume at 4:30 p.m. today in the Stadium.

Girls Volleyball: The Patriots (24-11) dropped their season finale against Libertyville in a three-set match, 25-22, 24-26, 15-25. Stevenson was led by Amanda Holsen (16 kills, 1 Ace, and 6 digs). Mia Jegers had 4 kills and 5 digs. The Patriots will start their playoff push at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Warren Regional where they will face Waukegan in the first round.

Helping Students Plan For How To Pay For College Is More Important Than Ever: Schools Can Help

Fewer and fewer high school graduates have applied for federal financial aid for college since the pandemic hit.

Schools need family input on COVID spending. Here’s how they can get it.

Though many districts have launched surveys or held town hall meetings, just one in five public school parents said they recall being asked by their child’s school how to spend the new money, according to a recent nationwide poll. It’s not too late, though. While a portion of this new funding has been spent, much of it — probably most — is still available. Plans can be revised. And public input, in this case, is required by the U.S. Department of Education.

The Week Ahead

Mark your calendars for these events and see the Stevenson Calendar for details on these and future programs.

Oct. 21: Late Arrival

Oct. 21: Yearbook Retake Photo Day

Oct. 21: FAFSA Completion Night Workshop

Oct. 22: Yearbook Retake Photo Day

Oct. 23-24: World’s Fair

Oct. 25: Activity Period – Sophomores

Oct. 25: Band Chamber Concert

Oct. 25-28: S*H*S Thanksgiving Care Package Fundraiser

Oct. 28: Fall Guitar Concert