2009-10 All-State Academic Team Elizabeth Faber, Chicago (St. Ignatius) Kimberly Sable, Winnetka (New Trier) Elizabeth McKay, Downers Grove (North) Lamise Al-Basha, Rockford (Keith) Kelly Curran, Bloomington (Central Catholic) Rebecca Gillen, Monmouth (M.-Roseville) Elizabeth Bell, Anna (A.-Jonesboro) Erin Poss, Antioch Jordan Hauck, Johnsburg Kaitlyn Fraser, Oak Forest Katherine Kleinmaier, Dixon Sarah Bach, Barrington Anne Higgins, Mt. Zion Jack Turek, Chicago (St. Ignatius) Sean Hogan, Vernon Hills Edward Bruce, Oak Park (Fenwick) Stephan Rauh, Metamora Joshua Burns, Normal (Community) Shane Convery, Raymond (Lincolnwood) Brandon Berry, Olney (East Richland) Aaron Laursen, Charleston Timothy Weber, Homewood (H.-Flossmoor) Jasjaap Sidhu, Carbondale Mitchell Faulk, Rockford (Boylan) Brian Elliott, Macomb Andrew Martin, Decatur (St. Teresa) 1. LAMISE AL‐BASHA, ROCKFORD (KEITH) Lamise Al‐Basha’s basketball coach always use to remind her that “your mind is the strongest part of your body.” It took a while, but Lamise finally realized exactly what her coach meant, as her natural ability was often stifled by her own mental barriers. “I struggled with overcoming the mental toughness aspect of the game,” wrote Lamise in her application essay. “I was constantly doubting myself and played without confidence. Finally, I came to understand what my coach had been telling me. Your mind only knows what you tell it. It took time to fight through the mental barriers, but I am a better, stronger person for it.” A look at Lamise’s resume over the past four makes it hard to believe that there are any barriers that have managed to slow her down academically or in sports and activities. Athletically, she participates in basketball, soccer and tennis and qualified for the 2009 IHSA State Finals in doubles play in the latter as a senior. She has also been involved in her school’s WYSE Team (Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering), Math Team, International Club, Ambassadors Club, Model United Nations, Honor Council and Red Ribbon Committee. Despite all of her extracurricular involvement, the Senior Class President somehow manages to find the time to volunteer at a local YMCA, serve as a camp counselor at Camp Experience, attend the Covenant Harbor Leadership Conference, annually compete in a horseback riding tournament and visit nursing homes with the Glamour Girls group. Lamise’s many honors include the Bella Emerson Keith Scholarship, having her work displayed in the Rock Valley Art Show, the National Latin Award, Presidential Academic Excellence recognition, Tri‐M Music Honor Society, French Honor Society and being named an AP Scholar with Distinction. Keith School History Teacher Bradley C. Stott has watched Lamise immerse herself in all that high school has to offer over the past four years. “She has been driven to take advantage of every personal and academic learning opportunity afforded to her. Lamise has been an incredible student, but she is an even better person.” A two‐year National Honor Society member with a 4.0 grade point average (4.3 scale), Lamise Al‐Basha represents Board Division No. 4 and her principal is Dr. Ronald Lee. 2. SARAH BACH, BARRINGTON Of all the things that the sport of track & field has given back to Sarah Bach, nothing she has learned has been more important than the ability to clear hurdles, both literally and figuratively speaking. Despite having never run hurdles upon joining the high school track & field team, Sarah was invited to join a team within the team known as the Hurdle Crew. Becoming a competent performer in the hurdle events was mentally and physically taxing, but Sarah’s hard work began to pay dividends in her races. Just as she began to pick up the technique and experience success, a stress fracture in her leg created a disappointing setback that took her away from her newfound passion. Dedicated to her team and teammates, Sarah fought through the pain and was able to successfully contribute in other events, helping the Fillies win the 2007 IHSA Track & Field Class AA State Championship. Sarah has since taken on a leadership role in one of the state’s top programs, as Barrington has followed with runner‐up and 13th place team finishes in the state finals. “Becoming a hurdler took over a year and there was plenty of frustration, tears and sloppy races before I realized I could indeed do it,” wrote Sarah in her application essay. “I now understand the importance of being mentally strong. My love‐hate relationship with the hurdles has taught me how to overcome obstacles and ultimately nothing truly great will ever happen until I start to believe, in my own heart, that I’m capable of doing what seems impossible.” Sarah has encountered few academic hurdles at Barrington, where she also participates in cross country, the Code Red Leadership Program and is a Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team member. The Illinois State Scholar was a National Merit finalist, an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Presidential Volunteer Service Award winner. Barrington Science Teacher Karen Enright has seen Sarah display the determination that has allowed her to clear all of life’s hurdles so far. “If I had one word to describe Sarah it would be serious. She is serious about life, always working to the best of her ability and budgeting her time to allow her to participate in a variety of extracurriculars.” A National Honor Society member with a 4.6 grade point average (4.0 scale), Sarah Bach ranks in the Top 5 percent of her senior class. She represents Board of Directors Division No. 2 and her principal is Stephan McWilliams. 3. ELIZABETH BELL, ANNA‐JONESBORO Elizabeth Bell’s road to an individual state championship in the 50‐yard freestyle at the 2009 IHSA Girls Swimming & Diving State Finals should become a thing of legend at Anna‐Jonesboro High School. If not because Anna‐Jonesboro has just under 600 students and the other 11 competitors she bested in the event came from school’s with a combined average enrollment of 2,595 students, then because Elizabeth Bell is the Anna‐Jonesboro swim team. Elizabeth’s high school does not have a swim team, a pool or a coach, which meant after starting her swimming career as a two‐year old in a hotel swimming pool, the road to a state title literally became US‐51. Elizabeth traveled an hour daily to train at Southern Illinois University, where she honed her craft en route to becoming the southernmost state champion in IHSA swimming history. “I learned that the love of a sport need not be crushed by a lack of essentials, like not having a team or a pool,” wrote Elizabeth in her application essay. “It became a dream of mine to one day be a state champion and I have never regretted my decision to focus on swimming.” Elizabeth’s commitment to swimming did not limit her participation opportunities elsewhere, as she was also a member of the Lady Wildcats cross country, track & field and scholastic bowl teams, while also participating in Student Council, Spanish Club, Mu Alpha Theta, Math Team and the school band. The Illinois State Scholar was also a National Merit Semifinalist, a Wendy’s High School Heisman state finalist and received Academic All‐American awards from USA Swimming and the National Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association. Anna‐Jonesboro Director of Guidance Carol Carter has been awed by Elizabeth’s approach to her studies and sports. “I don’t know how she is able to accomplish as much as she does within a 24 hour period, but I do know that Elizabeth will continue to excel in all possible areas in the future.” A two‐year member of the National Honor Society with a 4.7 grade point average (4.0 scale), Elizabeth Bell will graduate as her class Valedictorian this spring. She represents IHSA Board of Directors Division No. 7 and her principal is James Woodward. 4. BRANDON BERRY, OLNEY (EAST RICHLAND) Brandon Berry has yet to set foot inside a university classroom or listen to a lecture from a collegiate professor, but the senior from East Richland High School feels like he has already earned a secondary education. “This secondary education has not come from books, worksheets or assignments,” wrote Brandon in his application essay. “I have obtained this education through athletics, where I have been able to hone my interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.” Brandon went on to credit his participation in athletics for helping develop his communication and leadership skills, but perhaps most importantly, they made him realize that he finds much more satisfaction in his team’s success than his own individual success. Not that there had been of lack of either. Thus far in his high school basketball and baseball career, Brandon has been a part of four Regional championship teams and the 2008 Tiger basketball squad that reached the state finals and placed third in Class 2A. In addition, he has been named All‐State by the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association and the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association. Brandon’s involvement in his school and community does not start and end with sports, as the Illinois State Scholar is involved in a number of extracurricular activities. He is a member of several clubs, including the Spanish Club, History Club and Interact Club, while also serving as a mentor for Big Brothers/Big Sisters. A High Honor Roll honoree in each semester of his high school career, he competes on his school’s WYSE Team (Worldwide Youth in Science & Engineering) in Mathematics, Chemistry and Biology. Brandon’s Honors Calculus teacher at East Richland, Lisa Pampe, saw his selfless attitude on display in the classroom as well.