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December – January Highlights
Taft’s AVID Program‐
“Excellence in Leadership and Academics” AVID’s 2nd Annual Winter Pot Luck Celebration
All levels of AVID students, teachers, and even alumni celebrated together
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Student Involvement Outside of School
Jack Suwinski (AVID II)‐ Illinois Indians Baseball Travel Team. In addition,
Jack also swims and plays baseball for Taft.
Veronica Boggs (AVID II)‐ Windy City Rage
Softball team. Veronica also plays softball for
Taft’s Varsity Team.
Hayah Imtairah (AVID I)‐ Earned a black belt in
Taekwondo.
Aishling Martinez (AVID II)‐ Swimming club at
the Leaning Tower.
Alex Johnke (AVID III)‐ A member of the Jazz
band that performed at Mr. McGowan father’s birthday celebration.
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AVID I
Samantha Schwiegger was in the East of Angeles play that was recognized for most
creative and best play in The Illinois High School Theater Festival.
Vincent Rangel took 1st place in Roosevelt Rough Riders
Tournament, 2nd place in Mather Wrestling Tournament,
along with 2nd place in the Chicago Hope Academy tournament.
Colleen Kane is a member of the musical Spamalot and Guitar
Club.
Michelle Gonzalez is in Latin Dance and The Service Learning
Committee.
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Michelle Gonzalez along with three other students, Stephanie Madl, Bella Ryan,
and Nia Loving, are currently working on an IMPACT Project. Their goal is to enforce
healthy habits for students in school, such as exercising and eating properly.
Dominick Bednarek is on the Taft’s Basketball freshmen team and Fishing Club.
Jessica Maldonado, Kassandra Renteria,
and Lejla Kisija are all in Student
Government.
Michelle Volpe donated food, toys, and
clothes to the Salvation Army. She
is also in Irish Club at Taft.
Jerod Jankowski received a
new rank in Boys Scouts of America
called Life. He is also in Archery Club at Taft.
AVID II
Daniel Gallo has a record of 23‐7 in wrestling. He took first place in the Evanston
Tournament.
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Adam Peterson will play baseball in the spring. In addition, he is also on a Hockey
traveling team called The Chicago Blues.
Jacob Giese will play Varsity Volleyball in the spring. He is also in a traveling team
called Vortex.
Claudia Martinez is in The Art Club, currently working on decorating the music
room. She is also in Irving Park Penguin swim team.
Katie Bouboulinis is in ROTC. She also
plays soccer for Taft. In addition to that,
she was on a softball traveling team
called The North Lake Knights and
soccer traveling team called The Express.
Rozan Deeb is in Muslim club. She just
recently organized a food drive for Syria.
She also volunteered to do community service called
“Helping Hand” which she helped pack clothes and other donated items to Egypt.
Sabrina Fitzhenry is on Taft’s Poms team. Outside of school, she teaches and
competes in the Trancen Dance Studio.
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AVID III
Juan Ramirez is starting an organization to raise cancer awareness. He will also play lacrosse in spring.
Rafal Lebiedzinski is in Taft’s Math Team. He was also placed 1st in a fencing tournament in Wisconsin.
Katherine Chavarria, Stephanie Wilczynski, Claudia Glodz, and Jennifer Perez are in Poms.
Celeste Castillo will go to Washington D.C for the Close‐Up Program. She is also in Student Government, Water Polo, and Life Guarding for After School Matters.
Sarah Foy will also go to Washington D.C for the Close‐Up Program. She is currently in National Honor Society and Student Government. She will play Water Polo in spring.
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Anna Radziewska is currently in National Honor Society, Student Government, and Track and Field. She also plays tennis in Niles.
Jason Dawson is in Taft’s Math Team and Water Polo. He is also in an air force program called Silval Air Patrol outside of school.
Sarah Vargo is in Chorus and Student Government. She was in the ACT Club and will play soccer in the spring.
Joey McFeely was the captain of Varsity Softball and will play Varsity Baseball in the spring.
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AVID IV Josue Quintero participated in a play called East of Angeles in the Illinois Theater Festival.
Marko Savich was invited to perform folk dance in Clearwater, Florida.
Nico Gallo was mentioned in the Sun Times article for his accomplishments in wrestling. He has a record of 26‐1 at 182 pounds.
Edisa Dracic, Susie Sosa, Veronica Pena and Jessica Diaz will play Varsity Soccer in the spring.
Kyle Lange is in National Honor Society. He is also in bowling.
Sarah Clinard is currently in National Honor Society. She is also in Cross Country and Track.
Izabela Liszweski received a medal from Cook County for her outstanding 100 plus hours of community service. She is also in South Asian club.
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Melissa Poeut is the President of Break Dance Club and Marilyn Segarra is the co‐president of Ukulele Club.
Shannon Staunton is the President of Student Government, Vice‐President of Letterman Club, Editor of newsletter, and Captain of Swimming and Water Polo.
Rachel Manchur is the president of Issues to Action. She is also in Senior Committee, National Honor Society, and Rock Band. Furthermore, Rachel is a Golden Apple Scholar Finalist.
Taft High School AVID Staff AVID Coordinator‐ Mr. Anil Menon [email protected] AVID Teachers‐ Mr. Sergio Santillan, Mr. Juan Salinas, Ms. Brenda McGeever, Mr. Seamus McGowan, Mrs. Jessica Lane, Ms. Linda Bhavilai, and Mr. Ryan Glowacz
AVID Counselors‐ Ms. Melissa Gallagher and Ms. Sonia Abrego
Parents‐‐‐‐Thank you for your support and involvement!
