Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Fourteen students from Downers Grove South and 10 from North were listed among the top 2 percent of their senior classes academically, district officials said.
Community High School District 99 in Downers Grove has announced 24 seniors—10 from North High School and 14 from South High School—who are part of the top two percent of their senior classes academically in 2013. “Being a member of the top two percent is a most distinguishing academic honor, as it acknowledges a consistently high level of academic performance across seven semesters of high school,” said District 99 Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald in a press release. “In addition, these students have excelled in various extracurricular and athletic programs, making them incredibly well prepared for future success.” The top two percent of students, listed alphabetically, from North High School are: Mary Bedalov is the daughter of Lynn and …
Monday, April 8, 2013
The Naperville school’s team won the tournament for the first time in its history; the Mustangs put up a close fight in the final match.
The Neuqua Valley Wildcats boys volleyball team beat the Downers Grove South Mustangs two games to one in Glenbard East’s Springfest tournament finale on Saturady to claim the tournament for the first time in the team’s history, the Naperville Sun reports. “We never won this tournament before in all the years we’ve been coming here, ever since the school opened (in 1997) and began fielding a boys volleyball team,” Neuqua Valley coach Erich Mendoza told the paper. According to the paper, the Wildcats (12-2) beat Glenbard East in the semifinals, then took down the Mustangs 25-20, 25-27, 25-19 behind strong performances from Griffin Shields, Callahan Rafferty and Alex Coyne. “It’s kind of tough in volleyball now with rally scoring to play …
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Downers Grove South teacher Kevin Ahrens credits a friendship from his days at Lyons Township High School for setting into motion his career as a special needs educator.
A high school friendship changed the course of Kevin Ahrens’ life. Ahrens played varsity baseball while a student at Lyons Township High School. His coach, Terry Sullivan, asked him to help the team’s manager, a student with special needs, learn some tasks, such as how to organize baseballs and where to store equipment. That partnership blossomed into a friendship that shaped Ahrens’ career as a special needs teacher at Downers Grove South High School. On St. Patrick’s Day, Ahrens, now a coach himself, led the DGS Special Olympics basketball team to victory at the state championship. “It was a magical year,” said Ahrens, of La Grange, who began coaching the team this fall. Every single player got to play for at least part of each game …
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
The 12-member team was celebrated after school Wednesday, just a few days after they won the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament in Bloomington-Normal.
The Downers Grove South community came together in full force Wednesday to celebrate a crowning achievement for the school—a state title for its Special Olympics basketball program. The 12-member team wrapped up a 21-6 season by winning the championship at the Special Olympics Illinois State Basketball Tournament on March 17 at the Illinois State University campus in Bloomington-Normal. On Wednesday, the school held an after-school celebration to toast the team and present the players with championship T-shirts. The team's coach, Kevin Ahrens, said the players' positive attitudes and "team-first approach" led them to the state title. "It was a magical year where everything just fell into place," Ahrens said, fighting back tears. "I'm …
Thursday, March 21, 2013
A Downers Grove South High School student noticed a suspicious vehicle around 3:53 p.m. Wednesday, prompting an investigation by Darien police.
A Downers Grove South High School student noticed a suspicious vehicle on her way home from school Wednesday afternoon, prompting an investigation by the Darien Police Department. The student was walking home around 3:53 p.m. near 71st Street and Exner Road in Darien when she noticed an older, gold minivan pass and brake just ahead of her, police said. There was no conversation between the student and the male driver and no attempt was made to coerce the student to the vehicle, police said. As a preventive measure, the student walked between residential yards. Police said she noticed the vehicle circle the block several times before leaving the area. Darien police were notified of the incident and checked the area with negative results. …
Monday, March 11, 2013
Jerron Wilbut, 19, and two other men were charged with felony robbery Thursday after an incident near Clarendon Hills, according to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office.
A former Downers Grove South basketball star and two other men were being held in DuPage County jail Friday on robbery charges, officials said. Jerron Wilbut, 19, of Willowbrook, Kelechukwu Akuba, 20, Romeoville, and Leverenzel Booth, 18, of Darien, were each being held in lieu of $10,000 bail following their arrests Thursday, according to the DuPage County Sheriff's Office. Officials said the men were planning to meet a juvenile acquaintance around 4 p.m. Thursday in an unincorporated area near 55th Street and Route 83 in Clarendon Hills. The men invited the youth into their car, and one of the men displayed what appeared to be a handgun before robbing the victim of money and property, authorities said. DuPage County Sheriff's …
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Loukia Mastrodimos will assume the position of associate principal for staff and students at South High School on July 1.
Downers Grove South High School has named a new associate principal. Loukia Mastrodimos will assume the position of associate principal for staff and students at South High School on July 1. She will replace Georgia Hash, who will become the new associate principal for curriculum and instruction at the school. The District 99 Board of Education approved Mastrodimos’ appointment at its business meeting Monday night. For the past two years, Mastrodimos has served as assistant principal at Glenbard South High School in Glen Ellyn. Prior to that position, she worked at Downers Grove North High School, serving as department chair of the career and technical education department from 2006 to 2011. She has also worked as a teacher at York High …
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The speech team at South High School placed second and North High placed fourth at the IHSA state meet Friday and Saturday.
It was a winning weekend for the speech teams at both District 99 high schools. Downers Grove South placed second and Downers Grove North placed fourth in the IHSA Individual Events Team State Championship at the speech state meet, held Friday and Saturday in Peoria. In addition, three students—Dan Leahy (South High), Natasha Prosek (South High) and Alex Buckley (North High)—were all crowned state champions in their individual events. South High Results South High’s team, led by head coach Nicole Carreno, captured second place in the state meet. Senior Dan Leahy was named state champion in Original Comedy, and also received third place in Prose Reading. Junior Natasha Prosek is state champion Humorous Interpretation. Three other students …
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Get the latest schedules, scores and more for Downers Grove North and South, Hinsdale Central and South and area private schools. Basketball, bowling, wrestling and more!
It's playoffs season for high school winter sports, and we want to track the action for local teams in basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and more. We'll follow the top schools in the area, including Downers Grove North and South, Hinsdale Central and South and area private schools. You can also help us by sharing photos from games and meet. Follow a certain team? You can also post photos and updates to our Local Voices section: Write on Darien Patch / Write on Woodrige Patch Playoffs have started for girls basketball. Here's the latest results and upcoming games for local teams: Hinsdale Central: Season over. Lost 70-56 to OPRF in the regional championship. Hinsdale South: Season over. Lost 59-45 to North Lawndale Charter in the …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Senior Daniellle Conrad will play at University of St. Francis in Joliet this fall.
Danielle Conrad, a senior at South High School in Downers Grove, will signed a national letter of intent Wednesday to play volleyball at the University of St. Francis in Joliet in the fall. Conrad led South High in assists this season as a three-year varsity player and was a key asset to both the offense and defense. She was a co-captain this year and was a leader on and off the court in her commitment to being a student athlete. “It has been an honor to coach Danielle for her four years here at South High,” said Coach Trisha Kurth in a release. Danielle is a two-year all-conference award winner and MVP of this year’s varsity team. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - There are plenty of ways to keep up on Downers Grove news:
Liz layden
2:14 pm on Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Way to go mustangs and coach Kevin!! So proud of you-- the kids at DGS are lucky to have you!!!! more ›