Badger named as National Merit winner
ACHS senior Nick Badger has been named as a winner in the National Merit Scholarship Program. Nationwide, approximately 16,000 students qualify from the pool of 1.4 million juniors who took the PSAT last fall. Badger was named one of 668 semi-finalists from Illinois earlier in the year.
Students qualify for scholarship competition by scoring at least 218 out of 240 on the test.
Finalists are selected based on their academic records, SAT scores, personal essays and support of the school principal and are notified of their status in February.
Beginning in March, winners of National Merit awards will be announced. Awards include $2,500 National Merit scholarships, corporate awards and college-sponsored awards as well as special scholarships.

Daily Herald honors McKenzie for leadership
Senior Brett McKenzie has been named honorable mention to the Daily Herald Leadership Team program. The award recognizes high school students who excel in volunteerism and community service. A special edition of the Daily Herald’s Neighborhood section on Jan. 3 listed the entire team.
McKenzie participates in football, basketball, tennis and soccer. He was the soccer team’s captain and was given special mention on the all-state soccer team. His other activities include National Honor Society, Junior Leaders, and Principal Advisory Committee.

Simonini, Fox, Badger win prizes in VFW democracy contest
Three Antioch High School students accepted awards Dec. 12 in the Antioch VFW Post 4551 Voice of Democracy contest, sponsored annually by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Junior Zack Simonini won first place and a $300 savings bond. His entry advances to district competition, where winners will be announced on Jan. 13.
Kaitlin Fox won second place and a $200 bond, while Nick Badger won third and a $100 bond. Forty-two ACHS students entered the contest.
Entries consisted of a five-minute audio recording of a patriotic essay. This year’s topic was “Freedom’s Challenge.” Simonini said his essay focused on “little choices determining whether you’re a stitch or a fray within the fabric of our nation.”
The contest is open to high school students; entries are judged on originality, content and delivery. The eventual winner at the national level will receive a $30,000 scholarship.

Community nominates school staff for special recognition
American Education Week, Nov. 12-18, celebrated public education and honors individuals who are making a difference in ensuring that every child receives a quality education.
Parents, students and community members nominated 10 ACHS teachers, coaches and sponsors to principal Mike Nekritz, who reviewed the nominations and recognized staff members.
Individuals receiving recognition were Will Zambole, Tim Hildner, Karl Richter, Judi Logan, Deb Rummel, Jennifer Leber, Charlie Trout, Dan Mikal, Grant Murray and Tom Duffy.

Hoban submits top name for mascot character, wins $50 prize
Senior Amanda Hoban’s suggestion for the new superfan mascot’s name proved to be the most popular in a vote of students and staff. She won a $50 cash prize for her effort.
Her submission, Stan, captured nearly half of the 500 votes cast online. Other suggested names included Big Red, Super Sequoit, Sergeant Sequoit and Andrew (Andy Rock).
Created by Street Characters of Alberta, Canada, the costume is the result of a design suggested by members of the class of 2007 who met last spring. Principal Mike Nekritz said the character will help promote school spirit and give teams and fans an identity. The caped figure sports the school logo on his chest and cape.

Schenk is latest to be inducted into athletics hall of fame
Girls’ volleyball head coach Bob Schenk was inducted into the athletic hall of fame on October 6. The ceremony took place before the start of the varsity volleyball match against Lakes High School.
A 1966 graduate of ACHS, Schenk held the school record in the high jump before heading to Carthage College and setting the record there.
While coaching at Stevenson High School, Schenk led his teams to the state finals twice. His teams at Antioch and Stevenson have won a combined seven conference, ten regional, six sectional and four super-sectional championships. In his 25 years of coaching track at Stevenson, two of his athletes were crowned state champions.
Schenk has taught physical education at Tripp Elementary School in Buffalo Grove for 25 years. Before his five years of coaching the Sequoits, he coached volleyball for 10 years at Stevenson and several years at Wilmot and Mercer High Schools in Wisconsin. He plans to retire from teaching and coaching at the end of the school year.

Lear chosen for Lake County Sports Hall of Fame
Former athletic director Ward Lear was inducted into the Lake County Sports Hall of Fame on August 31 at Midlane Country Club in Highland Park.
Lear was ACHS athletic director from 1957 until 1987, during which time he oversaw the start of girls’ athletics. He took special interest in the wrestling program and worked at the IHSA state wrestling finals for 30 years.
In 1999 he was inducted into the ACHS Athletic Hall of Fame. Lear was named athletic director of the year in 1985 by the Illinois Athletic Directors Association, and was chosen for the IADA Hall of Fame in 1998.
Lear lives in Baldwin, Wisconsin with his wife, Marylyn, where he stays involved with community service organizations. He enjoys traveling and attending sports events and conventions.