Families, friends, teachers, administrators, and community leaders gathered recently to celebrate the seniors from Shepard High School who received scholarship awards.
Winners included: Alexa Ramirez, Academic Achievement Award for outstanding scholastic accomplishments; Piotr Maciorowski, Jessica Acevedo, Carlo Hernandez. Manny Orozco, Brianna Rolek , Dylan Cervantes, Raymond Hammerschmidt, Ryland Roberts, Miriam Cojocariu, and Delaney Doyle, District 218 Foundation Award for academic excellence, participation in clubs or sports, and a stellar disciplinary record.
Emma Morgan and Kassie Shepherd, Franklin Pilchard Awards for scholastic ability and financial need; Emma Lonosky and Samuel Kowalkowski, Future Leaders Award for graduates who “will be difference-makers and have a passion for making the World a better place.”
Lisette Morales and Vincent Wang, Helen O’Hagan Award which supports “two seniors who are actively committed to serving their community and in pursuit of higher education”; Tyler Florez, Analise Mulvihill, and Arianna Gonzalez, Shepard Illinois Education Association Award for seniors “showing great academic promise who plans on pursuing higher education and maintained a consistent 3.0 GPA or above all four years.”
Ximena Delgado, Jim Craig Memorial Award presented to a “senior wrestler who exhibits integrity, character and effort”; Dragos Cojocariu, Marquette Bank Award presented to a senior “based on the criteria of financial need, community service and scholastic achievement.”
Alexa Ramirez, National Honor Society Award presented to an at-large member (a second award honors an officer) who “embodies the four pillars of the National Honor Society including, scholarship, character, service and leadership”; Ava Serdar, National Honor Society Award presented to an officer (a second award honors an at-large student) who “embodies the four pillars of the National Honor Society including, scholarship, character, service and leadership.”
Jenna Abuzerr, Orland Park Rotary Club Career/College Award presented to a senior who “demonstrates high regard for their educational accomplishments and their potential for their undergraduate education and their future goals”; Amber Wysocki, Outstanding Senior in German Award presented to a senior who “must have a consistent above average grade in German as well as show improvement and consistency in work ethic and effort in learning German.”
Ava Serdar, Palos Heights Woman’s Club Award presented to an outstanding student that has at least a 3.0 GPA, is a Palos Heights resident, and has demonstrated leadership in school or the community; Maura Diaz and Aidan Wright, Palos Lions Club Award for “two students who exude excellent character, strong grades and continually seeking to be the best version of themselves.”
Dania Soriano,Emily Sheppard, Amber Glader, Nora Fraider, Ariana Serna, and Gabriella Scalzo, Pepsi Academic Achievement Award presented to “seniors with exceptional academics, as well as service accomplishments”; Pavlos Kladis, Holly McGrath, Owen McGovern, and Izabella Szwajnos, Ranieri Memorial Award presented to “students who plan to pursue a career in either business, the trades or the medical profession.”
Aidan Wright, Ryan Plowman Memorial Award presented to “a senior who exemplifies Ryan’s key characteristics, they are athletic, excel in academics, are kind and compassionate towards others”; John DiFoggio, Spirit of Shepard Award presented to “a senior that best exemplifies the spirit of Alan B. Shepard.”
Rylee Moar, Susan Macis Support Service Award presented to “a student who has persevered through difficult circumstances, has been a productive student, and has given back to the community”; Brookalyn Woods, Tommy Fagan Memorial Award presented to “a strong student that has overcome a loss and has stayed the course.”
Natalia Kiernia, Wall of Fame Award, chosen by a committee who discusses each student, and votes on which senior who “needs to represent all that we value at the school. Grades, strength of character, leadership, involvement in the school and responsibility”; Lauren Gawel (Worth Lions) and Kassie Shepherd (Leo Club), Worth Lions Club and Leo Club Awards for “students who have a B average, have been active in the community and who resides in Worth.”
Ekaterini Polyzos and Isabel Salgado, Yearbook Award presented to “exceptional seniors who have excelled in media production or dedication and service to the publication’s success.”