MAINE TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL EAST 2601 West Dempster Street, Park Ridge, 60068-1177 847-825-4484 fax: 847-692-8260 ​

Dr. Michael W. Pressler Dr. Linda L. Rutschke Dino F. Di Legge Allison M. Gest Michael C. Wartick Principal Associate Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Assistant Principal Students Teaching & Learning Student Services

May 4, 2020

District 207’s Best for Achievement in Extracurricular Activities: Chrisavgi-Danai Kotsifas

“I learned a second language while also adjusting to a different culture. I was determined to make the most of the opportunities that were now available to me, as my personal philosophy has always entailed pursuing a perfect balance between athletics and academics, whilst modeling the importance of health and wellness.”

On behalf of the faculty and staff of , I am pleased to name Chrisavgi-Danai Kotsifas as one of “District 207’s Best” for her achievement in extracurricular activities.

The quote above was shared with me by Theresa Bonifazi from Chris’ application for a Senior Leader scholarship and I believe it summarizes Chris’ personal journey at Maine East. From all accounts, Chris has been an outstanding person throughout her career at Maine East in the classroom, in student organizations, and as an athlete.

Chris has taken a number of and Dual Credit courses including AP Biology, AP Calculus BC, AP Statistics, AP Language and Composition, AP Macro/Micro Economics, AP Physics 1, Virtual Enterprise International (she was selected as CEO), College Accounting Accelerated, and Entrepreneurship to name just a few. She has also been active and influential as a member or Leaders Program for the past two years. She has consistently earned High Honor Roll every semester, was named an AP Scholar based on her high scores, has been designated an IHSA Scholar Athlete for the past two years, and received an Honorable Mention as a nominee to the IHSA All-State Academic Team this spring.

In the realm of non-athletic extra-curriculars, Chris has been a leader on the Maine East Math Team, having taken second place for the past two consecutive years at the North Suburban Math League and also in the ICTM Regional Math Contest; based on this past spring’s performance, she qualified to compete at state, had that competition been held. She has been an active member of East’s Rotary Interact Club and the Hellenic Club as a member and officer in both, and she is a member of National Honor Society. As a volunteer, Chris is known as a ​ caring individual based on her ability to get along well with peers and staff. She has performed many hours of service inside and outside of Maine East to help organize and assist with causes such as the Hephzibah Children's Association, Feed My Starving Children, and at Greek festivals. Chris has also been active as an R-Code Leader, ​ each day living the mantra of being Respectful, Responsible, and Ready for school, and has been featured in several of our R-Code teaching videos.

The summary of Chris’ athletic participation and achievement, the primary focus of tonight’s recognition, is equally impressive. As a member of East’s Varsity Girls’ Team, she has been named a three time all-conference athlete (2018-2020), has been Team Captain for three years (2017, 2019, 2020), and has been named MVP three consecutive years (2018-2020). As a player in the School’s Volleyball Club, Chris won 3rd ​ place at the Asics Junior National Championship (2018), as well as 3rd place in the gold division at the President's Day Spectacular JVA (2019). As a member of East’s Girls’ Team, Chris landed three all-conference ​ ​ titles (2017-2019), three all-sectional titles (2017-2019), one all-state title (2019), MVP recognition for three years (2017-2019); and she was team captain for two years (2018- 2019).

Steve Schanz, Maine East Athletics Director made the following comments about Chris when he nominated her for 207’s Best: In my seven years as Maine East’s Athletic Director, I have rarely seen a more complete student-athlete. Chris came to the United States from Athens, Greece in 8th grade. Imagine coming to a new country as a teenager, not knowing the language or the culture. Chris was not deterred. By involving herself in athletics and activities, she quickly picked up the language. At Maine East, Chris has been an accomplished four-year varsity volleyball and water polo player, earning Central Suburban Conference Player of the Year in volleyball as well as All-State in Water Polo. Last year, as a junior, Chris helped lead her water polo team to the IHSA Sectional Semifinals where they lost to the favored Evanston Wildkits in double overtime (in what was one of the most exciting high school competitions I have ever witnessed!) Not satisfied with just being the best athlete on her teams, Chris is also a leader as she has also been a three-year captain on both volleyball and water polo. I have had the privilege of having many leadership conversations with Chris as she is constantly looking to improve herself as a captain. She is not satisfied just being named captain, she wants to be a great captain and team leader. Earning the ZONI Awards for Sportsmanship in volleyball is just as important to Chris as winning a match. From what she has overcome to what she has become, it has been my pleasure to watch Chrisavgi Kotsifas blossom into one of the very best examples of a complete student-athlete we have had here at Maine East.

Several teachers offered comments that echo Mr. Schanz’s thoughts. Here are just a few:

Maine East English teacher Leslie Leathem: Chris maintains balance with academics and brings a joy of learning to the classroom that is contagious - she often coaches other students through their struggles such as a bad day, struggles on an essay, etc. She is a ray of sunshine in the room, even after nights she's been out incredibly late because of her practice, game, match, etc. Finally, she is a student who exudes warmth and compassion for others - she talks about appreciating her opportunities at school, she acknowledges that teachers are human, and on our American Writers Museum field trip, when we had a chance to type on real typewriters, she even encouraged her classmates to "write a thank you letter to your mother"! She's just an amazing person.

Maine East AP Biology teacher Julie Pardun: Chris has been an outstanding student in AP Biology this year. Her demonstration of leadership and tenacity is a reflection of her achievements outside of the classroom. Her contributions to our class have been an example to others and her drive and ambition to succeed are balanced with a gentle and sharing nature. I am honored to have had the opportunity to teach this remarkable young scholar and athlete.

Maine East English teacher Greg Lundberg: I had Chris for two years, as a sophomore and a junior. I could always count on her coming to class raring to go, with observations, questions, and yes, even complaints. But that's what's wonderful about Chris - she's an open-minded critical thinker who's always "ready to go." She speaks her mind, engages in discussion, and then gets down to business. She really knew how to rally her collaborative groups into action, and her written work was always top-notch; in fact, I often used her writing as an exemplar for her fellow students. And having seen her on the volleyball court, she's exactly the same way out there - entirely "present," entirely consistent, entirely in it for the team! One addendum: Chris's first language is Greek, and she was our go-to vocabulary person, especially when the words we were exploring had Greek roots. Chris is a winner in the classroom and on the court.

As Theresa Bonifazi ,Physical Education Lead Teacher, shared with me, “Chris is a student who knows her ​ “WHY”. It is this belief in self that places Chris at the center of her “Why” and is the framework of hard work, inspiration, and excellence. Chris is a great choice for this award!” ​ ​

Clearly, Chrisavgi Kotsifas is a leader in all senses of the word. She is an accomplished student with a tremendous ​ work ethic who will no doubt reach her goals in life. It is my pleasure to recognize Chris as one of 207’s Best - we wish her well in her future endeavors!

Sincerely,

Dr. Michael W. Pressler Principal