View our Blue Ribbon Presentation 

       Student Highlights        

2011 / 2012 School Year

Dana Noble, varsity girls' basketball coach and H-F math teacher, has been selected theIBCA District 8 Girls' Basketball Class 3A/4A Co-Coach of the Year! He will be honored at the 40th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner to be held on April 28 at Illinois State University.

For her 14 years of service, Lynda Sinnokrak, Student Assistance secretary, received the Friends of Student Assistance Award at the Illinois Association of Student Assistance Professionals' annual conference on Feb. 9 in Springfield. Lynda was nominated by John Schwaller, Student Assistance Coordinator. According to John, Lynda "understands that Student Assistance is not just an office, but a place where people can find safety and hope. Lynda has made the office a place where students feel welcomed and can find resources and support. She has been a gift to our school."

World Language Department ChairDonna Sayler has received a scholarship from the Central States Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Language to study abroad for two weeks this summer in Sevilla, Spain! There she will participate in an immersion experience and classes for A.P. Spanishteachers at Centro MundoLengua. Mrs. Sayler has also been selected to present at the CSCTFL's annual conference next month in Milwaukee for a session titled Derechos Humanos: Raising Social Consciousness in the A.P. Spanish Classroom. 

On Jan. 31, Science TeacherAnthony Svozil received notification that he received a $5,000 grant for his Engineering Physics class from the Illinois Department of Transportation Freeway Interchange Innovationsprogram. His students will be creating an innovative design for future freeway interchanges that address the recommendations by the American Society of Civil Engineers Illinois Section in its 2010 Illinois Local Report Card.

Congratulations to Richard Beebe, former H-F teacher and head Track & Field coach, on being inducted into the Illinois Track & Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame this January! Coach Beebe is the first track coach in H-F's history to be an ITCCCA Hall of Fame inductee. His son, Nate Beebe, is a current Applied Academics teacher, the head coach for Boys' Track & Field and an assistant Girls' Volleyball coach. 

H-F School Psychologist Jennifer Schultz was awarded the Illinois School Psychologists Association's Presidential Award at the ISPA's annual state conference in Itasca. She received the award based on her work with the organization during the past six years, which has included: serving as a regional director; starting a listserv for high school practitioners; leading a credentialing task force; completing public-policy training in Washington, D.C.; and creating a local association of South Suburban school psychologists. At the conference, she was also elected to be the ISPA Secretary for the next three years.

Teacher Alana Drude has been selected as a speaker at the Illinois Association of Teachers of English conference Feb. 17 & 18 in Springfield. She will present Writing Authentic Persuasive Speeches: Addressing the Needs of an Ever-Changing Audience on Friday, Feb. 17. The IATE is the statewide affiliate of the National Council of Teachers of English; it serves 1,500 English teachers in Illinois. Congratulations, Ms. Drude!

Congratulations to Gina Slusinski, Science teacher, for again securing a grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency's Lake Education Assistance Program for Science Department programs.
Guidance Counselor Roberto Suarez presented on the topic of counseling undocumented students at the South Suburban Counselor Association meeting in Orland Park on Wednesday, Oct. 5. He believes in sharing knowledge and that collaboration is the key to supporting all students.

Congratulations to Greg Petecki, H-F Art teacher, for being named the Illinois Art Education Association Secondary Art Educator of the Year for 2011! According to the awards committee, Mr. Petecki's work inside and outside of the classroom has benefited many students and the H-F community as a whole.

Anthony Svozil's Honors Engineering Physics class can now be taken for college credit granted by the Illinois Institute of Technology — if a student obtains at least a C.  The credited semester hours are transferable to another institution.

Katie Rice-Hoger who was named the 2011 NWI Times Softball Coach of the Year in her first year as the team's varsity head coach! Read more recent staff accomplisments here!
____________________________

2010-2011

WORLD LANGUAGE — The World Language Department displayed a travelling art exhibit in the WL Commons area of the North Building, featuring the paintings of American artist Mary Cassatt. The exhibit celebrated Cassatt, the only American painter to exhibit with the French Impressionists! In French 3, the students study her along with the other Impressionist artists, making that American connection to the French culture, along with integrating art and the French language. Last October, the WL Department hosted an art exhibit featuring Frida Kahlo, in honor of the Mexican Independence Bicentennial and the Centennial of the Mexican Revolution.

At the culmination of a unit on Human Rights in Latin America, Francisco Parada, a native of El Salvador, spoke to the Spanish 5 AP classes, recounting his personal experiences during the Civil War there in the 80s and 90s.  He is married to a Spanish teacher in the World Language Department (Michelle Parada), who was a Peace Corp volunteer near his home town.

SOCIAL SCIENCES — Jeff Treppa and Scott Aronson were selected to serve as A.P. exam readers this summer for the College Board.  Jeff scored A.P. World History exams, and Scott scored A.P. Human Geography exams.  Other exam readers in recent years include Carl Coates (Economics), Jon Elfner (U.S. History), Lauren Chasey (Psychology) and Paul Kolimas (U.S. Government & Politics). 

SOCIAL SCIENCES — John Schmidt & Paul Kolimas were published in the recently released Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History by Congressional Quarterly Press. John’s entry was on the Sixteenth Amendment. Paul’s entry was on the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson

ATHLETICS — Congratulations to Katie Rice-Hoger who was named the 2011 NWI Times Softball Coach of the Year in her first year as the team's varsity head coach!

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT — English Teacher Janine Stroemer was recognized with a 1st Diamond Degree by the National Forensic League for excellence in coaching speech activities. Each Diamond degree represents more than 2,000 speech performances or debates over five or more years. On June 17, she will receive special recognition at the Lincoln Financial Group/NFL National Speech & Debate Tournament in Dallas. Congratulations, Janine!

SPECIAL OLYMPICS — Special Ed Teacher David Dore has been named the Area 7 Special Olympics Coach of the Year Award! He was honored at the opening ceremonies at Thornwood High School on May 7.

GUIDANCE — Kathy Fleming of H-F's Guidance Department was a presenter at the Illinois School Counselor Association's 2011 Annual Conference, held in Springfield on April 29. Her From Problem to Opportunity: The Park Forest PD Guided Vision Program introduced attendees to the Guided Vision program, a cooperative venture of law enforcement, counselor eduction, community participants and schools.

Guidance Counselor Karen Olson has been appointed to the editorial board of the Journal for Counseling in Illinois for a two-year term! The journal — a scholarly publication with juried articles — is printed by the Illinois Counseling Association, based in DeKalb. Karen will be one of the editors who critique and choose the submissions for publication. Congratulations!

ATHLETICS — Congratulations to Varsity Basketball Coach Jim McLaughlin for being named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Class 3A/4A High School Co-Coach of the Year for District 8! He will be honored at the IBCA's 39th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Saturday, April 30, at Illinois State University.

The H-F Library staff wishes to express a heartfelt "thank you" to the family of Jean Keelan for a recent memorial donation, which resulted in the purchase of several new fiction and non-fiction books of literary merit. Jean was a teacher at H-F from 1969-1990. She first taught Business, then went on to become one of the Library Media Specialists. After her death, Jean's family wanted to commemorate her life by setting up a fund to provide quality books for the school library. Each donated book is plated in her name as a way to honor her memory, her love of libraries and her dedication of H-F's students. View the list of 2011 books purchased here or visit the H-F Library Blog here.

On Feb. 25, Science teachers, Anthony Svozil and Jim Boswell traveled with students to Northern Illinois University. The group met with Prof. Mansour Tahernezhadi, associate dean of research and graduate programs, and Mr. David Grady, assistant director of recruitment. The group discussion included an excellent overview of NIU's engineering and technology programs and the general college experience. The students then had the opportunity to tour NIU's comprehensive engineering and technology facilities, which also included meeting a number of NIU students.

Congratulations to Gina Slusinski, our A.P. Environmental Science teacher, for garnering a $500 grant from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency through the Lake Education Assistance Program

H-F's Student Assistance Coordinator John Schwaller has been awarded the 2011 Illinois Education Association's Human & Civil Rights Award! He will receive his award on Friday, March 11, at the IEA Assembly in front of thousands of teachers, and is now in contention to be the national winner, who will be chosen this summer.

English teacher Alana Drude's proposal — Writing Authentic Persuasive Speeches: Addressing the Needs of an Ever-changing Audience — has been selected as a presentation for the annual convention of the National Council of Teachers of English to be held in November. It will be a part of the Secondary section, High School Matters.

Members of our innovative Technology Department led by Gary Posing will be presenting Connecting Students to Virtual Education at Niles North High School on April 9. H-F is a leader in using technology in the classroom and has been successful in bringing the classroom home to students!

A big congratulations to HFHS staff members Tracy Bosco, Jodee Sparr, Kathy Dreger, Jackie Wargo, Matt Knoepke, Karen Fine & Sheila McGuire for participating in the Feb. 27 Hustle Up the Hancock event! This annual event — which involves climbing all 52 flights of stairs in the John Hancock building in Chicago — is a fundraiser for the Respiratory Health Association. Way to go!

Congratulations to teachers Jennifer Juenke and Lauren Chasey for their work with H-F AP Psychology. They will receive the Award of Merit at the 2010-11 Those Who Excel education awards program.

Congratulations to teacher Mike Patterson, who was recently named one of 16 Early Career Achievement Award winners by Illinois State University's College of Business.

Congratulations to Chemistry teacher Todd Sippel, and Student Teacher Steve Pellack for helping bring the Beecher Muskies to its first ever (National Amateur Baseball Federation) Major Division World Series Championship! Pellack was also named to the All World Series team.

2011 / 2012 School Year

Congratulations to the H-F Special Olympics Basketball teams on their 1st and 2nd Place finishes at the state basketball tournment in Bloomington/Normal. The H-F Vikings team defended their state championship by beating a strong team from Chicago's Southside Occupational Academy. The Vikings team won 47 to 44, regaining the lead with a minute and a half left in the game! Our H-F White team beat Neuqua Valley in the semi-finals to advance to the finals, then lost to Chicago's Vaughn Blue Eagles. Congratulations to the following athletes: Alex Houghton, Gina Rotondi, Christina Redmond, Raven Landfair, Helen Klipfel, Katie Puente-McHugh, Micael Hamiter, Cody West, David Knot, Marquise Worley and Jalen Smith. Team manager is Abbey Sutherland.

RECORD NUMBER OF VIKINGS HEADED TO INTERNATIONAL DECA CONFERENCE
A record number of H-F DECA students earned the right to call themselves "state champions" after the Annual State Career Development Competition of the Illinois Association of DECA, which was in Decatur. Twenty-five H-F students are now qualified for the International DECA Competition, set for April 28-May 2 in Salt Lake City, where they will compete against more than 14,000 kids from all over the world. The students need your help to attend conference! Click here to help the DECA team reach their fundraising goal:

  The international qualifiers are:

* International Business Plan: Luke Lawlor, Justin Johnson(qualified in multiple events), Matthew Teykl (qualified in multiple events)

* Hospitality & Tourism Professional Sales: Anna Ciambrone, Emily Drwiega

* H & R Block Virtual Business Challenge Team: Eli Lichtenberg, Kevin Noe & Jordan Pounder(qualified in multiple events)

* Retail Virtual Business Challenge Team:  Haley Hruska, Hope Hruska & Morgan Lundblad (qualified in multiple events)

* Sports Virtual Business Team:Jordan Pounder, David Stern & Matthew Teykl

* Business Law & Ethics Team:Josh Barrett & Justin Johnson

* Financial Services Team: Eboni Williams & Irene Zhang

* Hospitality & Tourism Teams:Matthew Teykl & Joe Marshall; Lucy Pavisich & Jordan Giffney

* Travel & Tourism Team: Morgan Lundblad & Nicole Herkert

* Apparel & Accessories: Sara Lichtenberg 

* Automotive Services: Gregg Kuznieski

* Food Marketing: Danielle Markus

* Principles of Business Administration: Toso Mohammed-Haruna 

* Senior Management Institute:Dana Yanow

* DECA LEADS Academy: Franne Aboushousha

H-F DEBATE REPRESENTS SOUTHLAND AT STATE
H-F was the only Southland school representing the Southland in the Policy Debate category at the IHSA State Debate Finals this year (March 15-17 at Illinois Wesleyan University) and our students brought back some great results! Seniors Donald Grasse and Margaret Strong finished the preliminary debates with a 9-1 record, making them top seed in a field of 37 teams. They advanced to the quarterfinals, where they defeated 8th-seed Glenbrook South on a 3-0 decision. This brought them to the semifinals, where they were defeated by 4th-seed Glenbrook North on a 3-0 decision. This marks two consecutive years where Donald and Margaret reached the State semifinals, an accomplishment not duplicated by any other H-F team in recent history! It also marks Donald's 3rd consecutive year appearing in the elimination rounds of the state tournament, another feat no one else has matched. Donald finished as 2nd speaker out of 74 students, making him a member of the All-State Debate Team for the second year in a row. Margaret finished as 4th speaker, also making her a member of the All-State Debate Team. This marks Margaret's third consecutive year to be named All-State. No other student, at least in recent H-F Debate history, has accomplished this.

By taking 1st Place in the District C Special Olympics competition in late January in Cicero, H-F's Special Olympics Basketball Team earned a spot in the state tournament to be held March 16-18 in Bloomington. Congratulations, team! The team is coached by Joan Valery, Katie Nieckula, Dominique Mercier & Mary Kay Shropshire. Above are members of the White Team posing with Superintendent Dr. Von Mansfield:
Front Row (l. to rt.): Alex Houghton, Katie Puente McHugh, Gina Rotondi, Raven Landfair, Jasmine Taylor, Christina Redmond & Helen Klipfel
Back Row (left to right):Marquise Worley, Jalen Smith, David Knot & Dr. Mansfield

H-F's yearbook, Odin, was honored in December with national awards. Its 2010/11 issue, Take It From Me, received a "First Place with Special Merit" award from the College Point, NY-based American Scholastic Press Association and a "First Class" rating from the Minneapolis-based National Scholastic Press Association. 

Congratulations to the Varsity Poms team for qualifying for the state competition. The team qualified after performing at Peotone High School the weekend of Dec. 17. The team won first place in both the 4A Open Pom and the 4A Hip Hop categories and also won the award for Artistic Excellence, scoring the highest artistic score of the day! The state competition will be held March 4 at the Peoria Civic Center. The team is coached by Cassie Hunnicutt.

Junior Clara Deck was named a member of the 2012 All-State Choral Ensemble and Senior Katelyn Hoag was named a member of the 2012 All-State Orchestra Program. Also, Senior Ethan Lawler was awarded 3rd place for his choral composition, Luna Lux Lucis, in the state-wide music composition contest. The state honors program will be held Jan. 25-28 in Peoria. The awards are given by the Illinois Music Educators Association.

By taking 1st Place in the District C Special Olympics competition in late January in Cicero, H-F's Special Olympics Basketball Team earned a spot in the state tournament to be held March 16-18 in Bloomington. Congratulations, team! The team is coached by Joan Valery, Katie Nieckula, Dominique Mercier & Mary Kay Shropshire.

_______________

H-F's yearbook, Odin, was honored in December with national awards. Its 2010/11 issue, Take It From Me, received a "First Place with Special Merit" award from the College Point, NY-based American Scholastic Press Association and a "First Class" rating from the Minneapolis-based National Scholastic Press Association. 

 In a near sweep, the H-F Chess Team defeated Stagg High School 56-12 the week of Nov. 21. The win brought the team's record to 4-2. Notable boards included: Board 2 - Durman Jackson; Board 3 - Clint Miller; Board 4 - Don Collins; Board 5 - German Cutz; Board 6 - Sylvester Highley; Board 7 - Nuri Ali; and Board 8 - Jamaal Gayles. The team is coached by Stephanie Gioiosa.

______________________

The H-F Chess Team defeated Bolingbrook High School at a competition on Oct. 25. Notable players include: Cameron Bell, Clint Miller, Sylvester Highley, Jacob Troutman &Dana King. The Chess team is currently 1-1 and is coached by Stephanie Gioiosa.
__________________

Oct. 22-23 HF Debate attended the New Trier "Season Opener" tournament, and the awards keep rolling in. Seniors Donald Grasse andMargaret Strong were 6-0 in the preliminary debates, making them 2nd seed in a field of 107. They advanced to the double-octafinals, where they defeated Nevada Union. They received a bye in the octafinals, advancing over teammates Rufus Coates-Welsh and Adam Griesbach (see below). They then reached the quarterfinals, where they were defeated by Glenbrook North on a 2-1 decision. Reaching the quarterfinals earned Donald and Margaret their 3rd bid to the Tournament of Champions this the year, making them a perfect 3 for 3 in qualification attempts! Also, seniors Rufus and Adam were 4-2 in the preliminary debates. This made them 18th seed out of 107. They advanced to the double octafinals, where they defeated Georgetown Day, avenging their preliminary defeat by the same team. This brought them to the octafinals, where they were advanced over by their teammates. Since Adam and Rufus were advanced over into the quarterfinals, they receive a bid to the Tournament of Champions as well.  This means Adam and Rufus are halfway towards full qualification to the end-of-season tournament, held in May at the University of Kentucky. Donald was 2nd Speaker (out of 214); Margaret was 10th Speaker; and Rufus was 18th Speaker.

______________

Oct. 15-16 H-F Debate attended the Heart of Texas Invitational, featuring the very best 88 teams from at least 15 states. H-F returned from this tournament with one of the most significant awards in the team’s history. Seniors Donald Grasse andMargaret Strong began the tournament finishing 4-2 in the preliminary rounds, defeating teams from Eden Prairie (MN), Westwood (TX), College Prep (CA), and Notre Dame (CA). This preliminary finish made them 14th seed. They then began an incredible elimination round run. In the double octafinals (round of 32), they defeated Juan Diego (UT) on a 3-0 decision. Advancing to the octafinals, they scored an upset victory over 3rd seed Lexington (MA), presenting a new affirmative case that left the other team reeling – it was a 3-0 decision awarded by three of the most respected judges in Debate. This brought the team to the quarterfinals. Here Donnie and Margaret were pitted against local rivals Glenbrook South, and on the negative, won a hard-fought 2-1 decision. The semifinals were next, in which H-F debated the Greenhill School (TX), also defeating them on a 2-1 decision (this time on the affirmative). Finally advancing to the finals, Donnie and Margaret fought valiantly, and at several points in the debate it appeared as though they would win, but they were ultimately defeated by Woodward Academy (GA) on a 3-0 decision. This marks the first time that a team from H-F has ever reached the final round of a “major” national tournament, those that confer Tournament of Champions qualification on the top 16 finishers. Also, Seniors Rufus Coates-Welsh and Adam Griesbach were 4-2 in the preliminary debates, defeating Carrollton Sacred Heart (FL), Winston Churchill (TX), Notre Dame (CA), and College Prep (CA). This made them 27th seed.  They advanced to the double-octafinals, where they were defeated by Iowa City West (IA). This again left Adam and Rufus one round short of qualification to the Tournament of Champions – but seeing as they have come so close at two of the year’s most competitive tournaments, this bodes well for the future.
________

H-F's literary and visual arts magazine, Edda, was honored this week with national awards. Its 2010/11 issue, Hook, Line & Sinker, received "First Place with Special Merit" and "Best Variety of Work" awards from the American Scholastic Press Association and a "First Class with One Mark of Distinction" award from the National Scholastic Press Association. The annual publication — which features creative writing and artwork by H-F students and staff — is sponsored by H-F teachers, Sahar Mustafah and Heidi Stachulak. Chief editors of the 2010/11 edition were Rebecca Berger, a current H-F Senior, and Linda Moncada, a 2011 H-F graduate.
_________

2012 NATIONAL MERIT COMMENDED STUDENTS
Jessica Gonzalez • Isaac Makos • Kymberly Smith

2012 NATIONAL MERIT SEMI-FINALISTS
Rufus Coates Welsh • Manju Connolly • Eli Lichtenberg
Jordan Pounder • Nicholas Thiros • John Tobin

2012 NATIONAL MERIT NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT
Ciara Adkins • Tiana Bowden • Cahron Cross
Taylor Crossley • Timothy Johnson • Andray Reynolds

______________________

Congratulations to Volcue Saucier for having his digital self-portrait from Heidi Stachulak's Graphic Design 1 class chosen as one of 40 pieces of student artwork to be included in the annual art show at of the Illinois Art Education Association. The show starts out at the IAEA conference in Normal, Ill., in November, where there is an artist reception and awards ceremony. From the conference, the show travels to schools, libraries and galleries throughout the state. For more information, please click here.

Congratulations to the Midwest Elite Scorpions (Steger) — a baseball team with half H-F players — who headed to the Colt Division World Series Aug. 6-8 in Lafayette, Ind., to face teams from Europe, Puerto Rico and the West Coast. H-F players included Jacob Klemp, Noah Risner, Quincy Jones, Josh Armour, Derrion Thomas and Brendon Dunnagan.

_______________________________

Kudos to Senior Jordan Pounder for earning a perfect score on the ACT this spring: 36!
____________________________


2010-2011