Publications & Sites 
District 219 Notes for March 16
Updated: March 29, 2012 3:50PM
Science Demo Show to be presented
The fifth annual Science Demo Show will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. March 22 in the Auditorium at Niles North. Niles North teachers and students will use science demonstrations covering a vast array of physics and chemistry topics. The demos will capture imagination, add to the fun of learning science, and inspire further explorations of science. The show features over 20 demonstrations designed specifically for elementary and middle school students, but all are invited to come share in the excitement of science. The community is invited to attend. For more information, please contact Scott Reed at scoree@d219.org or visit www.phantasticphun.com.
North presented physics phrenzy
The Niles North Science Department hosted The third annual Physics Phrenzy March 20 in the East Cafeteria at Niles North High School. Over 50 Niles North physics students assisted at over 25 different stations where children of all ages observed, made predications, tested ideas, and felt physics first-hand.
Children invited to attend dance clinic
Auroris Dance Company will conduct its third annual Dance Clinic for children in grades Kindergarten through eighth grades on April 14 at Niles North High School, 9800 Lawler, Skokie. Participants will choose to learn a hip-hop or jazz dance routine and will be placed in the appropriate level by grade and experience. At the conclusion, children will perform on stage in the Niles North High School Auditorium, along with members of the Auroris Dance Company. The cost is $30 per child and includes clinic, snack and T-shirt. Register by April 2. Contact Deanna Sortino, Niles North Auroris Dance Company Sponsor, at deasor@d219.org or download a registration form at : https://sites.google.com/site/aurorisdance/.
32nd annual Pasta and Pops Dinner
The Niles West Music Parents Association (NWMPA) presents the 32nd annual Pasta & Pops Dinner and Concert, featuring performances by the Niles West High School orchestras, choirs and bands on May 12. This year’s performance honors William S. Koch, Director of Bands, who is retiring after 29 years of teaching at Niles West High School.
Pasta & Pops is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the NWMPA and all proceeds help to support music education at Niles West by funding projects and scholarships not covered by the fine arts department budget. On May 12, the silent auction begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a dinner buffet at 6 p.m. and musical performances at 6:15 p.m. Tickets are $16 and include a pasta dinner and the legendary sweets table with desserts donated by the student performers and their families. Call Lori Berman at (847) 677-7301 by May 2 to request tickets. Individuals or businesses interested in providing an item or gift certificate for the silent auction, or to place an ad in the Pasta & Pops program book, e-mail pastanpops@gmail.com or call Susan Phillips at (312) 969-1899, by April 20.
Summer online registration begins
Though summer may seem far away, it is not too soon for students to start making plans for summer school. Classes will be held at Niles West High School, 5701 W. Oakton St., Skokie. The summer academic session begins June 15, and runs through July 27. Wednesday, July 4, is a non-attendance day.
On-line registration for District 219 Summer School will begin at 10 a.m. on April 2, for current sophomores, juniors and seniors who reside in District 219. Current freshmen, eighth grade students and athletic camp participants may use the on-line registration process beginning at 10 a.m. April 3.
Students who reside within the District 219 attendance area and attend private or parochial schools may obtain an I.D. number and password for on-line registration. Contact Donna Slabas at (847) 626-3977, for an appointment at the Niles Township High School District 219 Administrative Offices, 7700 Gross Point Road, Skokie., between the hours of 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Bring a utility bill and a driver’s license or state I.D. as proof of residency. Once the student receives the I.D. number and password, they may use the on-line registration process beginning April 2 (for sophomores, juniors and seniors) or April 3 (for current freshmen and eighth graders).
In-person registration for open Summer School classes will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. April 5; 1 to 8 p.m. June 8; and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 11, in the board room of the District 219 Administrative Offices. Since enrollment is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, some courses may close prior to the first in-person registration date.
Bus transportation will be available, with buses arriving at Niles West at 7:45 a.m. and departing Niles West at 12:25 p.m. Bus routes are available on the Summer School website and at textbook pick-up on June 14. For the students’ convenience, there will be a bus provided from Niles West to Niles North at 12:30 p.m. A bus pass is required.
For the Summer Academic and Athletic brochure and to register, visit summer.niles219.org. Questions should be directed to the Summer School office at (847) 626-3060.
North Star news is now online
The Niles North High School student newspaper, the North Star, has changed formats to become an online news website. A launch party was held Feb. 23 to officially unveil the new format, which will feature up-to-the-minute news stories and in-depth articles, as well as videos, galleries, and polls.
Go to www.northstarnews.org, 24-7, to find the latest news about Niles North. The advisers for North Star News are Charles Pratt and Ivan Silverberg.
Students earn FCCLA awards
Approximately 450 middle and high school family consumer science students recently gathered at the College of Lake County to participate in the Grayslake Family, Career and Community Leaders of America, Inc. (FCCLA) Regional Competition. Niles North and Niles West High Schools were among the competing schools and earned 11 Most Outstanding awards, 16 First place awards, 27 Second place awards and 61 students qualified for state competition. The state contest will be held April 19-21 in Springfield.
Niles North results: Five students attained the top five scores in a STAR competition and qualified for state in STAR Culinary Arts: David Barak, Dianne Maglaque, Alexander Johnson, Jordan Kabins and Romeo Montiel. Students were awarded Most Outstanding, First place, Second place or Third place awards. Students with an asterisk (*) also qualified for the state competition.
Most Outstanding: Lenny Veytsel*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes; Cryzlyn Domingo* and Sarah Hampton*, STAR Chapter Showcase Display; Pearl Kohler*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Scott Elgazar*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Jordan Kabins*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; and Danielle Mels*, Food Production Salad Demonstration.
First place: Brandon Rivera*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Samantha Youseph*, Fashion Apparel Display; Jovaan Shaw*, Food Production Relish Tray; Colton Kaplin*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Amanda Ibraham* and Deasia McCray*, Children’s Literature Presentation; Isabel Berkson*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes; Veronica Billedo*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Jack Burke*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Jack Cantin*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Alexander Johnson*, Food Production Relish Tray; and Kesha Chau*, Food Production Salad Demonstration.
Second Place: Ariel Tidhar*, STAR Fashion Design; David Barak*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Trent Markland*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Ethan Nagar, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Jinal Patel*, Casual Wear Apparel Construction; Rachel Shaykin*, Fashion Apparel Display; Melissa Ewart*, Professional Career Image; Nicole Pena*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes; Mady Taira*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes; Martyna Tos* and Natasha Yousif*, Children’s Literature Presentation; Gabi Weinketz* and Maria Fernandes*, STAR Focus on Children; Jolene Strauss*, Brittany Ebeling* and Katherine Betz*, STAR Chapter Service Project Display; Juliette Glassner and Chan Lee, Children’s Literature Presentation; Amy Khamou and Nahrain Odisho, Children’s Literature Presentation; Jeanette Abonce, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes; Romeo Montiel*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; and Karoline Ross*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cakes.
Third Place: Johanna Sward, Professional Career Image.
Also competing in the STAR Culinary Arts event were Kesha Chau and Brandon Rivera.
Niles West results: Vanja Selak, who competed in STAR Culinary Arts and placed in the top five, qualified for the state competition. Students with an asterisk (*) also qualified for the state competition.
Most Outstanding: Alexandrina Bits*, STAR Fashion Construction; Molly Morello*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cake; Vanja Selak*, Pastry Arts Fondant Cake; Lily Chatman*, Preschool Lesson; and Chrysanthe Agos*, Children’s Literature Presentation.
First Place: Katie Graves*, Child Care Provider; Colene Gibson* and Patricia Mocarska*, Children’s Literature Presentation; Jenny Marin* and Kelly Sanks*, Children’s Literature Presentation; Aisha Usman*, Pastry Arts Decorated Cookie; and Sashoy Chambers*, Food Production Relish Tray.
Second Place: Zena Salam*, Formal Wear Apparel Construction; Angela Guinata*, Formal Wear Apparel Construction; Zena Salam*, STAR Fashion Construction; Aisha Badla*, Child Care Provider; Moriah Gelfand*, Children’s Literature Presentation; Chris Lee*, Jonah Barquez*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; Stephen Giddens*, Food Production Salad Demonstration; and Laura Krikorian*, Pastry Arts Frosted Cake.
Third Place: Alina Tariq*, Formal Wear Apparel Construction; Joanna Kastrinakis*, Semi-formal Apparel Construction; and Brandi Fryer*, Child Care Provider. Also competing in the STAR Culinary Arts event: Henry Jaramillo, Laura Krikorian, Ramone Lewis, and Molly Morello.
West reaches semifinals at Cal-Berkeley
Niles West Debate competed recently at the Cal Invitational, a major tournament on the national debate circuit hosted by the University of California-Berkeley. Niles West reached the semifinals in the Junior Varsity division and Miranda Kang was named the 6th speaker out of 216 debaters in Junior Varsity.
All three Niles West teams advanced to the elimination rounds in the Junior Varsity division, in which 108 teams competed. Breana Brill and Miranda Kang were the 14th seed entering the elimination rounds. They reached the semifinals of the tournament, but lost on a 2-1 decision to Little Rock Central High School. Kris Trivedi and Nathan Anderson were the 9th seed entering the elimination rounds. They made it to the quarterfinals and were defeated by a team from Montgomery Bell Academy. Jessie Amgalanjargal and Lia Isono were the 16th seed entering elimination rounds and ultimately reached the double octafinal rounds.
There were 235 teams competing in the Varsity division. The Niles West teams of Theo Noparstak and Jonass Placitis and Emma Lazar and Vinay Patel both achieved 4-2 records, although they did not advance to the elimination rounds.
Niles West Debate Head Coach Eric Oddo said, “To be on the verge of advancing in the Varsity division at this tournament, after just a year and a half of rebooting the program, is true progress. Furthermore, it was great to experience success in the Junior Varsity division at another national tournament.”
Assistant debate coaches are: Kevin Bancroft, Jeff Buntin, Matt Fahrenbacher and Val McIntosh.
North hosted winter roundtable
Niles North High School hosted a Winter Roundtable for Illinois Project Lead the Way (PLTW) teachers on Feb. 13. Instructors of the PLTW nationally-recognized pre-engineering curriculum met to discuss national and Illinois PLTW news and updates, program successes and challenges, best practices and suggestions, and to visit the engineering and STEM labs. Participants included: University of Illinois PLTW, University of Illinois at Chicago PLTW, Niles North and Niles West High Schools, Woodstock High School, Maine South High School, Schaumburg High School, New Trier High School, North Grand High School, Austin Polytechnic Academy, Waukegan High School and Prospect High School.
West wins State Championship
Niles West Debate competed at the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association State Debate Tournament at Dundee Crown High School on March 9-10. This is the state competition for Novice and Junior Varsity debate in Illinois. West debaters Miranda Kang and Nathan Anderson won the state championship in the Novice policy debate division.
Kang and Anderson faced 46 teams from across the state in the Novice division. They were 7-3 in preliminary rounds and the fifth seed entering elimination rounds. They defeated Glenbrook North for the championship and were 3-0 in elimination rounds. Gershom Chan and Tahir Meeks were 6-4 in the preliminary rounds but failed to advance to the elimination rounds. Out of 92 debaters, Nathan Anderson was named the fourth speaker. Janat Ahmed, Nick Charles, Lizzie Prete, James McLellan, Alwin Alex, Michelle Sproat, Morgan Gstalter and Walter Lindwall also debated well and had respectable records at the tournament.
In the Junior Varsity division, 31 teams from across the state competed. Theo Noparstak and Jonass Placitis went 4-1 in preliminary rounds and were the third seed entering elimination rounds. In the semifinals they lost on a close 2-1 decision to Glenbrook North. Emma Lazar and Vinay Patel were 4-1 in the preliminary rounds and the fifth seed entering elimination rounds. They lost on a close 2-1 decision to King College Prep in the quarterfinals. Niles West was one of two schools to advance more than one team to elimination rounds in the Junior Varsity division. Out of 62 debaters, Theo Noparstak was fourth speaker, Emma Lazar was sixth speaker, Kris Trivedi was seventh speaker and Jonass Placitis was ninth speaker. Ari Hoffman, Sana Khan, Lia Isono, Jessie Amgalanjargal, Breana Brill, Nashiha Alam, and Alyssa Guzman also competed at the tournament and did well.
Head Debate Coach Eric Oddo said, “We worked extremely hard to reach our goal of winning state. I appreciate all of the hard work from my assistant coaches: Kevin Bancroft, Jeff Buntin, Matt Fahrenbacher and Val McIntosh. I also want to thank former New Trier debater Ted Kontopoulos and former Michigan State debater Eric Lanning for assisting us this weekend.”
Niles West Debate won’t have much time to sit back and enjoy their trophy. Coming up this month is the IHSA Varsity State Debate Tournament in Bloomington, the Novice/Junior Varsity Nationals at Woodward Academy in College Park, Ga. and the Midwest Debate Championships in Iowa City. Next month they compete in the National Debate Coaches Association Debate Championships in Las Vegas.
North student Golden Apple Scholars
Niles North High School students Maria Fernandes and Jolene Strauss have been selected to be among the 135 members of the Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois Class of 2012.
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois is a highly competitive program that seeks the best and brightest of Illinois youth interested in a teaching career. Those selected receive advanced teacher preparation through Summer Institutes that give them early practice and exposure to the art of teaching and financial assistance for college. Over 1,200 nominations were received this year for the program. The Class of 2012 Scholars will be honored on May 12 at DePaul University’s Lincoln Park Campus.
North Debate finish at State
The Niles North Debate Team had an impressive run at the Illinois Communication and Theatre Association State Debate Tournament held on March 9 and 10 at Dundee Crown High School in Carpentersville.
Niles North was one of only five schools in the state of Illinois to qualify more than one team to elimination debates in the novice policy debate division, joining the ranks of long-standing programs at Glenbrook North, New Trier, University of Chicago Laboratory and Homewood-Flossmoor. Niles North’s Ambria Benesch and Adam Yusen were seeded seventh in a field of 46 teams, while the team of Luc Walkington and Leelabari Fulbel was seeded twelfth. Although both teams bowed out in the octafinals, they both finished in the top 16 in the state. Josh Bynum and Zahra Domin finished with a strong 5-5 preliminary record. Shelby Nordstedt, Irene Diblich, Karli Goldenberg, Mia Temkin, D’Angelo Oberto and Sam Eschker also competed.
Niles North also had two of the top 10 individual speaker awards. Benesch won third overall speaker and Fulbel earned tenth overall speaker, both in a field of 92 debaters. Niles North was one of only two schools in the state to win more than one individual speaker award, attesting to the depth of talent on the all-freshman team.
Next up was the IHSA Varsity State Debate Tournament in Bloomington on March 16 and 17 and the Novice National Debate Tournament on March 23 through 25. The Head Debate Coach is Katie Gjerpen and assistant coaches are Andrew Baker, Apoorv Kumar, Sarah Smaga and Arjun Vellayappan. The team also was assisted by Michigan State University’s Carly Wunderlich and Dallas Urban Debate Alliance’s Nicole Serrano.
West WYSE team wins third at sectionals
The Niles West Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE) team took third place at the Sectional meet held March 9 at Vernon Hills High School.
The following WYSE members qualified for the State competition to be held April 5 at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana: Celine Ledesma, first place Engineering Graphics; Andrew Kim, first place physics and second place mathematics; Patrick Liscio, first place mathematics; and Alex Makeyev, second place engineering graphics.
The following WYSE members also contributed: Felix Angelov, Rishy Chacko, Sheryl Cherian, Marc-Daniel Julien, Akshar Kumar, Zoya Momin, Michael Nissan, Andrew Rappoport, Alberto Rios, Vikram Shah and Edward Lee.
WYSE coaches are Martha Lietz and Matthew Fahrenbacher.
West Art department enters shoe contest
Niles West is one of 900 high schools selected to participate in the third annual Van’s Custom Culture Competition. Niles West will receive four pairs of blank white Vans to customize. Each pair must correspond to a following theme: art, music, action sports and local flavor. The winning design receives $50,000.
The national field of entries will be narrowed down to a group of 50 schools, to be announced April 20. Online voting will determine the top five schools and the winner will be selected in May.
