SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL SAXONS HAVE NEW HEAD BOYS COACH

Wade Heisler has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School.

Wade Heisler has been named head boys basketball coach at Schaumburg High School. Heisler, an assistant coach with the school’s boys basketball team, replaces newly appointed Athletic Director Marty Manning at the helm of the Saxons boys basketball program.

“We are very excited about the energy that Wade brings to our basketball program,” said Schaumburg High School Principal Tim Little. “He is well-known and popular within our school community. Wade is quality person, student-focused, and relates with both student-athletes and parents alike. Wade’s enthusiasm and energy make him a perfect fit for this job.”

Heisler has been teaching physical education at Schaumburg High School since August 2012, and has spent the past three seasons as the Saxons’ varsity assistant boys basketball coach, responsible for daily practice plans and game strategy. He also coordinated the players’ summer skill development program. In addition to basketball, Heisler has served as the school’s spring event coordinator, Student Athletic Advisory sponsor, and assistant coach. He has been instrumental in helping develop a new physical education fitness curriculum featuring yoga classes. Before coming to Schaumburg High School, Heisler spent one year (August 2011 – May 2012) as the head boys basketball coach and teaching physical education at Prairie Central High School in Fairbury, Ill. Prior to that, he was the varsity girls basketball coach from 2008-2011 at Byron High School (Ill.), while teaching physical education at Morgan Elementary School in Byron, during that same time period. While there, his 2009-2010 team was the Big Northern conference, regional, and sectional champions, and he was named IBCA District 10 Coach of the Year.

“Coach Heisler is a great fit for us,” said Schaumburg High School Athletic Director Tim Kirby. “Having served as an assistant coach these past three years helped him gain familiarity with our program and our student-athletes. We’re not only excited about the expertise he brings, but also the enthusiasm he has for basketball and our kids.”

Heisler graduated with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Northern University in 2008, with a health education endorsement.

PALATINE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WINS CAR IN ‘OPERATION CLICK’ GIVEAWAY

Nancy sits in the Chevy Spark after she won the car courtesy of Operation Click.

Imagine picking up a key to a car and someone telling you that if the car starts when you turn the key, the car is yours to keep. That’s exactly what happened for a Palatine High School senior yesterday.

Nancy Cabrera, senior, received a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when she randomly selected the correct keys to a Chevy Spark during an Operation Click banquet on April 14.

“There was a bowl with a bunch of keys that looked the same. It was my turn to see if the key started the car,” Nancy said. “I turned it and it moved, but I didn’t want to turn it anymore because I was too afraid to force it. All the lights came on and everyone started cheering and clapping. I was confused because I didn’t even turn the car on. I was in shock. I thought everyone was playing a joke on me.”

Operation Click was started in 1998, and is a charitable organization that encourages young drivers from 39 area schools to buckle their seatbelts and drive safely. The program concludes at the end of each school year with a Grand Prize Giveaway. Nancy got involved when students at Palatine High School had the opportunity to sign a pledge to safe driving habits, including no texting when driving, wearing a seatbelt, and avoiding distractions while on the road. After students pledged, Nancy’s mother received a phone call from the PHS group Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) informing her that Nancy’s pledge was one of two randomly selected from Palatine High School to attend the Operation Click banquet.

Several area schools sent students to the Operation Click Banquet. Those students all had the opportunity to win a car if they selected the correct key. At the banquet, students learned about safety tips while behind the wheel, as well as heard from sponsors who support safe driving. Nancy and her mother went to the dealership to pick up her car the same night.

“My mom was so excited,” Nancy said. “My car needs new brakes and her car isn’t working that well. She’s a single mom so it gets hard to pay for some of those small things. She will have surgery next week and we needed a reliable car to help get us there. Now we can can take a deep breath and know everything is going to be OK.”

To read more about Operation Click, please visit the website here.

FREMD STUDENTS WATCH AIRBRUSH PAINTING DEMO, LEARN ABOUT POSSIBLE CAREER PATHS

Tom Banks, an artist from Ohio Technical College/PSI, demonstrate airbrush painting techniques on the hood of a car at Fremd High School.

While several students begin imagining what they would like to do for a career after high school, custom airbrush painting might not always come to mind.

Students at Fremd High School watched Tom Banks, an artist from Ohio Technical College/PSI, demonstrate airbrush painting techniques on the hood of a car on April 13. The goal of his visit was to introduce students to a career that is not only profitable, but also accessible with a little bit of practice.

“There is so much misinformation out there about what it takes to do this work,” Banks said. “Everyone thinks you need to be an artist or you need to have an automotive background. I was no different in thinking that. I always thought this was talent as opposed to skill. That’s just not true.”

Students came in and out of the room to watch various parts of the demonstration each class period.

Banks painted the car hood for roughly 3.5 hours, with students coming in and out of the room to watch various parts of the demonstration each class period. He emphasized that students do not need to have incredible artistic skills to master airbrush painting. He showed students that many objects in his designs are created from stencils, also demonstrated how to create different effects using colors, highlights, and depth.

“At the end of the day when students are able to see this process from start to finish, and the demo allows them to watch it come alive before their eyes,” he said. “They understand every single step involved. A lot of people have an interest in custom cars, rods, and custom paint, the misunderstanding keeps people from getting into this, and I like taking down those walls.”

The finished design will be on display at Fremd High School.

The finished car hood will be on display at Fremd High School. FREMD HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNUS HONORED FOR BOARD OF EDUCATION MILITARY RECOGNITION

Captain Tae Kim (Photo courtesy Tae Kim)

District 211 recently started a new tradition to honor alumni for the service they have given to their country.

Captain Tae Kim, a 2001 graduate of Fremd High School, was honored and thanked for his service by the Board of Education at its April 9 meeting. Kim is the sixth alumnus to be recognized for his service, and started the meeting by leading the Pledge of Allegiance.

Kim joined the Army following high school graduation and was a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 2001 to 2005. He served as an Army Aviation Officer (UH-60 & MQ 1C Pilot) in Alabama, Republic of Korea, Arizona, and Afghanistan (OEF) from 2005 -2013. From 2013 to present, he resigned from active duty and serves in the Illinois Army National Guard as an Army Aviation Officer.

He received honors including the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medals, Korea Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medals, Korea Army Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the 2011 Unmanned Aircraft Systems Unit of the Year Award as Company Commander.

While his career in the military has several highlights, Kim said being a company commander for a new unit was something that defines his career. In 2009, he was instrumental in building a company from the ground up, including recruiting his team, establishing regulations, purchasing aircrafts, and working with civilians. Though it was a challenge, he said creating something from the ground up was something that many never get to experience in the military. He remains friends with many that were on his team today.

Captain Tae Kim, a 2001 graduate of Fremd High School, was honored and thanked for his service by the Board of Education at its April 9 meeting.

In high school, Kim was on the swim team, the water polo team, and played . He credits the commitment and time management skills he learned during his time at FHS for making his transition to West Point easier.

“Those four years were some of the most challenging times that I have had,” he said. “When faced with challenges at West Point or in the military, they seemed not as daunting. When I was on the swim team and going through it, I didn’t think of how hard it was, but looking back I realized what a time commitment that was as a high school kid.”

Kim has talked to many high school students that consider joining the military after high school. He said he shares his experiences and advises them that the military is not for everyone.

“I tell students what my experience was like, and more importantly I tell them about the things that I learned and gained from my experiences,” he said. “I am hard pressed to find another occupation or career path that you have so much responsibility and challenges early in your career. There is no downside to that. You may go to a combat zone, but you are well trained and prepared. It is such a great learning experience, that I find it hard and difficult to pass up.”

The Board of Education will continue Military Recognitions for District 211 graduates who are serving in the military. To recommend a District 211 graduate currently serving in the military for a recognition, please email the D211 Post editor with the graduate’s information, including which District 211 school they attended. SCHAUMBURG HIGH SCHOOL DEBATE TEAM WINS IHSA STATE DEBATE CHAMPIONSHIP

Melissa Tran, who took first in Debate for the Team trophy, and Nathanial Leonhardt, who took 2nd in Lincoln- Douglas (Debate), pose with the team’s trophies after earning first place in state.

Schaumburg High School Debate Team students are celebrating a successful season and earning the title of state champions.

The 2015 IHSA Debate State Congressional Championship team competed against over 200 competitors from more than 25 schools at the beginning of the tournament. After an elimination break, the competition was narrowed to 63 competitors. Only 16 students advanced to the final round and Schaumburg students were five of those finalists. The team will be recognized for its accomplishments by the Board of Education at its April 9 meeting.

The team consists of seniors Melissa Tran, Kimberly Jimenez, Kruti Merchant, Shraddha Patel, Rebecca Lii, Valeria Gololobova, juniors Srini Cherukuri, Karolina Skarzynska, and sophomores Kshitij Vashi, and Sarah Liu.

This is the third time in four years that SHS has won the IHSA State Debate Championship. The team placed 2nd the year they did not earn the state title. Darrell Robin, head debate coach and English teacher at SHS, said a common strength throughout the years has been four-year debaters on the team. Representing the team in the final round of the congressional debate was Debate Team Captain Melissa Tran. She argued whether or not there should be a resolution that allows the country to negotiate ransom amounts on kidnapped citizens.

“I always knew Melissa could do it; she finally believed it also,” Robin said. “These seniors are humble introverts who used Debate as a mechanism to help find their voice. It was for this reason that Melissa and many of her teammates joined the team four years ago.”

In Debate society, there are three divisions in which Schaumburg competes: Congressional, Lincoln-Douglas, and Public Forum. Schaumburg won 2nd Place in Lincoln-Douglas Debate (Philosophical Debate) this year with seniors Nathaniel Leonhardt, Ameel Sheth, Sarah Bier, and sophomore Hannah Hyman. The team also reached the semifinal berth in Public Forum Debate with the help of juniors Craig Soares, Cole Miller, Jessica D’Souza, Raza Haque, senior Zohra Tabassum, and sophomore Adrian Chendra. Raza Haque, who helped the team win State last year, was also named the Captain of the All-State Debate Team for Public Forum.

The record that was set this year is that Schaumburg High School is the only high school in Illinois that has ever won the IHSA Debate State Championship in the three divisions of Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Public Forum Debate, and Congressional Debate.

The debate team coaches also include Carl Schwartz, associate debate coach and Schaumburg High School special education teacher, former students Brook Leonhardt (’13), Elisa Galvan (’11), Safia Kazi (’10) and Sam Haque (’09). Mike Sellergren, a former Barrington High School student who was coached by Robin, Mike Knitter, freshmen supervisor, and Nancy Israel, Dundee-Crown English teacher, also coach twice a week.

DISTRICT 211’S TRANSITION SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO HOST 9TH ANNUAL ‘THE FUTURE BEGINS TODAY’ EVENT

Township High School District 211’s Transition Services Department is hosting the ninth annual informational event “The Future Begins Today.”

“The Future Begins Today” is an informational evening for parents and guardians of individuals with a wide-range of Developmental Disabilities. Information is being provided from over 50 adult service providers and community resource agencies.

The event will take place on April 28 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., at Palatine High School, 1111 N. Rohlwing Rd. Registration begins at 5:45 p.m. For more information, please contact Patrick Abraham at (847) 755-1848/[email protected] or Diane Pfister at (847) 755-1851/[email protected].

HARPER COLLEGE PROMISE SCHOLARSHIP EASES FINANCIAL BURDEN OF COLLEGE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Harper College recently announced a scholarship initiative that would help ease the financial burden of college for area high school students, plus many more financing options from websites like SoFi.

Under the Harper College Promise Scholarship Program, every student in the district can earn up to two years of tuition if they’re willing to do the things in high school that will make them successful in college and in the workplace – maintain solid grades, have good attendance, do not repeat classes, and provide service to their community.

“The Harper Promise Program provides students with a valuable opportunity to pursue post-secondary education without apprehension about tuition costs,” said Mark Kovack, associate superintendent for Student Services at District 211. “The Program’s strength draws from the way students earn their eligibility for inclusion. They must demonstrate the kinds of behaviors that employers seek, a strong attendance rate, on- time attendance, giving back to the community, and dedication to hard work. Building their capacity in each of these areas as a young person will provide lifelong benefits for the student and the community at-large.”

The program starts in the second semester of a student’s freshman year in high school. In addition to District 211, students in school districts 220 and 214 are also eligible. Students in District 211 must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the scholarship:

ATTENDANCE Students may only miss the following number of days:

Second semester of freshman year: 5 Sophomore year: 9 Junior year: 8 Senior year: 7 Note: Student tardiness is measured in the first period that the student needs to be in attendance. Three instances of tardiness are equivalent to one day of absence.

RIGOR/QUALITY Graduate from high school college-ready.

District 211 annual minimum grade point average (4.0 scale unweighted):

Second semester, freshman year 2.0 Sophomore year 2.25 Junior year 2.25* Senior year 2.3*

*No grades of D or F

PERSISTENCE Meet minimum credit standards at the end of each year. That is, a student must be promoted with their class each year and graduate on time with their class.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Number of hours per year:

Second semester of freshman year: 5 Sophomore year: 10 Junior year: 15 Senior year: 20

If a high school student meets the criteria, they will earn the first semester of Harper tuition free. They can continue to attend Harper tuition free if they met the following criteria.

RIGOR/QUALITY Minimum grade point average:

1st semester 2.2 2nd semester 2.3 3rd semester 2.5 4th semester 2.6

No grades of D or F

PERSISTENCE

A student must attend full-time each semester. (minimum 15 credit hours) A student must attend each consecutive semester (fall/spring) until their certificate or degree is completed –– up to four semesters. Summer session tuition is not included in the program.

COMMUNITY SERVICE Service requirements must be performed through a Harper-related program. Number of hours per semester:

1st semester: 10 2nd semester: 10 3rd semester: 10 4th semester: 10

For more information, please visit the Harper College website here.