February 6, 2024

Speech Team

Congratulations to the Speech Team for their amazing performance at the IHSA Regional Competition last weekend. The team took 5th place in the sweepstakes competition, with multiple students winning special recognition. Special congratulations to the following who made it to the finals in their event: 

Amy Lendi '25, finalist, Special Occasion Speaking

Rishima Mukherjee '26, finalist, Prose Reading

Svar Pandya '26, finalist, Informative Speaking

Sai Ganbote '26, finalist, Original Oratory 

Eric Lee '26, finalist, Extemporaneous Speaking

Molly Federici '26, finalist, Radio Speaking

Ellen Hsuan '25, finalist, Oratorical Declamation 

The following students placed in the top 4 of their event and will be advancing to the IHSA Sectional meet next Saturday: 

Kavya Uppal '25, 4th, Poetry Reading 

David Dickson '24, 4th, Impromptu Speaking

Ellen Nguyen '24 and Laasya Nagumalli '24, 3rd, Dramatic Duet Acting

In honor of Black History Month, join the IRC during every S&E period this week for a discussion on the Underground Railroad in Illinois featuring IMSA's very own Dr. Eric Smith. 

“Ten to fifteen percent of the activity of the Underground Railroad came through Illinois, literally through our backyard.”- Larry A. McClellan, Author of Onward to Chicago.

We can tell others about IMSA, but they might want to hear directly from you - our students. As a senior or rising junior, the story of your individual experience at IMSA has the potential to make a significant impact on the future of IMSA. As we strive to secure state funding for the aging residence halls and demonstrate IMSA's impact on your life, we can’t wait to hear your story.  

In a 60-second video selfie from your phone, please share your name and hometown and

• What experiences at IMSA have had the greatest impact on you 
• OR The best thing about IMSA

Upload your video, and we’ll enter you into a weekly drawing for a chance to win a $50 VISA Gift Card. Submissions will be accepted through February 29, 2024.

Select videos will be released digitally on imsa.edu and social media channels.

What does this family do when something goes wrong?

Will this appointment be different?

The theme of the wedding is what?

Find out the answers to these questions this weekend at the student-run One Act performances!

Showtimes

Friday, February 9 at 7:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 10 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday, February 11 at 3:00 p.m.

Tickets are $4 for students and $5 for adults if purchased during the S&E period or buy them for $1 more at the door. Contact Julie Dowling or Byrd Gillesen with questions.

The final exam schedule for Spring 2024 has been posted. As a reminder, final exams must be taken during the assigned time slots. If a student has two or more exams during the same time slot, please contact the Principal’s Office. If a student has three or more exams on the same day, the student can send a request to the Principal’s Office to take one or more of the exams on a different date.

Please note that changes to this schedule may occur.

Tech Support

Thursday, February 8, 2024

S&E Period

Ac Pit

Do you need help connecting to AirIMSA and/or AirTeam? Is your laptop acting slow?  

Do you need help installing MS Office and/or Adobe? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, this session is for you!

Math Support

The Math Center is now open for the second semester. The location has moved to the "fish-bowl" area, which is the room adjacent to A-152. Peer Tutors will be available.

Writing Center Hours

The Writing Center (Room A109a) is open! Stop by to see a tutor if you need help constructing, writing, or proofreading your assignments.

Weekly Hours

A Day: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

B Day: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

I Day: 10:45 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

C Day: 9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.

D Day: 9:00 a.m. - 4:20 p.m.

Workout Wednesdays

Every Wednesday

3:15 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Multipurpose Room

Girls Soccer Informational Meeting

Thursday, February 8, 2024

6:00 p.m.

Room E121

This meeting is mandatory if you are interested in participating in Girls Soccer

Boys Tennis Informational Meeting

Sunday, February 25, 2024

5:00 p.m.

Room E121

This meeting is mandatory if you are interested in participating in Boys Tennis

Monthly PAC Meeting

Saturday, February 10

10:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Via Zoom

Hear updates from the PAC and IMSA administrators.

This meeting will take place virtually.

Friday Fest Committee Planning

Tuesday, February 6

8:00 p.m.

Via Zoom

Meeting ID:  751 4046 9807

Passcode: QbLT59

Summer enrichment opportunities are becoming available this month, and you might be interested in applying for a unique program. I think it's great when IMSA students explore experiences in the summer that might not be available, or that they don't have time to complete during the academic year. Parents/guardians - it's important that you explore options this month because of pending deadlines and space limitations. You might want to encourage your students to consider something they wouldn't try on their own.

I had a conversation recently with one of our students about their interest in a summer program and their essays. Through our feedback session, I offered a few tips that I thought might be helpful for the rest of our students:

1. If you aren't aware of summer opportunities, check out the bulletin board outside of the CAC office for upcoming deadlines. In addition, Ms. Martinez-Olmos will send out opportunities as we learn about new ones. If you seek an internship, please see Ms. Fricano in IN2 to prepare and understand how to find one.
2. If the opportunity is competitive and you must submit an essay, ensure you get feedback before submission. Your goal is to write them in a way that illustrates that you are a good fit. Please make sure your essays show how you have purposefully engaged in activities/projects related to the seminar's theme.
3. If you need a letter of recommendation, seek a person who knows your interest in that topic of the summer program and can speak to your performance. Aim to ask that person at least two weeks in advance.

During my summers in high school, I worked in a bookstore because I needed money to pay for car insurance. In retrospect, I would have loved to participate in a research experience because I loved science projects, and it wasn't essential for me to drive a car, but I didn't realize that then. Speaking of research, IMSA will have about 50 research opportunities available to students this summer around the state, thanks to several of our partnerships. The following application was sent to students last week, and I will write more about those opportunities next week.

Please don't hesitate to reach me at eglazer@imsa.edu if you have thoughts on this topic or wish that I discuss others.

Jaden Blankenship '25 was recently featured by the University of Illinois Cancer Center for participating in the Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS) program. Jaden worked closely with his mentor, Dr. Minshall, to study how a drug called NS 1643 affects triple-negative breast cancer cells. Regarding his experience, Jaden stated,

"The CHESS summer program has profoundly impacted my academic and high school journey. During my time in the program, I had the privilege of conducting cancer research, which allowed me to develop invaluable research skills and deepened my passion for the health sciences. The experience of working alongside lab professionals whilst conducting my research was extremely transformative."

Jaden has been able to continue his work with Dr. Minshall throughout this school year through IMSA's SIR Program. Hear more about Jaden's research and experience in the CHESS program in the video below.

Please complete the Spotlight Submission Form if you have been recently recognized in your field, celebrated for your academic or professional achievements, or are working on a project you'd like to share. If you have any questions, please contact Alex Johnson at ajohnson2@imsa.edu.

Students must meet service hours eligibility requirements by the beginning of Clash week (February 12, 2024) to participate in events and performances. All students must be approved on Helper Helper to be eligible.

Please see below for requirements based on grade level:

All sophomore students are required to attend the Student Leadership Exchange (SLX) to complete the LEAD program. SLX is a day-long event where students will present their LEAD projects surrounding social entrepreneurship, activism, and data journalism in correspondence with the UN's Sustainability Development Goals. and network with evaluators from IMSA and the wider community.

Parents - If you or anyone in your professional network is interested in serving as an evaluator for SLX, please submit this form this form. Evaluators will join us for a morning of listening to the Class of 26's projects in-person or virtually.

Check out the new search engine from the Illinois of Gifted Children for local STEM enrichment opportunities for all ages. This search engine was developed by IMSA Senior, Michael Meng '24!

Titan To Go is a resource for students to discreetly order basic toiletries when they cannot replace them before a trip home. Students may select from the following items:



• Shampoo and Conditioner
• Toothpaste and Toothbrushes 
• Dental Floss 
• Deodorant 
• Menstrual products
• Hand soap 
• Body lotion 
• Facial tissues
• Lip balm  
• Contact lens cases

Requests are confidential and can be made by clicking on the button above. Requests received by 8:00 a.m. will be processed daily, Monday through Friday. You will pick up your items in a Smart Locker once you receive a notification that your package has been scanned in.

For more information, contact Michelle Bemis, Volunteer Coordinator for Titan To Go at mbemis@imsa.edu.

Mark Your Calendars! 

February 12 - 16 - Clash of the Halls

February 16 - Clash Pep Rally (Shortened class schedule)

February 17 - Halls close at 1:00 p.m. Downstate buses leave at 8:00 a.m.

February 17 - 21 - Extended Weekend (President's Day Weekend)

February 21 - Halls open at 3:00 p.m.

February 22 - Classes resume

ILLINOIS MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE ACADEMY



1500 Sullivan Rd., Aurora, IL 60506-1000 |  630.907.5000 |  imsa.edu

To ignite and nurture creative, ethical, scientific

minds that advance the human condition.