Press Release Archives

Lockport Township High School Visual & Performing Arts Teacher Receives Award

For Immediate Release

June 9, 2022

Lockport Township High School teacher Chad Goetz was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award. Goetz has served as a visual & performing arts teacher and choral director for nearly 17 years.

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching. It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Mrs. Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.

LTHS Senior Tammer Ali said of Goetz, “Mr. Goets has made such a huge impact on my life. Mr. Goetz stays hours and hours to make sure students get the help they need, staying hours past his time just for his students”

LTHS Sophomore, Abigail Sanford affirmed that sentiment, “He is a person who creates some of the most fantastic curricular choir performances in Illinois. He takes abilities in students who just take choir to use as a mental health support all the way up to those who want to create careers in this field. He understands how to respond to each student’s needs. He keeps it fun and interesting, but also teaches so many techniques that most other choirs would not touch upon until they’re in college, or in the professional world.”

Goetz said on receiving the award, “I could not have been more honored or humbled to receive not just a prestigious award but to be selected from such a dedicated and gifted pool of educators at LTHS. I have worked incredibly hard over my career to create a space where every student could grow and succeed and also to feel comfortable to fail and try new things; and all of this in an environment where they feel accepted and feel like they belong regardless of their level of talent, experience, or any of the other multitude of varied characteristics that they might poses. To hear the incredibly kind words of my students confirming that, at least for them, my efforts have proven successful was overwhelming and brought me to tears. Just getting to hear their stories of how the LTHS Choir Program had impacted their lives was all the recognition I could ever ask for.”

The award was presented on May 26th, during the LTHS all-employee meeting at the close of the school year. The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and cash prize, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students. The award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to enriching the lives of all students, staff, and community members through extraordinary learning experiences and opportunities anchored in equity and inclusion.

LOCKPORT ROTARY & LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZES TOP TEN PERCENT OF THE CLASS OF 2022

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2022

Lockport, Ill.−On April 27, 2022, The Lockport Rotary Club hosted the 67th Annual Top Ten Percent Dinner. The event was held at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen to congratulate the 114 students who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class.

The following students were recognized for achieving the status of Lockport Township High School Class of 2022 Top Ten Percent:

Vanessa Aguirre, Jacob Ahrens, William Belczak, Julia Berglund, Jorie Bielik, Allison Bobek, Hayley Bogdan, Iris Cazares, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Paul Contreras, Nicholas Costello, Katherine Cunningham, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, Phoebe Diamond, Anelise DiGiovanni, Anna Domina, Ryan Durbin, Konrad Dziewulski, Emma Ericson, Charlotte Fahrner, Dana Fakhreddine, Alex Farkasch, Michael Faybik, Eileen Ferriter, Anthony Ficek, Gabriela Fiedor, Megan Flemming, Jocelyn Flores, Emma Forbes, Emily Formella, Nolan Foster, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Ashley Gibbs, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Claire Hamaker, Andrew Handzel, Michael Hasso, Sydney Hemker, Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez, Natalie Homerding, Jaron Houston, Emilia Hughes, Narjis Jafferi, Megan Janik, Tyler Jenczmionka, Milca Jimenez, Emilia Jurzyk, Paige Knight, Hannah Kofira, Gwennyth Kriha, Wiktor Kuzma, Isabel Kwak, Gabriella Lewis, Allison Leyden, Rebecca Leyden, Meadow Limoncello, Margaret Livesey, Andrew LoPresti, Emma Mackin, Caroline Maier, Sophia Marcial, Patrick Marshall, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Monika Mikuckas, Matas Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Patricia Miszczak, Dylan Morgan, Jessica Mueller, Vielka Munoz, Jessica Nosalik, Colin OBoyle, Emily OBoyle, Abigail Obradovic, Mikenna OLeary, Michaella Olegario, Alyssa Olson, Lucas Pajeau, Brinda Parikh, Isabella Rarick, Adrienne Rodriguez, Braeden Roth, John Ryan, Benjamin Ryan, Nathan Rybicki, Trevor Salutric, Madeline Sanford, Madelyn Schuldt, Kara Shields, Sydney Shields, Elizabeth Sochacki, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, Michael Strahanoski, Kaira Stricklin, Catherine Suchocki, Sean Svoboda, Christa Thomas, Sofija Tunkevicius, Lukas Turner, Michael Ungaro, Alexandra Way, Grace Weisner, Trevor Zacek, Jakob Zajkowski

LTHS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS FROM THE CLASS OF 2022

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2022

Lockport, Ill.−On April 25, 2022, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education recognized 120 LTHS students who have been named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2022. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. Standardized test scores and performance-based academic data are key factors in the formula used to determine eligibility.

The Lockport Township High School Board of Education, administrators, and staff congratulate the following students for being named Illinois State Scholars for the Class of 2022:

Jacob Ahrens, William Belczak, Julia Berglund, Jorie Bielik, Allison Bobek, Hayley Bogdan, James Calvert, Iris Cazares, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Lauren Connelly, Paul Contreras, Nicholas Costello, Andrew Crosby, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, James Derrig, Anna Domina, Lucas Dunlap, Ryan Durbin, Ryann Dykstra, Emma Ericson, Charlotte Fahrner, Alex Farkasch, Michael Faybik, Eileen Ferriter, Anthony Ficek, Gabriela Fiedor, Megan Flemming, Emma Forbes, Emily Formella, Nolan Foster, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, Caden Gallagher, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Ashley Gibbs, Norah Gillogly, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Claire Hamaker, Andrew Handzel, Michael Hasso, Natalie Homerding, Narjis Jafferi, Tyler Jenczmionka, Emilia Jurzyk, Brandon Kemp, Paige Knight, Hannah Kofira, Samuel Koziol, Gwennyth Kriha, Isabel Kwak, Gabriella Lewis, Allison Leyden, Meadow Limoncello, Andrew LoPresti, Emma Mackin, Caroline Maier, Sophia Marcial, Patrick Marshall, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Matas Mikuckas, Monika Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Patricia Miszczak, Joshua Mladic, Jessica Mueller, Max Mueller, Vielka Munoz, Colin OBoyle, Emily OBoyle, Abigail Obradovic, Mikenna OLeary, Alyssa Olson, Lucas Pajeau, Dennis Papafotopoulos, Brinda Parikh, Lauren Petraski, Kenadee Pitchford, Alexis Poulos, Alyssa Rada, Mireyna Ramos, Amber Ranney, Isabella Rarick, Benjamin Roark, Adrienne Rodriguez, Braeden Roth, Rileigh Rubar, Benjamin Ryan, John Ryan, Nathan Rybicki, Madeline Sanford, Ronald Schiek, Dylan Schmutzler, Madelyn Schuldt, Kara Shields, Sydney Shields, Elizabeth Sochacki, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, John Staszel, Michael Strahanoski, Kaira Stricklin, Catherine Suchocki, Sean Svoboda, Megan Tanquilut, Sydney Thies, Christa Thomas, Sofija Tunkevicius, Michael Ungaro, Charlotte Vollmer, Alexandra Way, Grace Weisner, Trevor Zacek, Jakob Zajkowski

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ADVANCE TO IDEA STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2022

Lockport, Ill. – Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) held its annual regional competition last month where thirty-seven Lockport Township High School (LTHS) Design & Drafting students competed at Joliet Junior College (JJC). Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/Drafting students from six area schools in the JJC region participated this year. This region is the second-largest in the state. LTHS teachers Jeff Brown (IDEA President), Corey Duzan, and Dan Mostyn are extremely proud of the accomplishments and commend the commitment of the students for their many hours spent outside of class time to prepare for the contest.

In the CAD contest, students were assigned a drawing problem to solve and draw within the two-hour time limit. In the team divisions, students were given a design problem in January to solve and present their solutions. Architects, engineers, college instructors, and college students judge the competition.

It is an incredible honor to place in the top three at the JJC regional competition. The students that place in the top two of each category qualify for the State competition later this month to compete against the best of each region.

The following students placed first in their respective competitions:

EmilyAnne Mowery – Introductory CAD, Nicholas Costello – Machine CAD, David Krzysiak – 3D Modeling, AJ Ficek – Architecture 3D, and Chloe Berry, Robert Karbarz & Bilal Useini – Architecture Design Team

The following students placed second in their respective competitions:

Peyton Norton – Introductory CAD, Shane Nolan – Machine CAD, Erik Slivinskas – Assembly Modeling, Bredge Gutierrez – Architecture 3D, and Willow Garrett, Jaxson Gauthier & Matthew Handzel – Engineering Design Team

193 LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On November 17, 2021, Lockport Township High School hosted an induction ceremony for 193 students who qualified for the National Honor Society. Criteria for membership include a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates are also considered based on their demonstration of service, leadership, and character. The following students were inducted:

Seniors

Julia K. Berglund, Charlize Linda Cardona, Gabriel Ignacio Czako, Jocelyn Esmeralda Flores, Caden Thomas Gallagher, Natalie Homerding, Milca Jimenez, Hannah Velina Kofira, Polixeni Nektaria Lavvas, Gabriella Elisabetta Lewis, Eliza Nadine Mattson, Jazmin Bianca Mendoza, Olivia Marie Milker, Dennis Papafotopoulos, Tanya Izabella Sacinski

Juniors

Lamees Abdelrahman, Christopher Dachs Adamski, Madison Paige Adcock, William Anthony Adolf, Qamar Alshabani, Charlie Altman, Anna Virginia Andretich, Nathaniel Arient, Aidan Alexander Bailey, Benjamin Glen Baker, Robert Kenneth Baranowski, Ellie Maegan Berg, Rocco Anthony Biamonte, Mallory LaRae Bianchi, Kamile Bickute, Eliana Jordan Bielecki, Karolina Bobek, Dylan Bozen, Deimante Braciulis, Zoraya Briseno, Kyle Brown, Abigail Budz, Brady Anthony Burdick, Briana Itzel Calvillo, Trinity Campins, Shaw Carlson, Isabella Chimino, Alex Chrusciel, Madison Cimino, Hunter Jacob Close, Nicholas Kristopher Coniglio, Nathan Michael Cronin, Camryn Grace Cruz, Jessica Cudzich, Madilynn Dahlberg, Bennett Wilson Davidson, Victoria Vy Dinh, Isabella Maria Diorio, Claudia Monica Dobrzanski, Lauren Donnelly, Alyssa Dulny, Sophia Matilda Eallonardo, Sara Elhrisse, Alaina Nicole Evans, Genevieve Grace Ewers, Jad Fakhreddine, Carter Dean Ferricks, Addison Michelle Foster, Jack W. Gallagher, Diego Jesus Garcia, William Peter Garrett, Jacob Gasienica-Bednarz, Jaxson Andrew Gauthier, Paige Elizabeth Gerritsen, Emma Rose Goacher, Riley Green, Brooke Ann Gritzenbach, Alejandro Gutierrez, Megan Lynn Hammer, Matthew Gregory Handzel, Maya Gabrielle Hernandez, Zachariah Tyler Hojnacki, Quinton Hunter, Elisa Lynn Jackowiak, Jack Jamros, Helen Elaine Jilek, Jersie Alyse Joniak, Evan Michael Judge, Grace Lauren Juergens, Matthew Joseph Kajmowicz, Logan Mitchell Kaminski, Cecilia Therese Kane, Troy Karuntzos, Hannah Kelly, Ryan Kelty, Riley Lynn Kempa, John Michael Kielczynski, Emily Kim, Lauren Elizabeth Kinney, Darla Knaack, Emma Claire Kocanda, Karley Arianna Kowalski, Zach Kozor, Mia Krsanac, Peyton Olivia Kryza, Kyle Jacob Kuhn, Clara Michele Kwiatkowski, Adam Labuda, Brenna Labus, Amber Elizabeth LaMorte, Tina May Larson, Sebastian Nicholas Lesnicki, Teagan Soo Lilleberg, Joseph Thomas Manzo, David Markusic III, Elle Ainsley Marquardt, Marissa C. Marra, Sean Marshall, Grayson Douglas Massey, Maria Mavrin, Abigail McCarthy, Owen Robert McGraw, Megan Elizabeth Mecher, Josephine Mensik, Delaney Rose Mickiewicz, Karolina Mikulec, Jack Mildice, Jake Austin Moerman, Jack Michael Moran, Anthony Morgan, Audrey Mougammadou, EmilyAnne Elois Mowery, Zachary David Mueller, JT Thomas Nichols, Matthew James Nielsen, Aidan Robert Nolting, Audrey Nonte, Chloe Christina O'Connor, Ryan Anthony O'Connor, Nathan Richard Odeen, Gabia Odinas, Claudia Ogrodny, Heba Omira, Abby Lynn O'Sullivan, Jacqueline Catherine Owens, Alyssa Carolyn Papesh, Angelique Pasciak, Ryan Samuel Pavelka, Kristin Ashley Pawlowski, Carter Peetz, Brady Quinn Pfeiffer, Avery Jean Pierre, Victoria Anna Pikul, Charlie Matthew Pluth, Candace Michele Porfilio, Anthony Kenneth Prosapio, Ellet Pryor, Isabelle Maria Purpura, Fabiola Marie Rosas, Ethan Robert Rudman, Mary Eileen Ruff, Brooke Elyse Sartin, Keagan Riley Schmeckpeper, Maeve Donna Scott, Madison Joyce Seymour, Kaden Patrick Shea, Kayla Shea, Besnik Shuaipaj, Aidan Siewert, Aleksa Simkus, Riley Lynn Simmons, Jasmine Kea Lani Simone, Sophia Marie Simpson, Jake Skiba, Nicholas Carl Skiba, Zach Skiba, Monica Skibicki, Makenna Nicole Skoczylas, Emily Grace Slota, Mackenzie Jacquelyn Stevens, Sydney Morgan Stewart, Jacob Andrew Stoch, Layla Hannah Sweis, Jack Matthew Thies, Alexa Trower, Jessica Elizabeth Vanerka, Javier Villasenor, Elyse Catherine Vroom, Natalie Rose Watzke, Jossalyn Mai Welch, Dominic David Williams, Alexis Raquel Wrona, Isaac Wynsma, Madeleine Grace Yehling, Madison Renee Young, Carter Jacob Zimny, Kiera Leigh Zurek, Jonah Zwit

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EARNS A RARE "PERFECT" SCORE ON ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAM  

For Immediate Release

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − Lockport Township High School commends senior Sophia Marcial for earning a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP®) Spanish Language and Culture Exam in May 2021. Marcial not only received the top score of 5, but was also one of only 77 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam, receiving the maximum score on each portion of the exam.

LTHS applauds Marcial’s tremendous accomplishment, as well as her language teachers, Kathy Pratt and Andrea Quintanar, who supported her progress in college-level coursework. Quintanar, who taught Marcial for Heritage Spanish and AP Spanish Literature, said of her, “I was so impressed with Sophia’s brilliance in expressing herself in academic Spanish in the Spanish for Heritage Learners course, that I recommended that she advance to AP Spanish Language and Culture her sophomore year, a recommendation that I had never made before. Her AP Spanish Language and Culture teacher, Kathy Pratt, was equally impressed, and as a result, she was recommended for AP Spanish Literature. In this course, she not only regularly displayed her unique aptitude to connect the global and historical context to the literary works through revealing analysis, but she is also able to collaborate and communicate with her peers so that they may benefit from her insight. Her linguistic talent is not limited to Spanish and English, as Ms. Marcial has been able to excel in Japanese concurrently as she continues her advanced studies in Spanish."

Tammy Gallagher, LTHS AP Coordinator, added, "Sophia's impressive achievement is a testament to both her tremendous intellect and work ethic. I am also thrilled that her accomplishment shines light on the expert teaching of the LTHS World Language Department."

Lockport Township High School strongly supports the Advanced Placement Program and offers 26 different AP courses. The program enables students not only an opportunity to accrue college credit but the ability to gain in-depth knowledge of subjects across many disciplines throughout their time in high school.

L-R Tammy Gallagher, LTHS Gifted Coordinator, and Lorie Cristofaro, LTHS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES 147 ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS AND GIFTED COORDINATOR

For Immediate Release

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On September 20, 2021, the Lockport Township High School Board of Education recognized 147 students who were named Advanced Placement Scholars for their performance on Advanced Placement exams. To receive this recognition from the College Board, students must receive a score of 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams. Some students exceeded these qualifications to earn even higher designations of Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

According to Tammy Gallagher, the LTHS Gifted Coordinator, “The AP Scholar designations awarded by the College Board are special because they demonstrate a student's commitment to a rigorous curriculum over their entire high school career. The designations are about perseverance. To excel in four, five, or six Advanced Placement courses over four years of high school illustrates that students are not only focused on accruing a little college credit−but also learning deeply about subjects across many disciplines throughout their time at LTHS.”

The Board of Education also acknowledged Gallagher who has been instrumental in the success of the LTHS Advanced Placement Program. Despite challenges caused by the pandemic, nearly 1,000 LTHS students were able to earn college credit thanks to Gallagher’s creativity and her steadfast support of AP teachers and students. Reflecting on this accomplishment, she expressed great pride in these scholars, “my interactions with them always affirm that they value and embrace the challenges offered by both the AP program and the Lockport teachers who make this curriculum accessible and meaningful.”

The following LTHS Advanced Placement Scholars were recognized:

Class of 2021: Margaret Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Brandon Arnold, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Frank Biamonte, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Reilly Bresnahan, Josette Brown, Angela Bylina, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Zachary Dalton, Nicole D’Angelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Dylan Dizonno, Angelina Dominguez, Brian Eide, Rory Flanagan, Nicolas Formella, Caitlyn Gaffney, Zachary Glowczynski, Deni Gonzalez, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Kaia Hsu, Ranik Jelinek, Rodolfo Juarez, Ethan Kaminsky, Eric Kim, Zachary Kouba, Thomas Kozor, Kelley Lakawitch, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Joseph Micheletto, Abigail Miller, Austin Molitor, Patrick Mungcal, Mason Myre, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Emma Oster, Hailey O’Sullivan, Jordan Pagano, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Lucas Price, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, June Schalk, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Damian Smith, Joseph Specht, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Nora Thomas, Diana Walkosz, Jon-Michael Young, Brianna Zukowski

Class of 2022: Jacob Ahrens, Julia Berglund, Allison Bobek, James Calvert, Iris Cazares, Grace Christopher, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Bianca Corral, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, Abigail DiFilippo, Eileen Ferriter, Emily Formella, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, Kennedy Galloy, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Giavonna Gavin, Ashley Gibbs, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Michael Hasso, Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez, Natalie Homerding, Narjis Jafferi, Tyler Jenczmionka, Andrew LoPresti, Sophia Marcial, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Matas Mikuckas, Monika Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Dylan Morgan, Vielka Munoz, Colin O'Boyle, Abigail Obradovic, Alyssa Olson, Brinda Parikh, Noah Peake, Jack Pubentz, Isabella Rarick, Benjamin Roark, Adrienne Rodriguez, Ronald Schiek, Wafeeq Shekoni, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, Sean Svoboda, Christa Thomas, Michael Ungaro, Dylan Vilcek, Alexandra Way, Jakob Zajkowski

Class of 2023: Charles Altman, Alexandria Chrusciel, Bennett Davidson, Matthew Johnson, Matthew Kajmowicz, Troy Karuntzos, Julian Marolda, Sean Marshall, Caden Miller, Jack Moran, Ryan O'Connor, Charles Pluth, Ellet Pryor, Besnik Shuaipaj, Monica Skibicki

(Photo by Janine Wheeler. L-R Tammy Gallagher, LTHS Gifted Coordinator, and Lorie Cristofaro, LTHS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction)

LTHS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DESIGN STUDENTS WIN GOLD AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

JULY 8, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − SkillsUSA held its annual National Leadership and Skills Competition virtually last month. The competition consisted of trade, technical, and leadership contest events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. On June 7, the three members of the Lockport Township High School Engineering Technology Design team presented their invention. The team had to demonstrate its ability to design an innovative engineering project and present its ideas with a display and live model. During the presentation, students were judged on their performance as a professional team, presentation of their invention to a panel of judges from the field of engineering, their storyboard presentation model, and the overall effect of the presentation. 

On June 24, Yasmin Alaya, Emma Oster, and Anthony “AJ” Ficek were awarded the 1st Place Gold Medal in Engineering Technology Design. This is the highest honor a SkillsUSA student can achieve in engineering and is the first time an LTHS student or team has won a National Gold Medal. The students won for their invention, development, and presentation of the “Intruder Stopper,” a device designed to quickly and easily prevent an intruder from being able to enter a classroom or office door.

Alaya and Oster graduated in June and will be pursuing engineering degrees. Ficek, who will be a senior this year, reflected on the experience, “You can’t get frustrated with the failures you have. You have to revise your plan and learn from your mistakes to get to success.” 

Teachers within the LTHS College and Career Applications Department prepare teams for the state and national SkillsUSA competitions each year. Jeff Brown leads the Engineering Technology Design Team and Matt Mullins serves as the SkillsUSA Advisor. The hard work and commitment of all of these teachers not only prepare students to succeed in competitions such as SkillsUSA but also equip them for further success in higher academic pursuits and in the workforce.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD

For Immediate Release

MAY 25, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−Lockport Township High School teacher JoAnn McCarroll was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award.  McCarroll has taught at Lockport Township High School for 28 of her 42 years as an educator. She has served as a Vocational/Work Experience teacher in the Special Education Department, where she has assisted students to transition to employment or other programs beyond high school. She is known for her compassion and encouragement of others. One of McCarroll’s peers remarked, “her patience and understanding of students goes beyond compare. She has a special way of working with each student to bring out their strengths. She encourages and motivates them to be the best they can be.” McCarroll will retire at the end of May and will be dearly missed by LTHS.

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching.  It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Mrs. Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.  The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and cash prize, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students.  

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing college scholarships and resources for educational programs and opportunities beyond the district’s budget.  The Foundation is governed by a board of volunteers and sponsors several fundraising events throughout the year. 

For more information about the LTHS Foundation and upcoming events, visit https://205foundation.lths.org/.

LTHS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS FROM THE CLASS OF 2021

For Immediate Release

MAY 18, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−On May 17, 2021, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education recognized 119 LTHS students who have been named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2021. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. Standardized test scores and performance-based academic data are key factors in the formula used to determine eligibility.

 The Lockport Township High School Board of Education, administrators, and staff congratulate the following students for being named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2021:

Kirsten Adamski, Margaret Albrecht, Michael Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Matthew Arens, Samuel Arient, Brandon Arnold, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Ryan Bennett, Frank Biamonte, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Reilly Bresnahan, Angela Bylina, Celia Carey, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Shara Connelly, Jacob Cousino, Jack Crabbe, Zachary Dalton, Nicole DAngelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Dylan Dizonno, Simon Dlugopolski, Claudia Dlugosz, Angelina Dominguez, Brendan Dunne, Victoria Ehrman, Brian Eide, Mary Ewers, Rory Flanagan, William Follett, Nicolas Formella, Lucas Frank, Sydney Furr, Caitlyn Gaffney, Malgorzata Gasienica-Bednarz, Christopher Gorczowski, Emma Harris, Martha Harvey, Christopher Heintz, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Kaia Hsu, Dalia Huerta, Elli Jacobs, Abigail Janeczek, Abigail Jones, Rodolfo Juarez, Ethan Kaminsky, Ryan Kedzierski, Eric Kim, Isabella Klejka, Elena Knebel, Emma Knight, Zachary Kouba, Thomas Kozor, Kelley Lakawitch, Cadence LaMorte, Gabrielle Lesniak, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Robert Lozano, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Joseph Micheletto, Abigail Miller, Sebastian Molek, Austin Molitor, Patrick Mungcal, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Uchechukwu Onyenemezu, Emma Oster, Hailey OSullivan, Jordan Pagano, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Max Peckman, Lucas Price, Nathan Ramsey, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, Edward Savant, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Jayla Simon, Benjamin Sluzas, April Smith, Damian Smith, Julia Smolinski, Joseph Specht, Eleni Stavropoulos, Paige Svoboda, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Nora Thomas, Hayden Thompson, Michael Thompson, Amber Tramutolo, Ronan Patrick Vales, Evangelos Vassilakis, Diana Walkosz, Alyssa Wengel, Jon-Michael Young, Julia Zajaczkowski, Brianna Zukowski

LTHS STUDENTS WIN AT SKILLSUSA ILLINOIS STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

MAY 17, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−The SkillsUSA Illinois state competition results are in and four Lockport Township High School students will advance to the national competition in June.

In April, fifteen LTHS students qualified for the state-level SkillsUSA Competition, which challenges career and technical education students to compete in a host of occupational and leadership areas. Students participated virtually this year. They first took a qualification exam and then submitted their final products, such as video or technical drawings, online to be judged.

Four LTHS students placed first in their contests and advance to the national competition, which will also be held virtually beginning June 1.

Anthony Ficek, Yasmin Alaya, and Emma Oster competed in the Engineering Technology Design challenge and took first place as a team.

Steven Szpicki competed in the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair challenge and placed first.

Additionally, three students earned second place at the state level.

Chance Tyler and Josh Mehnert competed in 3D Animation and Visualization and earned second as a team.

Nicholas Errico earned second place in Power Equipment Technology.

“This year has been exceedingly difficult for everyone but it has been great to see our students pull through it all and still succeed,” said Matt Mullins, Career & Technical Education teacher and SkillsUSA Advisor at LTHS. “There were some late nights but the students never seemed to be daunted. I couldn't be prouder of all the students who competed this year.”

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS WIN AT STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

MAY 11, 2021

Lockport, Ill. −The Porters had a strong showing in this year’s Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) State Competition. On April 16th and 17th, Lockport Township High School CAD/Drafting students competed virtually among 185 of the best and brightest drafting and design students in the State of Illinois. The results were announced last week.

The following LTHS students placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the IDEA State Competition:

Jake Ruff, Bilal Useini, and Pamela Hernandez-Espiritu were named State Champions for Architecture Design Team.

Michael Strahanoski achieved 2nd Place in Introductory CAD.

Zachary Glowczynski and Scott Szymkowiak both achieved 2nd Place in Machine CAD.

In 3D Modeling, Braeden Goebbert earned 2nd Place and Nicholas Chamiga earned 3rd Place.

Nate Landig and Chance Tyler both earned 3rd Place in Assembly Modeling. Landig is the first freshman LTHS has had place at State.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Snyder and Adrian Janik earned 3rd in Architecture 3D.

Emma Oster, Adrianna Garza and Yasmin Alaya earned 3rd Place in Engineering Design Team.

In the CAD contests, the students were given a drawing problem to solve and draw in a two-hour time limit and submit online.  In the team divisions, the students were presented with a design problem in January to solve and then submit video presentations of their solutions. The groups also submitted their drawings, pictures, and videos of the working prototype online.  The designs were graded by architects, engineers, college professors and students in this field. IDEA awards one state champion, two second places, and three third places for each design contest.

Jeff Brown and Corey Duzan, LTHS instructors for IDEA, are very proud of their students’ accomplishments. “The students worked and learned over and above their coursework,” Brown remarked. “They put in extra time to prepare for the regional and state contests. They overcame several challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions. They found ways to put in the time after school while in-person, or at home while learning remotely, and performed their best at the contests. They truly earned their places!”

LTHS STUDENTS AND POLICE COME TOGETHER

For Immediate Release

MAY 10, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On May 7, 2021, Lockport Township High School hosted its final Student - Police Forum for the school year. The journey to this engagement began last summer with a handful of students. With the backdrop of national racial discord, a group of Lockport high school students came together to form the Student Equity Action Committee (SEAC). The students recognized the importance of communicating with the police to gain insights into police perspectives and to build positive relationships between the school and law enforcement communities. 

The Student - Police Forum was an initiative that began with conversations between Lockport Police Chief Terry Lemming and LTHS Superintendent Robert McBride. In Dr. McBride’s view,  “Teens and police rarely have an opportunity to get to know each other in thoughtful situations. The purpose is to build mutual understanding.”  The SEAC and the Lockport Community Outreach Officers Jeren Szmergalski and Kevin Brauch first met virtually in November. The officers spent time discussing what their job entails and students gained a better understanding of the demands on police, the challenges, and the culture of the police.  In subsequent forums, which included school resource officers, they delved into news headlines and events involving police, the importance of equity training, social media, mental health, use of force, and safety issues.

The fourth and final forum included Crest Hill Mayor Ray Soliman, Crest Hill Police Officer Heidi Outlaw, Chief Lemming, Officer Brauch, and approximately thirteen SEAC members, as well as LTHS staff members and administrators.

Both students and police officers have developed a genuine respect for one another and appreciate the productive dialogue they’ve begun. They plan to continue engagement next school year, including inviting police officers to school events. “There’s definitely a significant amount of work that still needs to be done,” remarked LTHS senior Alisha Thomas, “but as students, we’re hoping that these local forums will serve as a way to model the sense of empathy between law enforcement, community members, and youth that we hope to see on a national level one day.”

Photo: (left to right) Mayor Ray Soliman, Anise Puckett, Chief Terry Lemming, Trinity Newell, Chelsea Osei, Zack Dalton, Kelechi Onyenemezu, Alisha Thomas, Brian Eide, Ms. Andrea Cobbet (SEAC Co-Sponsor), Officer Kevin Brauch, William Greaney, Sophia Marcial, Mr. Robert Beach (SEAC Co-Sponsor). (Kneeling) Officer Heidi Outlaw, Uche Onyenemezu

LOCKPORT ROTARY CLUB HONORS LTHS TOP TEN PERCENT

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On April 29, 2021, the Lockport Rotary Club and Lockport Township High School celebrated the 66th Annual Top Ten Percent Ceremony at East Campus. The event honored 134 members of the Lockport Township High School Class of 2021 who were among the top ten percent of their graduating class based on weighted and unweighted rankings. The event was established in 1955, by a group of Lockport merchants who organized to recognize high school seniors who excelled academically. This year, Rotary President Ron Cornolo had that honor, joined by LTHS Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride, Principals Dr. Kerri Green and Dr. John Greenan, and senior class representative Nuvia Hernandez.

The following students were recognized for achieving the Lockport Township High School Class of 2021 Top Ten Percent:

Kirsten Adamski, Vianca Aguirre, Margaret Albrecht, Michael Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Matthew Arens, Samuel Arient, Brandon Arnold, Jade Bailey, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Jaida Bender, Ryan Bennett, Frank Biamonte, Natalie Billquist, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Michael Brozovich, Angela Bylina, Celia Carey, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Shara Connelly, Grace Contos, Jack Crabbe, Aleksa Culafic, Julianna Cullotta, Elizabeth Czupta, Zachary Dalton, Nicole D’Angelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Matas Deksnys, Brennan Denler, Simon Dlugopolski, Claudia Dlugosz, Angelina Dominguez, Olivia Dominici, Victoria Ehrman, Brian Eide, Mary Ewers, William Follett, Julia Fouts, Sydney Furr, Caitlyn Gaffney, Malgorzata Gasienica-Bednarz, Diego Gonzalez-Solsona, Emma Harris, Kyle Hartman, Alexander Hernandez, Katherine Hernandez, Nuvia Hernandez, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Abigail Janeczek, Ranik Jelinek, Abigail Jones, Emily Jungheim, Zoe Kladis, Isabella Klejka, Elena Knebel, Emma Knight, Zachary Kouba, Gabrielle Lesniak, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Eve Maali, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Kathy Martinez, Miracle McClendon, Abigail Miller, Austin Molitor, Astrid Montenegro, Alexis Mucha, Patrick Mungcal, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Uchechukwu Onyenemezu, Emma Oster, Hailey O’Sullivan, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Izabela Pawlica, Madelyn Pawyza, Elyssa Pickett-Klimek, Izabella Pikul, Justina Piwoni, Angelica Porfilio, Landen Pote, Lucas Price, Chloe Ragusa, Nathan Ramsey, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, Mia Jessica Santos, Edward Savant, June Schalk, Jessica Segzda, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Helene Simmons, April Smith, Julia Smolinski, Elizabeth Snyder, Joseph Specht, Eleni Stavropoulos, Paige Svoboda, Korryn Swedko, Samuel Swedo, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Gabrielle Thomas, Nora Thomas, Emily Thompson, Hayden Thompson, Michael Thompson, Ronan Patrick Vales, Evangelos Vassilakis, Diana Walkosz, Alyssa Wengel, Laila Williams, Julia Zajaczkowski, Sanabelle Zidan, Brianna Zukowski

A recording of this event is available at http://bit.ly/LTHS2021Top10.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC

For Immediate Release

MARCH 19, 2021

Last weekend the Will County Health Department and the Lockport Township Fire Protection District completed second-round vaccinations for 1,600 eligible individuals, primarily senior citizens, at the East Campus of Lockport Township High School.  

The high school, with its large space and accessibility, was ideally suited for this undertaking. For those involved in the process, coming together to care for residents in the community has been profoundly gratifying.  LTHS Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride remarked, "The challenges in the vaccination process have been getting information and appointments. We're fortunate we could partner with Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, the Will County Health Department, and the Lockport Township Fire Protection District to offer our facility to those seniors who have invested in our school for so many years."

On March 20th and 21st, the Fire District, LTHS staff, and student volunteers will be back again. This time, following the success of the initial clinics, 3,200 doses will be administered.  

The clinic is by appointment only. Registration for the vaccination is through the Will County COVID-19 Vaccination Sign-up.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL UNVEILS REOPENING PLAN

For Immediate Release

JULY 21, 2020

On July 20, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education unanimously voted to reopen the high school on August 17, 2020, using a combination of in-person and remote learning. 

The district’s hybrid model aligns with the Illinois State Board of Education guidelines with an emphasis on a return to in-person learning.  With almost 3,000 students at East Campus and 1,000 students at Central, the plan’s remote learning days will reduce the number of students on campus to meet the safety parameters of state guidelines.

Under the proposed framework, students at both campuses will be divided into two cohorts alphabetically, keeping students from the same households on the same daily schedule.  Students will receive two days weekly of in-person learning and three days of remote learning.

Remote learning will differ significantly from the format in the spring during the COVID-19 school closure.  The administration collected feedback from teachers, students, and parents to identify issues and address concerns.  Instruction in the fall will support in-person learning, with strengthened accountability and participation expectations.  Incorporating a robust remote learning component also allows the district to more effectively pivot to a full remote schedule in the event COVID-19 conditions once again warrant school closures.

In constructing its reopening plan, the administration held several virtual town hall meetings with parents and staff. The board approved the plan, recognizing that conditions may change over the next month and flexibility is essential.  In speaking about the challenges the district faces, LTHS Superintendent Robert McBride stated, “It is apparent that COVID-19 is here and will be among us for quite some time. Schools, like other organizations, will have to be leaders in terms of how to live, learn, and grow despite the challenges this disease presents. Our goal is to put a high priority on safety so that we can put an equally high priority on learning.”

In anticipation of the need for more staff, the district is seeking to hire additional substitute teachers and support employees.

Lockport Township High School District 205 has published its plan on its website, https://www.lths.org/.  Families are encouraged to visit the website frequently for the most up-to-date information.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND WINS AT STATE

For Immediate Release

OCTOBER 22, 2019

The Lockport Township High School Marching Band placed first in Class 6A at the 2019 Illinois State Marching Band Championship on October 19th, at Illinois State University in Normal.  Additionally, the marching band placed second in the Finals and won caption awards for General Effect and Crowd Appeal.  This is the ensemble’s third state class championship, having won previously in 2013 and 2015. 

Throughout the past months, the students could be seen on campus putting in long hours of practice— 2 ½ hours for three days a week and eight hours almost every Saturday.  For senior Tori Cluff, “being head drum major has been an extremely rewarding experience throughout the season. Hearing Lockport called for 6A State Champs was unreal and we all knew at that moment that our hard work finally paid off.”   

The LTHS competitive marching band, made up of 175 members, is led by Mr. Brian Covey with the assistance of Associate Director of Bands Aaron Kennedy. The show this year is entitled "Tribe" and includes music from Nick Phoenix and Thomas Bergersen.  It is meant to be a more aggressive and rhythmic show, in direct contrast to the lyrical productions of recent years. 

The ensemble’s final competition of the season will be the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Competition on October 25th and 26th.  

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN PERFECT SCORE

For Immediate Release

AUGUST 19,2019

There are three Lockport Township High School seniors who are starting the school year with an extra boost of confidence. Alette Eide, Grace Galfano and Patrick Kozak all achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.

Alette and Grace both took the college admission exam in June. Grace credits her success to the honors and Advanced Placement courses she’s taken at LTHS since her freshman year. She earned a 36 on her third time taking the ACT. Grace hopes her score will help her with college admissions, though she acknowledges that it is only one aspect of the application process. Her advice to other students preparing for the test is to be relaxed, confident and focus on the task at hand. While the time constraints can be intimidating, it is important to keep moving through the test and to answer every question.

Patrick, who took the exam in February, decided that he would not retake the ACT, regardless of his score. He was very surprised and proud when he learned he had gotten a perfect score on his first and only try. Patrick plans to study aerospace engineering after graduation.

LTHS ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDENTS WIN SILVER AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

JULY 2, 2019

SkillsUSA held its annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, June 24th-28th.  This competition was attended by over 6,500 career and technical education students who competed in 103 trade, technical and leadership fields.  Lockport Township High School had the most teams advance from state to the national championship in the school’s history.  The Porters were not disappointed.  Daniel Arechiga, Jonathan Naughton and Adriana Watson were awarded Second Place in Engineering Technology Design.  The team was required to design an innovative engineering project, create a model and give a comprehensive presentation. They were judged on their performance as a professional team by a panel of judges from the engineering field.  In its sixteen years competing at SkillsUSA, this was only the second year for LTHS to compete in this particular event.  All three silver medalists graduated in June and will be pursuing engineering degrees.

Three other LTHS teams also competed at nationals.  Madaline Aguilar and Maxwell Eallondaro competed in 3D Visualization and Animation.  This timed event required the team to create a real-world 3D creative production, using specific resources and design elements. Alexander Mullin competed in Power Equipment Technology, demonstrating his knowledge and understanding of both two and four cycle engines.  The Teamworks team was comprised of Brett MacHart, Charles Patula, Nicholas Soltys and Lucas Zentmyer. The Teamworks competition required teams to build a construction project using carpentry, electrical, plumbing and masonry skills to demonstrate their ability to work as a team.

The LTHS College and Career Applications teachers, Susan Palis, Jeff Brown, Chris Davis and Mark de la Vega, dedicated many hours after school to prepare their teams for the state and national SkillsUSA competitions.  Their hard work has not only prepared theses students to succeed in competitions such as SkillsUSA, but equipped them for further success in higher academic pursuits and in the workforce.  

SkillsUSA

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD

For Immediate Release

JUNE 5, 2019

Lockport Township High School teacher Jeff Brown was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award.  Brown, who has taught for 23 years, instructs CAD, Architecture, Engineering Design and 3D Design-Animation in the College and Career Applications Department.  

In addition to teaching, Brown is a member of the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) and sponsors the SkillsUSA and Robotics clubs.  Brown was nominated for his patience, dedication and professionalism.  He devotes countless hours outside the classroom and is known for challenging his students by setting high standards.  

Brown’s impact on his students is evident by the great success they have seen this year.  Seven drafting and design students received first place at the IDEA State Competition.  Ten students were named state champions at the SkillsUSA Annual State Leadership and Skills Conference and will compete at Nationals at the end of June. 

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching.  It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Mrs. Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.  The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and a prize of $5,000, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students.  

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing college scholarships and resources for educational programs and opportunities beyond the district’s budget.  The Foundation is governed by a board of volunteers and sponsors several fundraising events throughout the year.  For more information about upcoming events or the organization, contact the Foundation at Foundation@lths.org or call 815-588-8121.

Jackson Teacher Award

LTHS STEM EXPLORATION STUDENTS GIVE BACK WITH WILDLIFE HABITAT PROJECT

For Immediate Release

MAY 9, 2019

There’s been a lot of hard work going on at Central Campus over the past six weeks.  Lockport Township High School STEM Exploration students have partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Cog Hill Golf Course to create bluebird houses and bat boxes to use on their properties.  In February, three state parks and Cog Hill agreed to supply materials for students to use for this endeavor. The students agreed to not only build the specified wildlife habitat projects but to donate them back to these areas for the public to enjoy.  The three state parks included Walnut Point State Park (Oakland, IL), Lincoln Trail State Park (Marshall, IL), and Kankakee River State Park (Bourbonnais, IL).  A total of 90 bluebird houses and 60 bat boxes were manufactured.  

The freshmen logged hundreds of man-hours toward the effort.  They learned important design, woodworking, and manufacturing skills while giving back to the community.  Student John Ward said of the task, “I found the birdhouse project to be a very challenging, but fun project.  It feels good to build birdhouses and bat boxes to help out parks and other places.  I made some mistakes, but I worked through them.”  Isaiah Rogers agreed, commenting that he learned how to work efficiently and find different, faster ways to build.  All that the students accomplished and learned through their labor has been a tremendous source of pride for the Porters. They are also honored to have had the opportunity to produce a lasting benefit to the community.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 205 BOARD OF EDUCATION REORGANIZATION

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2019

The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education held its reorganization meeting on April 29, 2019.  Four recently elected board members were sworn into office. They are Richard Ives, Michael Lewandowski, Michael Travis and Veronica Tylka-Shaw.

The Board also determined its officers, with Ann Lopez-Caneva named as President, Lisa Bickus as Vice President, and Tylka-Shaw as Secretary.

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS EARN GOLD

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2019

On April 27, 2019, the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA), in conjunction with the Department of Technology at Illinois State University, held its annual state drafting and design competition for secondary students from the State of Illinois.  Eight Lockport Township High school students qualified and competed in the state drafting contest this year.

The IDEA drafting contest is one of the largest competitions held in the United States, which features some of the best and brightest drafting and design students in Illinois.  All competitions were judged by engineers, architects and college professors in the drafting and design field. This year, over 200 students competed in ten different categories.  

At the competition, the students in individual events were given a drawing problem to solve and draw within a 2-hour time limit.  

 For the Architecture Design competition, the student team was presented with a residential redesign project in January. They presented their work on the project with a model, drawings, and renderings at the competition.

For the Engineering Design competition, the student team was presented with an invention/innovation project in January.  At the competition, they presented their research, prototype, drawings, renderings, engineering notebook/portfolio, marketing and packaging.

ROTARY HONORS LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TOP TEN PERCENT

For Immediate Release

APRIL 11, 2019

On April 10th, the Lockport Rotary Club hosted members of the Lockport Township High School Class of 2019 and their families for the 64th Annual Top Ten Percent Dinner at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen.  The dinner was in honor of 117 students who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class. Rotary member Rick Thiernau was the guest speaker for the evening.  Thiernau shared his encouraging philosophy with the audience—“Find your passion. Make a difference.” He went on to say, “Your life will never be the same.  It will be so much richer, so much greater.”

The following students were recognized for achieving the Lockport Township High School Class of 2019 Top Ten Percent:

Ameera Abu-Khalil, Lena AbuSafieh, Summer Ali, Daniel Arechiga, Gabrielle Bach, Katelyn Bacys, Andrew Bean, Anthony Bertucci, Daniel Blaszkiewicz, David Blickhahn, Klaudia Bogacz, Hannah Bogdan, Margaret Bollinger, Marissa Bollnow, Kayla Bonfiglio, Jack Bradley, Francesca Brunetti, Nicholas Calderaro, Jazmin Cazares, Kevin Chen, William Cichowski, Grace Cochonour, Christina Conne, Abigail Connelly, Julissa Connelly, Taylor Costello, Joseph Cryer, Ruth Delgado, Caleb Derrig, Therese Diamond, James DiCaro, Desolina Dominguez, Ethan Drong, Eric Engberg, Sophia Errico, Eleanor Fahrner, Kaylee Follett, Julia Foster, Tyler Fouts, Alexa Fricilone, Elise Fricilone, Maggie Goetz, Matthew Goldbach, Jacob Grau, Aaron Grcevic, Madison Grcevic, Payton Grcevic, Abigail Groszek, Simon Harmata, Allison Hildebranski, Brianna Hillock, Cassidy Hillock, Jillian Hook, Matthew Houlihan, Rachael Howard, Mia Jenczmionka, Lauren Johnson, Emily Kalmanek, Ashley Kashark, Vincent Kast, Rebecca Keller, Eric Keta, Alexander Kistinger, Euvangalos Klementzos, Mikolaj Kowalczyk, Alison Krawczyk, Mason Kuhn, Jillian Lesniak, Jakob London, Kiera Mackin, Jacqueline Maka, Leah Mantooth, Beatriz Martinez, Alyson Matushek, Jack Moran, Nolan Murphy, Jacob Nash, Mateusz Obrochta, Jack O’Connor, Emma Odle, Chibueze Onyenemezu, Emily Padilla, Makena Paramo, Meagan Paramo, Aubree Peters, Christopher Pollard, Amanda Pollock, Paige Posmer, Cecily Pryor, Alexis Quemeneur, Samantha Raspopovich, Christian Reczek, Elizabeth Reczek, Declan Ruane, Emily Servin, Amira Shehadeh, Jelena Simon, Renee Solis, Megan Staley, John Stoch, Jaylyn Strayer, Eleanor Tessitore, Tyler Thompson, Karolina Ulinskas, Mia Vasquez, Rachel Ward, Grace Watson, John Weis, Nolan Weis, Michael West, Dana Westberg, Andrew Whetter, Stephanie Wilk, Thomas Wolf, Joshua Wolf, Ahmed Zidan, Diana Zimmerman

Presentation Table         2019 Top 10%

BOOK DRIVE FUELED BY PROMISE OF DONUTS A BIG SUCCESS AT LTHS

For Immediate Release

APRIL 3, 2019

In February, the LTHS Future Educators of America Club launched a book drive, appealing to all the English classes to donate used books.  The reward?  A donut party for the class that gathered the most books.  Apparently, that was all the motivation students needed.  The effort yielded nearly 7,000 books, making it one of the school’s most successful charitable drives in recent memory. 

On March 28th, the club delivered the books to SCARCE, a not-for-profit organization located in Glen Ellyn.  According to Stamatina Asiouras-Hernandez, English teacher and FEA Club Sponsor, SCARCE advocates simple solutions to solve problems and believes in thinking globally, not locally. The organization works with teachers, educational agencies, therapists, and hospitals, with a goal to reduce and reuse.  

Having visited SCARCE, LTHS junior Grace Pearce remarked, “Participating in the book drive made me realize how much a book can impact a person and the earth in general.  In the beginning, I did not expect the drive to raise over 6,000 books, but now I can say my community together impacted someone’s life.”  Senior Samantha Raspopovich also found the experience gratifying, “knowing that the less fortunate will be able to read and get used out of the books donated.”

So who won the donut party?   The class taught by Gail Wiercioch, bringing in a total of 1,003 books.  The real reward, though, came in the words imparted to the students during their visit to SCARCE—it is the understanding that “one little thing makes a big difference.”

FEA Book Drive 1

FEA Book Drive 2

Book Drive Donut Party

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS ADVANCE TO STATE

For Immediate Release

MARCH 3, 2019

On Friday, March 1, 2019, twenty-seven Lockport Township High School drafting and design students participated in the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) Regional Competition held at Joliet Junior College.  They were Bryce Bejlovec, Matthew Namikas and Sally Zhang in Introductory Computer Aided Drafting; Muhammad Zegar, Russell Simmons and Kylie Schultz in Architecture 3D Drafting; Brandon Garcia, George Guzlus and Chance Tyler in Machine Computer Aided Drafting; Brendan Klepitsch, Ben Rupnow, Antonio Ceballos, Edgar Jarusevicius, Kaira Stricklin and Abigail Obradovic in 3D Solids; Matthew Stonis, Adriana Watson, Zachary Glowczynski, Michael Strahanoski and Dennis Papafotopoulos in Assembly Modeling.  The team of Aldo Guerra, Naser Salem and William Centano competed in Architecture Design.  The team of Daniel Arechiga, Jonathan Naughton and Caleb Speechley competed in Engineering Design.

CAD/Drafting students from eight schools in the Three Rivers Education for Employment System (TREES) attended this year’s competition.  In the CAD contests, the students were given a drawing problem to solve and draw in a one and half hour time limit.  In the team divisions, the students were presented with a design problem in January, to solve and present their solutions at the regional event.  The designs were graded by architects, engineers, college students and college instructors. The students who placed in the top two in each CAD category advanced to the state competition and the first finishers in the team/design competitions advanced to state, which will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Illinois State University. 

The following LTHS students placed at regionals and qualified for state:

1st place in Assembly Model Drawing - Matthew Stonis

1st Place in Introduction to CAD - -Bryce Bejlovec

1st Place in Engineering Design Team - Daniel Arechiga, Jon Naughton and Caleb Speechley

1st Place in Architecture Design Team - Aldo Guerra, Naser Salem and William Centano

The following LTHS students placed at regionals, but did not qualify for state:

3rd place in Machine CAD - Brandon Garcia

3rd place in Architecture 3D - Muhammad Zegar

This is the second year in a row that Mathew Stonis won at regionals and qualified for state.

This region is one of the largest in the state with eight high schools and 111 students competing, so it is quite an accomplishment and honor for LTHS to place in the top three at the JJC Regional Competition.  These students, led by teachers Mr. Jeff Brown and Mr. Corey Duzan, put in many hours outside of class time to prepare for this contest. Now they will need to get back to work and prepare for state where they will compete against the best of each region. 

Good luck to the students who will compete at the state competition in April!

Photo:  Standing (L-R) Brandon Garcia, Daniel Arechiga, Caleb Speechley, Jonathan Naughton, William Centano, Naser Salem, Aldo Guerra 

Kneeling (L-R) Bryce Bejlovec, Matthew Stonis, Muhammad Zegar

2019 IDEA Regionals

LTHS GERMAN STUDENTS COMPETE AT UIC AND IN NATIONAL EXAM

For Immediate Release

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

On February 22, 2019, twelve LTHS students participated in the German High School Day Competition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where area schools meet annually to demonstrate students’ skills in the German language and culture. Since November, Lockport students have been qualifying and preparing to compete at UIC in a number of challenging categories.

A video written and carried out by seniors Kayla Lavery and Daniel Blaszkiewicz portraying a visit to a German Gymnasium (college preparatory High School) won a third prize trophy at UIC.

Sophomore Nicolas Woodward advanced to the finals round of the City Guide competition and won a third prize trophy for his stage performance about the German city of Pirmasens, where part of his family is from.

For Program Cover Art, images created by sophomores MacKenna Bochnak and Abigail Grabenhofer promoting the study of German were chosen by their fellow German students to submit as the two LTHS entries competing for selection to grace the cover of the event program brochure.

In Poetry, sophomore Elizabeth Bollinger recited the popular Matthias Claudius poem Abendlied (Evening Song) that was recently featured in a children’s album by Nena of 99 Luftballons fame. It is a type of lullaby from the 18th century that deals with finding peace in the final hours of our days and of our lives. Sophomore Max Peckman performed the prelude to the lengthy, epic work “Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen” (Germany. A Winter’s Tale). This poem was a political statement by Heinrich Heine, exiled in France in the 1830s, about his desire to help bring about a transformation away from the traditional order to the democracies of the future.

In the Global Challenges Essay category, Paris Ward had the only essay submitted by a junior to be accepted this year for competition. Her study discussed German population demographics and its connection to larger trends like international migration and environmental concerns.

Sophomore John Koroyanis and Freshman James Calvert competed in the Spelling Bee event, which follows the same rules we do in the U.S. but adds the complexity of another language, where all nouns are capitalized and vowels change through the use of the “Umlaut.” 

German 3 students Neilas Stragockis, Bryce Bejlovec and Logan Henrie wrote and performed a Skit demonstrating other idiosyncrasies of German. As they point out, since the German word “Gift” means “poison,” it’s best to say “Geschenk” instead when bringing a present through customs in Germany.

Freshman Carly Pearson also took advantage of the opportunity to visit a beginning German class at UIC, where she won prizes in a game of Kahoot, in German.

LTHS participants at UIC enjoyed getting a better view of what doors German study can open to them, and some are already mulling over what they would like to do for next year’s competition  

In January, eight LTHS students competed in the 2018-2019 National German Exam, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German. This on-line exam integrates video, audio and reading excerpts from authentic German sources. It allows students to evaluate their progress in the language and compare results against other students from the Northern Illinois Chapter of AATG, the largest chapter in the nation.

Receiving a Gold Award for Distinguished Achievement on the Level 2 exam this year were Sophomores Max Peckman and Timothy Nielsen for scoring in the 90th percentile among over five hundred students taking the exam. Each will be presented a Gold Medal on April 28th at the AATG Annual Awards Ceremony at the College of DuPage. Gold medal winners are also eligible to apply for a Study Trip Award, typically a scholarship to Concordia College’s full-immersion summer language camp in Minnesota or at the upper levels even a 4-week tour and homestay in Germany.

Winning a Silver Award with scores above the 80th percentile this year were Paris Ward and Antonio Godinez, both Juniors at Level 3.

Earning Bronze medals by performing above the 70th percentile at Level 2 were Sophomores Elizabeth Bollinger and Joshua Zdych.

With a full German program culminating in Advanced Placement German for college credit during the fourth year, the Lockport German program is fortunate to have the National German Exam at each level now to bolster students' efforts to achieve fluency and future success in language and cultural understanding. Freshmen begin preparing now to take the National German Exam in the Spring.

Kayla Lavery and Daniel Blaszkiewicz

UIC German Competition  

Nicolas Woodward

Press Release Archives

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES 2022 SKILLSUSA STATE FINISHERS

For Immediate Release

May 17, 2022

Lockport, Ill.−On May 16, 2022, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education recognized the State finishers of the SkillsUSA Illinois State Leadership and Skills Conference. This year’s competition was held on April 30th at the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois. Thirty LTHS students advanced to the state competition after taking a qualifying test in February. Students competed in their respective competitions and were judged by industry professionals.

Teachers within the LTHS College and Career Applications Department prepare teams for the state and national SkillsUSA competitions each year. Jeff Brown leads the Engineering Technology Design Team and 3D Animation. Mark de la Vega leads Automotive Service Technology and Matt Mullins leads Power Equipment Technology and serves as the SkillsUSA Advisor. The hard work and commitment of all of these teachers not only prepare students to succeed in competitions such as SkillsUSA but also equip them for further success in higher academic pursuits and in the workforce.

The following students placed in the top three of the competitions:

First Place | Power Equipment Technology – Brent Paller

Second Place | Automotive Service Technology – Riley DiVita

Second Place | Teamworks – Jake Haas, Trevor Dooley, David Pehlke, John Kamper

Second Place | 3D Animation – Vanessa Cuellar, Lilah Bergbower

Third Place | Power Equipment Technology – Devin Galeher

On June 20 -24, Brent Paller, Vanessa Cuellar, Lilah Bergbower, Riley DiVita, Trinity Muszynski, Robert Karbarz, and Kyle Brown will participate in the SkillsUSA National Competition in Atlanta, Georgia.

LOCKPORT ROTARY & LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL RECOGNIZES TOP TEN PERCENT OF THE CLASS OF 2022

For Immediate Release

May 9, 2022

Lockport, Ill.−On April 27, 2022, The Lockport Rotary Club hosted the 67th Annual Top Ten Percent Dinner. The event was held at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen to congratulate the 114 students who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class.

The following students were recognized for achieving the status of Lockport Township High School Class of 2022 Top Ten Percent:

Vanessa Aguirre, Jacob Ahrens, William Belczak, Julia Berglund, Jorie Bielik, Allison Bobek, Hayley Bogdan, Iris Cazares, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Paul Contreras, Nicholas Costello, Katherine Cunningham, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, Phoebe Diamond, Anelise DiGiovanni, Anna Domina, Ryan Durbin, Konrad Dziewulski, Emma Ericson, Charlotte Fahrner, Dana Fakhreddine, Alex Farkasch, Michael Faybik, Eileen Ferriter, Anthony Ficek, Gabriela Fiedor, Megan Flemming, Jocelyn Flores, Emma Forbes, Emily Formella, Nolan Foster, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Ashley Gibbs, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Claire Hamaker, Andrew Handzel, Michael Hasso, Sydney Hemker, Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez, Natalie Homerding, Jaron Houston, Emilia Hughes, Narjis Jafferi, Megan Janik, Tyler Jenczmionka, Milca Jimenez, Emilia Jurzyk, Paige Knight, Hannah Kofira, Gwennyth Kriha, Wiktor Kuzma, Isabel Kwak, Gabriella Lewis, Allison Leyden, Rebecca Leyden, Meadow Limoncello, Margaret Livesey, Andrew LoPresti, Emma Mackin, Caroline Maier, Sophia Marcial, Patrick Marshall, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Monika Mikuckas, Matas Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Patricia Miszczak, Dylan Morgan, Jessica Mueller, Vielka Munoz, Jessica Nosalik, Colin OBoyle, Emily OBoyle, Abigail Obradovic, Mikenna OLeary, Michaella Olegario, Alyssa Olson, Lucas Pajeau, Brinda Parikh, Isabella Rarick, Adrienne Rodriguez, Braeden Roth, John Ryan, Benjamin Ryan, Nathan Rybicki, Trevor Salutric, Madeline Sanford, Madelyn Schuldt, Kara Shields, Sydney Shields, Elizabeth Sochacki, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, Michael Strahanoski, Kaira Stricklin, Catherine Suchocki, Sean Svoboda, Christa Thomas, Sofija Tunkevicius, Lukas Turner, Michael Ungaro, Alexandra Way, Grace Weisner, Trevor Zacek, Jakob Zajkowski

LTHS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS FROM THE CLASS OF 2022

For Immediate Release

April 26, 2022

Lockport, Ill.−On April 25, 2022, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education recognized 120 LTHS students who have been named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2022. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. Standardized test scores and performance-based academic data are key factors in the formula used to determine eligibility.

The Lockport Township High School Board of Education, administrators, and staff congratulate the following students for being named Illinois State Scholars for the Class of 2022:

Jacob Ahrens, William Belczak, Julia Berglund, Jorie Bielik, Allison Bobek, Hayley Bogdan, James Calvert, Iris Cazares, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Lauren Connelly, Paul Contreras, Nicholas Costello, Andrew Crosby, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, James Derrig, Anna Domina, Lucas Dunlap, Ryan Durbin, Ryann Dykstra, Emma Ericson, Charlotte Fahrner, Alex Farkasch, Michael Faybik, Eileen Ferriter, Anthony Ficek, Gabriela Fiedor, Megan Flemming, Emma Forbes, Emily Formella, Nolan Foster, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, Caden Gallagher, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Ashley Gibbs, Norah Gillogly, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Claire Hamaker, Andrew Handzel, Michael Hasso, Natalie Homerding, Narjis Jafferi, Tyler Jenczmionka, Emilia Jurzyk, Brandon Kemp, Paige Knight, Hannah Kofira, Samuel Koziol, Gwennyth Kriha, Isabel Kwak, Gabriella Lewis, Allison Leyden, Meadow Limoncello, Andrew LoPresti, Emma Mackin, Caroline Maier, Sophia Marcial, Patrick Marshall, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Matas Mikuckas, Monika Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Patricia Miszczak, Joshua Mladic, Jessica Mueller, Max Mueller, Vielka Munoz, Colin OBoyle, Emily OBoyle, Abigail Obradovic, Mikenna OLeary, Alyssa Olson, Lucas Pajeau, Dennis Papafotopoulos, Brinda Parikh, Lauren Petraski, Kenadee Pitchford, Alexis Poulos, Alyssa Rada, Mireyna Ramos, Amber Ranney, Isabella Rarick, Benjamin Roark, Adrienne Rodriguez, Braeden Roth, Rileigh Rubar, Benjamin Ryan, John Ryan, Nathan Rybicki, Madeline Sanford, Ronald Schiek, Dylan Schmutzler, Madelyn Schuldt, Kara Shields, Sydney Shields, Elizabeth Sochacki, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, John Staszel, Michael Strahanoski, Kaira Stricklin, Catherine Suchocki, Sean Svoboda, Megan Tanquilut, Sydney Thies, Christa Thomas, Sofija Tunkevicius, Michael Ungaro, Charlotte Vollmer, Alexandra Way, Grace Weisner, Trevor Zacek, Jakob Zajkowski

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ADVANCE TO IDEA STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

April 14, 2022

Lockport, Ill. – Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) held its annual regional competition last month where thirty-seven Lockport Township High School (LTHS) Design & Drafting students competed at Joliet Junior College (JJC). Computer-Aided Design (CAD)/Drafting students from six area schools in the JJC region participated this year. This region is the second-largest in the state. LTHS teachers Jeff Brown (IDEA President), Corey Duzan, and Dan Mostyn are extremely proud of the accomplishments and commend the commitment of the students for their many hours spent outside of class time to prepare for the contest.

In the CAD contest, students were assigned a drawing problem to solve and draw within the two-hour time limit. In the team divisions, students were given a design problem in January to solve and present their solutions. Architects, engineers, college instructors, and college students judge the competition.

It is an incredible honor to place in the top three at the JJC regional competition. The students that place in the top two of each category qualify for the State competition later this month to compete against the best of each region.

The following students placed first in their respective competitions:

EmilyAnne Mowery – Introductory CAD, Nicholas Costello – Machine CAD, David Krzysiak – 3D Modeling, AJ Ficek – Architecture 3D, and Chloe Berry, Robert Karbarz & Bilal Useini – Architecture Design Team

The following students placed second in their respective competitions:

Peyton Norton – Introductory CAD, Shane Nolan – Machine CAD, Erik Slivinskas – Assembly Modeling, Bredge Gutierrez – Architecture 3D, and Willow Garrett, Jaxson Gauthier & Matthew Handzel – Engineering Design Team

193 LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS INDUCTED INTO THE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

For Immediate Release

NOVEMBER 18, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On November 17, 2021, Lockport Township High School hosted an induction ceremony for 193 students who qualified for the National Honor Society. Criteria for membership include a minimum cumulative weighted grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale. Candidates are also considered based on their demonstration of service, leadership, and character. The following students were inducted:

Seniors

Julia K. Berglund, Charlize Linda Cardona, Gabriel Ignacio Czako, Jocelyn Esmeralda Flores, Caden Thomas Gallagher, Natalie Homerding, Milca Jimenez, Hannah Velina Kofira, Polixeni Nektaria Lavvas, Gabriella Elisabetta Lewis, Eliza Nadine Mattson, Jazmin Bianca Mendoza, Olivia Marie Milker, Dennis Papafotopoulos, Tanya Izabella Sacinski

Juniors

Lamees Abdelrahman, Christopher Dachs Adamski, Madison Paige Adcock, William Anthony Adolf, Qamar Alshabani, Charlie Altman, Anna Virginia Andretich, Nathaniel Arient, Aidan Alexander Bailey, Benjamin Glen Baker, Robert Kenneth Baranowski, Ellie Maegan Berg, Rocco Anthony Biamonte, Mallory LaRae Bianchi, Kamile Bickute, Eliana Jordan Bielecki, Karolina Bobek, Dylan Bozen, Deimante Braciulis, Zoraya Briseno, Kyle Brown, Abigail Budz, Brady Anthony Burdick, Briana Itzel Calvillo, Trinity Campins, Shaw Carlson, Isabella Chimino, Alex Chrusciel, Madison Cimino, Hunter Jacob Close, Nicholas Kristopher Coniglio, Nathan Michael Cronin, Camryn Grace Cruz, Jessica Cudzich, Madilynn Dahlberg, Bennett Wilson Davidson, Victoria Vy Dinh, Isabella Maria Diorio, Claudia Monica Dobrzanski, Lauren Donnelly, Alyssa Dulny, Sophia Matilda Eallonardo, Sara Elhrisse, Alaina Nicole Evans, Genevieve Grace Ewers, Jad Fakhreddine, Carter Dean Ferricks, Addison Michelle Foster, Jack W. Gallagher, Diego Jesus Garcia, William Peter Garrett, Jacob Gasienica-Bednarz, Jaxson Andrew Gauthier, Paige Elizabeth Gerritsen, Emma Rose Goacher, Riley Green, Brooke Ann Gritzenbach, Alejandro Gutierrez, Megan Lynn Hammer, Matthew Gregory Handzel, Maya Gabrielle Hernandez, Zachariah Tyler Hojnacki, Quinton Hunter, Elisa Lynn Jackowiak, Jack Jamros, Helen Elaine Jilek, Jersie Alyse Joniak, Evan Michael Judge, Grace Lauren Juergens, Matthew Joseph Kajmowicz, Logan Mitchell Kaminski, Cecilia Therese Kane, Troy Karuntzos, Hannah Kelly, Ryan Kelty, Riley Lynn Kempa, John Michael Kielczynski, Emily Kim, Lauren Elizabeth Kinney, Darla Knaack, Emma Claire Kocanda, Karley Arianna Kowalski, Zach Kozor, Mia Krsanac, Peyton Olivia Kryza, Kyle Jacob Kuhn, Clara Michele Kwiatkowski, Adam Labuda, Brenna Labus, Amber Elizabeth LaMorte, Tina May Larson, Sebastian Nicholas Lesnicki, Teagan Soo Lilleberg, Joseph Thomas Manzo, David Markusic III, Elle Ainsley Marquardt, Marissa C. Marra, Sean Marshall, Grayson Douglas Massey, Maria Mavrin, Abigail McCarthy, Owen Robert McGraw, Megan Elizabeth Mecher, Josephine Mensik, Delaney Rose Mickiewicz, Karolina Mikulec, Jack Mildice, Jake Austin Moerman, Jack Michael Moran, Anthony Morgan, Audrey Mougammadou, EmilyAnne Elois Mowery, Zachary David Mueller, JT Thomas Nichols, Matthew James Nielsen, Aidan Robert Nolting, Audrey Nonte, Chloe Christina O'Connor, Ryan Anthony O'Connor, Nathan Richard Odeen, Gabia Odinas, Claudia Ogrodny, Heba Omira, Abby Lynn O'Sullivan, Jacqueline Catherine Owens, Alyssa Carolyn Papesh, Angelique Pasciak, Ryan Samuel Pavelka, Kristin Ashley Pawlowski, Carter Peetz, Brady Quinn Pfeiffer, Avery Jean Pierre, Victoria Anna Pikul, Charlie Matthew Pluth, Candace Michele Porfilio, Anthony Kenneth Prosapio, Ellet Pryor, Isabelle Maria Purpura, Fabiola Marie Rosas, Ethan Robert Rudman, Mary Eileen Ruff, Brooke Elyse Sartin, Keagan Riley Schmeckpeper, Maeve Donna Scott, Madison Joyce Seymour, Kaden Patrick Shea, Kayla Shea, Besnik Shuaipaj, Aidan Siewert, Aleksa Simkus, Riley Lynn Simmons, Jasmine Kea Lani Simone, Sophia Marie Simpson, Jake Skiba, Nicholas Carl Skiba, Zach Skiba, Monica Skibicki, Makenna Nicole Skoczylas, Emily Grace Slota, Mackenzie Jacquelyn Stevens, Sydney Morgan Stewart, Jacob Andrew Stoch, Layla Hannah Sweis, Jack Matthew Thies, Alexa Trower, Jessica Elizabeth Vanerka, Javier Villasenor, Elyse Catherine Vroom, Natalie Rose Watzke, Jossalyn Mai Welch, Dominic David Williams, Alexis Raquel Wrona, Isaac Wynsma, Madeleine Grace Yehling, Madison Renee Young, Carter Jacob Zimny, Kiera Leigh Zurek, Jonah Zwit

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT EARNS A RARE "PERFECT" SCORE ON ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAM  

For Immediate Release

OCTOBER 26, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − Lockport Township High School commends senior Sophia Marcial for earning a perfect score on the Advanced Placement (AP®) Spanish Language and Culture Exam in May 2021. Marcial not only received the top score of 5, but was also one of only 77 students in the world to earn every point possible on the AP Spanish Language and Culture Exam, receiving the maximum score on each portion of the exam.

LTHS applauds Marcial’s tremendous accomplishment, as well as her language teachers, Kathy Pratt and Andrea Quintanar, who supported her progress in college-level coursework. Quintanar, who taught Marcial for Heritage Spanish and AP Spanish Literature, said of her, “I was so impressed with Sophia’s brilliance in expressing herself in academic Spanish in the Spanish for Heritage Learners course, that I recommended that she advance to AP Spanish Language and Culture her sophomore year, a recommendation that I had never made before. Her AP Spanish Language and Culture teacher, Kathy Pratt, was equally impressed, and as a result, she was recommended for AP Spanish Literature. In this course, she not only regularly displayed her unique aptitude to connect the global and historical context to the literary works through revealing analysis, but she is also able to collaborate and communicate with her peers so that they may benefit from her insight. Her linguistic talent is not limited to Spanish and English, as Ms. Marcial has been able to excel in Japanese concurrently as she continues her advanced studies in Spanish."

Tammy Gallagher, LTHS AP Coordinator, added, "Sophia's impressive achievement is a testament to both her tremendous intellect and work ethic. I am also thrilled that her accomplishment shines light on the expert teaching of the LTHS World Language Department."

Lockport Township High School strongly supports the Advanced Placement Program and offers 26 different AP courses. The program enables students not only an opportunity to accrue college credit but the ability to gain in-depth knowledge of subjects across many disciplines throughout their time in high school.

L-R Tammy Gallagher, LTHS Gifted Coordinator, and Lorie Cristofaro, LTHS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOGNIZES 147 ADVANCED PLACEMENT SCHOLARS AND GIFTED COORDINATOR

For Immediate Release

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On September 20, 2021, the Lockport Township High School Board of Education recognized 147 students who were named Advanced Placement Scholars for their performance on Advanced Placement exams. To receive this recognition from the College Board, students must receive a score of 3 or higher on three or more Advanced Placement exams. Some students exceeded these qualifications to earn even higher designations of Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor and Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction.

According to Tammy Gallagher, the LTHS Gifted Coordinator, “The AP Scholar designations awarded by the College Board are special because they demonstrate a student's commitment to a rigorous curriculum over their entire high school career. The designations are about perseverance. To excel in four, five, or six Advanced Placement courses over four years of high school illustrates that students are not only focused on accruing a little college credit−but also learning deeply about subjects across many disciplines throughout their time at LTHS.”

The Board of Education also acknowledged Gallagher who has been instrumental in the success of the LTHS Advanced Placement Program. Despite challenges caused by the pandemic, nearly 1,000 LTHS students were able to earn college credit thanks to Gallagher’s creativity and her steadfast support of AP teachers and students. Reflecting on this accomplishment, she expressed great pride in these scholars, “my interactions with them always affirm that they value and embrace the challenges offered by both the AP program and the Lockport teachers who make this curriculum accessible and meaningful.”

The following LTHS Advanced Placement Scholars were recognized:

Class of 2021: Margaret Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Brandon Arnold, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Frank Biamonte, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Reilly Bresnahan, Josette Brown, Angela Bylina, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Zachary Dalton, Nicole D’Angelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Dylan Dizonno, Angelina Dominguez, Brian Eide, Rory Flanagan, Nicolas Formella, Caitlyn Gaffney, Zachary Glowczynski, Deni Gonzalez, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Kaia Hsu, Ranik Jelinek, Rodolfo Juarez, Ethan Kaminsky, Eric Kim, Zachary Kouba, Thomas Kozor, Kelley Lakawitch, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Joseph Micheletto, Abigail Miller, Austin Molitor, Patrick Mungcal, Mason Myre, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Emma Oster, Hailey O’Sullivan, Jordan Pagano, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Lucas Price, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, June Schalk, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Damian Smith, Joseph Specht, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Nora Thomas, Diana Walkosz, Jon-Michael Young, Brianna Zukowski

Class of 2022: Jacob Ahrens, Julia Berglund, Allison Bobek, James Calvert, Iris Cazares, Grace Christopher, Mikayla Edrianne Cocjin, Logan Collom, Bianca Corral, Gabriel Czako, Reagan Davidson, Cameryn DeBlecourt, Kyra DeNormandie, Abigail DiFilippo, Eileen Ferriter, Emily Formella, Francesca Frieri, Emily Gad, Kennedy Galloy, James Gannon, Dominik Gasienica, Giavonna Gavin, Ashley Gibbs, Braeden Goebbert, Zoe Halatek, Michael Hasso, Teresa Hernandez-Gonzalez, Natalie Homerding, Narjis Jafferi, Tyler Jenczmionka, Andrew LoPresti, Sophia Marcial, Matthew Martinez, Eliza Mattson, Matas Mikuckas, Monika Mikuckas, Olivia Milker, Dylan Morgan, Vielka Munoz, Colin O'Boyle, Abigail Obradovic, Alyssa Olson, Brinda Parikh, Noah Peake, Jack Pubentz, Isabella Rarick, Benjamin Roark, Adrienne Rodriguez, Ronald Schiek, Wafeeq Shekoni, Benjamin Staley, Cassidy Stangel, Sean Svoboda, Christa Thomas, Michael Ungaro, Dylan Vilcek, Alexandra Way, Jakob Zajkowski

Class of 2023: Charles Altman, Alexandria Chrusciel, Bennett Davidson, Matthew Johnson, Matthew Kajmowicz, Troy Karuntzos, Julian Marolda, Sean Marshall, Caden Miller, Jack Moran, Ryan O'Connor, Charles Pluth, Ellet Pryor, Besnik Shuaipaj, Monica Skibicki

(Photo by Janine Wheeler. L-R Tammy Gallagher, LTHS Gifted Coordinator, and Lorie Cristofaro, LTHS Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction)

LTHS ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DESIGN STUDENTS WIN GOLD AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

JULY 8, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − SkillsUSA held its annual National Leadership and Skills Competition virtually last month. The competition consisted of trade, technical, and leadership contest events showcasing the best career and technical education students in the nation. On June 7, the three members of the Lockport Township High School Engineering Technology Design team presented their invention. The team had to demonstrate its ability to design an innovative engineering project and present its ideas with a display and live model. During the presentation, students were judged on their performance as a professional team, presentation of their invention to a panel of judges from the field of engineering, their storyboard presentation model, and the overall effect of the presentation. 

On June 24, Yasmin Alaya, Emma Oster, and Anthony “AJ” Ficek were awarded the 1st Place Gold Medal in Engineering Technology Design. This is the highest honor a SkillsUSA student can achieve in engineering and is the first time an LTHS student or team has won a National Gold Medal. The students won for their invention, development, and presentation of the “Intruder Stopper,” a device designed to quickly and easily prevent an intruder from being able to enter a classroom or office door.

Alaya and Oster graduated in June and will be pursuing engineering degrees. Ficek, who will be a senior this year, reflected on the experience, “You can’t get frustrated with the failures you have. You have to revise your plan and learn from your mistakes to get to success.” 

Teachers within the LTHS College and Career Applications Department prepare teams for the state and national SkillsUSA competitions each year. Jeff Brown leads the Engineering Technology Design Team and Matt Mullins serves as the SkillsUSA Advisor. The hard work and commitment of all of these teachers not only prepare students to succeed in competitions such as SkillsUSA but also equip them for further success in higher academic pursuits and in the workforce.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD

For Immediate Release

MAY 25, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−Lockport Township High School teacher JoAnn McCarroll was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award.  McCarroll has taught at Lockport Township High School for 28 of her 42 years as an educator. She has served as a Vocational/Work Experience teacher in the Special Education Department, where she has assisted students to transition to employment or other programs beyond high school. She is known for her compassion and encouragement of others. One of McCarroll’s peers remarked, “her patience and understanding of students goes beyond compare. She has a special way of working with each student to bring out their strengths. She encourages and motivates them to be the best they can be.” McCarroll will retire at the end of May and will be dearly missed by LTHS.

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching.  It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Mrs. Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.  The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and cash prize, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students.  

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing college scholarships and resources for educational programs and opportunities beyond the district’s budget.  The Foundation is governed by a board of volunteers and sponsors several fundraising events throughout the year. 

For more information about the LTHS Foundation and upcoming events, visit https://205foundation.lths.org/.

LTHS SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNIZES ILLINOIS STATE SCHOLARS FROM THE CLASS OF 2021

For Immediate Release

MAY 18, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−On May 17, 2021, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education recognized 119 LTHS students who have been named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2021. Presented annually by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, this prestigious recognition honors approximately the top ten percent of high school seniors statewide for their academic performance. Standardized test scores and performance-based academic data are key factors in the formula used to determine eligibility.

 The Lockport Township High School Board of Education, administrators, and staff congratulate the following students for being named Illinois State Scholars from the Class of 2021:

Kirsten Adamski, Margaret Albrecht, Michael Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Matthew Arens, Samuel Arient, Brandon Arnold, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Ryan Bennett, Frank Biamonte, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Reilly Bresnahan, Angela Bylina, Celia Carey, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Shara Connelly, Jacob Cousino, Jack Crabbe, Zachary Dalton, Nicole DAngelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Dylan Dizonno, Simon Dlugopolski, Claudia Dlugosz, Angelina Dominguez, Brendan Dunne, Victoria Ehrman, Brian Eide, Mary Ewers, Rory Flanagan, William Follett, Nicolas Formella, Lucas Frank, Sydney Furr, Caitlyn Gaffney, Malgorzata Gasienica-Bednarz, Christopher Gorczowski, Emma Harris, Martha Harvey, Christopher Heintz, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Kaia Hsu, Dalia Huerta, Elli Jacobs, Abigail Janeczek, Abigail Jones, Rodolfo Juarez, Ethan Kaminsky, Ryan Kedzierski, Eric Kim, Isabella Klejka, Elena Knebel, Emma Knight, Zachary Kouba, Thomas Kozor, Kelley Lakawitch, Cadence LaMorte, Gabrielle Lesniak, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Robert Lozano, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Joseph Micheletto, Abigail Miller, Sebastian Molek, Austin Molitor, Patrick Mungcal, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Uchechukwu Onyenemezu, Emma Oster, Hailey OSullivan, Jordan Pagano, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Max Peckman, Lucas Price, Nathan Ramsey, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, Edward Savant, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Jayla Simon, Benjamin Sluzas, April Smith, Damian Smith, Julia Smolinski, Joseph Specht, Eleni Stavropoulos, Paige Svoboda, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Nora Thomas, Hayden Thompson, Michael Thompson, Amber Tramutolo, Ronan Patrick Vales, Evangelos Vassilakis, Diana Walkosz, Alyssa Wengel, Jon-Michael Young, Julia Zajaczkowski, Brianna Zukowski

LTHS STUDENTS WIN AT SKILLSUSA ILLINOIS STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

MAY 17, 2021

Lockport, Ill.−The SkillsUSA Illinois state competition results are in and four Lockport Township High School students will advance to the national competition in June.

In April, fifteen LTHS students qualified for the state-level SkillsUSA Competition, which challenges career and technical education students to compete in a host of occupational and leadership areas. Students participated virtually this year. They first took a qualification exam and then submitted their final products, such as video or technical drawings, online to be judged.

Four LTHS students placed first in their contests and advance to the national competition, which will also be held virtually beginning June 1.

Anthony Ficek, Yasmin Alaya, and Emma Oster competed in the Engineering Technology Design challenge and took first place as a team.

Steven Szpicki competed in the Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair challenge and placed first.

Additionally, three students earned second place at the state level.

Chance Tyler and Josh Mehnert competed in 3D Animation and Visualization and earned second as a team.

Nicholas Errico earned second place in Power Equipment Technology.

“This year has been exceedingly difficult for everyone but it has been great to see our students pull through it all and still succeed,” said Matt Mullins, Career & Technical Education teacher and SkillsUSA Advisor at LTHS. “There were some late nights but the students never seemed to be daunted. I couldn't be prouder of all the students who competed this year.”

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS WIN AT STATE COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

MAY 11, 2021

Lockport, Ill. −The Porters had a strong showing in this year’s Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) State Competition. On April 16th and 17th, Lockport Township High School CAD/Drafting students competed virtually among 185 of the best and brightest drafting and design students in the State of Illinois. The results were announced last week.

The following LTHS students placed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd at the IDEA State Competition:

Jake Ruff, Bilal Useini, and Pamela Hernandez-Espiritu were named State Champions for Architecture Design Team.

Michael Strahanoski achieved 2nd Place in Introductory CAD.

Zachary Glowczynski and Scott Szymkowiak both achieved 2nd Place in Machine CAD.

In 3D Modeling, Braeden Goebbert earned 2nd Place and Nicholas Chamiga earned 3rd Place.

Nate Landig and Chance Tyler both earned 3rd Place in Assembly Modeling. Landig is the first freshman LTHS has had place at State.

Elizabeth “Lisa” Snyder and Adrian Janik earned 3rd in Architecture 3D.

Emma Oster, Adrianna Garza and Yasmin Alaya earned 3rd Place in Engineering Design Team.

In the CAD contests, the students were given a drawing problem to solve and draw in a two-hour time limit and submit online.  In the team divisions, the students were presented with a design problem in January to solve and then submit video presentations of their solutions. The groups also submitted their drawings, pictures, and videos of the working prototype online.  The designs were graded by architects, engineers, college professors and students in this field. IDEA awards one state champion, two second places, and three third places for each design contest.

Jeff Brown and Corey Duzan, LTHS instructors for IDEA, are very proud of their students’ accomplishments. “The students worked and learned over and above their coursework,” Brown remarked. “They put in extra time to prepare for the regional and state contests. They overcame several challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions. They found ways to put in the time after school while in-person, or at home while learning remotely, and performed their best at the contests. They truly earned their places!”

LTHS STUDENTS AND POLICE COME TOGETHER

For Immediate Release

MAY 10, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On May 7, 2021, Lockport Township High School hosted its final Student - Police Forum for the school year. The journey to this engagement began last summer with a handful of students. With the backdrop of national racial discord, a group of Lockport high school students came together to form the Student Equity Action Committee (SEAC). The students recognized the importance of communicating with the police to gain insights into police perspectives and to build positive relationships between the school and law enforcement communities. 

The Student - Police Forum was an initiative that began with conversations between Lockport Police Chief Terry Lemming and LTHS Superintendent Robert McBride. In Dr. McBride’s view,  “Teens and police rarely have an opportunity to get to know each other in thoughtful situations. The purpose is to build mutual understanding.”  The SEAC and the Lockport Community Outreach Officers Jeren Szmergalski and Kevin Brauch first met virtually in November. The officers spent time discussing what their job entails and students gained a better understanding of the demands on police, the challenges, and the culture of the police.  In subsequent forums, which included school resource officers, they delved into news headlines and events involving police, the importance of equity training, social media, mental health, use of force, and safety issues.

The fourth and final forum included Crest Hill Mayor Ray Soliman, Crest Hill Police Officer Heidi Outlaw, Chief Lemming, Officer Brauch, and approximately thirteen SEAC members, as well as LTHS staff members and administrators.

Both students and police officers have developed a genuine respect for one another and appreciate the productive dialogue they’ve begun. They plan to continue engagement next school year, including inviting police officers to school events. “There’s definitely a significant amount of work that still needs to be done,” remarked LTHS senior Alisha Thomas, “but as students, we’re hoping that these local forums will serve as a way to model the sense of empathy between law enforcement, community members, and youth that we hope to see on a national level one day.”

Photo: (left to right) Mayor Ray Soliman, Anise Puckett, Chief Terry Lemming, Trinity Newell, Chelsea Osei, Zack Dalton, Kelechi Onyenemezu, Alisha Thomas, Brian Eide, Ms. Andrea Cobbet (SEAC Co-Sponsor), Officer Kevin Brauch, William Greaney, Sophia Marcial, Mr. Robert Beach (SEAC Co-Sponsor). (Kneeling) Officer Heidi Outlaw, Uche Onyenemezu

LOCKPORT ROTARY CLUB HONORS LTHS TOP TEN PERCENT

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2021

Lockport, Ill. − On April 29, 2021, the Lockport Rotary Club and Lockport Township High School celebrated the 66th Annual Top Ten Percent Ceremony at East Campus. The event honored 134 members of the Lockport Township High School Class of 2021 who were among the top ten percent of their graduating class based on weighted and unweighted rankings. The event was established in 1955, by a group of Lockport merchants who organized to recognize high school seniors who excelled academically. This year, Rotary President Ron Cornolo had that honor, joined by LTHS Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride, Principals Dr. Kerri Green and Dr. John Greenan, and senior class representative Nuvia Hernandez.

The following students were recognized for achieving the Lockport Township High School Class of 2021 Top Ten Percent:

Kirsten Adamski, Vianca Aguirre, Margaret Albrecht, Michael Albrecht, Shams Alshabani, Matthew Arens, Samuel Arient, Brandon Arnold, Jade Bailey, Ava Bartuch, Aiden Bean, Joshua Beaumont, Jaida Bender, Ryan Bennett, Frank Biamonte, Natalie Billquist, Elizabeth Bollinger, Evelyn Bombard, Isaac Bratt, Michael Brozovich, Angela Bylina, Celia Carey, William Chen, Connor Christian, John Paul Colarelli, Benjamin Combs, Shara Connelly, Grace Contos, Jack Crabbe, Aleksa Culafic, Julianna Cullotta, Elizabeth Czupta, Zachary Dalton, Nicole D’Angelo, Morgan Dapkus, Skylar Davis, Matas Deksnys, Brennan Denler, Simon Dlugopolski, Claudia Dlugosz, Angelina Dominguez, Olivia Dominici, Victoria Ehrman, Brian Eide, Mary Ewers, William Follett, Julia Fouts, Sydney Furr, Caitlyn Gaffney, Malgorzata Gasienica-Bednarz, Diego Gonzalez-Solsona, Emma Harris, Kyle Hartman, Alexander Hernandez, Katherine Hernandez, Nuvia Hernandez, Sebastian Herrera, Liam Horan, Abigail Janeczek, Ranik Jelinek, Abigail Jones, Emily Jungheim, Zoe Kladis, Isabella Klejka, Elena Knebel, Emma Knight, Zachary Kouba, Gabrielle Lesniak, Corinne Lipkin, Evan Littmann, Sarina LoCascio, Eve Maali, Zachary MacNab, Marco Marra, Kathy Martinez, Miracle McClendon, Abigail Miller, Austin Molitor, Astrid Montenegro, Alexis Mucha, Patrick Mungcal, Elisabeth Nacino, Timothy Nielsen, Logan Nommensen, Maria Janelle Olegario, Uchechukwu Onyenemezu, Emma Oster, Hailey O’Sullivan, Marissa Pasco, Delaney Pavlik, Izabela Pawlica, Madelyn Pawyza, Elyssa Pickett-Klimek, Izabella Pikul, Justina Piwoni, Angelica Porfilio, Landen Pote, Lucas Price, Chloe Ragusa, Nathan Ramsey, Bridgette Raspopovich, Quinn Robinson, Jake Ruff, Mia Jessica Santos, Edward Savant, June Schalk, Jessica Segzda, Shtile Shuaipaj, Kaycee Siears, Helene Simmons, April Smith, Julia Smolinski, Elizabeth Snyder, Joseph Specht, Eleni Stavropoulos, Paige Svoboda, Korryn Swedko, Samuel Swedo, Madeline Szarzynski, Scott Szymkowiak, Alisha Thomas, Gabrielle Thomas, Nora Thomas, Emily Thompson, Hayden Thompson, Michael Thompson, Ronan Patrick Vales, Evangelos Vassilakis, Diana Walkosz, Alyssa Wengel, Laila Williams, Julia Zajaczkowski, Sanabelle Zidan, Brianna Zukowski

A recording of this event is available at http://bit.ly/LTHS2021Top10.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL HOSTS COVID-19 VACCINATION CLINIC

For Immediate Release

MARCH 19, 2021

Last weekend the Will County Health Department and the Lockport Township Fire Protection District completed second-round vaccinations for 1,600 eligible individuals, primarily senior citizens, at the East Campus of Lockport Township High School.  

The high school, with its large space and accessibility, was ideally suited for this undertaking. For those involved in the process, coming together to care for residents in the community has been profoundly gratifying.  LTHS Superintendent Dr. Robert McBride remarked, "The challenges in the vaccination process have been getting information and appointments. We're fortunate we could partner with Will County Executive Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant, the Will County Health Department, and the Lockport Township Fire Protection District to offer our facility to those seniors who have invested in our school for so many years."

On March 20th and 21st, the Fire District, LTHS staff, and student volunteers will be back again. This time, following the success of the initial clinics, 3,200 doses will be administered.  

The clinic is by appointment only. Registration for the vaccination is through the Will County COVID-19 Vaccination Sign-up.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL UNVEILS REOPENING PLAN

For Immediate Release

JULY 21, 2020

On July 20, the Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education unanimously voted to reopen the high school on August 17, 2020, using a combination of in-person and remote learning. 

The district’s hybrid model aligns with the Illinois State Board of Education guidelines with an emphasis on a return to in-person learning.  With almost 3,000 students at East Campus and 1,000 students at Central, the plan’s remote learning days will reduce the number of students on campus to meet the safety parameters of state guidelines.

Under the proposed framework, students at both campuses will be divided into two cohorts alphabetically, keeping students from the same households on the same daily schedule.  Students will receive two days weekly of in-person learning and three days of remote learning.

Remote learning will differ significantly from the format in the spring during the COVID-19 school closure.  The administration collected feedback from teachers, students, and parents to identify issues and address concerns.  Instruction in the fall will support in-person learning, with strengthened accountability and participation expectations.  Incorporating a robust remote learning component also allows the district to more effectively pivot to a full remote schedule in the event COVID-19 conditions once again warrant school closures.

In constructing its reopening plan, the administration held several virtual town hall meetings with parents and staff. The board approved the plan, recognizing that conditions may change over the next month and flexibility is essential.  In speaking about the challenges the district faces, LTHS Superintendent Robert McBride stated, “It is apparent that COVID-19 is here and will be among us for quite some time. Schools, like other organizations, will have to be leaders in terms of how to live, learn, and grow despite the challenges this disease presents. Our goal is to put a high priority on safety so that we can put an equally high priority on learning.”

In anticipation of the need for more staff, the district is seeking to hire additional substitute teachers and support employees.

Lockport Township High School District 205 has published its plan on its website, https://www.lths.org/.  Families are encouraged to visit the website frequently for the most up-to-date information.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL MARCHING BAND WINS AT STATE

For Immediate Release

OCTOBER 22, 2019

The Lockport Township High School Marching Band placed first in Class 6A at the 2019 Illinois State Marching Band Championship on October 19th, at Illinois State University in Normal.  Additionally, the marching band placed second in the Finals and won caption awards for General Effect and Crowd Appeal.  This is the ensemble’s third state class championship, having won previously in 2013 and 2015. 

Throughout the past months, the students could be seen on campus putting in long hours of practice— 2 ½ hours for three days a week and eight hours almost every Saturday.  For senior Tori Cluff, “being head drum major has been an extremely rewarding experience throughout the season. Hearing Lockport called for 6A State Champs was unreal and we all knew at that moment that our hard work finally paid off.”   

The LTHS competitive marching band, made up of 175 members, is led by Mr. Brian Covey with the assistance of Associate Director of Bands Aaron Kennedy. The show this year is entitled "Tribe" and includes music from Nick Phoenix and Thomas Bergersen.  It is meant to be a more aggressive and rhythmic show, in direct contrast to the lyrical productions of recent years. 

The ensemble’s final competition of the season will be the Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional Competition on October 25th and 26th.  

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS EARN PERFECT SCORE

For Immediate Release

AUGUST 19,2019

There are three Lockport Township High School seniors who are starting the school year with an extra boost of confidence. Alette Eide, Grace Galfano and Patrick Kozak all achieved a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.

Alette and Grace both took the college admission exam in June. Grace credits her success to the honors and Advanced Placement courses she’s taken at LTHS since her freshman year. She earned a 36 on her third time taking the ACT. Grace hopes her score will help her with college admissions, though she acknowledges that it is only one aspect of the application process. Her advice to other students preparing for the test is to be relaxed, confident and focus on the task at hand. While the time constraints can be intimidating, it is important to keep moving through the test and to answer every question.

Patrick, who took the exam in February, decided that he would not retake the ACT, regardless of his score. He was very surprised and proud when he learned he had gotten a perfect score on his first and only try. Patrick plans to study aerospace engineering after graduation.

LTHS ENGINEERING DESIGN STUDENTS WIN SILVER AT NATIONAL COMPETITION

For Immediate Release

JULY 2, 2019

SkillsUSA held its annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Louisville, June 24th-28th.  This competition was attended by over 6,500 career and technical education students who competed in 103 trade, technical and leadership fields.  Lockport Township High School had the most teams advance from state to the national championship in the school’s history.  The Porters were not disappointed.  Daniel Arechiga, Jonathan Naughton and Adriana Watson were awarded Second Place in Engineering Technology Design.  The team was required to design an innovative engineering project, create a model and give a comprehensive presentation. They were judged on their performance as a professional team by a panel of judges from the engineering field.  In its sixteen years competing at SkillsUSA, this was only the second year for LTHS to compete in this particular event.  All three silver medalists graduated in June and will be pursuing engineering degrees.

Three other LTHS teams also competed at nationals.  Madaline Aguilar and Maxwell Eallondaro competed in 3D Visualization and Animation.  This timed event required the team to create a real-world 3D creative production, using specific resources and design elements. Alexander Mullin competed in Power Equipment Technology, demonstrating his knowledge and understanding of both two and four cycle engines.  The Teamworks team was comprised of Brett MacHart, Charles Patula, Nicholas Soltys and Lucas Zentmyer. The Teamworks competition required teams to build a construction project using carpentry, electrical, plumbing and masonry skills to demonstrate their ability to work as a team.

The LTHS College and Career Applications teachers, Susan Palis, Jeff Brown, Chris Davis and Mark de la Vega, dedicated many hours after school to prepare their teams for the state and national SkillsUSA competitions.  Their hard work has not only prepared theses students to succeed in competitions such as SkillsUSA, but equipped them for further success in higher academic pursuits and in the workforce.  

SkillsUSA

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY TEACHER RECEIVES AWARD

For Immediate Release

JUNE 5, 2019

Lockport Township High School teacher Jeff Brown was selected as this year’s recipient of the William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award.  Brown, who has taught for 23 years, instructs CAD, Architecture, Engineering Design and 3D Design-Animation in the College and Career Applications Department.  

In addition to teaching, Brown is a member of the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) and sponsors the SkillsUSA and Robotics clubs.  Brown was nominated for his patience, dedication and professionalism.  He devotes countless hours outside the classroom and is known for challenging his students by setting high standards.  

Brown’s impact on his students is evident by the great success they have seen this year.  Seven drafting and design students received first place at the IDEA State Competition.  Ten students were named state champions at the SkillsUSA Annual State Leadership and Skills Conference and will compete at Nationals at the end of June. 

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award honors an educator who has exhibited special skills in the art and science of teaching.  It is sponsored by LTHS alumni Robert Carr and Jill Jackson Carr through the Give Something Back Foundation. The award is named after Mrs. Carr’s late parents, William Jackson, who taught science and coached golf and track at LTHS from 1958 to 1982, and Mildred Jackson, who provided music lessons for many children in the Lockport community.  The recipient of this annual award, which includes a certificate and a prize of $5,000, is chosen by a committee of administrators, teachers, and students.  

The William and Mildred Jackson Teacher Recognition Award is facilitated by the LTHS Foundation, a nonprofit organization committed to providing college scholarships and resources for educational programs and opportunities beyond the district’s budget.  The Foundation is governed by a board of volunteers and sponsors several fundraising events throughout the year.  For more information about upcoming events or the organization, contact the Foundation at Foundation@lths.org or call 815-588-8121.

Jackson Teacher Award

LTHS STEM EXPLORATION STUDENTS GIVE BACK WITH WILDLIFE HABITAT PROJECT

For Immediate Release

MAY 9, 2019

There’s been a lot of hard work going on at Central Campus over the past six weeks.  Lockport Township High School STEM Exploration students have partnered with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and Cog Hill Golf Course to create bluebird houses and bat boxes to use on their properties.  In February, three state parks and Cog Hill agreed to supply materials for students to use for this endeavor. The students agreed to not only build the specified wildlife habitat projects but to donate them back to these areas for the public to enjoy.  The three state parks included Walnut Point State Park (Oakland, IL), Lincoln Trail State Park (Marshall, IL), and Kankakee River State Park (Bourbonnais, IL).  A total of 90 bluebird houses and 60 bat boxes were manufactured.  

The freshmen logged hundreds of man-hours toward the effort.  They learned important design, woodworking, and manufacturing skills while giving back to the community.  Student John Ward said of the task, “I found the birdhouse project to be a very challenging, but fun project.  It feels good to build birdhouses and bat boxes to help out parks and other places.  I made some mistakes, but I worked through them.”  Isaiah Rogers agreed, commenting that he learned how to work efficiently and find different, faster ways to build.  All that the students accomplished and learned through their labor has been a tremendous source of pride for the Porters. They are also honored to have had the opportunity to produce a lasting benefit to the community.

LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT 205 BOARD OF EDUCATION REORGANIZATION

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2019

The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education held its reorganization meeting on April 29, 2019.  Four recently elected board members were sworn into office. They are Richard Ives, Michael Lewandowski, Michael Travis and Veronica Tylka-Shaw.

The Board also determined its officers, with Ann Lopez-Caneva named as President, Lisa Bickus as Vice President, and Tylka-Shaw as Secretary.

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS EARN GOLD

For Immediate Release

APRIL 30, 2019

On April 27, 2019, the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA), in conjunction with the Department of Technology at Illinois State University, held its annual state drafting and design competition for secondary students from the State of Illinois.  Eight Lockport Township High school students qualified and competed in the state drafting contest this year.

The IDEA drafting contest is one of the largest competitions held in the United States, which features some of the best and brightest drafting and design students in Illinois.  All competitions were judged by engineers, architects and college professors in the drafting and design field. This year, over 200 students competed in ten different categories.  

At the competition, the students in individual events were given a drawing problem to solve and draw within a 2-hour time limit.  

 For the Architecture Design competition, the student team was presented with a residential redesign project in January. They presented their work on the project with a model, drawings, and renderings at the competition.

For the Engineering Design competition, the student team was presented with an invention/innovation project in January.  At the competition, they presented their research, prototype, drawings, renderings, engineering notebook/portfolio, marketing and packaging.

ROTARY HONORS LOCKPORT TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL TOP TEN PERCENT

For Immediate Release

APRIL 11, 2019

On April 10th, the Lockport Rotary Club hosted members of the Lockport Township High School Class of 2019 and their families for the 64th Annual Top Ten Percent Dinner at DiNolfo’s Banquets in Homer Glen.  The dinner was in honor of 117 students who ranked in the top ten percent of their graduating class. Rotary member Rick Thiernau was the guest speaker for the evening.  Thiernau shared his encouraging philosophy with the audience—“Find your passion. Make a difference.” He went on to say, “Your life will never be the same.  It will be so much richer, so much greater.”

The following students were recognized for achieving the Lockport Township High School Class of 2019 Top Ten Percent:

Ameera Abu-Khalil, Lena AbuSafieh, Summer Ali, Daniel Arechiga, Gabrielle Bach, Katelyn Bacys, Andrew Bean, Anthony Bertucci, Daniel Blaszkiewicz, David Blickhahn, Klaudia Bogacz, Hannah Bogdan, Margaret Bollinger, Marissa Bollnow, Kayla Bonfiglio, Jack Bradley, Francesca Brunetti, Nicholas Calderaro, Jazmin Cazares, Kevin Chen, William Cichowski, Grace Cochonour, Christina Conne, Abigail Connelly, Julissa Connelly, Taylor Costello, Joseph Cryer, Ruth Delgado, Caleb Derrig, Therese Diamond, James DiCaro, Desolina Dominguez, Ethan Drong, Eric Engberg, Sophia Errico, Eleanor Fahrner, Kaylee Follett, Julia Foster, Tyler Fouts, Alexa Fricilone, Elise Fricilone, Maggie Goetz, Matthew Goldbach, Jacob Grau, Aaron Grcevic, Madison Grcevic, Payton Grcevic, Abigail Groszek, Simon Harmata, Allison Hildebranski, Brianna Hillock, Cassidy Hillock, Jillian Hook, Matthew Houlihan, Rachael Howard, Mia Jenczmionka, Lauren Johnson, Emily Kalmanek, Ashley Kashark, Vincent Kast, Rebecca Keller, Eric Keta, Alexander Kistinger, Euvangalos Klementzos, Mikolaj Kowalczyk, Alison Krawczyk, Mason Kuhn, Jillian Lesniak, Jakob London, Kiera Mackin, Jacqueline Maka, Leah Mantooth, Beatriz Martinez, Alyson Matushek, Jack Moran, Nolan Murphy, Jacob Nash, Mateusz Obrochta, Jack O’Connor, Emma Odle, Chibueze Onyenemezu, Emily Padilla, Makena Paramo, Meagan Paramo, Aubree Peters, Christopher Pollard, Amanda Pollock, Paige Posmer, Cecily Pryor, Alexis Quemeneur, Samantha Raspopovich, Christian Reczek, Elizabeth Reczek, Declan Ruane, Emily Servin, Amira Shehadeh, Jelena Simon, Renee Solis, Megan Staley, John Stoch, Jaylyn Strayer, Eleanor Tessitore, Tyler Thompson, Karolina Ulinskas, Mia Vasquez, Rachel Ward, Grace Watson, John Weis, Nolan Weis, Michael West, Dana Westberg, Andrew Whetter, Stephanie Wilk, Thomas Wolf, Joshua Wolf, Ahmed Zidan, Diana Zimmerman

Presentation Table         2019 Top 10%

BOOK DRIVE FUELED BY PROMISE OF DONUTS A BIG SUCCESS AT LTHS

For Immediate Release

APRIL 3, 2019

In February, the LTHS Future Educators of America Club launched a book drive, appealing to all the English classes to donate used books.  The reward?  A donut party for the class that gathered the most books.  Apparently, that was all the motivation students needed.  The effort yielded nearly 7,000 books, making it one of the school’s most successful charitable drives in recent memory. 

On March 28th, the club delivered the books to SCARCE, a not-for-profit organization located in Glen Ellyn.  According to Stamatina Asiouras-Hernandez, English teacher and FEA Club Sponsor, SCARCE advocates simple solutions to solve problems and believes in thinking globally, not locally. The organization works with teachers, educational agencies, therapists, and hospitals, with a goal to reduce and reuse.  

Having visited SCARCE, LTHS junior Grace Pearce remarked, “Participating in the book drive made me realize how much a book can impact a person and the earth in general.  In the beginning, I did not expect the drive to raise over 6,000 books, but now I can say my community together impacted someone’s life.”  Senior Samantha Raspopovich also found the experience gratifying, “knowing that the less fortunate will be able to read and get used out of the books donated.”

So who won the donut party?   The class taught by Gail Wiercioch, bringing in a total of 1,003 books.  The real reward, though, came in the words imparted to the students during their visit to SCARCE—it is the understanding that “one little thing makes a big difference.”

FEA Book Drive 1

FEA Book Drive 2

Book Drive Donut Party

LTHS DRAFTING AND DESIGN STUDENTS ADVANCE TO STATE

For Immediate Release

MARCH 3, 2019

On Friday, March 1, 2019, twenty-seven Lockport Township High School drafting and design students participated in the Illinois Design Educators Association (IDEA) Regional Competition held at Joliet Junior College.  They were Bryce Bejlovec, Matthew Namikas and Sally Zhang in Introductory Computer Aided Drafting; Muhammad Zegar, Russell Simmons and Kylie Schultz in Architecture 3D Drafting; Brandon Garcia, George Guzlus and Chance Tyler in Machine Computer Aided Drafting; Brendan Klepitsch, Ben Rupnow, Antonio Ceballos, Edgar Jarusevicius, Kaira Stricklin and Abigail Obradovic in 3D Solids; Matthew Stonis, Adriana Watson, Zachary Glowczynski, Michael Strahanoski and Dennis Papafotopoulos in Assembly Modeling.  The team of Aldo Guerra, Naser Salem and William Centano competed in Architecture Design.  The team of Daniel Arechiga, Jonathan Naughton and Caleb Speechley competed in Engineering Design.

CAD/Drafting students from eight schools in the Three Rivers Education for Employment System (TREES) attended this year’s competition.  In the CAD contests, the students were given a drawing problem to solve and draw in a one and half hour time limit.  In the team divisions, the students were presented with a design problem in January, to solve and present their solutions at the regional event.  The designs were graded by architects, engineers, college students and college instructors. The students who placed in the top two in each CAD category advanced to the state competition and the first finishers in the team/design competitions advanced to state, which will be held Saturday, April 27, 2019, at Illinois State University. 

The following LTHS students placed at regionals and qualified for state:

1st place in Assembly Model Drawing - Matthew Stonis

1st Place in Introduction to CAD - -Bryce Bejlovec

1st Place in Engineering Design Team - Daniel Arechiga, Jon Naughton and Caleb Speechley

1st Place in Architecture Design Team - Aldo Guerra, Naser Salem and William Centano

The following LTHS students placed at regionals, but did not qualify for state:

3rd place in Machine CAD - Brandon Garcia

3rd place in Architecture 3D - Muhammad Zegar

This is the second year in a row that Mathew Stonis won at regionals and qualified for state.

This region is one of the largest in the state with eight high schools and 111 students competing, so it is quite an accomplishment and honor for LTHS to place in the top three at the JJC Regional Competition.  These students, led by teachers Mr. Jeff Brown and Mr. Corey Duzan, put in many hours outside of class time to prepare for this contest. Now they will need to get back to work and prepare for state where they will compete against the best of each region. 

Good luck to the students who will compete at the state competition in April!

Photo:  Standing (L-R) Brandon Garcia, Daniel Arechiga, Caleb Speechley, Jonathan Naughton, William Centano, Naser Salem, Aldo Guerra 

Kneeling (L-R) Bryce Bejlovec, Matthew Stonis, Muhammad Zegar

2019 IDEA Regionals

LTHS GERMAN STUDENTS COMPETE AT UIC AND IN NATIONAL EXAM

For Immediate Release

FEBRUARY 28, 2019

On February 22, 2019, twelve LTHS students participated in the German High School Day Competition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, where area schools meet annually to demonstrate students’ skills in the German language and culture. Since November, Lockport students have been qualifying and preparing to compete at UIC in a number of challenging categories.

A video written and carried out by seniors Kayla Lavery and Daniel Blaszkiewicz portraying a visit to a German Gymnasium (college preparatory High School) won a third prize trophy at UIC.

Sophomore Nicolas Woodward advanced to the finals round of the City Guide competition and won a third prize trophy for his stage performance about the German city of Pirmasens, where part of his family is from.

For Program Cover Art, images created by sophomores MacKenna Bochnak and Abigail Grabenhofer promoting the study of German were chosen by their fellow German students to submit as the two LTHS entries competing for selection to grace the cover of the event program brochure.

In Poetry, sophomore Elizabeth Bollinger recited the popular Matthias Claudius poem Abendlied (Evening Song) that was recently featured in a children’s album by Nena of 99 Luftballons fame. It is a type of lullaby from the 18th century that deals with finding peace in the final hours of our days and of our lives. Sophomore Max Peckman performed the prelude to the lengthy, epic work “Deutschland. Ein Wintermärchen” (Germany. A Winter’s Tale). This poem was a political statement by Heinrich Heine, exiled in France in the 1830s, about his desire to help bring about a transformation away from the traditional order to the democracies of the future.

In the Global Challenges Essay category, Paris Ward had the only essay submitted by a junior to be accepted this year for competition. Her study discussed German population demographics and its connection to larger trends like international migration and environmental concerns.

Sophomore John Koroyanis and Freshman James Calvert competed in the Spelling Bee event, which follows the same rules we do in the U.S. but adds the complexity of another language, where all nouns are capitalized and vowels change through the use of the “Umlaut.” 

German 3 students Neilas Stragockis, Bryce Bejlovec and Logan Henrie wrote and performed a Skit demonstrating other idiosyncrasies of German. As they point out, since the German word “Gift” means “poison,” it’s best to say “Geschenk” instead when bringing a present through customs in Germany.

Freshman Carly Pearson also took advantage of the opportunity to visit a beginning German class at UIC, where she won prizes in a game of Kahoot, in German.

LTHS participants at UIC enjoyed getting a better view of what doors German study can open to them, and some are already mulling over what they would like to do for next year’s competition  

In January, eight LTHS students competed in the 2018-2019 National German Exam, sponsored by the American Association of Teachers of German. This on-line exam integrates video, audio and reading excerpts from authentic German sources. It allows students to evaluate their progress in the language and compare results against other students from the Northern Illinois Chapter of AATG, the largest chapter in the nation.

Receiving a Gold Award for Distinguished Achievement on the Level 2 exam this year were Sophomores Max Peckman and Timothy Nielsen for scoring in the 90th percentile among over five hundred students taking the exam. Each will be presented a Gold Medal on April 28th at the AATG Annual Awards Ceremony at the College of DuPage. Gold medal winners are also eligible to apply for a Study Trip Award, typically a scholarship to Concordia College’s full-immersion summer language camp in Minnesota or at the upper levels even a 4-week tour and homestay in Germany.

Winning a Silver Award with scores above the 80th percentile this year were Paris Ward and Antonio Godinez, both Juniors at Level 3.

Earning Bronze medals by performing above the 70th percentile at Level 2 were Sophomores Elizabeth Bollinger and Joshua Zdych.

With a full German program culminating in Advanced Placement German for college credit during the fourth year, the Lockport German program is fortunate to have the National German Exam at each level now to bolster students' efforts to achieve fluency and future success in language and cultural understanding. Freshmen begin preparing now to take the National German Exam in the Spring.

Kayla Lavery and Daniel Blaszkiewicz

UIC German Competition  

Nicolas Woodward