2007-08 IHSA All-State Academic Team

The Illinois High School Association is proud to announce the members of the 2007-08 All-State Academic Team presented by Caterpillar. Twenty-six students were selected from a pool of nearly 500 applicants.

Each IHSA member school had the opportunity to nominate two students, one male and one female for consideration.  From those nominations 13 boys and 13 girls are selected to the All-State Academic Team.  One boy and one girl from each of seven Board of Directors Divisions are selected and then 12 nominees are selected as at-large qualifiers to complete the team of 26. The selection committee is made up of principals, athletic directors, and educators from across the state.

Each nominee had to meet several criteria in order to be considered:

1. The student must have a minimum GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale after the seventh semester.
   
2. The student must have participated in at least two IHSA-sponsored activities.
   
3. The student must have demonstrated outstanding citizenship during her/his high school career.

The 2007-08 All-State Academic Team will be recognized by the IHSA on April 21, 2008, at a banquet in Bloomington.  This has become an evening that many look forward to each year, when twenty-six of the state's best and brightest shine.

Along with the 26 All-State Academic Team members selected, an additional 50 students are given honorable mention. 

2007-08 All-State Academic Team

2007-08 Honorable Mention Team

2007-08 All-State Academic Team Biographies

MATT BROWN, West Frankfort (Frankfort)

For Frankfort Community High School's Matt Brown, it's all about "beating the grind."

"I have learned from athletics to fight back," Matt writes, "to beat that grind in order to achieve victory. I must prepare for the worst but hope for the best in order to be successful in whatever life brings."

Considering his high school successes, Matt has got that crucial mix of preparation and hope down perfectly. Matt competed in basketball and football all four years, plus three years of track and one of baseball, and he's served as captain of the first three teams. In track, he won his sectional in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles and 110-meter high hurdles, and was all-conference in both football and basketball, helping the Frankfort cagers win regionals in 2006 and 2007, and the football team make it to the second round of the 2007 playoffs. Matt was also named MVP of the Midwinter Holiday Tournament in basketball.

Matt has earned a 5.143 GPA on a 5.0 scale and is ranked No. 1 in his class. He's been named Senior of the Month, a John Logan Top 6 Junior, and an Illinois State Scholar, and he received his school's DAR Good Citizen Award as well as the FCHS Bob Gower Award for academic excellence.

Tim Uhls, Matt's youth minister, explains that Matt is "the first to get started" and "the last to quit." Mr. Uhls writes about Matt's talents in sports, academics and music, concluding that "Matt will excel in whatever avenue of life he chooses."

That's apparent when you look at the breadth of Matt's resume, which includes band, Spanish Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, National Honor Society, Drafting Club, Team Quest, WYSE, and even his school's Home Economics Club, just to show his versatility. He acted as Vice President of both the Frankfort Student Council and National Honor Society.

"It's impossible to quantify such qualities as perseverance, eagerness, initiative and attitude," says FCHS head basketball coach Kevin Toney. "These are the traits Matt has acquired and developed."

Add preparation and hope - beating the grind - and you've got a clear picture of Matt Brown.

Matt Brown represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 7 and his principal is John Hixson.

MARY BULL, Lewistown

Mary Bull lists concepts like hard work, teamwork, patience, commitment and the importance of setting goals when she talks about what high school sports and activities have meant to her.

Mary says, "Sports are a story of getting out what you put in." It's not hard to see that Mary has put in a great deal, and gotten out even more. Mary is ranked No. 1 in her class with a GPA of 4.12 on a 4.0 scale. She's a member of both the Spanish and National Honor Societies and an Illinois State Scholar, and has competed in WYSE challenge testing for three years, as well as winning Lewistown's DAR Award and an Optimist Club essay contest.

Gregory W. Bennett, Mary's social studies instructor and basketball coach, writes, "In the classroom, Mary exudes a perfectionist work ethic that has allowed her to rise to the upper echelon in a very strong senior class. As an athlete, Mary is a hard-nosed competitor who has always given the type of performance that stretches the limits of her considerable ability. She is a tough-minded leader who always inspires her teammates by both word and deed."

Mary has competed in volleyball, basketball and track all four years, winning all-conference first team honors in volleyball and track in her junior and senior years. She was also named to the all-tournament team at the Fulton County volleyball tournament, and placed at the sectional track meet in both discus and shot put in 2006 and 2007.

She's served as a class officer (treasurer, president), an officer in Student Senate (treasurer, VP and president) and Spanish Club (treasurer), and as captain of both her volleyball and basketball teams.

Somehow, Mary still found time to act as the children's liturgy teacher at St. Mary's church, participate in the spring musical, FFA, tube band, Envirothon team, Road to Reality, SADD and SWAT at Lewistown High School, and organize the Homecoming parade, Christmas charities, and an annual Red Cross blood drive.

As teacher Christal Swickard sums it up, "These are just a few of the accomplishments of this young lady. Mary has been extremely involved with her school in nearly every aspect and has approached that involvement with fierce dedication."

Mary Bull represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 6 and her principal is Gavin Sronce.

WILLIAM CAREY, Beecher

We've all heard about the loneliness of the long-distance runner, but Beecher High School's William Carey believes that running is anything but an individual sport.

"Being a runner requires a person to be willing to constantly sacrifice and endure pain for the benefit of the rest of his team," Billy says.

Billy interprets his favorite quote from runner Steve Prefontaine - "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift" - to involve much more than just trying hard. Instead, Billy concludes, "giving your best" means helping friends and teammates reach their best, too. "Pre really meant that someone who does not give his best by helping others to excel is sacrificing the gift of knowing that he made everyone around him better. And that is a gift that should be treasured."

Ranked first in his class, he has earned a 5.478 GPA on a 5.0 scale. He scored a 35 on his ACT, and is a three-year member of the National Honor Society, a state finalist for Wendy's High School Heisman, an Illinois State Scholar, a three-year state qualifier in Math, First Team All-Conference and Rookie of the Year in Scholastic Bowl, and he was named Senior of the Month at Beecher High School in October, 2007.

An aspiring journalist, Billy is editor-in-chief of the school newspaper, won the Chicago Sun-Times First Amendment Essay Contest, and currently writes a weekly column for the Southtown Star newspaper.

In addition to running track and cross country, he's played basketball and baseball, with Scholar Athlete awards in all four sports. Three-year captain of the cross country team and two-year captain of the track team, Billy notched Team Leader awards in cross country all four years and helped the Bobcats make it to the State Meet in 2005 and 2007. His 4x800 relay placed 5th at state last year, while his individual effort in the 1600-meter run garnered a 6th-place finish in the sectional round.

It seems fitting that Billy ran in a relay, where each runner must extend his hand to pass or receive the baton. That typifies Billy Carey, who finds his own success when he extends a hand to help others achieve their best, too.

Billy Carey represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 3 and his principal is Brian Wright.

ANNA CZAPAR, Rochester

It's the journey, not the destination, that defines Anna Czapar.

"I ran cross country for seven years," she writes, "changing from a sixth grader who could barely finish two miles into a senior who has finished a half-marathon and is already looking to complete a full marathon. Along the way I have made life-long friends, overcome many obstacles, and had a lot of fun."

Her cross country journey has included the disappointments and trials of slow times, anemia and fatigue, as well as the triumph of a 4th-place finish at state and the simple joy of sharing ultimate frisbee, lava tag or a long, bumpy bus ride with her friends and teammates. Anna was named Most Improved in 2006.

When it comes to her high school activities in general, Anna enthuses about "how I love putting my knowledge of trivia to the test in Scholastic Bowl, how being on the speech team has helped me to be more comfortable with public speaking, and how much I love the feeling of my spikes gripping the tracks."

Anna ranks No. 1 in her class with 4.804 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Winner of her school's DAR Good Citizen Award and the Rochester Lions Club Award, she is a two-year member of the National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar, with a score of 35 on her ACT and status as a National Merit Semifinalist. She has won at the Illinois Junior Science and Humanities Symposium, qualifying for nationals, and placed highly in WYSE, the State Science Olympiad, State Science Fair, the state Envirothon, and Illinois Junior Science Academy.

She's been involved in soccer, German and Spanish Clubs and Student Council, served as Junior Class Secretary, and worked behind the scenes for her school's plays and musicals. Anna also captained the Rockets' Rube Goldberg Design Team for two years.

"Anna's strengths go beyond her achievements in the classroom," writes Mark Butcher, her physics teacher. "She has a great sense of humor and a likeable personality. It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and mature into a fine young woman."

Butcher adds, "I really cannot say enough good things about her. With her potential, the sky is the limit."

Anna Czapar represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 6 and her principal is Dennis Canny.

NIMROD DEISS-YEHIELY, Chicago (Lincoln Park)

Nimrod Deiss-Yehiely is a student of life. When he looks at some of the lessons he's learned from his high school activities, Nimrod concludes, "I am strong enough to deal with adversity and I am confident that I can prevail at any goal I set."

He adds, "I learned the gift of giving, but most of all, I learned who I am."

Born in Israel, Nimrod and his family moved to the United States when he was just one year old. He is the child of researchers and teachers, so it's not surprising that he continues to look at the world around him with such avid curiosity. Enrolled in Lincoln Park High School's demanding "International Baccalaureate" curriculum, Nimrod excels at Biology and Calculus, but also studies history, Spanish, and literature.

Outside class, he runs cross country and the 4x800 relay in track, plays drums, loves the Cubs and the Bulls, volunteers at a food pantry, voraciously reads everything from The Economist to John le Carré spy novels, travels, plays chess, studies the Torah, participates in Physics Club and the Academic Decathlon, counsels at a sports camp, and tutors in trigonometry and physics through the National Honor Society.

"Since I highly value learning, I feel empowered when I can help students overcome intimidating math or physics problems," he writes, "and reverse their lack of enthusiasm towards school and homework."

Nimrod has earned a 4.6 GPA on a 4.0 scale and a 34 on his ACT. He is an Illinois State Scholar, an AP Scholar with Honors, and has received numerous awards in science fair competitions. He's presented papers at city-level science fairs and Loyola University, and did a summer stint in cancer research.

"He is not only one of the brightest students I have had the chance to teach, but probably the single most fun student," says Justin Lessek, chairman of Lincoln Park High School's Science Department. "He engages himself with the material he is working with more than anyone I have ever known, and because he is extremely personable and also has a great sense of humor, his interest is contagious."

As Mr. Lessek puts it, "If I were a university professor, he is the exact kind of student I would want in my class."

Nimrod Deiss-Yehiely represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 1 and his principal is Dr. Bessie Karrelas.

CHRIS DERRICK, Naperville (Neuqua Valley)

Quoting Aristotle - "We are what we repeatedly do" - Chris Derrick concludes that he is undoubtedly a runner. "As the worn soles and ripped uppers of my dozens of Asics trainers can attest, I have run thousands of miles and taken many times that number of steps over the past three years."

As Chris tells it, the miles were more than worth it. "In my first season I was fifth-best freshman on my team. In my fourth, I was the second-best runner in the nation."

And yet Chris knows that the success he takes from running is not how many medals he wins, but in forging an identity, finding strength, and learning the joys of camaraderie. "There is a bond that ties people together when every day they are striving for one goal and every day they are putting themselves through a great amount of pain to do so." He describes it as "a nearly unbreakable bond of fellowship."

After listing some of Chris's accomplishments - placing first in state youth and government contests, earning a perfect score on the writing portion of the SAT, leading his Naperville Cross Country Club to the Nike Team Championship in Portland, Oregon - Paul Vandersteen, Chris's cross country coach as well as head of the Science Department at Neuqua Valley, says, "Somehow Chris finds the time to dedicate himself to serving others. As a junior, he raised over $1400 for Gigi's Playhouse when he found out that one of my assistant coaches had a child with Down's Syndrome."

With a 4.571 GPA on a 4.0 scale, Chris ranks in the top five in his class of 1017 and is a National Merit Semifinalist. He holds numerous MVP awards in both cross country and track, and was named Gatorade's Illinois and National Cross Country Athlete of the Year as well as a Footlocker Cross Country 1st Team All-American.

In IHSA competition, Chris crossed the finish line first in the state cross country meet last fall, helping his team to a state title, plus he placed second in state in the 3200-meter run as a junior.

"William Blake once said that great things are accomplished when man and mountain meet. In my experience, I have met many climbers, but few who can move the mountain. Chris Derrick is just such an individual," writes AP English teacher Michael Rossi. "He's going to move mountains someday soon."

Chris Derrick represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 3 and his principal is Dr. Michael Popp.

GAHAN FURLANE, Chicago (Lincoln Park)

Gahan Furlane talks about learning teamwork and organizational skills as benefits of her experience in high school sports, but she also sees another, more unusual bonus.

"For me, swimming represents my personal triumph over asthma. It is one of the things of which I am most proud," she writes.

"When I swim the 60-yard freestyle, I take only two breaths and 32 seconds for three lengths of our pool. Needless to say, swimming has improved my lung capacity and breath control, reducing my need for rescue medications. I have my own theory about the benefits of chlorine on asthmatics, but my doctor raises her eyebrows when I mention it. My coach, however, who is also an asthmatic, agrees with me, which is why he gets his regular dose of chlorine by coaching swimming."

Gahan is a four-year member of the varsity swim and water polo teams, serving as captain of both, and in the winter she manages the boys' swim team as well.

Described as "resilient, responsive, friendly and bubbly" by her counselor, Dean Strassberger, Gahan is ranked No. 7 in her class of 451. She is a National Merit Semifinalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a member of the National Honor Society. She was selected for the Chicago Board of Education's High School Leadership Forum - one of only ten students chosen - as well as the Indiana University Young Women's Institute and the University of Chicago Collegiate Scholar program. She is treasurer of the Model United Nations, the foreign language editor of her school newspaper and has attended L'École Franco-Américaine de Chicago since she was ten. Fluent in French, she has also studied Spanish and Italian.

In addition, Gahan plays the trumpet in Lincoln Park's orchestra and pep band. She has seen great success in the State Science Fair and State History Fair and her poem was published in a DePaul University Literary Magazine.

"I have gotten to know her as intelligent, extremely personable, full of initiative and exceptionally well-rounded," says Science Department chairman Justin Lessek. "It should be noted that much of her [Science Fair] success was due to her excellent skills as an orator."

"Gahan's sparkling personality is apparent to all," agrees Strassberger.

Gahan Furlane represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 1 and her principal is Dr. Bessie Karrelas.

THOMAS GILBERT, Northbrook (Glenbrook North)

In or out of the pool, Thomas Gilbert is a winner.

An all-American in both the 200-meter and 400-meter freestyle relays, Tommy has been selected to the all-conference team twelve times over his four years of high school. He's a seven-time conference champion, and is part of the team that holds the Glenbrook North record in the 200-yard freestyle relay. He swam in four events in 2007, and his team won their sectional in the 200 free relay and placed in the top twelve at state in both the 200 and 400.

"My dedication and focus in the water have carried over to help me improve my work ethic in the classroom," Tommy says. "The combination of three and a half hours of practice per day and several AP classes means that I have a very limited amount of time to do homework. This pressure actually helps me succeed, as I have no choice but to work hard to finish my work on time and get to bed early so I'm rested for 5:45 a.m. practice every morning. Contrary to what one might think, my grades often peak during swim season due to this increased focus."

With a 4.75 GPA on a scale of 4.0, Tommy ranks ninth in his class of 539. He is a National Merit Finalist, an Illinois State Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society, and he won St. Norbert's Church Community Leadership Award in 2006.

For the past five years, he has volunteered with the children's liturgy program at his church, and he also coaches country club and park district swimming and T-ball teams as well as teaching swimming to 6-to-10-year-olds. Speaking to his selflessness, his history teacher, Jeffrey A. Kallay, noted that Tommy started study sessions outside of class to help others who were struggling. "This was done with little fanfare and I was not even aware this study group existed at first," he writes.

"Tommy has established himself as a leader through both word and action," GBN swim coach Josh Runkle says. "Always encouraging his teammates, whether a fellow varsity athlete or a freshman new to the sport, Tommy does his best to make sure that everyone feels like an important part of our program. He always puts team accomplishments ahead of individual achievement. Last year, he sacrificed the opportunity to qualify for the state meet individually in order to swim our relays. He did this without hesitation or complaint, as it was what was best for the team."

Thomas Gilbert represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 2 and his principal is Dr. Michael Riggle.

KAITLIN HOMA, Hillsboro

When Kaitlin Homa competes in the pole vault, she soars above the competition. When she golfs, Katie is on a par with the best.

And it's not just those two sports where she excels. Hillsboro's Athletic Director, Terry Trader, sums up her amazing high school success this way: "Katie's application speaks for itself - she has taken a very rigorous course load and is ranked 1st in her class with a GPA of 4.21 She has a composite score of 34 on the ACT. Katie has been a member of athletic teams that have won a state championship in basketball and placed third in the state golf tournament. Individually, she placed third in regional golf competition and for three years has been a qualifier for the state finals in the pole vault event."

Katie has acted as captain of all three of her teams (basketball, track and golf), and this is her third term as captain of the golf team.

She has also been a class officer all four years and is currently vice president of the senior class. She was captain of the team that won the SIUC Spanish Bowl championship, and has participated in WYSE in English, biology, physics and chemistry, advancing to the sectional level both her junior and senior years. An Illinois State Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, Katie was named CNB Student of the Month in November, 2007.

She's also been involved in a variety of fundraisers and community activities, and even coordinated Hillsboro's prom planning committee.

"Her active involvement in numerous extracurricular activities has placed her in both leadership and subservient roles," says Roger Reeves, Katie's calculus and physics teacher. "Her spirit of cooperation and motivation has allowed her to flourish in either role."

Terry Trader echoes that sentiment. "What distinguishes Katie from many other top competitors, both on the field and in the classroom, is the joy that she brings to her endeavors. Her academic inquiries are fueled more by genuine curiosity and a desire to learn than by a desire to use academic prowess as a means to an end. Her participation in athletics is driven by a desire to explore the challenges of athletic competition rather than a desire to win accolades."

Kaitlin Homa represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 6 and her principal is Kyle Hacke.

ERIN KASSON, Breese (Mater Dei)

By any definition, Erin Kasson belongs among the elite.

It's not just that her volleyball teams at Breese Mater Dei made the Elite Eight in 2004 and 2005, or even that she ranks first in her class with a perfect 4.0 GPA. But when you hear that Erin will be attending Washington University in St. Louis to play volleyball and study pre-med, you know where she stands. Combining collegiate athletics and pre-med? That's heady stuff.

But, somehow, Erin will make it work. This is a girl who received all-area, all-metro and all-state volleyball honors from three different newspapers and one TV station, was a member of the National Honor Society and tutor all four years, and participated in varsity volleyball, basketball and softball (receiving ten varsity letters) at the same time she worked on Student Council, Science Club and the newspaper staff and acted as a student ambassador, exchange student host, peer mediator, and volunteer at a children's hospital.

Showing that she is, as Marvin V. Eversgerd, chair of Mater Dei's science department, puts it, "relentless in her pursuit of excellence," Erin also took 1st place in the McKendree College Banned Books Essay contest, 2nd place with her Legacy Project Essay, and 3rd place in the SIUE Journalism Awards.

She's received academic awards in Language Arts, PE and art, and was named Student of the Quarter as a freshman at Mater Dei. She was selected as the MVP of the Belleville East Metro-East Classic Volleyball Tournament and twice chosen MVP at the Quincy Notre Dame Volleyball Tournament. As a senior, she was named KMOV Channel 4 Player of the Month and 2nd Team All-State in volleyball by the Champaign News-Gazette.

Terence G. Killen, math teacher at Mater Dei, tells us, "Erin possesses a high degree of intelligence, as evidenced by her GPA, her selection as an Illinois State Scholar, and her election to the National Honor Society. This young lady is a leader in the classroom, one who strives for perfection. Erin has the discipline to start quickly on assigned work and stay on task to its completion. She is the type of student who is willing to take on difficult problems as a challenge to be conquered." He adds, "She truly a winner in every aspect of her life."

Erin Kasson represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 7 and her principal is Dennis Litteken.

OLIVIA KLAUS, Eureka

The one thing everybody notices about Olivia Klaus is that she's a leader. In fact, she led 166 other runners across the finish line, becoming a cross country state champion last fall.

"To say that Olivia is bright, motivated, and charismatic is an understatement," says Eureka High School science teacher Matthew D. O'Hanlon. "In addition to her participation in cross country, basketball, and track, Olivia is also involved in National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, yearbook, and church youth group. However, Olivia does not merely participate in these activities; she is a leader."

Her cross country coach, Brett Charlton, agrees. "Olivia has strong leadership skills and has had the opportunity to demonstrate them as a team captain for the cross country team for the past two seasons," he writes. "Olivia was an instrumental part of our cross country team qualifying for the Illinois State Championships throughout her four years of high school. She led the team to a state runner-up finish her senior year as well as winning the individual championship."

On the academic side, Olivia is no less a leader, ranking No. 1 in her class with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She has earned Eureka High School honors in geometry and pre-calculus, and a creativity award for journalism. She is co-editor of the school newspaper and acts as designer of the yearbook.

In addition to cross country, she has played four years of basketball and spent four years on the track team. Olivia placed third in both the 1600 and 3200-meter runs and 4th in the 800 at the 2007 State Track Meet. In 2005, she and her teammates came in second in the 4x800 relay at state, but in 2006, they came back and took the gold.

That's just the kind of challenge that motivates Olivia. After coming in second in the 2006 state cross country meet, she says, "I decided that I was going to go through whatever it took to become the Illinois Class A cross country state champion my senior year." And that's exactly what she did.

Citing her "tremendous leadership skills and work ethic," teacher and coach Kurt Barth says, "She is truly an extraordinary young lady who will excel at every endeavor she attempts."

Olivia Klaus represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 4 and her principal is Richard Wherley.

KAILYN KUZMUK, Tinley Park (Andrew)

Although Kailyn Kuzmuk has experienced a stellar career as a student and athlete at Andrew High School, she's very sure that "pieces of hardware do not define success."

For Kailyn, it's not the 5th place medal she earned at the state track meet in the 3200-meter run or her cross country team's 17th place finish at state that matters most, not even the fact that she ranks No. 1 in her class of 611 with a 5.169 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Her record at Andrew shows 35 grades of A+, Honor Roll every semester, Prairie State Achievement Awards in reading, math and science, and 100 hours of community service. She is a National Merit Commended Scholar, Illinois State Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction, and she earned a 35 composite score on her ACT. She's earned Academic High Honors, Spanish High Honors, and a Community Service Award at Andrew.

She has been Andrew's MVP in cross country three straight years, and was MVP in track and field as well last year. She also acted as captain of both teams. Winning scholar-athlete honors all eight seasons of cross country and track, Kailyn was involved in Student and Class Councils, Mathletes, where her team won its conference title last year, and WYSE, participating at the state level in chemistry and biology, and taking first at state in the SMART challenge for freshmen and sophomores. She is a homeroom peer leader and foreign language tutor, and has also worked as a tutor in math, science, Spanish and physical education for special education students.

But for Kailyn, all of that pales in comparison to the friendship and memories she created on her cross country team. As she says, "The friendships that began on three-hour long bus rides and memories we created running outside during tornado watches transcend any individual or team award. Qualifying for the state meet with my team is my biggest accomplishment during high school because it gave me the opportunity to run with my friends one last time."

"As an educator, I am amazed at the dedication and maturity I have witnessed in Kailyn," says Julie A.L. Johnson, her teacher in Honors Anatomy and Physiology. "Her dedication to her learning has been exceptional."

AP History teacher James P. Wood concludes, "Andrew has been very fortunate that a student and young lady such as Kailyn has graced its hallways and classrooms."

Kailyn Kuzmuk represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 3 and her principal is Glenn Wood.

GREG LEYA, Chicago (St. Ignatius College Prep)

When he was young, Greg Leya dreamed of becoming the next Pete Sampras. That childhood dream, begun when his mother taught him to hit tennis balls in the basement, carried him to win tournaments when he was only eight, and a No. 8 ranking in the Midwest when he was 11.

As Greg tells the story, "Varsity players from the nearby high school challenged me to matches and lost, surprised that such a scrawny kid could play so ferociously. My tennis future sparkled with promise."

But things took a definite downturn when he suffered a concussion and a fractured right wrist in an 8th grade basketball game. "My tennis arm!" he laments. "I immediately mustered my resolve to fight back. I even trained myself to play left-handed as my backup strategy."

Luckily, he didn't need to go with Plan B. Greg ended up his team's captain, MVP, and No. 1 singles player, leading the Wolfpack to the state tournament three years in a row.

Greg's love for tennis also led him to create a science project on the effect of "racquet vibrations" on a player's arm. "I recorded the vibration strengths and tested various shock absorbers for their effectiveness in reducing racquet vibrations," he writes. "My research projects advanced to the state level where they won the highest awards in the Illinois State Science Fair."

A National Merit Finalist and AP Scholar with Distinction, Greg ranks No. 1 in his class, with a 4.56 GPA and a 35 composite on his ACT. He's won multiple ICTM math contests and Honors with Distinction for all of his semesters at St. Ignatius, as well as CCL All-Academic Scholar Athlete Awards every year. He also won the Freshman Achievement Award and was valedictorian of his class at Polish Language School.

In addition to tennis, Greg has competed in Scholastic Bowl and math team. He is president of the French Club, on the Executive Boards of St. Ignatius's Volunteer Corps and Outdoor Ecology Club, and active in National Honor Society and French National Honor Society.

Teacher David Madden says, "Greg is simply a genuine and fantastic kid who loves learning, sports and life."

Greg Leya represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 1 and his principal is Dr. Catherine Karl.

AUSTIN MEEKER, Galesburg

At the beginning of his senior year cross country season, Austin Meeker broke his foot. His small stress fracture added up to a month or two of rest, a few weeks away from training, and a major obstacle.

"At first I thought that recovering from my time off wouldn't be too hard," he says. "But it was apparent right away that I had some major catching up to do." With only six weeks until the state series in cross country, Austin had to hit the ground running. "I wasn't the frontrunner, but I was a top five runner. Missing one of those runners, the first or the last, would cripple the whole team and make it almost impossible to reach state. I kept pushing and encouraging myself, knowing the entire team was relying on me."

Austin didn't run that well in the early rounds, but his team placed third at the sectional, enough to qualify for state. "I ran my hardest at state," he relates," trying to never slow down and never give in. I ran the fastest race of my life, and moved up on the Galesburg Top 25 Times list for 3 miles at Detweiller Park. The team finished ninth, which was the highest state finish in school history.

Austin also learned an important lesson from that ordeal. "I am so happy that I didn't use my broken foot as the easy way out, the perfect excuse not to work hard or live up to what I could do," he writes. "I will remember this past cross country season forever, and I wouldn't change it in any way if I could."

First in his class, Austin has competed in tennis, swimming, WYSE, and math team as well as cross country. He is captain of his tennis team, and treasurer of the G-Club at Galesburg High School. He's also involved with the Spanish Club and Spanish National Honor Society, tutoring, Student Council and yearbook staff.

Austin and his partner won their conference and sectional doubles titles in tennis last year, and his tennis teams also qualified for state, with a 10th place finish in 2006. He's also earned Academic All-Conference honors in cross country and Principal's Scholar Awards every year.

"Austin has smashed through any barriers placed in front of him," says his coach, Craig Hillier. "I have the utmost respect for this young man due to his will to be a champion."

Austin Meeker represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 4 and his principal is Thomas R. Chiles.

JEFFREY O'BRIEN, Frankfort (Lincoln-Way East)

As Jeffrey O'Brien admits, "Most people wouldn't group cross country running and political speaking together." But Jeff thinks they fit together just fine. "They both require good lungs," he notes. "They both focus on long races (presidential and footraces) and most importantly, they've both had a strong influence on my character."

Jeff looks at running not as a trial that must be endured, but as an opportunity to push his limits. As for speech, Jeff says, "It has taught me to organize my ideas quickly and to convey them logically to others. I understand the use of humor to engage an audience in a speech and of structure to guide them through it. Extemporaneous speaking has given me the power to express myself clearly and directly."

He's done pretty well with that, taking 1st place in seven different speech tournaments over the years, winning his conference twice, and qualifying for the state speech tournament in extemp both his freshman and junior years.

"During the four years that I have coached him on the Lincoln-Way East Speech Team, he has exhibited a sharp mind, dedicated work ethic, and a poise and confidence beyond his years," writes head coach Tom Eiden. "His first year on the team, Jeff became one of just three freshmen in all of Illinois to qualify for the state tournament."

Jeff also made it to state in cross country, with his team finishing 7th and 9th the last two years. Jeff was named Most Improved on his cross country team, and won the Gutty Griffin Award for determination and tenacity.

An Illinois State Scholar, AP Scholar with Honors and National Merit Semifinalist, Jeff has earned a 5.003 GPA on a 4.0 scale, placing him in the top five of his class. He scored a 35 on his ACT, finished 5th in the state with his Mathlete team, and participated in a week-long University of Notre Dame Global Issues Seminar that earned him one hour of college credit. Jeff is a member of Pi Sigma Pi (History Honors), Mu Alpha Theta (Math Honors), National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society, and he has been involved with the IIT Regional Bridge Building Competition as well as Lincoln-Way East's Writing Center tutoring progam.

Perhaps Tom Eiden, sums it up best with this simple statement: "Jeff O'Brien is an extraordinary young man.

Jeffrey O'Brien represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 3 and his principal is Dr. Michael Gardner.

DAVID PAINTER, Maroa-Forsyth

During David Painter's high school years, a Band of Brothers became a Band of Champions. But it wasn't easy.

As David writes about his basketball team, "During my sophomore season, we upset team after team in our area, surprising everyone in the state. In terms of physical size, we were one of the smallest teams in the state, but we played with tenacity and desire. Eventually, we battled our way to a third-place finish in the Class A state tournament, the only time in our school's history that a team had made it that far."

A triumph, to be sure, but it also set the team up for huge expectations the following year. "The fall season brought our school its first trip to state in soccer and a state football championship. When the basketball season finally rolled around, we thought it was our turn to shine in the spotlight and bring home the hardware," David relates.

But success also brought challenges. "We seemed to be doomed not to repeat a state appearance, as first one player and then another went down with injury or illness. We played through twisted ankles, bronchitis, and even mononucleosis. But when our star player was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy right before sectionals, the press thought we were finished. I was chosen to fill his spot for the game and the pressure was on."

But they kept finding ways to win. "Our teammate returned in the semifinals of the state tournament and our Band of Brothers became a Band of Champions," David recalls. "Our school was dual state champions in both football and basketball; this was only the second time in IHSA history that a school achieved this seemingly impossible task."

Along with four years on the basketball team, David has played three years of soccer and baseball, reaching the Elite Eight in soccer and winning a regional championship in baseball. He has captained both his basketball and soccer teams for two years. He's also put in four years on the Maroa-Forsyth Scholastic Bowl team, and acted as captain of that squad as well. Add to that club soccer, Math Team, Student Council, band, WYSE, and yearbook, and you begin to get some idea of David's busy schedule.

David is also the valedictorian of his class, with a perfect 5.0 GPA, and he is a National Merit Commended Scholar.

David Painter represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 5 and his principal is Scott Adreon.

MATT PALM, Carlyle

When you're an overachiever, it's tough to sit on the bench. But Matt Palm knows he grew and learned from that experience.

Although he was happy to make the varsity basketball team as a freshman, Matt's limited playing time was hard to handle. That changed when he was a sophomore, although he was still not a starter. "All season I was the sixth man," he says.

But that didn't mean his role wasn't important, both in practice, playing defense against the senior starters, and in games. "On game day, I contributed by coming off the bench and giving our seniors a break," he notes. "While on the floor, my job was to play defense and raise our team's level of intensity. Stats did not matter to me or anyone on the team. I was there trying to help my team win basketball games."

That team won 26 games and made it into the Elite Eight, where Matt, still the sixth man, saw serious minutes and went 4-for-5 from the floor at Carver Arena.

Matt has played four years of basketball and three years each of football and baseball, and he's acted as captain of both the basketball and football teams. Quarterback of the football team, he is also Carlyle's reigning homecoming king.

Matt ranks first in his class, never earning anything less than an A. An Illinois State Scholar, he has received honors ranging from being named Student of the Month to Cahokia All-Conference (in basketball and football), and making the Southern Illinois Coaches Association All-South Team and IBCA 3rd-Team All-State.

He's also been involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, where he is a team leader, National Honor Society, WYSE, Student Council, Spanish Club, Student Ambassadors, and Tech Prep, and he has helped coordinate Red Cross blood drives, volunteered at a food pantry, collected coats and canned goods, and participated in the Adopt-a-Family program as well as Big Brother, where he mentors an elementary school student.

"Matt is a great student," says Joe Wilkerson, principal at Carlyle High School. "Matt is also a very good person. In today's society, it is becoming harder and harder to find good students that are also good people. Matt is one of those students."

Matt Palm represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 7 and his principal is Joe Wilkerson.

RACHEL PENDRY, Galesburg (H.S.)

Rachel Pendry jokes that her high school schedule looks more like a completed crossword puzzle, with every line filled and not a blank spot in sight.

But that's just the way she likes it. "High school is more than sitting in class every day and taking a test now and then," she writes. "While there is no doubt it should be about learning, it is also about getting involved, creating experiences, and making memories."

There is also no doubt that Rachel has created a lot of memories for herself and others, from coming up with the idea to paint streaks (in honor of the Galesburg Silver Streaks) on the school's circle drive to promote school spirit to organizing dances, assemblies, food drives and carnivals. She's made more wonderful memories with her four years on the volleyball and basketball teams, contributing to winning regionals twice in each sport, and one year on the track team.

And she's accomplished all that with a "warm personality and a contagious optimism," according to her math teacher, Rosemary Eisenmann.

Rachel has participated in G-Club, including a term as president, Student Council, where she served as vice president, and Student Advisory Council, where she is co-chair. She's also worked on Project Graduation, C.A.R.E. and the yearbook staff, plus she's a Wendy's Heisman candidate, filling in a few more boxes on that crossword puzzle.

Ranked second in her class with a 4.11 GPA on a 4.0 scale, Rachel has been named all-conference and academic all-conference in volleyball, as well as her team's career block leader and dig leader her senior season. She was also named to the Limestone Fall Classic all-tournament team.

In basketball, she was all-conference, a 3rd-team selection on the Class AA all-star team, Quad City Times all-area, winner of the Amy Crisman Award, and Galesburg Exchange Club Youth of the Month.

"Beyond all of her academic and extra-curricular accomplishments, Rachel's greatest attribute is that she is a tremendous person," says her principal, Thomas Chiles. "She is a person who genuinely cares about others and will become an adult who will contribute greatly to society."

Rachel Pendry represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 4 and her principal is Thomas R. Chiles.

ALEXANDER RAHE, Carrollton

"An all-around great kid." That's how Alex Rahe's English teacher, Donna S. Nonneman, describes him.

But that "great kid" can turn pretty fearsome on the football field. A defensive lineman, he racked up eight solo tackles and one quarterback sack in his first game as a varsity starter. In the Hawks' next six games, Alex and the defense shut out every team they faced, falling only in the second round of the playoffs to the eventual state champion.

Alex has played football all four years, with his team winning their conference in 2006 and making it to the state playoffs three times. He has earned conference sportsmanship awards two years in a row and also been named all-conference and all-academic, winning the Ultimate Hawk award for his defensive prowess. Last winter, the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association named him to its All-State All-Academic team.

He's also played four years of baseball and basketball, making conference all-academic in both sports and all-conference in baseball, and taking team honors for best shooting percentage in basketball. Alex has served as captain on all three teams, and he was named all-area academic in all three by the Jacksonville Journal-Courier.

A member of the National Honor Society and an Illinois State Scholar, Alex ranks No. 1 in his class. He is also a Wendy's Heisman candidate, and he has received awards from the Illinois Association of Chemistry Teachers as well as a citation for academic excellence in chemistry and plane geometry. Alex has also been listed in Who's Who Among American High School Students for three years and recognized by the U.S. Achievement Academy All-American Scholar Program.

Alex is a member of the Lutheran Youth Fellowship and the Future Business Leaders of America, and he has worked on the Relay for Life committee, volunteered at a local nursing home, and rung bells for the Salvation Army at Christmas. He spent the last two summers as an umpire for the City of Carrollton's Khory League.

Lauding his leadership, flexibility and commitment, teacher Amy Struble writes, "I have had the distinct pleasure of having Alex Rahe as a student in my classes for the past year at Carrollton High School. Alex has been an ideal student.

Alexander Rahe represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 6 and his principal is David C. Roberts.

DEEPA RAMADURAI, Darien (Hinsdale South)

Winning is great, but it was in losing at badminton that Deepa Ramadurai learned a valuable lesson.

As she tells the story, "The shot was a line drive into the alley. As the birdie casually settled on the floor, screams of excitement devoured the air. I was suffocating. I looked down at my uniform, thinking, it's over. As our opponents ran back to their mob of fans, I measured the adulation of their team with the utter disbelief and disappointment on the faces behind me. 'Good things happen to good people, and you girls are great people,' my coach had always said. Those words meant nothing at that moment."

It was an epiphany. "What happened on the court matured me," she concludes. Losing in that match had forced her to deal with her fear of inadequacy, to stop questioning herself, and instead focus on friendship and teamwork.

"I keep the patch I was given after the state tournament that says 5th in State plastered on the wall above my desk," she says. "Sometimes I wince at the sight of it, but other times, I remember: Good things do happen to good people. This epiphany for me was great."

Deepa has competed in both badminton and tennis all four years, and she captained the badminton team. That team won state championships in 2005 and 2006, and finished 5th, as she mentioned, in 2007, the year that she and her doubles partner took 1st at their sectional and 6th at state, earning her the Dave Meinen Award. She's finished 12th, 13th and 14th at the state tennis finals, taking her team's Most Improved title.

President of the National Honor Society, Deepa ranks in the top five in her class with a 5.91 GPA on a 5.0 scale. She has been a four-year member of the Hinsdale South speech and math teams, working with Habitat for Humanity as well. "On the court and in the classroom, Deepa will accept nothing less than perfection. She is always striving for improvement," writes John Charters, who has coached her in badminton and taught her AP English Literature and Composition class.

"If success could be measured by friendship alone, Deepa would already be voted the most successful of her class," Charters says. "She is well-liked and respected by her classmates because she has earned these distinctions. There are not many young women who are as empathetic and kind, as understanding and mature as Deepa."

Deepa Ramadurai represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 3 and her principal is Claudia Geocalis.

BRENT RHODES, Monticello

When you hear that Brent Rhodes has calculated the number of miles he's run in cross country, you know two things. One, he's good at math. And two, he's very dedicated to his sport.

"I have run over 5,480 miles, the equivalent of running from New York City to San Francisco and back in pursuit of becoming the best cross country runner that I can be," Brent writes. "I dedicated thousands of hours to training, endured physical discomfort, and worked with my teammates to encourage each other to accomplish our personal best times every race."

He continues, "There were undoubtedly days when I could have taken breaks from running or decided to skip a race due to illness. My teammates and I endured stress fractures, shin splints and muscle fatigue. However, I never missed a race because of my commitment to my team and to myself."

All that effort paid off when Brent and his team made the state cross country finals, finishing 4th overall at Detweiller Park. Brent himself came in 14th last fall.

His mileage paid off in track as well, where Brent and his 4x800 relay team set a new state record and won gold at the state track meet in 2006.

Brent has put in four years on the cross country and track teams, with another two years of basketball, and he has served as captain of both his cross country and track and field teams the past two years.

An Illinois State Scholar, Brent is ranked No. 1 in his class with a perfect 4.0. He has been a class officer all four years and has also participated in National Honor Society, Student Council, LifeSavers, French Club, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

"Brent has performed well in the toughest math classes offered at Monticello High School," writes Kyle Ness, Brent's math teacher as well as his sophomore track coach. "He has demonstrated high critical thinking skills, has the ability to understand complex concepts, and is able to work effectively to solve difficult problems. He is a very dedicated student and a quiet leader, and as such, leads by example. Brent represents all that is good in a high school senior of today."

Brent Rhodes represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 5 and his principal is Tip Reedy.

AMANDA SCHNACK, Barrington

When you ask Amanda Schnack about her proudest moment in high school, she'll tell you without reservation that it was being part of the Barrington High School team that won the 2007 IHSA state track and field championship.

As Amanda describes her championship experience, "The power and athleticism of our team showed that weekend. The quick starts, clean passes, and strong finishes were a tribute to the hours of training we had invested in practices that season. My teammates and I had some of the best races of our lives."

But then she tells the rest of the story. "The year before our exciting victory, our team had a talented group of runners and was expected to contend for the IHSA championship. However, our goal of capturing the state trophy unexpectedly turned into a harsh disappointment during the weekend of the state championship. Accidental, illegal entries on the final day of the meet led to disqualifications and we were no longer allowed to compete."

And that is why the ultimate victory tasted so sweet, because Amanda and her teammates turned their disappointment into determination and resolve. "By facing hardship, we were able to learn that great opportunities can arise from misfortune," she concludes.

Amanda is now captain of the team that will defend its state title next month in Charleston, and she plans to continue her track career at Harvard in the fall. Over the years, Amanda has run the 100- and 200-meter dashes and the 800 medley, and run legs of the 4x100, 4x200, and 4x400 relays. Her team has finished second in the state in the 4x100 twice, with a 5th-place finish in the 4x200. Amanda's best individual effort was 6th in state in the 200-meter dash last year.

She holds a 4.561 GPA on a 4.0 scale, and finishes her senior year as an AP Scholar with Honors and an Illinois State Scholar. She's a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society and a J. Kyle Braid Leadership nominee. In addition to running track, Amanda has played four years of tennis, and participated in Student Council and Barrington's freshman mentoring program.

As her AP biology teacher, Julie Baylor, puts it, "Amanda is an example of the best that Barrington High School has to offer."

Amanda Schnack represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 2 and her principal is Emil Rode.

MARIETTA E. SMITH, Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

"At golf tournaments," says Marietta Smith, "possibility lingers in the air."

Marietta experienced those possibilities first-hand at the IHSA state golf tournament, carding a 75, her personal best, and finishing 17th overall. But she also realized that the numbers didn't really matter. "Making it to state and finishing 17th is my biggest achievement during high school, not because of the outcome but because of what the outcome symbolized. I proved to myself that I could play golf at a new level of competition."

Although she knows that practice was important, it took more than that to get her where she wanted to go. "In golf, believing that you can wind the ball through some trees is just as important as the practice behind that shot," she contends. "By changing the way I looked at practice as well as my mental approach to the game, I reached the state tournament and performed well. This accomplishment outweighs many others because it signifies improvement, and I have learned that progress is more important than results."

By any standard, however, Marietta's results are impressive. She is No. 1 in her class of 513 students, with a 5.69 GPA on a 5.0 scale. A two-year member of the National Honor Society, she scored a 35 composite on her ACT and she is a National Merit Semifinalist, a Honeywell Scholar (earning the right to attend the Presidential Classroom), a Presidential Scholars Program candidate, and an AP Scholar with Honors. She has also been commended for excellence in Spanish and she wrote a perfect paper in math competition.

She's competed in four years of basketball and soccer as well as golf, and become involved on the math team, pep club, LEAP (Leaders Energizing Athletics at Prospect), Rachel's Challenge, the graduation committee, Knights' Way, the Rock-O-Gym fundraiser, and math and writing tutoring at Prospect High School, plus she was chosen to attend the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Ranch. Along with her academic honors, she was selected NSML All-Conference Honorable Mention, and won honors in both basketball and golf as Most Improved, once again showing how much she values progress.

"I really cannot speak highly enough about Marietta," writes Tim Casper, who was her golf coach and AP chemistry teacher. "She is fun, funny, upbeat, personable, driven, focused and disciplined. Marietta Smith is the complete package."

Marietta Smith represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 2 and her principal is Kurt Laakso.

PAIGE STEFFEN, Bloomington (H.S.)

Variety is truly the spice of life for Bloomington's Paige Steffen.

If she's not hurdling, running, or jumping, she's cheering with all her might or diving in at the deep end. Paige has competed in diving (sectional champ, 13th at state) and competitive cheer (also 13th at state) as well as the long jump (winning her sectional last season and taking 10th at state), 100- and 300-meter hurdles (finishing 7th in the 300 at state), and the 4x400 relay (with her team coming in 9th at state).

It's no surprise she was voted Most Likely to Succeed and prom queen by her fellow students.

"I have had the honor and pleasure to watch Paige compete all four years as she represented BHS in diving, cheerleading and track and field," writes Bloomington's Athletic Director, John Szabo. "She is a state qualifier in all three of these sports. Paige earned all-state honors in track and field in two events as a junior. She is well respected by her teammates as is evidenced by Paige being selected as the captain of all three of these teams and she was also voted to receive the MVP award in track and swimming."

She also participated in the AAU National Junior Olympics, coming in 13th in the heptathlon. She holds school records in the 300-meter low hurdles and the 4x400 relay, making the all-time All-Area Honor Roll for both those events as well as dual diving and championship diving, and earning Big 12 Scholar Athlete honors. Radio stations WBNQ and WJBC have made her Athlete of the Week three times.

Paige is president of Student Council and vice president of the senior class, and she is involved with pep club, National Honor Society, Care team and Spanish Club. A Wendy's Heisman finalist, she ranks second in her class with a 5.575 GPA on a 5.0 scale. She was selected by BHS staff to represent the school as Rotarian of the Month and to attend the HOBY leadership conference. She also won the school's DAR Award, and she is an NIAA Scholarship nominee.

"As a person, I simply find Paige to be refreshing," Lisa R. Thomas, her AP English instructor, says. "She is earnest, humble, and quiet in her ways, yet she steps up with assertive enthusiasm to contribute and lead in the classroom. Paige conducts herself with honor, integrity, and maturity."

Paige Steffen represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 5 and her principal is Tim Moore.

ELIZABETH WATKINS, Taylor Ridge (Rockridge)

"It doesn't get any better than winning a state championship!" says Elizabeth Watkins.

The date June 4, 2005 is etched into her memory forever. That was the day she stood in the outfield, hoping that the batter at the plate would make the final out and seal the state championship for Rockridge. "Two strikes had been delivered to the batter; our pitcher released the ball and almost in slow motion it made contact with her bat," Liz relates. "My stomach lurched at the thought of this trophy being taken away with a last inning rally. In a split second our pitcher reacted to the sharply hit bullet and back-handed the ball. As I comprehended the swift stop, I realized my body had automatically made its move to back up the throw to first base. Before I knew it, we were swarmed by cameramen, screaming fans and crying parents to celebrate our amazing accomplishment."

She adds, "Winning the state championship never really sank in until we made it to the state finals the following year and I realized how hard it was to get back." Her team made it to the Elite Eight her sophomore year, and took third at state her junior year. Now, Liz wants the top prize again. "I came into my high school softball career with a bang, and hopefully will go out with one, too!"

Liz has moved from the outfield to behind home plate, and it is as a catcher that she will play college ball at the University of Iowa. Liz was co-MVP of the state tournament as a freshman, and she owns six different all-time school records. Named NIAAA Illinois Female Athlete of the Year in January, she is on the Chicago Tribune's All-State 1st Team and she is a finalist for the Quad City Times' Female Athlete of the Year award.

She also competes in basketball and volleyball, with numerous honors and school records in each, and she has served as captain of all three teams. "She is that one-of-a-kind student-athlete that every teacher and coach hopes to be involved with at least once in their career," writes Pam Bischoff, her math teacher and volleyball coach.

Ranked first in her class, Liz Watkins is an Illinois State Scholar who has made High Honor Roll every semester. She is vice president of both the senior class and the National Honor Society, and she participates in everything from the Crime Prevention club to Student Council, French Club and French National Honor Society, yearbook, and Rocket Spirit Crew.

Elizabeth Watkins represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 4 and her principal is Clayton Naylor.

PATRICK T. ZIEGENFUSS, Mt. Prospect (Prospect)

"It is 6:00 p.m. on a scorching Wednesday in September," writes Pat Ziegenfuss. "Our football team is running plays in preparation for the big game in two days. I must focus all my attention on the field. Instead, I nervously realize that I am already late for show choir auditions."

That's the life of a multisport athlete who also wants to sing and dance. "Show choir helped me find my path in life," Pat tells us. "I have competed in sports as long as I can remember, but I had always wanted to pursue my love of music as well. I learned to ignore those who mocked me for wanting to sing and dance, instead focusing on those who supported me."

If show choir taught him to stand up for what he wanted, football taught him perseverance. Pat says, "We experienced everything from shrinking numbers to animosity among teammates, to feeling that we were disgracing the tradition of our team. Despite everything we endured, those of us who stuck around learned to fight together and fight for each other, as we attained our goal of qualifying for state playoffs."

Pat's participation in basketball and track also taught him to dig in and fight back, with payoffs like vying for a conference title in basketball and vaulting over hurdles at state in track and field.

Pat competed in football for four years, with three varsity letters and one year as captain. His 2005 team won the state championship, and Pat earned all-conference and 2nd-team all-area honors this past season. He adds to that four years of track, with four varsity letters, and four years on the basketball team, with two years on the varsity squad.

He put in three years of choir and another of "Mixed Company," Prospect's award-winning competitive show choir, plus he was a J. Kyle Braid Athlete Leader, representing his class at the Braid Ranch in Colorado, a Knights Way Character Education Leader, and a team member of LEAP (Leaders Energizing Athletics at Prospect).

"In a word, Pat is eclectic," writes Daria Schaffeld, his AP psychology teacher. "I have been able to witness Pat's attitude, leadership and dedication. I often hear young children in the stands talking about how 'awesome' Pat is. They obviously look up to him and in my opinion, have chosen a wonderful role model."

Patrick Ziegenfuss represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 2 and his principal is Kurt Laakso.