LP Link: February 23, 2024

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.

Spirit Marches: Swimming, Gymnastics, Wrestling

Lancer student-athletes qualify for and represent in IHSA State competition.

Congratulations to the Boys Swim & Dive IHSA State Qualifiers Dom Perkowski (12) and Matt Karasek (10). Both qualified last weekend at St. Charles East and will compete this weekend at the IHSA Boys Swimming & Diving meet hosted in Westmont at the FMC Natatorium. Dom is a 3-time State Qualifier and will compete in the 100 and 200 Freestyle. Matt is a 2-time State Qualifier and will compete in the 200 Individual Medley and 100 Freestyle. Matt’s 100 Freestyle time of 45.85 broke the oldest school record on the board previously held by Greg Mihalik whose record time of 46.61 has stood since 1987! The boy's swimming team is led by Head Coach Bennet Witteveen, Assistant Coach and Lancer for Life Tim Layer, and Assistant Coach Carl Metzke.

Congratulations to the Lancer Girls Gymnastics team that captured 4th Place overall as a team in the IHSA Gymnastics State Finals at Palatine High School last weekend. This marks the 2nd highest finish at the IHSA Team Competition behind only the 1991 squad that finished 3rd. Furthermore, in back-to-back trips to the State meet, it improvea the team’s 5th-place finish in 2023.

The Lancers were led by reigning vault state champion Julia Bartnik (12) who had a historic weekend of competition winning the IHSA Senior Gymnast of the Year. Julia captured 6th place all around as well as 3rd place podium honors on Vault, 6th place honors on Beam, and 11th place honors on Floor! The Girls Gymnastics Team is led by Head Coach and Lancer for Life Jake Luketin, Assistant Coach and Lancer for Life Rachel Fischer, and Assistant Coach Bailey Bloom.

Congratulations to IHSA Class 3A State Qualifying Wrestler Nick Merola (10) who competed in Champaign at the State Farm Center last weekend. This marked Nick’s debut trip to State wrestling in the 126 pound weight class. He advanced following Sectional competition at Conant High School, where six of his teammates also competed. The Lancers Wrestling program is coached by Head Coach Mark Cameron, and Assistant Coaches Frank Matas, Cody Pych, Pete Willis, and Lancer for Life Luke Badger.

Music Department Heads to the Big Apple

Combined band and choral trip to New York City departs next week.

Nearly 150 Lancers involved in Lake Park’s band and choral programs, under the direction of Michael Lehman and Sam Baker respectively, will travel to New York City for an unforgettable tour lasting from Thursday, February 29 through Monday, March 4. This combined tour of the music department will include special performances, spectacular sightseeing, group dinners, and memories to last a lifetime. Student experiences will range from participating in a Broadway Imagined workshop and seeing two Broadway shows (Aladdin and Wicked) to free time exploring Central Park and Times Square.

One of the groups’ numerous performances will occur in the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the largest cathedral in the world with a 601-foot-long nave the length of two football fields and a 162-foot-tall dome crossing that could comfortably contain the Statue of Liberty. Other highlights of the itinerary include visiting Ellis Island, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

Safe travels to our Lancers departing next week! A special thanks to all of the parent/guardian chaperones who will help navigate this jam-packed special tour. Check out the upcoming calendar of music concerts to hear our students perform:

Tuesday, February 27 | Winter Choral Concert

Thursday, March 7 | Spring Band Concert

Friday, March 8 | Spring Jazz Concert

West Campus Student Job Fair: February 28

Lancers can explore part-time employment opportunities during lunch.

Thanks to the participation of local employers, Lake Park High School West Campus will host a student job fair on Wednesday, February 28 during all lunch periods (4th-7th). An East Campus Job Fair will occur on Wednesday, April 3.

Companies seeking student candidates for part-time positions/summer positions and/or more permanent employment after graduation will be attending the fair, which will be set up outside the cafeteria. Students are invited to visit with representatives during their lunch period and are encouraged (but not required) to bring a resume.

Students can register in SchooLinks for these upcoming career exploration events:

Wednesday, March 6 | Aviation Careers Spotlight

Tuesday, March 19 | Trades Convention

Tuesday, April 16 | Medical Careers Spotlight

Prom Tickets on Sale Starting February 26

Discounted ticket sales available through March 21.

The 2024 junior and senior prom "Evening in Paris" will be hosted at The Cotillion in Palatine on Saturday, May 4 from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Similar to previous years, prom tickets are available for online purchase with a credit/debit card through Tuesday, April 23. Students are encouraged to purchase tickets early for a discounted price through Thursday, March 21. To purchase with cash or check made out to Lake Park High School, students should visit the Activities Office at West Campus during the school day. Students planning on bringing a non-LP Guest (including past graduates) should complete this form and return it to the Activities Office at West Campus prior to April 23. Guest tickets can be purchased online or with cash/check after the completed guest form has been submitted.

Visit the Prom website for more information about ticket sales, guest registration, and dress guidelines, or contact the sponsors at lpprom@lphs.org with any questions.

Upcoming Parent-Teacher Conferences

Online Scheduler open through Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m.

Lake Park High School will be hosting parent-teacher conferences for the second semester on Thursday, February 29 (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.).

Students will have a shortened day of school and follow the early release schedule, with dismissal at 1:36 p.m. for West Campus and 2:16 p.m. for East Campus. Friday is a student non-attendance day.

Similar to the fall conferences, Lancer families can access the electronic conference scheduler to reserve a time to meet. The scheduler will remain open until Wednesday, February 28 at 3:00 p.m. for families to schedule conferences with a teacher, counselor, or case manager using the credentials mailed home earlier this month.

For scheduling assistance during normal school hours, contact East Campus at (630) 529-1514 or West Campus at (630) 529-1516. If you need assistance in Spanish, contact Marisol Kurtz at 630-295-5313.

Scholarship Applications Due March 8

Lake Park Educational Foundation to award scholarships totaling $73,000!

With the addition of new scholarships in the last month, the Lake Park Educational Foundation is very excited to be offering 40 scholarships totaling $73,000 available for Lake Park High School graduating students in the Class of 2024. There are over 20 unique scholarships offered with varied criteria based on activities, athletics, academics, career-focus, financial need and more.

The scholarship applications can be found on the Going Merry website. Don’t miss your opportunity! Scholarship applications are due by Friday, March 8. Visit www.lphs.org/Foundation to view all the scholarship information.

Community Connection

Annual Roselle traditions return for 2024.

Congratulations to 2024 Rose Ambassador winner Angelina Italia (12) who was selected during the Rose Ambassador Scholarship Event hosted at West Campus on Friday, February 9.

Angelina will represent the Village of Roselle in the Annual Rose Parade as well as various Village of Roselle, Roselle Chamber of Commerce, Roselle Public Library, and Roselle Arts and Culture Foundation events throughout the year.

The purpose of the Rose Ambassador Scholarship Event is to offer local high school students an annual opportunity to compete for college scholarships totaling over $5,000. The event consists of judging in six areas: application and essay, personal interview with the judges prior to the event, casual wear, talent, formal wear, and Q&A.

Congratulations to first runner-up Anthony Johnson (11) and second runner-up Frankie Molfese (11).

Flags For Roselle is currently accepting subscriptions for the 2024 program. Residents of Roselle can purchase an annual subscription to have a 3x5-foot American flag installed in their front yard on the following holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Patriot Day, and Veterans Day. The flags are installed early on these mornings and removed by dusk on the same day.

Proceeds for this program will be shared by the Roselle Historical Foundation, The Roselle American Legion Charitable Foundation, the Boy and Girl Scouts of Roselle and the Lake Park Educational Foundation.

A minimum subscription of $50 covers the five installations in 2024. Visit the Flags For Roselle website for more information about becoming a subscriber or to participate as a volunteer.