Joliet Central students learn about health careers
June 19, 2012 4:00PM
Daniel Popek.
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Updated: July 21, 2012 6:01AM
JT field trip
JOLIET — Health careers came alive for Joliet Central High School students during a recent visit to the Morris Animal Care Hospital. The visit incorporated concrete examples of learning objectives found within the Joliet Township High School Academy of Health and Medicine.
“Students got to experience what it is like to be to a veterinarian at the animal hospital,” said teacher Jennifer Pryor.
Dr. Matt Teuscher and Matt Johnson, certified veterinary technician and hospital manager, provided a tour of the hospital and explained the various aspects of working with animals.
“They were able to watch Dr. T scrub in for surgery, and watch as he neutered a dog,” said Pryor. “After he finished, he brought the organs out so the kids could see it up close and explained what they were looking at. We also viewed the physical therapy room, boarding facilities, exam rooms, and Dr. Nikki Polson-Meade’s farm truck that is used to make large animal visits.”
Graduation helpers
MINOOKA — Students in the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative’s R.E.A.C.H. (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) Program, which is housed at Minooka High School’s Central Campus, stepped up and took on a beautification project to help prepare the athletic stadium for graduation ceremonies.
For approximately three hours over the course of two days, students in the program headed under the stadium’s home stand bleachers and picked up trash and other items.
“Earth Day actually encouraged us to take on this project,” teacher Tammy Batson said. “When we saw that the area under the bleachers needed some attention, we thought we could help take something off the to-do list of the school’s maintenance staff and help them out.”
“These kids love MCHS,” teacher Kathy Seitz said. “This is their school, and they love being able to do things to make a difference.”
Students in the program also volunteered as greeters at the school’s senior citizen matinee production of “Fiddler on the Roof” in March. The students welcomed guests and distributed playbills.
The R.E.A.C.H. Program was established by the Grundy County Special Education Cooperative in 1995 to serve students with cognitive disabilities ages 14-22. It is divided into two programs: the high school program (which serves students ages 14-18) and the transition program (which serves students ages 18-22).
Popek honored
MINOOKA — Minooka High School senior Daniel Popek, son of John and Nancy Popek of Minooka, was named the Channahon-Minooka Rotary Club Student of the Month for May.
Popek maintains a 3.8 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). Outside the classroom, he is a member of the Indians’ cross country and track and field teams. As a junior, Popek was a part of the Indians’ IHSA state champion 4x800 relay team. He is also a member of the Indian Athletic Leadership Club.
He will attend Augustana College and major in biology to prepare for a career as a physician’s assistant. He will also participate in the school’s cross-country and track and field programs.
Japan study
LOCKPORT — Lockport Township High School senior Hilary Nguyen was one of 32 students nationwide to be invited to participate in the 2012 JET Memorial Invitation Program.
The program is funded by the Japan Foundation, a cultural exchange institute affiliated with the government of Japan. It provides participants with the opportunity to go to Japan for two weeks as a group to meet Japanese students, experience Japanese culture, and study the language.
Contest winners
JOLIET — Joliet West High School announced the 2012 winners of the Mr. and Miss Alpha Omega Contest, an annual event sponsored by the Joliet West Yearbook Program that names the best all-around senior boy and girl.
“This is a prestigious award that is a long-standing tradition of JTHS history,” said teacher and Alpha Omega sponsor Jennifer Galloy.
Winners are Blake Billups and Hannah Godlewski.
Female finalists were Erin Cox, Susie DeRoss, Laura Fox, Evelyn Perez-Hernandez, Erin Kelly, Courtney Robinson, Hallie Roechner, Alisha Tuning and Miriam Vargas.
Male finalists were Myles Ealy, Matt Koran, Ezekiel Lee, Brandon Newberry, Chris Pascoe, Collin Shea, Frank Spesia, Nolan Springer and Joe Wolnik.
“In order to be considered a finalist, students needed to have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 for eight straight semesters,” said Galloy. “The finalists were required to submit a resume and cover letter to a panel of judges highlighting their academic career.”
Judges conducted interviews on April 13, awarding points for leadership, poise, diversity, confidence, merit, maturity, and commitment to their school and community.
