LP Link: Apr. 22, 2022

The LP Link is published bi-weekly during the school year to highlight the latest districtwide news and events at Lake Park High School. Contact Sherri Anderson, Director of Communications, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for content.

Superintendent Transition for 2022-23

Board of Education to appoint next Superintendent at April 25 meeting.

Pending approval during the regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, April 25, the Lake Park High School District 108 Board of Education will appoint veteran educator and school leader Dr. Wojtowicz to replace Superintendent Dr. Jeff Feucht who has served the District since July 1, 2020 and announced his resignation last month, effective June 30.

Board of Education President Barbara Layer stated, “We are happy to promote Dr. Wojtowicz, a long-time Lake Park administrator, to the role of Superintendent. The Board is confident that he will guide Lake Park in a future forward direction.”

With his appointment, effective July 1, 2022, Dr. Wojtowicz will become the eighth District 108 superintendent. He brings extensive experience in teaching and learning, implementing curriculum initiatives, overseeing instructional technology, and ensuring compliance with State and federal mandates.

He has over 20 years of experience at Lake Park where he began his career as a science teacher at East Campus in 2000 and later served in administrative roles including, Director of Curriculum (2005), Assistant Principal for Instructional Services at West Campus (2009), and most recently his current role as Assistant Superintendent for Educational Services in the District Office (2012).

In this new role, Dr. Wojtowicz will ensure the District provides post-secondary learning opportunities for students, maintains a high-caliber staff, advances the District’s equity journey, and focuses on a future that celebrates Lake Park’s tradition of excellence.

“This opportunity to lead Lake Park is built on a foundation of my collaborative and open approach to foster a positive school culture of continuous improvement. I am excited to serve Lancer students, families, staff, alumni and communities. By engaging our stakeholders, we can navigate this important transition and move forward together.”

Dr. Wojtowicz received his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1997. He earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from North Central College in 2003 and a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership (2020) from Northern Illinois University. He lives in Naperville with his wife, Laura, and their three children.

Spring Musical Takes Center Stage

Enjoy the final theatre production of the 2021-22 season!

Think PINK and get ready to shatter the glass ceiling by seeing this year's spring musical, Legally Blonde, presented by Lake Park's Theatre and Music Departments in the East Campus Dice Auditorium! Following a successful opening night, additional performances run throughout the weekend, April 22-23 at 7:00 p.m. and a Sunday matinee on April 24 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for non-Lake Park students; and free for senior citizens, children under 13, and Lake Park students with an ID. View the program for a list of cast members, scenes, musical numbers, Theatre Boosters, and more.

Activities Spirit March and Send Off

Good luck to DECA students and Mathletes in upcoming competitions.

Congratulations and best wishes to 10 DECA students who will represent Lake Park and compete in the International Career Development Conference beginning Saturday, April 23 and concluding Wednesday, April 27 in Atlanta, GA. The students earned this opportunity having placed in the Top 10 in their respective categories during the DECA State competition held March 3-5 in Rosemont at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The DECA sponsors are Katie Bestvina, Patryk Pliszka, and Brittany Simpson.

DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

Congratulations to 20 members of the Lake Park Math Team on a very successful year in preparation for the Illinois Council of Teachers of Mathematics (ICTM) State math competition on Saturday, April 30. Typically the ICTM State Math Contest would be hosted at the University of Illinois; however, due to COVID restrictions this year, each qualifying school will host it at their home campus. Mathletes will compete at Lake Park East Campus in the categories of Algebra, Junior-Senior 8-person team, and Calculator team. The Math Team is coached by Clint Anticevich, Ashley Castellanos, Taylor Chester, Caroline Kilrea, Ashley McIntyre, and Candice Sagliano.

Senior Department Recognition

Congratulations to seniors honored during ceremony on April 21.

Congratulations to 19 senior Lancers honored on Thursday, April 21 during a ceremony designed to recognize their academic contributions to each department.

The students were joined by their family members and introduced by a faculty representative of each department.

Teachers expressed their pride for the grit and perseverance of students, especially during remote and hybrid learning last school year.

Art - Jacob Schmidt

Biological Science - Annalisa Ranallo

Business Education - Reagan Biemolt

Computer Technology - Suleymaan Ahmad

Drama - Angela Kalish

Education Services - Sarah Botefuhr

English - Emma Weishaar

ESL - Vattanak Pin

Family & Consumer Science - Leah Ellison

French - Brett Tobler

German - Robert Wittmann II

Math - James Capozzoli

Music - William Colavitti

Physical Education - Kate Ellenbecker

Physical Science - Aanika Parikh

Social Studies - Joseph Brant

Spanish - Kalina Pandelova

Technology & Engineering - Thomas Scoles

Technology Center of DuPage -

Paula Naronowicz

2022 Spirit of Excellence Recipients

Lake Park Educational Foundation recognizes student, staff, alumni excellence.

The Lake Park Educational Foundation established the Spirit of Excellence awards to support and recognize the accomplishments of Lake Park students, staff and alumni.

Distinguished alumni, students, and staff will be honored at the 13th annual Lake Park Spirit of Excellence Celebration Dinner on Tuesday, April 26 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Medinah Shriners Banquet center.

Thirty seniors are being recognized for their service, extraordinary effort, achievement, and leadership throughout their high school years. These students were selected because they possess qualities for other students to emulate and have achieved special accomplishments in addition to their academic success while at Lake Park.

The following seniors are receiving the Lake Park Spirit of Excellence Award:

Alexis Abbott, Devon Alexander-Smith, Elizabeth Arias, Joseph Brant, Giovanna Breslin, James Capozzoli, Samantha Casey, Lauren Castaldo, Cooper Cerese, Kate Ellenbecker, Leah Ellison, Gianna Failla, Vito Failla, Tyler Fields, Carly Frank, Michael Furlin, Sanya Goyal, Andrew Hernandez, Jonathan Hilario, Martina Latoria, Sophia McCormick, Aanika Parikh, Abigail Pichay, Annalisa Ranallo, Danielle Schlink, Kaitlyn Sickler, Viktoria Tekielak, Brett Tobler, Grace Weber, and Emma Weishaar.

The seven staff members receiving the Spirit of Excellence Awards:

Connection Award: Brittany Simpson, Katie Bestvian
Innovator Award: Mike Chabalowski, Tracy Mize
Legacy Award: Don Fulmer, Frank Matas
Spirit Award: Mike Lehman

The following distinguished alumni will receive the Spirit of Excellence Award for their outstanding career achievements and accomplishments in life: Gary Andres (Class of 1973), Robin Kittleson (Class of 1986), Veronica Dillard (Class of 1998) and Maureen Zoltek (Class of 2001).

TAP's Autism Awareness Walk N' Roll

Join the annual fundraising event at a new location this year on April 29.

In honor of Autism Acceptance Month, the Lake Park High School Transition Assistance Program (TAP) will celebrate the annual Walk N’ Roll event with neighboring districts on Friday, April 29 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Clauss Farm Recreation Area of the Roselle Park District.

With more than 400 people already registered, the event will welcome participants from TAP, Pathways, NDSEC TLC, U-46 Transition Programs, South Elgin High School Life Skills Program, Leyden Transition Program, West Leyden Life Skills Program, Glenbard South Transition Program, Glenbard North Transition Program, and CHSD Transition 99.

The schedule includes:

.... 10:30 Arrival & Registration

.... 11:00-12:00 Walk

.... 12:00-1:00 Lunch & Social Hour!

The entrance fee is $1.00 per participant and will benefit the Autism Society. After the walk, please stay for a social hour with student-led activities and the Kona Ice truck, which is donating 20% of gross sales to the Autism Society.

Welcoming the Class of 2026

Final orientation program offered for incoming freshman families on May 2.

An Incoming Ninth Grade Parent Orientation program will be hosted on Monday, May 2 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at East Campus. This final orientation program is designed to benefit parents/guardians only.

The evening will begin promptly at 6:30 p.m. with a large group session in the Dice Auditorium. In the opening presentation, you will hear from your Lancer administration about important information to best transition to high school. After the opening presentation, you will have the opportunity to select three different breakout sessions. The purpose of this format allows parents/guardians to explore topics most important to them and have their questions answered by school leaders, counselors, faculty, and students.

"Spring into Safety" with Angela Rose

PAVE Founder returns to alma mater on May 3 to deliver awareness program.

Lancer families and local community members are invited to attend "Spring into Safety" hosted on Tuesday, May 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the West Campus auditorium featuring Lancer for Life Angela Rose. Lake Park SWaP (School Social Workers and Psychologists) and the Lake Park Educational Foundation are excited to partner with this 2019 distinguished alum, author, and nationally known presenter. The goal of the free awareness program is to provide education about prom and dating safety, the meaning of consent, healthy relationship education, and more.

PAVE (Promoting Awareness | Victim Empowerment) is a multi-national nonprofit that works to both prevent assault and heal survivors through social advocacy, prevention education, and survivor support. Now a leading 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, PAVE was founded as a student organization at the University of WI-Madison in February 2001 by Angela Rose, in response to her own experience of being kidnapped and sexually assaulted at the age of 17. To learn more about PAVE's impact, view a 90-second video, follow @PAVEinfo on social and visit www.ShatteringTheSilence.org.