17 Seniors Named to Downers Grove South's Top Two Percent

Mohammad Salman Ali is the son of Ashraf and Ruqia Ali of Downers Grove. He has received the Downers Grove Community Bank Scholarship and an AP Scholar with Distinction award. He has participated in the Key Club, Math Team, Scholastic Bowl, Saturday Morning Physics at Fermilab, National Honor Society, and National Spanish Honor Society. He has been part of the volleyball and track teams. He works at the Kumon Math and Reading Center in Darien, and has volunteered with Tzu Chi, Polar Express, and The Giving Tree. Salman plans to attend the University of Chicago.

Mohammad’s favorite memory: “While filming the death scene of Principe Ali in the middle of the street for AP Spanish, Matt Balsamo almost ran me over!”

Rianda Artis is the daughter of Doug and Rebecca Artis of Downers Grove.  She’s been the captain of the varsity bowling team, leader of her youth group worship band, and a member of the National Honor Society. Rianda will be attending Asbury University on a full ride scholarship and will be majoring in media communications.  

Rianda’s favorite memory: “Playing Frisbee in the courtyard, naming the turtles in the pond, and the feeling of finally being a senior.”

Scott Blessing is the son of Beth and Ralph Blessing of Downers Grove. He is a National Merit Finalist, an Illinois State Scholar and an AP Scholar. He is a member of the National Honor Society. He is a member of the swim team and received the team’s sportsmanship award. He has been a member of Boy Scout Troop 57 since the sixth grade, and has reached the rank of Eagle. He plans to attend the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign in the fall and study computer science.

Scott’s favorite memory: “Going to DeVry University my junior year to compete with my friends in a Java coding competition.”

Anthony DeCarlo is the son of Liz DeCarlo of Darien. He has received Academic All Conference, Spanish National Honor Society and 4.0 & Above Honor Roll recognitions. He has been involved in Peer Leaders and is a member of the National Honor Society. He has played on the football team all four years, and also participated in track and field. He has served as a volunteer for Misericordia’s Candy Days. He plans to attend Iowa State University and major in mechanical engineering.

Anthony’s favorite memory: “Going undefeated in football sophomore year and spending the past four years with all my teammates.”

Gabrielle Fatora is the daughter of Carol Anna and Paul Fatora of Woodridge. She is an Illinois State Scholar and an AP Scholar, and has received National Merit Commended, Platinum and Gold Math, Gold and Bronze Science and Illinois Science Teachers Association awards. She is a member of the marching band, as well as the National Honor Society and Spanish National Honor Society. She has been an Irish dancer with the McNulty School of Irish Dance for 14 years. She has volunteered at First Presbyterian Church and the Woodridge Community Resource Center. Gabrielle plans to attend Rice University and major in bioengineering with a pre-med track.  

Gabrielle’s favorite memory: “My favorite memory would have to be when the marching band placed 4th in state this past year. It was amazing seeing the band transform over the last four years, and this was a great way to end my time as a Marching Mustang.”

Rosaley Gai is the daughter of Ping Han and Wei Gai of Woodridge. She is a National Merit Finalist and is a member of the Math Team and choir. Rosaley has been a member of the badminton team for four years, her senior year in a shared leadership role. She has volunteered at the JASC Senior Center. She plans to attend the University of Chicago and major in psychology. 

Rosaley’s favorite memory: “Senior night at badminton this year was absolutely fantastic—one of the many times that the team has truly been together at all points of the evening. It was that coveted sense of honor I’d watched put on for three years prior, and I couldn’t have been more excited and proud of my teammates.”

Maura Killian is the daughter of Catherine and Patrick Killian of Woodridge. She’s an Illinois State Scholar, and recipient of the IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award, Silver Math Award and English Department Academic Award. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Wind Ensemble, and has served as a leader for Mad Dash, Enter with Pride and Physical Education. She has played on the basketball team, and has also served as the assistant girls’ basketball coach at Lakeview Junior High School. She has volunteered at Good Samaritan Hospital. In the fall, she will attend Purdue University and study dietetics/nutrition, fitness and health.

Maura’s favorite memory: “Though I have experienced many amazing classes, my favorite has been my AP Psychology class. The material that we learned was intriguing and surprising, and I enjoyed having a teacher that was very interested and involved in the subject.”

Zachary Kuerschner is the son of Tracey and Timothy Kuerschner of Woodridge. He is an Illinois State Scholar, and recipient of the IHSA Scholastic Achievement Award and West Suburban Conference Academic Achievement Award. He has been a member of the National Honor Society, Peer Leaders and Athletes Committed to Excellence, and of the football team. He has volunteered with Group Workcamps, which helps underprivileged families with home renovations, as well as Feed My Starving Children. He plans to attend Indiana University in Bloomington, and major in operations management. 

Zachary’s favorite memory: “My favorite high school memory was football team dinners on Thursday nights.  Laughing and joking with my teammates and friends after practice, while eating some good food provided by the boosters, was a great way to relax before the competition of the big game.”

Kaitlyn Lapen is the daughter of Janet and Robert Lapen of Downers Grove. She has received the Girl Scout Gold and Silver Awards, and is an AP Scholar and Illinois State Scholar. She has been a member of the symphonic orchestra and National Honor Society, as well as a member of the cross country and track teams. She has volunteered at the Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana Day Camp programs and at St. Mary of Gostyn. She plans to attend Emory University and major in biology. 

Kaitlyn’s favorite memory: “My favorite High School memory was traveling to Europe with the District 99 orchestra the summer before my junior year.  We stayed with host families and toured landmarks such as the Gaudi Cathedral in Barcelona and the Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. It was an amazing experience!”

Lisa Ledvora is the daughter of Beth Ledvora-Riedel of Darien and Ronald Ledvora of Berywn. She is an AP Scholar with Honors, a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student, a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and received the Dartmouth Book Award. She’s been an active member of the Student Activities Leadership Committee, National Honor Society (Parliamentarian), Spanish Club and served on the class board. Lisa has been a gymnast since age eight, and has competed as a member at Elite Sports Complex and the United States Tumbling and Trampoline Association National team. She’s been an elite-level athlete and a recreational and competitive coach for four years. She has volunteered at Indian Prairie Public Library as part of the “VolunTEEN” group, and has served as a teacher and office aide in numerous South High departments. She plans to attend Lake Forest College and attend graduate or law school after graduating. 

Lisa’s favorite memory:  “I find class discussions to be amusing and enlightening. In social studies and English classes, I enjoy reading a text and discussing various perspectives of the subject matter because I am then better able to understand differences in viewpoints.”

Milica Mihajlovic is the daughter of Zorica and Dali Mihajlovic of Darien. She is an AP Scholar and member of the National Honor Society and Math Team. She has also served in leadership positions in the German Club. She is actively involved in peer tutoring, and has volunteered at the American Heart Association. She plans to attend Beloit College and major in anthropology/Russian and German. 

Milica’s favorite memory: “Playing UNO during lunch for all my second semester of senior year. It got really intense and so funny!”

William Moroney is the son of Eileen and Patrick Moroney of Downers Grove. He has received All State Musician and Outstanding English Student awards, and the University Scholar Award from NIU. He’s been a member of the Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Symphony, and Wind Ensemble. He is an Eagle Scout, and has been part of Boy Scout Troop 57.  He will be attending Northern Illinois University and studying electrical engineering. 

William’s favorite memory: “By far the best high school experience I had was travelling to New York with the DGS Jazz Ensemble as finalists in the Essentially Ellington competition.  We were immersed in a whole new culture, a music we loved, and surrounded by so many incredible musicians that it truly made for an unforgettable experience.”

Cory Mosiman is the son of Giesela and David Mosiman of Downers Grove. He has been part of the soccer team and track, and is the recipient of several soccer awards, including the Chicago Fire All-State All-Academic 1st Team, Chuck Novotny Coach’s Award and Rookie of the Year, as well as Most Improved Athlete in track. Cory has been involved in the J. Kyle Braid Leadership Foundation, Athletes Committed to Excellence, Peer Leaders and Superfans. He has also been actively involved in community and charitable work, including the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Campus Life STRIVE, Feed My Starving Children, the Downers Grove Park District’s Polar Express program, and the West Suburban Conference Leadership Conference. He also has participated in mission trips to New Orleans and Joplin, Missouri to help rebuild homes devastated by hurricanes and tornadoes. In the fall, he will attend the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign and major in civil and environmental engineering. 

Cory’s favorite memory: “My favorite memories from DGS would have to be with my soccer and track teams. I absolutely loved playing sports here and am so glad because of all the wonderful people I met and all of the great times we had together.”

Brendan O’Sullivan is the son of Mary and John O’Sullivan of Downers Grove. He is a Wendy’s High School Heisman School winner, an Illinois State Scholar and four-year Academic Letter recipient. He also received the Commitment to Excellence Award in Voluntary Service from the Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital. He is a member of the National Honor Society, and has been a D.A.R.E. leader and a member of Athletes Committed to Excellence. Brendan has been part of the baseball and basketball teams at school. He has volunteered at Edward Hines, Jr. VA Hospital since he was ten, and has been involved in JDRF, actively fundraising for more than 19 years. He plans to attend Saint Louis University and study chemistry and pre-medicine in the fall. 

Brendan’s favorite memory: “Playing on the same baseball team with my older brother Jack during the summer after my sophomore year. My teammates and coaches made it the most fun and memorable baseball season I ever experienced.”

Mark Plantz is the son of Lynn Sheppard and Jeff Plantz of Downers Grove.  He has been a member of the Wind Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble. He has volunteered at the Working Bike’s Cooperative and the Communications and Neural Systems Research Lab. Mark will attend Northwestern University next year and study biomedical engineering. 

Mark’s favorite memory: “Basically every day in Kaim’s Calc BC class was a good time!”

Joseph Sombeck is the son of Shar and Tim Sombeck of Downers Grove. He has been involved in the Athletes Committed to Excellence, Superfans and German clubs, and has played soccer all four years, serving as captain his senior year.  He plans to attend the University of Illinois in Urbana/Champaign and major in biomedical engineering. 

Joseph’s favorite memory: “During my senior year, the soccer team went to the finals of the Greater Midwest Classic. Even though we lost the final, beating a nationally ranked team in the semi-finals was a great accomplishment for the team.”