Today's Senior Spotlight features Izabel Melgoza representing Benet Academy. This marks the seventh in our 2018 series which has also highlighted graduates from Naperville North, Naperville Central, and St. Francis. Each profile clearly demonstrates how well our graduates have been prepared for a successful high school experience regardless of where they enroll upon graduating from Saints Peter and Paul School.
Extra Curricular Activities:
Diversity Leadership Council: Founder and acting President 
At the conclusion of my sophomore year, I had the wonderful opportunity to found the first Benet Academy Diversity Leadership Council. The club has been very successful since then with its mission to help cultivate a diverse educational environment that leads to fruitful collaboration, diversity of thought and a vibrant culture. DLC ultimately strives to create an inclusive organization that advocates and promote cultural awareness in the Benet community, community outreach, and leadership development.
National Honors Society: Executive board member
National Foreign Languages Honor Society: Member
Young Hearts For Life: Board member
Cross Country: Team member
Feel Good Fitness: Founder
Service:
At the conclusion of my freshman year, I was blessed with the opportunity to begin a program entitled Feel Good Fitness. The program began as a health initiative in under-served Chicago communities. It entailed weekly workouts and health education sessions for children ages 3-13. The initiative has now spread to my local community, and I couldn't be happier to be continuing the mission.
Service World Relief: Volunteer and Intern
Special Olympics: Volunteer
Benet Academy Political Club: Member
Awards and Accomplishments:
First Honor Roll all four years
National Honors Society executive board appointment
Recipient of the Dupage County Dr. Martin Luther King Scholarship
College Plans:
I am incredibly excited to be attending College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts next year! I plan to study International Relations, Education, and Spanish.
High School Lessons from SSPP:
Saints Peter and Paul equipped me with a variety of both learning and social tools, of which I was not fully aware until the beginning of my high school experience. Although transferring from Saint Francis College Preparatory to Benet Academy as a sophomore brought a variety of new aspects, I was able to succeed due to the fact that my SSPP experience taught me the value of being flexible.
How my Catholic Faith resonates with me as a teenager:
As I have begun my journey into adulthood, I feel my Catholic faith has gained increased importance. Saints Peter and Paul's gift of weekly student Mass left me with a constant craving for Christ that has only made my Catholic faith stronger and healthier. Christ's role in my life has allowed me to keep a larger perspective through service and prayer as well.
Teachers at SSPP who had a profound impact on me:
An incredible educator can truly transform an educational experience, and I experienced that truth at Saints Peter and Paul. While each and every one of my teacher's impacted my SSPP career, Mrs. Paski and Mrs. Phillipp had the greatest influence. Mrs. Paski's rigorous, engaging teaching style allowed me to be extremely well-prepared for my high school enigma courses. Her incomparable bliss and constant devotion to her students also allowed me to see the value in a challenging, yet interesting class. Both Mrs. Paksi and Mrs. Phillipp also prepared me very well to take on the rigorous coursework at Benet Academy.
Advice for Current Students
If there is a a single piece of advice I can bestow upon current SSPP students, I believe it is to be aware of greatness when it surrounds you. Recognize it. Cherish it. Saints Peter and Paul fosters an unbelievable community of faith and family that I regret not fully recognizing during my experience.
