Valley View Honors 18 RHS Students with “Those Who Excel” Awards

Top achievers from Bolingbrook and Romeoville high schools were honored at the annual Valley View School District 365U “Those Who Excel” luncheon at Bolingbrook Golf Club Wednesday.

Hosted by the Board of Education, Those Who Excel has honored the “doers” and “achievers” in VVSD high schools since the early 1970s when several students were taken out to lunch by the school board president and district superintendent.

As the years went by, other board members and administrations joined in the annual outing to honor the young men and women who most demonstrated potential for becoming our leaders of tomorrow.  The end of the year get-together has become one of the highlights of the year for students, board members and administrators.

Honored from Romeoville High School were:

Diane Alkatout--Academic Top Senior

Valedictorian of the Class of 2013; Illinois State Scholar; Prairie State Achievement Award in Mathematics, Reading, and Science; National Honor Society; badminton, golf, and Key Club. “I Plan to study Pre-Medicine at the University of Chicago.” 

Keith Jett--Outstanding Band Student

Top ten percent in class, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award in Reading and Science, IMEA All-District Band, NIU Jazz Combo Day Award, National Honor Society, Marching Band, Pep Band, Pit Band, Scholastic Bowl team, and tennis. “I plan to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and major in computer science and music.”

Robert Knepp--Outstanding Career & Technical Ed. Student

His designs and creations were chosen for the winter sports program and student of the month honorees display.  Also designs and creations can also be found on the RHS website and on the television monitors in the halls of RHS.

Career Technical Education Club, Yearbook Publications, and Student Aide for the Guidance Department.  “I am currently undecided in my college selection”.

Mary Gitogo--Outstanding English Student

Top Ten in Class for three years, AP Scholar, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award in Mathematics, National Honor Society, Best Buddies, Scholastic Bowl, and Student Council. “I plan to attend Loyola and major in biology and then attend medical school at either Loyola or Rush University.  I plan to become a family physician.”

Abigail Smith--Outstanding Female Athlete

All-Area and All-Conference for softball and basketball, RHS MVP for softball and basketball, named to 5 All-Tournament Teams, All-State Honorable Mention, Peer Mentor, Athletic Reporter, and Yearbook. “I plan to attend McKendree University on a basketball scholarship and major in education and coaching.  Once I’ve completed my studies at McKendree, I hope to come back to Romeoville H.S. and help out with the Basketball Program.”

David Ridderhoff--Outstanding Journalism Student

Illinois State Scholar; Prairie State Achievement Award in Reading, Mathematics, and Science; Editor-In-Chief of RHS Spartans Student Newspaper, tennis, and the Math Team. “I will attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and I will major in Journalism/Broadcast Journalism.”

Cierra Backstrom--Outstanding Leadership Member

President of Student Leadership, Leadership Team of R.I.G.H.T. (Really Intelligent Girls Hanging Together), Student Government, Peer Mediation, St. Baldrick’s, Mr. RHS, Step-Up Day Committee, Class Council, and Volunteer for bingo at Senior Star. “I will attend Bradley University and study psychology for Forensic Psychiatry.”

Ameris Caleb Bailey--Outstanding Male Athlete

2012 RHS football Defensive and Team MVP. 2012 Football All-State Honorable Mention, varsity football three years and track and basketball for two years. “I will attend the University of Western Michigan where I received a scholarship and I will major in Sports Law.   Also, I hope to play in the NFL.” 

Megan Boots--Outstanding Math Student

Third out of 434 academically in senior class, Top Ten of Class all four years, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award in Mathematics and Science, Basketball – 4 years, Best Buddies and National Honor Society. “I plan to attend Joliet Junior College for 2 years, and then transfer to Governor’s State University where I will obtain my bachelor’s degree in Biology.  After my undergraduate studies, I plan to continue my studies until I obtain my doctorate in physical therapy.” 

Daniel Quan--Outstanding MCJROTC Student

Received the highest award in the MCJROTC, “Legion of Valor Bronze Cross,” recipient of the 2013/2014 Comcast Leaders Achievers Scholarship, and NROTC 4 year scholarship, National Honor Society, MCJROTC Drill Team, Semper Fi Society, Student Leadership, Student Government, Student Council, Step-Up Day Committee, St Baldrick’s Master of Ceremonies, and Track. “I plan to attend Purdue University where I will continue in the ROTC Program and complete my studies earning officer status in the United States Marine Corps.” 

Veronica Patino--Outstanding NHS Student

Top Ten Percent of Class, 4.2 GPA, 3.5 GPA/Higher Student-Athlete Award, 3- sport-athlete, Poms MVP, Vice President of National Honor Society, soccer, and a Volunteer at Silver Cross Hospital. “I plan to attend Carroll University and become a physical therapist.”

Gabrielle Habeeb--Outstanding Performing Arts Student

Top Ten Percent in Class, Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award in Reading and Science, Outstanding Choral Member in 2010, National Honor Society, Color Guard, Thespians, fall plays, spring musicals, Speech Team, Choir/Madrigals, St. Baldrick’s, Art Club, and Pioneer Indoor Drum Corps. “I plan to attend either Loyola or the University of Chicago and major in Biology and maybe obtain a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences.”

Nicholas Sodt--Outstanding Science Student

Illinois State Scholar; AP Scholar; Prairie State Achievement Award in Reading, Mathematics, and Science; RHS and ROTC Academic Awards; top freshman in ROTC, Chess Club, Videogame Club, Scholastic Bowl, and ROTC. “I plan to attend the University of Illinois Chicago and double major in Pharmacology and Pre-Med and then I plan to attend medical school and become an Emergency Room Doctor.”

Adebowale Adelabu--Outstanding Social Studies Student

Illinois State Scholar; Prairie State Achievement Award in Reading, Mathematics, and Science; National Merit Scholarship Corporation “Outstanding Participant;”  Top Ten in Class for 3 years; National Honor Society; Scholastic Bowl; Math Team; and varsity baseball. “I plan to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and major in Computer Science. I plan to become a Computer Software Engineer.”

Melanie Underwood--Outstanding Student Government Member

Member of the Executive Board of Student Government and Student Leadership, volleyball, badminton, cheerleading, Peer Mediation, St. Baldrick’s, Mr. RHS, Step-Up Day Committee, Homecoming Committee, Class Council, and volunteer for bingo at a nursing home. “I plan to attend Augustana College to study Occupational Therapy.  Once I complete my studies at Augustana College, I plan to work at a children’s hospital.” 

Emily Napoles--Outstanding Student Services Student

Honor roll 1st honors, Interact Club and Green Club. “I plan to obtain a degree in Business Management and obtain my cosmetology license, and then open my own salon.”

Carlos Manzo--Outstanding Transition Student

Completed the Culinary Arts Program at Joliet Junior College earning a certificate for “Readiness for Employment” in all 5 classes, Best Buddies, Director of Best Buddies. “I will use my culinary skills to become a chef, preferably at the Olive Garden Restaurant.” 

Janette Joerger--Outstanding World Language Student

Illinois State Scholar, Prairie State Achievement Award in Science, National Society of High School Scholars, gymnastics. “I plan on attending Joliet Junior College for two years for my basic classes. I am undecided about my college selection after JJC; however I will major either in math or German.”

Editor's note: This article was submitted by Valley View School District 365U.