Updates from 86
Weekly news and information from District 86
Board of Education Meeting - Feb. 26
The next District 86 Board of Education meeting will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. in the cafeteria at Hinsdale South. The agenda and packet of materials for this meeting will be posted on BoardDocs later today.  
Summer School
Reminder - registration for summer school will open on March 1. You can access important information about the district's summer programming, including details regarding location, transportation, course offerings and fees, by visiting https://d86.hinsdale86.org/summer . You can also contact our summer school principals if you have any questions (Sue Grady, 630-570-8091, sgrady@hinsdale86.org ; Sarah Porod, 630-570-8245, sporod@hinsdale86.org ). 
Community Presentation
On Feb. 27, District 86 students, staff, parents/guardians and community members are invited to Hinsdale South for a presentation titled “Legal Marijuana: Now What? A Guide to the Law, Vaping, and Teen Health." Matt Quinn, who is a licensed clinical professional counselor and
certified alcohol and drug counselor, will talk about several topics during the event, including:

  • Vaping and its dangers
  • The history of marijuana law
  • Risks of teen marijuana use
  • Problems with increased potency and decreased perception of harm
  • Suggestions for how to discuss vaping and marijuana use with teens

The presentation will be held in South's auditorium from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. You can access a flyer for the event by visiting http://bit.ly/39dKd90.
Darien Mural
Back in October, we mentioned that Hinsdale South's National Art Honor Society students and teacher Jennifer Belmonte had been asked by Mayor Joe Marchese from Darien to create a mural that would beautify the lobby of the City Hall building and help the town celebrate its 50th anniversary. Ms. Belmonte shared last week that, after five months of hard work, the group had finished the project.

Mayor Marchese has invited the community to celebrate the completion of the mural during a reception that will be held on March 16 at 6 p.m. During this reception, he will honor each of the student artists and present them with a letter of commemoration.

We commend the Hornets on a job well done, and thank Ms. Belmonte for all of the help and guidance she offered the students throughout the project.
Results from State
Several of our students and teams from Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South competed at state this past weekend. Below are some of the highlights.

  • The speech teams from Central and South finished in third and fourth place respectively at state. They also had several top five finishes in individual events: Emma Gordon from Central (first place and state champion in the Dramatic Interpretation category), Daniel Leung from Central (second place in the Original Comedy category and third place in the Humorous Interpretation category), Hayley Johnson and Ella Sieger from Central (second place in the Humorous Duet Acting category), Judi Nwonye from South (second place in the Poetry Reading category and third place in the Prose Reading Category), Johann Tabbilos from South (second place in the Radio Speaking Category), Spencer Staak from South (fourth place in the Special Occasion Speaking Category), Emma Gordon and Tess Klygis from Central (fourth place in the Dramatic Duet Acting category), Emily Miller from South (fifth place in the Informative Speaking Category) and Cate Cianci from South (fifth place in the Humorous Interpretation Category). In addition, the Performance in the Round team from Central finished in third place in its category. You can view the results from the tournament by visiting http://bit.ly/2T6GBz3.

  • Senior Caroline Klobach from Central finished in sixth place in the uneven bars at the state finals for gymnastics. You can view the results from the event by visiting http://bit.ly/2VemZvB.

  • The varsity bowling team from South, led by senior Jaultiana Brown, performed well during the state finals that were held in Rockford. You can view the results from the tournament by visiting http://bit.ly/3c48ksH.

  • Cody Tavoso from Central took sixth place and medaled at the state finals for wrestling, while teammate Ron Kruse finished in the top eight. Glen Hogan and Oscar Choi from South also competed hard in the tournament, and did their school and the district proud with their performances. You can view the results from the state finals by visiting http://bit.ly/2PhSP6R.

We congratulate the students, teams and coaches on their outstanding seasons.
Results from Sectionals and Regionals
Several of our students and teams from Hinsdale South and Hinsdale Central took part in sectional and regional competitions this past weekend. Below are some of the highlights.

  • The math team from South took second place in the Regionals for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM). In addition to finishing in second overall, the team earned several top two finishes in individual events: Rohan Jain (first place - freshman), oral team (first place), junior and senior eight-person team (first place), Mitchell Hanson (second place - sophomores), Benny Metzger (second place - seniors), algebra team (second place), geometry team (second place), pre-calculus team (second place), freshman and sophomore eight-person team (second place), and junior and senior two-person team (second place). 

  • Central took second place and South took sixth place in Sectionals for boys swimming and diving. There were also several student-athletes from both schools who qualified for the state tournament: Nolan Lahmann, Alexander Cho, Cullen Cochlan and John Tischke from Central (first place in the 200-yard medley relay), John Tischke, Erkan Ozgen, Cullen Cochlan and Alex Daw from Central (second place in the 200-yard freestyle relay), Michael Benington, John Tischke, Alex Daw and Cullen Cochlan from Central (second place in the 400-yard freestyle relay), Will Gallagher from South (second place in the 200-yard freestyle), Michael Benington from Central (first place in the 200-yard individual medley), Tommy Matulis from South (third place in the 200-yard individual medley), Alex Daw from Central (fourth place in the 200-yard individual medley), Cullen Cochlan from Central (fourth place in the 50-yard freestyle), Erkan Ozgen from Central (sixth place in the 50-yard freestyle), Conor Furlong from Central (fifth place in diving), Sami Kassir from Central (10th place in diving), Nolan Lahmann from Central (second place in the 100-yard butterfly), Braxton Bokos from Central (second place in the 500-yard freestyle), Michael Benington from Central (second place in the 100-yard backstroke), Nolan Lahmann from Central (fourth place in the 100-yard backstroke), Alexander Cho from Central (second place in the 100-yard breaststroke), Tommy Matulis from South (fourth place in the 100-yard breaststroke) and Derek Song from Central (sixth place in the 100-yard breaststroke). You can view the results from Sectionals by visiting http://bit.ly/2T6oWHS (click on the link for Lyons).

  • The varsity girls basketball team from Central battled hard, but ultimately fell to Downers Grove North in the Regional championship. 

We congratulate the students, teams and coaches on their incredible performances, and wish those who are moving on to the next round of competition the best of luck.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
Several students from Hinsdale Central were recognized by the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers in conjunction with its Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Below are the names of the students, the awards they won and the categories in which the awards were received.

  • Stella Dang - Gold Key in the Personal Essay & Memoir category
  • Amy Dong - Honorable Mention in the Humor category
  • Gianna Dugan - Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay & Memoir category
  • Lia Fawley - Honorable Mention in the Short Story category
  • Mara Severts - Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay & Memoir category
  • Isabel Sunderland - Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay & Memoir category
  • Anand Yallapragada - Honorable Mention in the Personal Essay & Memoir category
  • Aileen Yang - Honorable Mention in the Short Story category
 
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards honor "the vision, ingenuity and talent of our nation’s youth, and provide opportunities for creative teens to be celebrated." You can learn more about them by visiting http://bit.ly/2T5jkxu.

We congratulate all of the award winners on being recognized for their amazing work.
Highland Park Poetry Competition 
Sophomore Safia Khan, who is a member of the Hinsdale South Creative Writing Club, took second place in the Annual Highland Park Poetry competition. Safia’s poem, “An Unsought Replacement," will be featured in Highland Park Poetry’s Muse Gallery and published in an anthology of poets from around the world. She will also have the opportunity to read her poem during an awards celebration at the Highland Park Library.

We congratulate Safia on this impressive accomplishment.
Hinsdale Rotary Merit Awards
On Feb. 7, the Hinsdale Rotary presented Youth Merit Awards to several students, including senior Lauren Hughes from Hinsdale Central (standing far right in the photo). These awards are given to middle and high school students based on their "exceptional academic, athletic and leadership achievements."

We congratulate Lauren on this well-deserved honor.
Hinsdale South Food Drive
The Hinsdale South Student Council's recent food drive was a huge success. The group filled two large carts with the items it received, which it donated to the People's Resource Center in Westmont. Special shoutout to Mr. Doran's third period class on winning a hot cocoa party for collecting the most food.

Nicely done, Hornets. We are proud of you and your efforts to help those in need.
Lunches for DuPage Pads
On Feb. 14, members of the Christian Student Association and Muslim Student Association from Hinsdale Central joined forces to make lunches for DuPage Pads that included a sandwich, condiments, snacks, water and a small token for Valentine's Day.

Fantastic job, Central. We appreciate you coming together to benefit this great organization.
World Languages at Hinsdale South
As part of a recent blended learning lesson, Spanish I students from Hinsdale South had the chance to read and listen to authentic resources, view an instructional video, and compare the Basque sport of Jai Alai with an American sport.

The school's world languages department also announced its students of the month, who were selected because they have a strong interest in a world or classical language, demonstrate the traits of being accountable, respectful and engaged, and perform actions and exhibit an attitude that exemplify what it means to have South Pride.

Below are the students from South who earned this honor for February.

  • Haya Banian
  • Gia Barbour
  • Haya Bastati
  • Alizeh Bhurgri
  • Cameron Crotty
  • Abby Didio
  • Olivia Dire
  • Liliana Gaibu
  • Elena Garcia
  • Samantha Heinking
  • James Kirin
  • Lauren Packard
  • Elizabeth Remi
  • Rachel Sitasz
  • Robbie Spang
  • Leah Tharian
Hinsdale Central Scholastic Bowl Team
Hinsdale Central's Scholastic Bowl team won its Masonic sectional tournament on Feb. 15. The team went 6-0 in the competition, which included a 340-210 victory over Jones College Prep in the final match of the day.

The team was led by captain Thomas Mercurio. Other members of the team included: Manvit Adusumilli, Aryan Bahl, Pinaki Bhagavan, Leon Kamenev and Allie Yang.

We congratulate the team on its victory, and wish its members the best of luck at the Masonic state tournament.
Janai Brugger 
Hinsdale South alumna Janai Brugger recently visited her alma mater to talk to students about her experiences as an operatic soprano.

During her career, Brugger has won major music competitions, and appeared in leading roles with several American opera companies.

You can view a video of Brugger performing for the students by visiting http://bit.ly/2Pc3r7m.
Club for Animal Rights and Education (CARE)
Dr. Holly Hayna, who is an alumna of Hinsdale Central, was invited by the members of the school's Club for Animal Rights and Education (CARE) to speak at their most recent meeting. During her presentation, Dr. Hayna, who is a veterinarian at the Village Veterinary Clinic in Clarendon Hills, shared information about her education and professional experience. She also offered the students advice about how to prepare for a career as a vet.
Hinsdale South Boys Basketball
With its 59-50 victory over Addison Trail on Feb. 21, the varsity boys basketball team from Hinsdale South clinched the conference championship. The win moved the team's regular season record to 27-3 and its conference record to 11-1. Aaron Tims led the way for the Hornets with 20 points, while Billy Durkin added 14 points and James Ruzicka scored 11 points. 

We congratulate the team on an amazing regular season, and wish the players and Coach Moore the best of luck as they get ready for Regionals. 
Main Gym at Hinsdale Central
The main gym at Hinsdale Central was featured in a piece titled "10 high school basketball gyms to see before you die" that Max Stephens wrote for MaxPreps.com. Below is the blurb about Central's gym that Stephens included in his article.

"The bright red looping red ribbons that hang from the ceiling give immediate energy, as do the many bright red features. More than 120 championship banners dating back from 1909 gives Hinsdale Central Gym a definite classic feel as well."

You can check out the entire list by visiting https://t.maxpreps.com/32eYgbQ.