Tinley Park’s Celia Lindokken aces ACT
Celia Lindokken, of Tinley Park, a junior at Marist High School, earned a perfect score on the ACT exam in Feb.. (Marist High School)
It takes a lot more than luck to score a perfect 36 on the ACT, although the accomplishment is only in the dreams of most high schoolers.
Only about 0.25% of test takers earn a perfect score. Tinley Park resident Celia Lindokken is one of them. The junior at Marist High School in Chicago finds herself alone again as the school’s only student in the class of 2025 to earn a perfect score.
Lindokken attended Central Middle School in Tinley Park.
Keeping the faith, Jones wins WiSys Quick Pitch in Wisconsin
Mokena’s Faith Jones, a social work major at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, finished first in the WiSys Quick Pitch competition for students at the university on March 21 at the University Center.
WiSys Quick Pitch is a research-focused student pitch competition that inspires students at the Universities of Wisconsin to consider the impact of their research and learn how to effectively communicate it to a general audience. Participants have three minutes to impress a panel of judges with their ability to explain the value of their research to society.
By winning the competition, Jones earned a small cash prize and an invitation to compete against other Universities of Wisconsin students at the WiSys Quick Pitch State Final at the WiSys SPARK Symposium on July 24-26 at UW-Superior.
Jones’s research is titled, “Understanding Religion and Spirituality in Social Work.”
Zerante appointed as Marian Catholic’s assistant principal
Marian Catholic High School has named Nora Zerante, a 2011 graduate, as its new assistant principal for the 2024-2025 school year.
Zerante, who has dedicated eight years to Marian Catholic as the English Department chair, English teacher and head varsity softball coach, now steps into a larger leadership role.
In her new role, Zerante will work closely with the newly hired principal, Joe Zampillo, a class of 1989 graduate, to uphold Marian Catholic’s traditions of academic excellence, spiritual development, and community engagement.
“It is an honor and privilege to serve Marian Catholic as assistant principal alongside Dr. Joe Zampillo,” Zerante said. “In my time as a student, teacher and coach at Marian Catholic, I have learned that building community and relationships are essential to our success, and nurturing relationships will be at the heart of the work I do with our students, faculty, and staff, parents and families and alumni.”
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi inducts new members
Crete’s Nigel Pennington-Flax (Coe College), Mokena’s Matthew Newman (Northern Illinois University) and New Lenox’s Matthew Shortfall (University of Maryland Global Campus) were initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Manhattan’s Shawna Gordon featured in student art exhibit
Some of the artwork created by Manhattan’s Shawna Gordon is featured in the Sally Otto Gallery at the University of Mount Union through April 11.
Gordon is one of 22 Mount Union students whose paintings, drawings, graphic design and sculptures are on display.
Orland Park’s Lappin named peer mentor at UW-Whitewater
Orland Park’s Colleen Lappin, who is studying marketing at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is a peer mentor for the 2023-24 academic year.
Area students perform in Augustana College West Coast choir tour
More than 50 Augustana College students performed at five Southern California churches in the Augustana Choir California tour from March 21-24 as well as a home concert on April 6 in Davenport, Iowa.
Frankfort’s Brianna Ebenroth, Mokena’s Maddy Overstreet and New Lenox’s Ben Radeke, Grace Strache and Miranda Tyda are among the choir’s members who made the trip.
New Lenox native places at NCCFA
New Lenox’s Calvin Boss recently took second place in the National Parliamentary Debate Association division of the National Christian College Forensics Association Invitational.
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